Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders on Monday (March 14) sought to energize voters on the eve of primaries in important states.
Clinton entreated supporters in North Carolina to get out the vote, taking a veiled swipe at Republican front-runner Donald Trump.
"I know that none of this can happen unless we work together, unless we decide we'd rather be united than divided, unless we reject that kind of bluster and bigotry and bullying that is stalking our political system. I believe that's what Americans will do. I believe we are better than what we are hearing every night on television," she said.
The former first lady and secretary of state has a decent chance to pull away from Sanders on Tuesday (March 15). But her loss to him last week in Michigan, which shocked pollsters who believed Clinton had a double-digit lead, underscores the left-leaning U.S. senator's ability to surprise.
"The primary tomorrow is critical in this election season. North Carolina has a really important role to play - not only in the primary but then in the general election. I am, I am asking for your support. I would be honored to receive it. I hope to be your nominee, and then I will, I will wage a campaign that tries to put America's interests first," Clinton pledged to supporters.
For his part, Sanders campaigned in St. Charles, Missouri, lashing out at Republican governors in some of the primary states he said were responsible for suppressing voter turnout.
"Now it seems to me when we have one of the lowest voter turnouts of any major country on earth that we should be working hard to try to increase voter turnout, get more people to participate. Well these Republican governors are political cowards. They are afraid of free and fair elections. The only way they think they can win elections is by denying people who might vote against them the right to vote. And I say to those cowards: if you don't have the guts to run in a free and fair election get out of politics, get another job," he said.
Voters go to the polls in nominating contests in Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio on Tuesday, another key day for both Republicans and Democrats seeking their parties' nominations for the Nov. 8 election to succeed Democratic President Barack Obama.