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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| US presidential votes wide open | US presidential votes wide open |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| US voters in Nevada and South Carolina are set to choose between Republican and Democrat presidential hopefuls, as polls suggest the races are wide open. | |
| Caucuses for both parties are due in the Western desert state of Nevada, while South Carolina holds its Republican primary. | |
| The ballots precede Super Tuesday, when 22 states hold polls on 5 February. | The ballots precede Super Tuesday, when 22 states hold polls on 5 February. |
| Ahead of the votes, candidates stressed the economy, as President George W Bush called for measures against recession. | |
| In the Democratic race, the Nevada caucuses looks set to be an evenly-matched struggle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, with opinion polls putting the rivals almost neck-and-neck. | In the Democratic race, the Nevada caucuses looks set to be an evenly-matched struggle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, with opinion polls putting the rivals almost neck-and-neck. |
| As a Republican, I stand before you embarrassed - embarrassed that we let that spending get out of control Senator John McCain Nevada's Latino votePoll guide - S CarolinaPoll guide - Nevada | As a Republican, I stand before you embarrassed - embarrassed that we let that spending get out of control Senator John McCain Nevada's Latino votePoll guide - S CarolinaPoll guide - Nevada |
| On Friday, Mrs Clinton criticised President Bush's proposed emergency package of tax relief amounting to nearly $150bn (£75bn) to kick-start the economy. | On Friday, Mrs Clinton criticised President Bush's proposed emergency package of tax relief amounting to nearly $150bn (£75bn) to kick-start the economy. |
| She said the plan excluded millions of the neediest Americans - senior citizens, Hispanics and blacks. | She said the plan excluded millions of the neediest Americans - senior citizens, Hispanics and blacks. |
| Mrs Clinton has backing from influential politicians in Nevada's Hispanic community, while Mr Obama has the support of a powerful local union organisation. | Mrs Clinton has backing from influential politicians in Nevada's Hispanic community, while Mr Obama has the support of a powerful local union organisation. |
| Rival John Edwards echoed her criticisms, saying: "The economic damage done by Bush and [Vice President Dick] Cheney is deep and long-lasting, and the temporary tax cuts he proposes will not solve it alone." | Rival John Edwards echoed her criticisms, saying: "The economic damage done by Bush and [Vice President Dick] Cheney is deep and long-lasting, and the temporary tax cuts he proposes will not solve it alone." |
| Voters in Nevada give their views ahead of caucuses to choose a presidential candidateIn pictures | Voters in Nevada give their views ahead of caucuses to choose a presidential candidateIn pictures |
| Both candidates were also quick to condemn Mr Obama's praise of former President Ronald Reagan, a Republican, accusing him of betraying the economic interests of the Democratic base of organised labour. | Both candidates were also quick to condemn Mr Obama's praise of former President Ronald Reagan, a Republican, accusing him of betraying the economic interests of the Democratic base of organised labour. |
| Mr Obama had earlier said "Republicans were the party of ideas for a pretty long chunk of time" and that "Reagan changed the trajectory of America". | Mr Obama had earlier said "Republicans were the party of ideas for a pretty long chunk of time" and that "Reagan changed the trajectory of America". |
| 'Embarrassed' | 'Embarrassed' |
| The Republicans also focused on the economy in their final campaigning in South Carolina, which is losing manufacturing jobs. | The Republicans also focused on the economy in their final campaigning in South Carolina, which is losing manufacturing jobs. |
| Candidate wins nomination by accumulating 2,025 delegatesMost are "pledged delegates", won at primaries or caucuses25 delegates at stake in NevadaDelegates vote at summer convention to confirm nominee | Candidate wins nomination by accumulating 2,025 delegatesMost are "pledged delegates", won at primaries or caucuses25 delegates at stake in NevadaDelegates vote at summer convention to confirm nominee |
| Senator John McCain partly blamed his party for America's woes, saying to voters: "As a Republican, I stand before you embarrassed. Embarrassed that we let that spending get out of control." | |
| According to opinion polls, Senator McCain, who won New Hampshire, has a narrow lead in the southern state, which he lost in 2000 to US President George W Bush. | According to opinion polls, Senator McCain, who won New Hampshire, has a narrow lead in the southern state, which he lost in 2000 to US President George W Bush. |
| In every presidential contest since 1980, the Republican voters of South Carolina have chosen the candidate that has eventually become the party's White House nominee. | In every presidential contest since 1980, the Republican voters of South Carolina have chosen the candidate that has eventually become the party's White House nominee. |
| This time, the race appears to be between two of the three men who have already won a primary - John McCain and Mike Huckabee, with the third - Mitt Romney - not far behind. | This time, the race appears to be between two of the three men who have already won a primary - John McCain and Mike Huckabee, with the third - Mitt Romney - not far behind. |
| Candidate wins nomination by accumulating 1,191 delegatesMost are "pledged delegates", won at primaries or caucuses34 delegates at stake in Nevada and 24 in South CarolinaDelegates vote at summer convention to confirm nominee | Candidate wins nomination by accumulating 1,191 delegatesMost are "pledged delegates", won at primaries or caucuses34 delegates at stake in Nevada and 24 in South CarolinaDelegates vote at summer convention to confirm nominee |
| Correspondents say the former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee, is hoping for the support of the 53% of registered Republicans, who describe themselves as white evangelicals - a group that was instrumental in his victory in the Iowa caucuses last month. | Correspondents say the former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee, is hoping for the support of the 53% of registered Republicans, who describe themselves as white evangelicals - a group that was instrumental in his victory in the Iowa caucuses last month. |
| However, Mr Huckabee has been under fire for remarks apparently equating same-sex marriage with bestiality. | However, Mr Huckabee has been under fire for remarks apparently equating same-sex marriage with bestiality. |
| Meanwhile, Mitt Romney, fresh from victory in Michigan, has focused on Nevada, where he is predicted to win - although pollsters have warned of the difficulties of polling in the state. | Meanwhile, Mitt Romney, fresh from victory in Michigan, has focused on Nevada, where he is predicted to win - although pollsters have warned of the difficulties of polling in the state. |
| Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has virtually ignored the early races to concentrate on the bigger prize of Florida at the end of the month. | Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has virtually ignored the early races to concentrate on the bigger prize of Florida at the end of the month. |
| The Democrats will hold their primary in South Carolina on 26 January. | The Democrats will hold their primary in South Carolina on 26 January. |