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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton campaigned against Bernie Sanders here for the California primary Monday, but she has already set her sights on a possible face-to-face with Republican hopeful Donald Trump.
Half a month before the June 7 California primary, Clinton turned down an invitation by the Fox News network to participate in a California debate with Sanders, who tentatively accepted the invitation last week.
Sanders said Clinton's decision was "insulting to the people of California -- our largest state."
"A number of months ago our campaign and her campaign reached an agreement on a number of debates, including one here in California," he told a rally.
In a statement released on Monday, Jennifer Palmieri, director of communications for the Clinton campaign, said Clinton plans to compete hard in the remaining primary states, especially in California, while turning "attention to the threat a Donald Trump presidency poses."
"We believe that Hillary Clinton's time is best spent campaigning and meeting directly with voters across California and preparing for a general election campaign that will ensure the White House remains in Democratic hands," Palmieri said.
Fox News Channel's Vice President Bill Sammon said the network was "disappointed ... especially given that the race is still contested and she had previously agreed to a final debate before the California primary."
Clinton arrived in Los Angeles for an early evening fundraiser at the home of Bryan Lourd and Bruce Bozzi after a speech in Detroit earlier in the day.
Lourd is the managing partner of the Creative Artists Agency. Bozzi is a co-owner of The Palm restaurants chain. The event was hosted by Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of fashion magazine Vogue.
The trip is Clinton's 12th to the Los Angeles area since she declared her candidacy on April 12 last year, and the second this month.
At a rally of thousands, Sanders told the crowd that he is aiming to have rallies all over the state of California and that his team is going to speak personally "in a grassroots way" to over 200,000 people.
"That's what our campaign is about. It is a grassroots campaign," he said.
There are 475 delegate votes at stake in California, more than in any other state. "We are going to win the state of California," Sanders said.
Sanders advocated higher wages, an end to deportations, protecting voting rights and addressed issues of immigration reform.
Clinton and Sanders are expected to remain in Southern California on Tuesday. The 74-year-old Vermont senator, who described himself as a socialist, would be the nation's first Jewish president if elected, and will hold a rally at the Anaheim Convention Center.
The 68-year-old former secretary of state, who would be the nation's first woman president if elected, is scheduled to join Representative Karen Bass in a discussion and speak at a union headquarters.
