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Mississippi voters head to polls Mississippi voters head to polls
(about 4 hours later)
Mississippi is holding its presidential primaries as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continue their battle for the Democratic Party's nomination.Mississippi is holding its presidential primaries as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continue their battle for the Democratic Party's nomination.
Polls suggest Senator Obama is leading in the state, which has 33 delegates to the August convention where the party will choose its White House candidate.Polls suggest Senator Obama is leading in the state, which has 33 delegates to the August convention where the party will choose its White House candidate.
Mr Obama dismissed Senator Clinton's offer to run as her vice-president.Mr Obama dismissed Senator Clinton's offer to run as her vice-president.
Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, is on a nationwide fundraising drive.Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, is on a nationwide fundraising drive.
Mr McCain, who is set to secure the Republican nomination at the party's national convention in September after winning the backing of a majority of delegates, is under pressure to build up a campaign war-chest ahead of November's election.Mr McCain, who is set to secure the Republican nomination at the party's national convention in September after winning the backing of a majority of delegates, is under pressure to build up a campaign war-chest ahead of November's election.
The Mississippi primaries opened at 0700 local time (1200GMT) and are due to close at 1900 (2400GMT). Mr Obama rejected the idea he might run as vice-presidentThe Mississippi primaries opened at 0700 local time (1200 GMT) and are due to close at 1900 (0000 GMT).
Mr Obama has snubbed an offer to run as vice-president Opinion polls suggested Mississippi with its large black electorate will favour Mr Obama in the Democratic race. Opinion polls suggest Mississippi, with its large black electorate, will favour Mr Obama.
He spent Monday campaigning in the state, drawing crowds in Columbus and the capital, Jackson. During a final stop in the state before flying to Pennsylvania, Mr Obama pointed to the economic problems of the Mississippi Delta.
Mrs Clinton headed to Pennsylvania, reflecting the state's importance as the rivals' next major battleground. "We just haven't seen as much opportunity come to this area as we'd like," he told people gathered at a restaurant in Greenville.
DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,579 Delegates won on 8 March: 7Total states won: 25 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,473 Delegates won on 8 March: 5Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025.
Source: AP at 1215 GMT 11 March Dirty dogfightCan Clinton win? "And one of the challenges, I think, for the next president is making sure that we're serving all communities and not just some communities."
Mrs Clinton headed to Pennsylvania on Monday, reflecting the state's importance as the rivals' next major battleground.
The state is due to vote on 22 April with 158 delegates up for grabs.The state is due to vote on 22 April with 158 delegates up for grabs.
Mr Obama has 1,579 delegates in comparison with Mrs Clinton's 1,473, according to the latest tally by the Associated Press.Mr Obama has 1,579 delegates in comparison with Mrs Clinton's 1,473, according to the latest tally by the Associated Press.
The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination at the party's convention in late August. The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.
At a Monday evening rally in Jackson in front of some of 9,000 people, Mr Obama described Mrs Clinton as part of the Washington establishment whose time was over. McCain medical check
The nation does not need "the same old folks doing the same old things, talking the same old stuff," Mr Obama was quoted as saying by AP. Mrs Clinton attended a campaign rally in Scranton on Monday. She refused to be drawn on questions about a close political ally, New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer, who is alleged to have used a prostitution service.
DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,579 Delegates won on 8 March: 7States won: 25 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,473 Delegates won on 8 March: 5States won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025.
Source: AP at 1215 GMT 11 March Dirty dogfightCan Clinton win?
Mrs Clinton attended a campaign rally in Scranton, and refused to be drawn on questions about close political ally New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer, who is alleged to have used a prostitution service.
"I don't have any comment on that," she said when asked about allegations he had paid for sex with a prostitute."I don't have any comment on that," she said when asked about allegations he had paid for sex with a prostitute.
"Obviously, I am sending my best wishes and thoughts to the governor and to his family," Mrs Clinton said. "Obviously, I am sending my best wishes and thoughts to the governor and to his family."
Meanwhile John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, had a medical check-up on Monday and declared to reporters that he was free of cancer. Meanwhile, Mr McCain, who has raised less in election funds than either of his Democratic opponents, is touring the country as he seeks to fill his campaign coffers.
He was due to visit New York on Tuesday, followed by trips to Boston, Pennsylvania and Chicago.
Mr McCain had a medical check-up on Monday and declared to reporters that he was free of cancer.
The Arizona senator has faced questions about his health after a bout of skin cancer in 2000.The Arizona senator has faced questions about his health after a bout of skin cancer in 2000.
"Everything's fine," Mr McCain told a news conference, according to AP. "Like most Americans, I go see my doctor fairly frequently."