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Republicans gear up for Michigan Republicans gear up for Michigan
(10 minutes later)
Voters in the US state of Michigan are gearing up for Republican primary on Tuesday in the next stage of the race for the White House. Voters in the US state of Michigan are gearing up for the Republican primary on Tuesday in the next stage of the race for the White House.
Polls suggest a very close battle between Arizona senator John McCain and local boy Mitt Romney.Polls suggest a very close battle between Arizona senator John McCain and local boy Mitt Romney.
The Democrat contest has been weakened because Michigan chose to hold its vote early and the party barred its delegates from the final convention. The Democratic contest has been weakened because Michigan chose to hold its vote early and the party barred its delegates from the final convention.
Analysts say Michigan's fragile economy is the main issue.Analysts say Michigan's fragile economy is the main issue.
High unemploymentHigh unemployment
Some commentators say this could be a crucial contest for former Massachusetts governor Mr Romney, who failed to win in New Hampshire and Iowa despite heavy spending.Some commentators say this could be a crucial contest for former Massachusetts governor Mr Romney, who failed to win in New Hampshire and Iowa despite heavy spending.
Polls suggest Mr McCain has a slender lead heading into the votePolls suggest Mr McCain has a slender lead heading into the vote
Michigan had Mr Romney's father, George, as its governor. Mitt Romney's wife was also born in the state and in eve-of-poll campaigning he has been stressing his local roots.Michigan had Mr Romney's father, George, as its governor. Mitt Romney's wife was also born in the state and in eve-of-poll campaigning he has been stressing his local roots.
"If I'm president of the United States I will not rest until Michigan is back," he told a cheering university audience on Sunday."If I'm president of the United States I will not rest until Michigan is back," he told a cheering university audience on Sunday.
"I will bring it back with your help.""I will bring it back with your help."
Michigan and its main city Detroit used to be famous for making cars.Michigan and its main city Detroit used to be famous for making cars.
But it now has the highest unemployment rate in the US.But it now has the highest unemployment rate in the US.
KEY DATES AHEAD 15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: Nevada caucuses; South Carolina primary (Rep)26 Jan: South Carolina primary (Dem)29 Jan: Florida primary5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey New Hampshire: Key quotesQ&A: US primariesBlog: Clinton's surprise?KEY DATES AHEAD 15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: Nevada caucuses; South Carolina primary (Rep)26 Jan: South Carolina primary (Dem)29 Jan: Florida primary5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey New Hampshire: Key quotesQ&A: US primariesBlog: Clinton's surprise?
An average of polls suggests that Mr Romney is marginally behind Mr McCain, who won the state in his presidential bid in 2000 and won the New Hampshire primary last week.An average of polls suggests that Mr Romney is marginally behind Mr McCain, who won the state in his presidential bid in 2000 and won the New Hampshire primary last week.
Mr McCain told supporters he would make the United States' safety his priority. Mr McCain told supporters he would make the security of the US his priority.
"I believe that the most important mission I can have... is to keep this nation safe," he said."I believe that the most important mission I can have... is to keep this nation safe," he said.
Third in the polls is former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucus.Third in the polls is former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucus.
Other big names, like former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, are not taking part in Michigan, holding their fire for later in the national campaign. Other big names, like former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, are not taking part in Michigan, holding their fire for later in the national campaign.
In the Democrat race, only Hillary Clinton of the leading candidates features on the ballot.In the Democrat race, only Hillary Clinton of the leading candidates features on the ballot.
Barack Obama and John Edwards have taken their names off, after the national party penalised the state party for holding its primary early. Barack Obama and John Edwards took their names off last October, after the national party penalised the state party for holding its primary early.
Most Democrats are focusing their energies on the contests in Nevada on Saturday and South Carolina on 26 January.Most Democrats are focusing their energies on the contests in Nevada on Saturday and South Carolina on 26 January.