Bernie Sanders tells Carson rally 'I think we're going to win here in California'

Beie Sanders entered a Carson arena like a rock star and the crowd roared to deafening levels Tuesday night as the Democratic presidential hopeful delivered a message of brash optimism despite the steep odds facing his candidacy.

“I think we have a real shot to win primaries in a number of states coming up,” Sanders said from the StubHub Center. “And don’t tell Secretary (Hillary) Clinton — she might get nervous — but I think we’re going to win here in Califoia.”

Sanders and Clinton have dueled for months to secure the Democratic presidential nomination, but the former secretary of state has led steadily in the delegate haul and held a razor-thin lead in the Kentucky primary Tuesday night.

•RELATED PHOTOS: Beie Sanders Rally in Carson

But Sanders, in the middle of his speech, got word that CNN had called Oregon for him.

The crowd thundered with more cheers.

“I’m getting to like the West Coast,” he said.

Sanders pulled out all the stops with a pre-rally lineup of Hollywood names, including Day Glover, Frances Fisher and Kendrick Sampson.

Glover got a large ovation and spoke of Sanders’ commitment to civil rights and said the senator’s campaign was historic.

“Know that we’re making history here,” Glover said.

Sanders filled his speech with his regular talking points — his opposition to the War in Iraq and a move toward solving the problem of climate change.

•RELATED STORY: Beie Sanders supporters protest at Hillary Clinton event

His rally drew more than 8,000 people and many arrived hours early to see the senator’s speech.

The line to get into the teis center snaked around the complex while vendors hawked T-shirts, buttons, lemonade and bottled water.

Nico Vasquez drove from Yorba Linda and set up his drum kit near the front of the arena and began playing parts from his band, Indigo State, in a mix of psychedelic rock and jazz fusion. After tossing a set of drumsticks and grabbing new sticks, he got ready for another session.

He’s been a Sanders supporter for months, but said if the senator can’t overtake Clinton in the delegate totals, he’ll back the former secretary of state, reluctantly.

“I can’t support Donald Trump,” he said.

•RELATED STORY: Beie Sanders parts ways with Califoia campaign director

The rally was the third appearance in Califoia in the past two weeks for Sanders, and he’s not done crisscrossing the Golden State. He’ll be in Santa Clara and Vallejo today.

It’s part of his push to win Califoia and its 475 delegates in the June 7 primary. With early voting already underway and vote-by-mail ballots already being received, the campaigns continue to make Califoia seem relevant to the nominating process on the Democratic side of the aisle.

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Clinton recently opened up another campaign office in San Diego — her eighth in the state — and she will be in Southe Califoia for fundraising next week. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will be speaking on her behalf in the state May 21-24.

Republicans are already set with Donald Trump, who is about 100 delegates away from securing the GOP nomination and is expected to clear that hurdle when Califoia Republicans allocate its large pool to the billionaire. He is expected to be in the Los Angeles area next week for fundraising to compete in the general election.

Sanders said he wasn’t plaing to stop his campaign, despite calls to do so, and urged his supporters not to give up.

“We are in until the last ballot is cast,” he said.