Hillary Clinton’s campaign on Friday stepped up its defiance of the near-consensus view that Barack Obama has won the Democratic nomination, claiming she would come out ahead on the popular vote by the end of the race next Tuesday.

The Clinton campaign, which plans to amass hundreds of supporters on Saturday to demonstrate for her cause in Washington DC, has come under increasing pressure to bow to what most Democratic leaders say is the inevitable given Mr. Obama’s lead with elected delegates reports the Financial Times.

Mrs. Clinton’s campaign will argue that the Democratic National Committee should restore the delegates from Florida and Michigan – states she won in nullified primary elections earlier this year – and there are few signs she is preparing for a gracious exit.

Terry McAuliffe, campaign chairman, on Friday asked supporters for more donations so she could continue her fight for the nomination. “We’re ramping up our efforts for the final three primaries, which are critical to extending Hillary’s lead in the national popular vote and winning the nomination,” he said.

Most Democrats believe this epic race is finally moving to the endgame. Even if, as Democratic lawyers disclosed this week, Michigan and Florida get back half of their delegates at the committee meeting, Mrs. Clinton would come nowhere near overtaking Mr. Obama’s lead.

Mrs. Clinton is expected to win Sunday’s primary in Puerto Rico, followed by expected victories for Mr. Obama in South Dakota and Montana on Tuesday. After that, most of the 200 or so uncommitted “super-delegates” – unelected officials who will determine the winner – are expected to declare their preference.

Over the past three weeks, Mr. Obama has gained the endorsements of almost 70 super-delegates compared to Mrs. Clinton’s 10. To gain the nomination the winner must win 2,131 delegates, assuming the DNC does restore half of Michigan and Florida’s allocation.

Mr. Obama would be about 70 short of that threshold, while Mrs. Clinton would be about 240 short. Most of the remaining uncommitted super-delegates are thought to be in the Obama camp.

Read it here: Clinton set to claim victory in popular vote