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US election: Clinton set to cement hold on nomination US election: Clinton set to cement hold on nomination
(about 4 hours later)
Hillary Clinton is hoping to claim victory in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination after six states have finished holding primaries.Hillary Clinton is hoping to claim victory in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination after six states have finished holding primaries.
The Associated Press says Mrs Clinton has already reached the 2,383 delegates needed, taking into account pledges of support from so-called superdelegates.The Associated Press says Mrs Clinton has already reached the 2,383 delegates needed, taking into account pledges of support from so-called superdelegates.
She looks set to win New Jersey but the race could be tighter in the other big prize state, California.She looks set to win New Jersey but the race could be tighter in the other big prize state, California.
Rival Bernie Sanders insists it is too early to call the result.Rival Bernie Sanders insists it is too early to call the result.
Republicans are also voting in the same states, except North Dakota, although Donald Trump has already secured the party's nomination. Meanwhile, the Republican's nominee, Donald Trump, has been accused by the party's house speaker of making the "textbook definition of racist comments" about a US-Mexican judge.
His recent criticism of a Hispanic judge was condemned on Tuesday by Republican house speaker Paul Ryan as the "textbook definition of racist comments". Where are the primaries taking place?
'Unprecedented moment' Voting is taking place in Montana (27 delegates), New Mexico (43) and South Dakota (25), with a caucus in North Dakota (23). California has 543 delegates and New Jersey 142.
Voting is taking place in Democratic primaries in Montana (27 delegates), New Mexico (43) and South Dakota (25), with a caucus in North Dakota (23). California has 543 delegates and New Jersey 142. Republicans are also voting in the same states, except North Dakota, although the result is meaningless as Mr Trump has already secured the party's nomination.
The final primary is in Washington DC on 14 June. It has 45 delegates. The final Democratic primary is in Washington DC on 14 June. It has 45 delegates.
AP says its count has Mrs Clinton on 1,812 pledged delegates and 571 superdelegates. Are we sure Hillary Clinton has clinched the nomination?
The Associated Press says its count has Mrs Clinton on 1,812 pledged delegates and 571 superdelegates.
US media organisations say this means she will now become the first female nominee for a major US political party.US media organisations say this means she will now become the first female nominee for a major US political party.
Superdelegates are party insiders who can pledge their support for a candidate ahead of the convention but do not formally vote for them until the convention itself. Superdelegates are party insiders who can pledge their support for a candidate ahead of the convention but do not formally vote for them until the convention itself in late July.
Analysis - Katty Kay, presenter, BBC World News They can change their mind before the convention, but the AP says its tally includes only those who are unequivocal in their support for her.
It has taken a long 227 years to get even this far. Mrs Clinton received another boost on Tuesday when the influential Democratic politician and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi endorsed her for president.
Why don't I feel more excited? Analysis by Katty Kay, BBC World News America
It has taken 227 years to get even this far.
George Washington was elected president of a newly independent America in 1789. Forty-two men later (41 of them white) Hillary Clinton makes history today by being the first female nominee for the White House.George Washington was elected president of a newly independent America in 1789. Forty-two men later (41 of them white) Hillary Clinton makes history today by being the first female nominee for the White House.
So why don't I feel more excited?So why don't I feel more excited?
The lack of exuberance may come from the fact that this has all been going on for so long.The lack of exuberance may come from the fact that this has all been going on for so long.
We've really been reworking a version of the "first viable female candidate for the presidency" story since 20 January 2007, the first time Hillary Clinton declared her candidacy for the White House.We've really been reworking a version of the "first viable female candidate for the presidency" story since 20 January 2007, the first time Hillary Clinton declared her candidacy for the White House.
We're exhausted. We've run out of superlatives. We've overused every anecdote from the former first lady, former senator, former secretary's well-covered life.We're exhausted. We've run out of superlatives. We've overused every anecdote from the former first lady, former senator, former secretary's well-covered life.
A woman president would be new, Hillary Clinton is not.A woman president would be new, Hillary Clinton is not.
Why aren't we more excited about Clinton?Why aren't we more excited about Clinton?
BBC North America editor Jon Sopel says the AP announcement could actually be a problem for Mrs Clinton, as it may depress turnout in Tuesday's primaries and creates the impression that she has only won because of the superdelegates and not the ordinary voters. What has been Clinton and Sanders' response?
The Democratic Party has a far larger number of superdelegates than the Republicans, meaning a candidate would have to win 58.8% of primary and caucus votes cast under the party's proportional system to win by pledged delegates alone. Mrs Clinton has about 55% of the overall vote so far. Mrs Clinton did not claim victory after the AP announcement, telling supporters in Long Beach, California, on Monday: "We are on the brink of a historic and unprecedented moment but we still have work to do.
She did not claim victory after the AP announcement, telling supporters in Long Beach, California, on Monday: "We are on the brink of a historic and unprecedented moment but we still have work to do.
"We have six elections tomorrow and we're going to fight hard for every single vote, especially right here in California.""We have six elections tomorrow and we're going to fight hard for every single vote, especially right here in California."
Mrs Clinton received another boost on Tuesday when the influential Democratic politician and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi endorsed her for president.
Outsider's campaign
Bernie Sanders is hoping for a victory in California to keep his campaign going to the party convention.Bernie Sanders is hoping for a victory in California to keep his campaign going to the party convention.
The Vermont senator has commanded huge crowds at his rallies, many of them younger voters, pledging action on income inequality, minimum wages and student tuition fees.The Vermont senator has commanded huge crowds at his rallies, many of them younger voters, pledging action on income inequality, minimum wages and student tuition fees.
Reacting to the AP announcement, Sanders team spokesman Michael Briggs said the media "is wrong to count the votes of superdelegates before they actually vote at the convention this summer." Sanders team spokesman Michael Briggs said the media "is wrong to count the votes of superdelegates before they actually vote at the convention this summer."
He said Mr Sanders would attempt to win back superdelegates.He said Mr Sanders would attempt to win back superdelegates.
But the BBC's Anthony Zurcher says Mr Sanders has been running an outsider's anti-establishment campaign that has not generated much enthusiasm among the Democratic power players and long-time party stalwarts who comprise the bulk of the superdelegates. But the BBC's Anthony Zurcher says Mr Sanders has been running an anti-establishment campaign that has not generated much enthusiasm among the Democratic power players and party stalwarts who comprise the bulk of the superdelegates.
AP reports White House officials as saying that Mr Obama is preparing to endorse Mrs Clinton in the next few days, although the announcement would come after Tuesday's primaries.AP reports White House officials as saying that Mr Obama is preparing to endorse Mrs Clinton in the next few days, although the announcement would come after Tuesday's primaries.
Mr Obama telephoned Mr Sanders on Sunday, AP said. The contents of the call have not been revealed.Mr Obama telephoned Mr Sanders on Sunday, AP said. The contents of the call have not been revealed.
'Textbook definition' And in the Republican camp?
Meanwhile, Mr Trump has faced a barrage of criticism from within the Republican Party over his comments last week that Mexican-American US District Judge Gonzalo Curiel was biased against him. Donald Trump has faced a barrage of criticism from within the Republican Party this week over his comments that Mexican-American US District Judge Gonzalo Curiel was biased against him.
Mr Trump said Judge Curiel, who is overseeing lawsuits against Trump University, would not treat him fairly because he was a Mexican opposed to his plans to build a wall between the US and Mexico. Mr Trump said last week Judge Curiel, who is overseeing lawsuits against Trump University, would not treat him fairly because he is a Mexican opposed to his plans to build a wall between the US and Mexico.
Mr Ryan said he regretted Mr Trump's comments, saying "claiming a person can't do their job because of their race is sort of like the textbook definition of a racist comment".Mr Ryan said he regretted Mr Trump's comments, saying "claiming a person can't do their job because of their race is sort of like the textbook definition of a racist comment".
But he said it had not affected his decision to back Mr Trump's candidacy. "We have more likelihood of getting our policies enacted with him that we do with [Hillary Clinton]," he said. But he said it had not affected his decision to back Mr Trump's candidacy.
Trump's comments 'racist' - Paul Ryan