This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7197484.stm

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Key vote for Nevada's Democrats Key vote for Nevada's Democrats
(10 minutes later)
Democratic voters in the south-western US state of Nevada are preparing to select a presidential candidate in fiercely contested caucus elections.Democratic voters in the south-western US state of Nevada are preparing to select a presidential candidate in fiercely contested caucus elections.
Front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are courting Latino voters, with latest opinion polls putting the rivals neck-and-neck.Front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are courting Latino voters, with latest opinion polls putting the rivals neck-and-neck.
Entrance polls to the Republican caucus there predict a win for Mitt Romney. Among the Republicans, US TV networks projected a win there for Mitt Romney.
The party's contest in Nevada has been largely overshadowed by the primary being held in South Carolina. The party's contest in Nevada has been largely overshadowed by a primary being held in South Carolina.
According to polls, John McCain has a narrow lead in the southern state.According to polls, John McCain has a narrow lead in the southern state.
The Arizona senator is hoping to re-establish the momentum he lost after his defeat to Mitt Romney in Tuesday's Michigan primary. The Arizona senator is hoping to re-establish the momentum he lost after his defeat to Mr 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
His main rival appears to be former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who is hoping for the support of evangelical Christians.His main rival appears to be former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who is hoping for the support of evangelical Christians.
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.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.
Hispanic voteHispanic vote
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.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.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
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, which makes up about 30% of the population, while Mr Obama has the support of a powerful local union organisation.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.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'
In Nevada's Republican caucuses, only Mr Romney had done any serious campaigning with the other frontrunners instead preferring to focus on South Carolina.In Nevada's Republican caucuses, only Mr Romney had 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 In pictures: S Carolina and Nevada votes 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.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 In pictures: S Carolina and Nevada votes 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.
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."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.
The other main contenders appear to be the other two men who have already won a primary - Mr Huckabee and Mr Romney.The other main contenders appear to be the other two men who have already won a primary - Mr Huckabee and Mr Romney.
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.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
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.
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 Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, who has been focussing heavily on South Carolina, is trailing Mr Romney in fourth place in the opinion polls.
Observers say Mr Thompson needs a good result in the state to have a chance of remaining a viable contender for the Republican nomination.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 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.The ballots precede Super Tuesday, when 22 states will hold polls on 5 February.