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US rivals in frantic campaigning US rivals in frantic campaigning
(20 minutes later)
White House hopefuls are jetting across the US in last-minute campaigning ahead of the biggest single day of voting ever in a presidential nominating race.White House hopefuls are jetting across the US in last-minute campaigning ahead of the biggest single day of voting ever in a presidential nominating race.
A total of 24 states will hold nominating contests on Super Tuesday.A total of 24 states will hold nominating contests on Super Tuesday.
The Republican race, in which John McCain appears to have a clear lead in polls over his main challenger, Mitt Romney, may be decided on Tuesday.The Republican race, in which John McCain appears to have a clear lead in polls over his main challenger, Mitt Romney, may be decided on Tuesday.
But the Democratic race between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is very tight and may go further.But the Democratic race between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is very tight and may go further.
Intense scheduleIntense schedule
Super Tuesday states account for over half the delegates who will go to party conventions to formally choose the nominees to run in November's election.Super Tuesday states account for over half the delegates who will go to party conventions to formally choose the nominees to run in November's election.
Mrs Clinton, who began the day with a visit to a child study centre in Yale, was later expected to make stops in Massachusetts and New York.Mrs Clinton, who began the day with a visit to a child study centre in Yale, was later expected to make stops in Massachusetts and New York.
Mr Obama, meanwhile, flew out of Chicago heading for New Jersey before planning to visit both Connecticut and Massachusetts.Mr Obama, meanwhile, flew out of Chicago heading for New Jersey before planning to visit both Connecticut and Massachusetts.
On the Republican side, John McCain is expected to make stops in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.On the Republican side, John McCain is expected to make stops in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.
Mitt Romney has an exhausting schedule of events slated including stops in Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma and California.Mitt Romney has an exhausting schedule of events slated including stops in Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma and California.
A national poll for the Washington Post and ABC showed Senator Clinton's lead over Senator Obama had narrowed to 4%, while other polls showed the two neck-and-neck in the key state of California.A national poll for the Washington Post and ABC showed Senator Clinton's lead over Senator Obama had narrowed to 4%, while other polls showed the two neck-and-neck in the key state of California.
The fortunes of John McCain in this race have been a thrill ride Steve Miller, BBC News US voters' panellist, Bakersfield, California Voters' views: Super Tuesday Of the 2,025 delegates needed to secure the nomination as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, California carries 370. The fortunes of John McCain in this race have been a thrill ride Steve Miller, BBC News US voters' panellist, Bakersfield, California Voters' views: Super Tuesday class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7226205.stm">Last-minute battlegrounds Of the 2,025 delegates needed to secure the nomination as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, California carries 370.
The same national poll showed Senator McCain well ahead of all his rivals. The Arizona senator had 48% against Mitt Romney's 24%, with Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul trailing far behind.The same national poll showed Senator McCain well ahead of all his rivals. The Arizona senator had 48% against Mitt Romney's 24%, with Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul trailing far behind.
A Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll gave Mr McCain double digit leads over Mr Romney in New York, New Jersey and Missouri, although the former Massachusetts governor was ahead 40% to 32% in California.A Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll gave Mr McCain double digit leads over Mr Romney in New York, New Jersey and Missouri, although the former Massachusetts governor was ahead 40% to 32% in California.
Talk ShowsTalk Shows
Contenders used the Sunday talk shows to try push their message.Contenders used the Sunday talk shows to try push their message.
Speaking on ABC's This week, Mrs Clinton said she had been "taking the incoming fire from Republicans" for some 16 years.Speaking on ABC's This week, Mrs Clinton said she had been "taking the incoming fire from Republicans" for some 16 years.
"I'm still here, because I have been vetted, I have been tested," she said, pointing out that Mr Obama "did not face anyone who ran attack ads against him" when he stood for election as senator for Illinois."I'm still here, because I have been vetted, I have been tested," she said, pointing out that Mr Obama "did not face anyone who ran attack ads against him" when he stood for election as senator for Illinois.
Super Latino TuesdaySuper Latino Tuesday
But Mr Obama countered on CBS's Face the Nation that Republicans consider Mrs Clinton a "polarising figure".But Mr Obama countered on CBS's Face the Nation that Republicans consider Mrs Clinton a "polarising figure".
He said he thought he could win votes that the former first lady would not be able to.He said he thought he could win votes that the former first lady would not be able to.
Meanwhile, Mr Romney told ABC that Mr McCain "doesn't understand the economy", and said that under him, the Republicans would be "indistinguishable" from Mrs Clinton on issues such as illegal immigration.Meanwhile, Mr Romney told ABC that Mr McCain "doesn't understand the economy", and said that under him, the Republicans would be "indistinguishable" from Mrs Clinton on issues such as illegal immigration.
Mr McCain said he was pleased to be "gathering support from all parts of the party", claiming to be "far more conservative" than Mr Romney and pointing to prominent conservatives who had endorsed him.Mr McCain said he was pleased to be "gathering support from all parts of the party", claiming to be "far more conservative" than Mr Romney and pointing to prominent conservatives who had endorsed him.
With the possibility that Mr Romney and Mr Huckabee will split the votes of more conservative Republicans, Mr Huckabee told CNN that Mr Romney should drop out.With the possibility that Mr Romney and Mr Huckabee will split the votes of more conservative Republicans, Mr Huckabee told CNN that Mr Romney should drop out.
"If he wants to call it a two-man race, fine. But that makes it John McCain and me," said Mr Huckabee."If he wants to call it a two-man race, fine. But that makes it John McCain and me," said Mr Huckabee.
All the contenders were engaged in a flurry of appearances on Sunday, breaking off later to watch the NFL Super Bowl.All the contenders were engaged in a flurry of appearances on Sunday, breaking off later to watch the NFL Super Bowl.