As Hillary Clinton campaigned in Southern California on Monday, the Associated Press reported she has already effectively won the Democratic nomination for President.
The AP, the world’s leading news wire service, said its count of pledged delegates won in primaries and caucuses and a survey of party insiders known as “superdelegates “shows Clinton with the overall support of the required 2,383 delegates.
The Clinton campaign tweeted: “We’re flattered, @AP, but we’ve got primaries to win. CA, MT, NM, ND, NJ, SD, vote tomorrow!”
Bernie Sanders, who was campaigning in the Bay Area, quickly issued a statement saying the race isn’t over.
“It is unfortunate that the media, in a rush to judgement, are ignoring the Democratic National Committee’s clear statement that it is wrong to count the votes of superdelegates before they actually vote at the convention this summer,” he said.
Clinton began the day with a get-out-the-vote rally in Lynwood, where she continued to direct her political ire at presumptive Republican candidate Donald Trump.
“We also believe that California represents the future, and it’s a bright future, a positive future,” she said. “I am tired of Donald Trump insulting Americans. I am tired of Donald Trump talking down America.”
“I am confident and optimistic about our future, but we’re going to have to do some things — like elect the right person to be president of the United States,” she said.
The former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state also attended a get-out-the-vote rally at Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, then headed for a late-afternoon rally at Long Beach City College.
On Monday night, Clinton will participate in a concert at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, with Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Andra Day, Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera among those scheduled to take the stage.
Sanders’ last-day campaign stop today will be an evening concert at San Francisco’s Crissy Field, featuring recording artist Dave Matthews heading a list of performers and speakers, including actors Danny Glover and Shailene Woodley.
In Northern California today, Sanders also took shots at Trump, saying the Republican’s campaign has been largely based on bigotry, and he again touted his grassroots support.
“The energy and the grassroots activism in this campaign is with us, not Hillary Clinton,” he said.
City News Service contributed to this article.
