Hillary Clinton's campaign has declined an invitation to a proposed
Fox News-hosted Democratic presidential debate that her primary opponent
Bernie Sanders tentatively accepted last week.
The campaign released a statement Monday, almost a
week after Fox News invited both Democratic presidential candidates to a
final debate in California before the June 7 primaries.
"We have declined Fox News' invitation to participate
in a debate in California," Clinton Campaign Communications Director
Jennifer Palmieri said in a statement. "As we have said previously, we
plan to compete hard in the remaining primary states, particularly
California, while turning our 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."
“Naturally, Fox News is disappointed that Secretary
Clinton has declined our debate invitation, especially given that the
race is still contested and she had previously agreed to a final debate
before the California primary," Bill Sammon, Fox News VP and Washington
Managing Editor said in a statement.