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Clinton Beats Sanders In Florida By More Than 30 Points

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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton continues to outpace rival Bernie Sanders in the race for delegates.

On Monday, she beat the Vermont senator by more than 30 points in Florida's presidential primary, while also taking North Carolina and Ohio.

Clinton took the stage in West Palm Beach following her big win to address supporters.

"It's been another Super Tuesday for our campaign. Thank you Florida, thank you North Carolina, thank you Ohio!" she exclaimed. "We are moving closer to securing the Democratic Party nomination and winning the election in November. I want to congratulate Bernie Sanders for the vigorous campaign he's waging."

Early, incomplete returns Tuesday show Clinton winning 65 percent of the vote to Sanders' 32 percent. That means Clinton will take about two-thirds of Florida's 214 Democratic delegates.

Feeling one step closer to the White House, Clinton explained what she must be ready to face as commander in chief.

"Our next president has to be ready to face three big tasks. Can you make positive difference in people's live? Can you keep us safe? Third, can you bring our country together again?" she said.

The former secretary of state then delved into a familiar topic – national security.

"Protecting America's  national  security can never be an afterthought. Our commander in chief has to be able to defend our country, not embarrass it. Engage our allies, not alienate them. Defeat our adversaries, not embolden them," she said.

The Democratic front-runner then took a shot at Republican rival Donald Trump, who won Florida, North Carolina and Illinois.

"When we hear a candidate for president call for rounding up 12 million immigrants, banning all Muslims from entering the United States, when he embraces torture, that doesn't make him strong, that makes him wrong," she said. "We should be breaking down barriers, not building walls. We're not going to succeed by dividing this country between us and them. To be great, we can't be small. We can't lose what made America great in the first place."

Clinton was heavily favored to win the Sunshine State.

State Democratic Party vice chairman Alan Clendenin says Clinton has built goodwill in Florida since the 1992 election, when the state helped propel Bill Clinton to the Democratic Party nomination.

President Clinton won the state in the 1996 election. The former first lady, senator and secretary of state won the Florida primary in 2008 over Barack Obama in what largely was a symbolic showing because the state didn't get delegates after failing to follow the national party calendar.

Florida was Tuesday's crown jewel, but North Carolina and Ohio were key wins against a late surging Sanders.

North Carolina has traditionally held presidential primaries in May, but legislative leaders decided in 2013 to move up the date — which has increased interest among voters.

North Carolina Democrats will distribute 107 convention delegates.

The state's Democrats also have 14 superdelegates that can make their own endorsement decisions and aren't obligated to follow Tuesday's totals.

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(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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