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US election at-a-glance: 4 Mar US election at-a-glance: 4 Mar
(20 minutes later)
DAY IN A NUTSHELLDAY IN A NUTSHELL
It's being called Super Tuesday II - a potentially decisive day for both the Democratic and Republican races. There are crucial contests in delegate-rich Ohio and Texas, and smaller primaries in Vermont and Rhode Island. John McCain could seal the Republican nomination with a strong showing. But all eyes are on the Democrats. The Clinton camp is claiming fresh signs of momentum, but Barack Obama says that if he does well it will be mathematically difficult for Mrs Clinton to come back. It's being called Super Tuesday II - a potentially decisive day for both the Democratic and Republican races. There are crucial contests in delegate-rich Ohio and Texas, and smaller primaries in Vermont and Rhode Island. John McCain could seal the Republican nomination with a strong showing. But all eyes are on the Democrats. The Clinton camp is claiming fresh signs of momentum, with Ohio seen as its best hope, but Barack Obama says that if he does well it will be mathematically difficult for Mrs Clinton to come back.
KEY QUOTESKEY QUOTES
"It's like the Civil War, brother against brother, families divided. People who have been on the same side of issues are finding things that divide them."Democratic activist John Delk, quoted in Dallas Morning News"It's like the Civil War, brother against brother, families divided. People who have been on the same side of issues are finding things that divide them."Democratic activist John Delk, quoted in Dallas Morning News
Barack Obama may have trademarked the word 'hope', but it's Hillary Rodham Clinton whose campaign is now based as much on vague aspirations as on a plan Ben SmithPolitico.com At-a-glance: 3 MarchBarack Obama may have trademarked the word 'hope', but it's Hillary Rodham Clinton whose campaign is now based as much on vague aspirations as on a plan Ben SmithPolitico.com At-a-glance: 3 March
"A result virtually everyone in presidential politics will scrutinize most intently is whether the results prod Mrs Clinton to end her effort to become the first woman elected president. The more decisive the outcome, the easier her choice."John Harwood, New York Times"A result virtually everyone in presidential politics will scrutinize most intently is whether the results prod Mrs Clinton to end her effort to become the first woman elected president. The more decisive the outcome, the easier her choice."John Harwood, New York Times
"This one of those days where spin and perceptions will count as much as the votes themselves. Victory will be in the eyes of the beholder - and not all behold equally."Rick Klein, ABC News "Even overwhelming Clinton margins on Tuesday are unlikely to significantly trim Obama's delegate lead... That makes this one of those days where spin and perceptions will count as much as the votes themselves. Victory will be in the eyes of the beholder - and not all behold equally."Rick Klein, ABC News
"Barack Obama may have trademarked the word 'hope', but it's Hillary Rodham Clinton whose campaign is now based as much on vague aspirations as on a plan."Ben Smith on Politico.com"Barack Obama may have trademarked the word 'hope', but it's Hillary Rodham Clinton whose campaign is now based as much on vague aspirations as on a plan."Ben Smith on Politico.com
"You don't get to the White House as a Democrat without winning Ohio."Hillary Clinton, while campaigning in Houston, Texas
NUMBER NEWSNUMBER NEWS
A number of state polls in Ohio and Texas have been published in the last few days, and Tuesday's voting will be the definitive test of how accurately they reflected the final tallies.A number of state polls in Ohio and Texas have been published in the last few days, and Tuesday's voting will be the definitive test of how accurately they reflected the final tallies.
Seven polls conducted in the first days of March give Hillary Clinton moderate leads over Mr Obama in Ohio. At one extreme the American Research Group (ARG) gives her a 14-point lead, 56-42, but in an eighth poll, from Zogby, Mr Obama has a 47-45 lead over Mrs Clinton.Seven polls conducted in the first days of March give Hillary Clinton moderate leads over Mr Obama in Ohio. At one extreme the American Research Group (ARG) gives her a 14-point lead, 56-42, but in an eighth poll, from Zogby, Mr Obama has a 47-45 lead over Mrs Clinton.
In Texas, the Democratic contest is much closer, polling suggests.In Texas, the Democratic contest is much closer, polling suggests.
Mrs Clinton leads in the latest polls from ARG (50-47), InsiderAdvantage (49-44), PPP (50-44) and Public Strategies (46-45).Mrs Clinton leads in the latest polls from ARG (50-47), InsiderAdvantage (49-44), PPP (50-44) and Public Strategies (46-45).
But Mr Obama is given the edge in polls by Rasmussen (48-47), Survey USA (49-48) and Zogby (47-44)But Mr Obama is given the edge in polls by Rasmussen (48-47), Survey USA (49-48) and Zogby (47-44)
All surveys of Republican voters in the two states suggest that John McCain is heading for a comfortable victory.All surveys of Republican voters in the two states suggest that John McCain is heading for a comfortable victory.
DAILY PICTUREDAILY PICTURE
On a wing and a prayer? A crucial day in the presidential race opens with voters arriving early in Columbus, OhioOn a wing and a prayer? A crucial day in the presidential race opens with voters arriving early in Columbus, Ohio