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Republicans hold key Florida vote Republicans hold key Florida vote
(40 minutes later)
Voting is ending in Florida in a key battle for Republican candidates seeking to win the party's nomination to run for president in November. Most polls have closed in Florida, a key battle for Republican candidates seeking to win the party's nomination to run for president in November.
Polls suggest John McCain and Mitt Romney are neck and neck, with Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani trailing.Polls suggest John McCain and Mitt Romney are neck and neck, with Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani trailing.
Former New York Mayor Mr Giuliani, who led national Republican polls for months, has staked his bid for the party nomination on winning Florida.Former New York Mayor Mr Giuliani, who led national Republican polls for months, has staked his bid for the party nomination on winning Florida.
The Democratic election is largely symbolic after an internal party row.The Democratic election is largely symbolic after an internal party row.
More than one million votes had already been cast before the polls opened on Tuesday, either through absentee ballots or early voting that began on 14 January.More than one million votes had already been cast before the polls opened on Tuesday, either through absentee ballots or early voting that began on 14 January.
We are going to win - of course, if you don't win, you figure out another strategy Rudy Giuliani Economic gloomQ&A: Florida primaryFlorida primary in pictures What is a primary?We are going to win - of course, if you don't win, you figure out another strategy Rudy Giuliani Economic gloomQ&A: Florida primaryFlorida primary in pictures What is a primary?
For the Republican hopefuls, 57 delegates are at stake in the winner-takes-all primary.For the Republican hopefuls, 57 delegates are at stake in the winner-takes-all primary.
They will attend the party's national convention later this year when the Republican candidate is chosen.They will attend the party's national convention later this year when the Republican candidate is chosen.
The Florida victor will also gain crucial momentum ahead of Super Tuesday on 5 February, when 24 states vote.The Florida victor will also gain crucial momentum ahead of Super Tuesday on 5 February, when 24 states vote.
Mr Giuliani, who has focused almost his entire campaign so far on Florida, will be hoping the opinion polls that have him trailing well behind the two front-runners prove to be wrong.Mr Giuliani, who has focused almost his entire campaign so far on Florida, will be hoping the opinion polls that have him trailing well behind the two front-runners prove to be wrong.
Mr Giuliani has insisted that he expects to win the primary.Mr Giuliani has insisted that he expects to win the primary.
"You don't contemplate losing it. That isn't something you do on the day of a primary," he said."You don't contemplate losing it. That isn't something you do on the day of a primary," he said.
"We are going to win. Of course if you don't win, you figure out another strategy.""We are going to win. Of course if you don't win, you figure out another strategy."
He declined to elaborate on earlier remarks that he would make a decision on the future of his campaign on Wednesday morning.He declined to elaborate on earlier remarks that he would make a decision on the future of his campaign on Wednesday morning.
Hard-hitHard-hit
The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Miami says that the state of the economy is the main issue for voters in Florida.The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Miami says that the state of the economy is the main issue for voters in Florida.
John McCain is keen to build on his win in South Carolina 10 days agoJohn McCain is keen to build on his win in South Carolina 10 days ago
The state has been hit hard by the sub-prime mortgage crisis, and the candidate that offers the best solution could gain a decisive edge, our correspondent says.The state has been hit hard by the sub-prime mortgage crisis, and the candidate that offers the best solution could gain a decisive edge, our correspondent says.
Of the two Republican front-runners, Mr McCain has focused on national security and has strong support among a large number of military servicemen and veterans in the state.Of the two Republican front-runners, Mr McCain has focused on national security and has strong support among a large number of military servicemen and veterans in the state.
Mr Romney, a former businessman, has presented himself as someone with the credentials to shore up the economy. Mr Romney, a former businessman and former governor of Massachusetts, has presented himself as someone with the credentials to shore up the economy.
The two clashed again on Tuesday, with Mr Romney, a former venture capitalist, highlighting his greater business experience compared to Mr McCain. The two clashed again on Tuesday, with Mr Romney highlighting his greater business experience compared to that of Mr McCain, the senator for Arizona.
"If you want somebody who understands how Washington works, elect the other guy, but if you want somebody who knows how the economy works, elect me," he told supporters."If you want somebody who understands how Washington works, elect the other guy, but if you want somebody who knows how the economy works, elect me," he told supporters.
Meanwhile, Mr McCain focused on his own national security credentials.Meanwhile, Mr McCain focused on his own national security credentials.
"Who is it that has got the experience and background and knowledge to take on the challenge of radical Islamic extremism? Governor Romney has no experience there," he said."Who is it that has got the experience and background and knowledge to take on the challenge of radical Islamic extremism? Governor Romney has no experience there," he said.
On Monday, the two candidates accused each other of having liberal tendencies.On Monday, the two candidates accused each other of having liberal tendencies.
Mr Romney attacked Mr McCain for legislation reducing the role of money in politics, for his position on immigration and for his support for an energy bill that he said would have driven up consumer costs.Mr Romney attacked Mr McCain for legislation reducing the role of money in politics, for his position on immigration and for his support for an energy bill that he said would have driven up consumer costs.
Mr McCain responded by accusing Mr Romney of being a "liberal governor" of Massachusetts with a record of economic mismanagement.Mr McCain responded by accusing Mr Romney of being a "liberal governor" of Massachusetts with a record of economic mismanagement.
Democratic rowDemocratic row
None of the Democratic candidates have campaigned in Florida after the party's national committee penalised Florida for holding its primary early.None of the Democratic candidates have campaigned in Florida after the party's national committee penalised Florida for holding its primary early.
The state's Democratic leadership had moved the date forward in an attempt to give the result there more weight.The state's Democratic leadership had moved the date forward in an attempt to give the result there more weight.
Senator Hillary Clinton has said she wants the state's delegates reinstated and will arrive in Florida after polls close at 1900 (0000GMT).Senator Hillary Clinton has said she wants the state's delegates reinstated and will arrive in Florida after polls close at 1900 (0000GMT).
She is also keen to see the delegates reinstated in Michigan - a state she won, as the only major candidate on the ballot, but which has been stripped of its delegates in the same way as Florida.She is also keen to see the delegates reinstated in Michigan - a state she won, as the only major candidate on the ballot, but which has been stripped of its delegates in the same way as Florida.
However, Senator Barack Obama, her chief rival, told reporters he believed the decision on delegates "should be made after the nomination, not before".However, Senator Barack Obama, her chief rival, told reporters he believed the decision on delegates "should be made after the nomination, not before".
"Obviously I care a lot about the people in Michigan and a lot about the people in Florida," he said. "And I want their votes in the general election. We'll be actively campaigning for them.""Obviously I care a lot about the people in Michigan and a lot about the people in Florida," he said. "And I want their votes in the general election. We'll be actively campaigning for them."