Sanders goes Hollywood: Aiming for a California upset

If Bernie Sanders can pull off an upset in California, it will be a story that got its start on Hollywood Boulevard.
In a building that saw the likes of film stars and movie moguls and later was damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Sanders' newly leased Los Angeles headquarters is where his campaign will ultimately go big or go home.
Steering the effort is Michael Ceraso, a rangy, goateed 34-year-old who, seven months ago, was working as a deputy program director for Airbnb. He'd never run a statewide campaign.
Sanders is trailing in state polls but "what gives us an advantage is people power," said Ceraso, alluding to the fervent crowds of 20- and 30-somethings at the senator's full- house rallies.

With time growing short in the primary season, California's June 7 contest could be a decisive showdown.
Sanders told cheering supporters in a Los Angeles theater in March that if he wins delegate-rich California by a significant margin "we are going together to the White House." But to make that happen, Ceraso and his team will have to take on the Clinton political powerhouse.

After helping to guide Sanders to victory in New Hampshire, Ceraso says he's not intimidated by Hillary Clinton's team, which has won elections here before and has deep political ties that date back a generation to her husband Bill Clinton's administration.

Ceraso broke into presidential politics in 2008 when he joined then-Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign, and last year managed a successful campaign for a local school board.
His Twitter feed, a blur of posts about the campaign and tributes to basketball star Kobe Bryant, urges followers to "Stay Frosty Folks" slang for "keep cool."
Clinton comes to the race a tested winner. In 2008, when Democrats around the country were embracing Obama, the former First Lady notched an 8-point win in California.
Bill Clinton locked in the 1992 Democratic presidential nomination in the state, which he carried in his two presidential contests. He visited California more than 70 times during his two terms as president.

This weekend, Hillary Clinton is expected in the Los Angeles area for a fundraiser with actor George Clooney. Sanders, meanwhile, was barely recognized by voters a year ago but has since narrowed the gap.