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Polls open in Republican primary Michigan holds tight primary vote
(about 2 hours later)
Polls have opened in Michigan in a primary election which could make or break some of the contenders for the Republican presidential nomination. Voting is under way in the US state of Michigan in a presidential primary election that could prove pivotal in the battle among Republican candidates.
Senator John McCain hopes to translate an opinion poll surge into a victory to add to his New Hampshire win last week.Senator John McCain hopes to translate an opinion poll surge into a victory to add to his New Hampshire win last week.
But for Mitt Romney, raised locally, defeat would suggest he lacks the voter appeal to reach the White House. But for Mitt Romney, raised locally, defeat may suggest he lacks the voter appeal to reach the White House.
Michigan does not figure in the race for the Democratic nomination because of a party dispute over scheduling.Michigan does not figure in the race for the Democratic nomination because of a party dispute over scheduling.
The Democrats are instead focusing their energies on their next contest in Nevada, and are set to hold a televised debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday evening.
Michigan voters on the issues that concern themIn pictures
Most of the polls in Michigan are set to remain open until 2000 local time (0100 GMT on Wednesday) with the results due to begin coming in shortly afterwards.
Few people thought Michigan would matter, BBC North America editor Justin Webb reports.Few people thought Michigan would matter, BBC North America editor Justin Webb reports.
But the wild ride of the 2008 primary season has brought the main Republican candidates to this depressed car manufacturing state in a desperate effort to give their campaigns some momentum, he says.But the wild ride of the 2008 primary season has brought the main Republican candidates to this depressed car manufacturing state in a desperate effort to give their campaigns some momentum, he says.
Governor's sonGovernor's son
Mr McCain is flying up the national polls, including those that pit him against the likely Democratic nominees. Mr McCain has risen up the national polls, including those that pit him against likely Democratic nominees.
KEY DATES FOR CANDIDATES 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 Q&A: Michigan primaryMichigan state profileKEY DATES FOR CANDIDATES 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 Q&A: Michigan primaryMichigan state profile
He is essentially evenly matched against both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, our North America editor reports. Despite his victory in New Hampshire, Mr McCain needs more primary wins to be close to securing the Republican nomination for November's presidential election, and a victory in Michigan would be a necessary boost.
However, despite his victory in New Hampshire, he needs more primary wins to be close to securing the Republican nomination and a victory in Michigan would be a necessary boost.
He won Michigan in his 2000 presidential bid, but opinion polls suggest the 2008 race in the state is too close to call.He won Michigan in his 2000 presidential bid, but opinion polls suggest the 2008 race in the state is too close to call.
Mr Romney failed to win both in New Hampshire and in the Iowa caucuses, despite heavy spending and good organisation. Mr Romney failed to win both in New Hampshire and in Iowa, despite heavy spending and good organisation.
But he may benefit from his strong local connections in Michigan -his father George was governor from 1963 until 1969 and his wife was also born in the state. But he may benefit from his strong local connections in Michigan - his father George was governor in the 1960s, and his wife was also born in the state.
Jobs fearsJobs fears
Analysts say the car-making state's fragile economy is the main issue for Michigan.Analysts say the car-making state's fragile economy is the main issue for Michigan.
It has been hard hit by a downturn in the automobile industry, and now has the highest unemployment rate in the US at 7.4%.It has been hard hit by a downturn in the automobile industry, and now has the highest unemployment rate in the US at 7.4%.
The top candidates all promised to help car-workers"The auto industry and all its jobs do not have to be lost," Mr Romney told an audience in Detroit on Monday.
"And I am one man who will work to transform the industry and save those jobs."
Mr McCain promised to help retrain workers if elected president in November.
"We're not going to leave these people behind," he told students at Kalamazoo.
Third in the polls is former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucus.
HAVE YOUR SAY This is going to be a long, wringing, torturous process Nya, US Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY This is going to be a long, wringing, torturous process Nya, US Send us your comments
In a rally in Augusta, he said he was the only Republican candidate who understood the struggles of working-class people in Michigan. Both Mr McCain and Mr Romney have spoken of the need to revive Michigan's economy.
Staying away 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. He has said he is the only Republican candidate who understands the struggles of working-class people in Michigan.
The Democratic Party denied Michigan the right to send delegates to its final convention - when the party's presidential candidate will be chosen - because the state party chose to hold its primary early. Showdown
Mrs Clinton's name remains on the state's Democratic ballot-paper but Mr Obama and John Edwards have removed theirs. Other big names, like former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, have not focused on Michigan, campaigning instead in states that hold their elections later.
Most of the party's hopefuls are, instead, focusing their energies on the contests in Nevada on Saturday and South Carolina on 26 January. Mitt Romney says he has the skills to revive Michigan's economy
Gearing up for what looks likely to be a tight contest in Nevada, Democrat contenders will hold a TV debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. The Democratic Party denied Michigan the right to send delegates to its convention - when the party's presidential candidate will be chosen - because the state party chose to hold its primary early.
The showdown between frontrunners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will be eagerly watched after Mrs Clinton's campaign gained momentum with her surprise win in New Hampshire last week. Hillary Clinton's name remains on the state's Democratic ballot-paper but Barack Obama and John Edwards have removed theirs.
Most of the party's hopefuls are, instead, focusing their energies on the caucuses in Nevada on Saturday and South Carolina's primary on 26 January.
Tuesday's debate will be the first showdown between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama since Mrs Clinton's campaign gained momentum with her surprise win in New Hampshire last week.
Recent opinion polls have shown Mr Edwards only narrowly trailing the two frontrunners in Nevada.
The debate also comes after Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama moved to tone down a controversy that sparked sharp exchanges between them regarding race and the legacy of the civil rights movement.