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Michigan holds tight primary vote Michigan holds tight primary vote
(about 2 hours later)
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.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 may 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.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 them and who they back in the White House raceIn picturesMichigan voters on the issues that concern them and who they back in the White House raceIn 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. 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.
Analysts predict about 20% of eligible voters are likely to turn out at the ballot box.
The BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy in Michigan says there is little of the sense of excitement that characterised the primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire.
This seems partly to be down to the bitter cold and snowy weather, he says, and partly because the result of the Democratic vote will count for nothing.
Some Democratic voters say they are choosing to vote in the Republican primary for Mr McCain, our correspondent adds, in order to feel their voice may make a difference.
Governor's sonGovernor's son
Mr McCain has risen up the national polls, including those that pit him against 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
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.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.
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.
Speaking at a polling station in Traverse City, Mr McCain said: "We're confident because of the enthusiasm at the town hall meetings and the rallies but we've got a long way to go."
Meanwhile, Mr Romney told supporters at a rally in Grand Rapids that he believed Michigan was ready to "vote for a Romney again".
"We're going to get going today," he said. "This is the day that's going to change, I believe, the politics of our nation."
Mr Romney failed to win both in New Hampshire and in Iowa, 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 in the 1960s, 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%.
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
Both Mr McCain and Mr Romney have spoken of the need to revive Michigan's economy. Both Mr McCain and Mr Romney have spoken of the need to revive Michigan's economy, although they have outlined different strategies.
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 less than a fortnight ago.
He has said he is the only Republican candidate who understands the struggles of working-class people in Michigan.He has said he is the only Republican candidate who understands the struggles of working-class people in Michigan.
Showdown
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.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.
Mitt Romney says he has the skills to revive Michigan's economy Showdown
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 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.
Mitt Romney says he has the skills to revive Michigan's economy
Hillary Clinton's name remains on the state's Democratic ballot-paper but Barack Obama and John Edwards have removed theirs.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.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. Tuesday's debate will be the first showdown between Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama since her 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.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.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.