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US presidential votes wide open Key vote for Nevada's Democrats
(about 5 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. Democratic voters in the south-western US state of Nevada are preparing to select a presidential candidate in fiercely contested caucus elections.
Caucuses for both parties are due in the Western desert state of Nevada, while South Carolina holds its Republican primary. Front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are courting Latino voters, with latest opinion polls putting the rivals neck-and-neck.
The ballots precede Super Tuesday, when 22 states hold polls on 5 February. The Republican caucuses in Nevada have been largely overshadowed by the primary being held in South Carolina.
Ahead of the votes, candidates stressed the economy, as President George W Bush called for measures against recession. According to polls, John McCain has a narrow lead in the southern state.
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. The Arizona senator is hoping to re-establish the momentum he lost after his defeat to Mitt Romney in Tuesday's Michigan primary.
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 - NevadaAs 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. His main rival appears to be former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who is hoping for the support of evangelical Christians.
She said the plan excluded millions of the neediest Americans - senior citizens, Hispanics and blacks. The result is being keenly watched because the Republican winner in South Carolina has gone on to become the party's nominee in every presidential election since 1980.
Mrs Clinton has backing from influential politicians in Nevada's Hispanic community, while Mr Obama has the support of a powerful local union organisation. Hispanic vote
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." Correspondents say the US economy is likely to be an important issue in all three contests after President George W Bush's call on Friday for the introduction of tax cuts to try to stave off the growing threat of recession.
Ahead of the caucuses in Nevada, Mrs Clinton criticised President Bush's proposed emergency package of tax relief amounting to nearly $150bn (£75bn) to kick-start the economy.
Voters in Nevada give their views ahead of caucuses to choose a presidential candidateIn picturesVoters 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. She said the plan excluded millions of the neediest Americans - senior citizens, Hispanics and blacks.
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". Mrs Clinton has backing from influential politicians in Nevada's Hispanic community, which makes up about 30% of the population, while Mr Obama has the support of a powerful local union organisation.
Many of their target voters work in the casinos and resorts of Las Vegas and for the first time, nine casinos will be holding caucuses to try and make it easier for workers to vote.
'Embarrassed''Embarrassed'
The Republicans also focused on the economy in their final campaigning in South Carolina, which is losing manufacturing jobs. In Nevada's Republican caucuses, only former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has done any serious campaigning with the other frontrunners instead preferring to focus on South Carolina.
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 Like their Democratic counterparts, the Republican presidential hopefuls have also focused on the economy in their final campaigning in South Carolina, which is losing many manufacturing jobs.
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." Mr 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. The other main contenders appear to be the other two men who have already won a primary - Mr Huckabee and Mr Romney.
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. Correspondents say Mr Huckabee is hoping for the support of the 53% of registered Republicans, who describe themselves as white evangelical Christians - a group that was instrumental in his victory in the Iowa caucuses last month.
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 nomineeCandidate 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.
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. Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, who has been focussing heavily on South Carolina, is trailing Mr Romney in fourth place in the opinion polls.
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. Observers say Mr Thompson needs a good result in the state to have a chance of remaining a viable contender for the Republican nomination.
The 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.
The ballots precede Super Tuesday, when 22 states will hold polls on 5 February.