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US states to hold crucial ballots US states to hold crucial ballots
(10 minutes later)
The races for both the Democratic and Republican US presidential nominations could be settled as four states vote in a major round of primary elections.The races for both the Democratic and Republican US presidential nominations could be settled as four states vote in a major round of primary elections.
The main focus is on the polls in Ohio and Texas but votes are also taking place in Rhode Island and Vermont.The main focus is on the polls in Ohio and Texas but votes are also taking place in Rhode Island and Vermont.
Democratic front-runner Barack Obama has said rival Hillary Clinton may have to quit if he wins in Texas and Ohio, but she has vowed to stay the course.Democratic front-runner Barack Obama has said rival Hillary Clinton may have to quit if he wins in Texas and Ohio, but she has vowed to stay the course.
John McCain could be confirmed as the Republican candidate in the polls.John McCain could be confirmed as the Republican candidate in the polls.
The Arizona senator is expected to beat his rival Mike Huckabee in the four states.The Arizona senator is expected to beat his rival Mike Huckabee in the four states.
Gaining groundGaining ground
Victory could secure him enough of the 256 delegates at stake to clinch his party's nomination at its national convention in September.Victory could secure him enough of the 256 delegates at stake to clinch his party's nomination at its national convention in September.
I think I know what's happening and I believe I'm going to do very well tomorrow Hillary Clinton Clinton's steely resolveDemocrats eye prizeLast tango in TexasI think I know what's happening and I believe I'm going to do very well tomorrow Hillary Clinton Clinton's steely resolveDemocrats eye prizeLast tango in Texas
He currently has 1,014 delegates, according to the Associated Press news agency, while Mr Huckabee has 257. A total of 1,191 delegates is needed to claim the nomination.He currently has 1,014 delegates, according to the Associated Press news agency, while Mr Huckabee has 257. A total of 1,191 delegates is needed to claim the nomination.
For the Democrats, opinion polls suggest Mr Obama has a narrow lead over Mrs Clinton in Texas, but that she is clinging on to her modest lead in Ohio.For the Democrats, opinion polls suggest Mr Obama has a narrow lead over Mrs Clinton in Texas, but that she is clinging on to her modest lead in Ohio.
Mrs Clinton held an early lead in the two states, although Mr Obama has been gaining ground in both states.Mrs Clinton held an early lead in the two states, although Mr Obama has been gaining ground in both states.
The former first lady has played down suggestions that Tuesday's results could prove a make-or-break moment.The former first lady has played down suggestions that Tuesday's results could prove a make-or-break moment.
"I think I know what's happening and I believe I'm going to do very well tomorrow," she told reporters on Monday."I think I know what's happening and I believe I'm going to do very well tomorrow," she told reporters on Monday.
Barack Obama denied "political positioning" over free trade
Her last win in a primary or a caucus was during the nationwide Super Tuesday contests on 5 February, since when Mr Obama has been on an 11-contest winning spree.Her last win in a primary or a caucus was during the nationwide Super Tuesday contests on 5 February, since when Mr Obama has been on an 11-contest winning spree.
The BBC's Vincent Dowd in Washington says that if the New York senator cannot end her losing streak, senior party figures may dare to ask - in public or in private - if she should continue.The BBC's Vincent Dowd in Washington says that if the New York senator cannot end her losing streak, senior party figures may dare to ask - in public or in private - if she should continue.
Leaked memo
New Mexico's Democratic Governor Bill Richardson, an influential voice who used to be in the race himself, has suggested that whoever has the most delegates after Tuesday's votes should be party nominee.New Mexico's Democratic Governor Bill Richardson, an influential voice who used to be in the race himself, has suggested that whoever has the most delegates after Tuesday's votes should be party nominee.
On the eve of the poll, Mrs Clinton visited Ohio before heading to Texas, where Mr Obama has also campaigned hard.On the eve of the poll, Mrs Clinton visited Ohio before heading to Texas, where Mr Obama has also campaigned hard.
Leaked memo
The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Ohio says the economy is a main concern in that state, where unemployment and home repossession rates are above the national average.The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Ohio says the economy is a main concern in that state, where unemployment and home repossession rates are above the national average.
I think Hillary will win Ohio but by a very small margin, which may not be enough to save her campaign US voter Faith Barrow-Waheed, Cleveland, Ohio Voters' views: Texas and Ohio
During weekend rallies in Ohio, Mrs Clinton focused her attacks on Mr Obama's foreign policy and national security experience, echoing a campaign advert asking who would respond better to a national emergency in the middle of the night.During weekend rallies in Ohio, Mrs Clinton focused her attacks on Mr Obama's foreign policy and national security experience, echoing a campaign advert asking who would respond better to a national emergency in the middle of the night.
Mr Obama, senator for Illinois, countered by questioning Mrs Clinton's own credentials.Mr Obama, senator for Illinois, countered by questioning Mrs Clinton's own credentials.
I think Hillary will win Ohio but by a very small margin, which may not be enough to save her campaign US voter Faith Barrow-Waheed, Cleveland, Ohio Voters' views: Texas and Ohio
For the Democrats, a total of 370 delegates is at stake in Tuesday's four races, most of them in Texas and Ohio.For the Democrats, a total of 370 delegates is at stake in Tuesday's four races, most of them in Texas and Ohio.
Mr Obama currently has 1,385 delegates to Mrs Clinton's 1,276, according to AP. A total of 2,025 is needed to secure the Democratic Party's nomination at its national convention in August.Mr Obama currently has 1,385 delegates to Mrs Clinton's 1,276, according to AP. A total of 2,025 is needed to secure the Democratic Party's nomination at its national convention in August.
Meanwhile, Mr Obama denied on Monday that his campaign had privately assured Canada his criticism of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), widely opposed in economically depressed Ohio, was just for political show.Meanwhile, Mr Obama denied on Monday that his campaign had privately assured Canada his criticism of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), widely opposed in economically depressed Ohio, was just for political show.
A leaked memo suggested Mr Obama's senior economic adviser, Austan Goolsbee, had given Canadian officials the impression that Mr Obama's criticism over the US free trade deal with Canada was "political positioning".A leaked memo suggested Mr Obama's senior economic adviser, Austan Goolsbee, had given Canadian officials the impression that Mr Obama's criticism over the US free trade deal with Canada was "political positioning".
The dispute led Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to assure parliament that the memo leak was not an attempt to scupper Mr Obama's chances or to favour Mr McCain, who strongly backs Nafta.The dispute led Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to assure parliament that the memo leak was not an attempt to scupper Mr Obama's chances or to favour Mr McCain, who strongly backs Nafta.