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/8466995.stm

The article has changed 34 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Republican ahead in Senate poll Republican ahead in Senate poll
(10 minutes later)
First results in the race for the US Senate seat left vacant by Edward Kennedy's death suggest Republican party candidate Scott Brown is ahead. Partial results from the race for the US Senate seat left vacant by Edward Kennedy's death suggest Republican party candidate Scott Brown is ahead.
With about 44% of electoral precincts reporting results, he has a five-point lead over Democrat Martha Coakley. With about 62% of electoral precincts reporting results, he leads Democrat Martha Coakley by 53% to 46%.
The race is a huge political test for President Obama, whose healthcare reform could be derailed by a defeat.The race is a huge political test for President Obama, whose healthcare reform could be derailed by a defeat.
A Republican win would see the Democrats lose their filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate.A Republican win would see the Democrats lose their filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate.
FILIBUSTERING A method used to delay approval of laws by prolonging debateMay include large numbers of amendments, spurious points of order and very long speechesIf the session runs out of time, motions cannot be voted onFILIBUSTERING A method used to delay approval of laws by prolonging debateMay include large numbers of amendments, spurious points of order and very long speechesIf the session runs out of time, motions cannot be voted on
This would make it much harder for Mr Obama to pass a healthcare reform bill.This would make it much harder for Mr Obama to pass a healthcare reform bill.
Healthcare reform is the most important domestic policy objective of his first year as president.Healthcare reform is the most important domestic policy objective of his first year as president.
The BBC's Paul Adams, in Boston, says this Senate race should have been a formality for the Democrats - they outnumber Republicans in Massachusetts by about three to one, and the seat being contested was controlled by the Kennedy family for more than half a century.The BBC's Paul Adams, in Boston, says this Senate race should have been a formality for the Democrats - they outnumber Republicans in Massachusetts by about three to one, and the seat being contested was controlled by the Kennedy family for more than half a century.
MARDELL'S AMERICA If the Republicans win, none of the options for healthcare reform are palatable for the president and all carry considerable dangers Read Mark's thoughts in full Send us your commentsMARDELL'S AMERICA If the Republicans win, none of the options for healthcare reform are palatable for the president and all carry considerable dangers Read Mark's thoughts in full Send us your comments
But Ms Coakley has run a lacklustre campaign, allowing her Republican opponent - with vigorous support from conservative activists - to overtake her in the polls.But Ms Coakley has run a lacklustre campaign, allowing her Republican opponent - with vigorous support from conservative activists - to overtake her in the polls.
Mr Obama went to Boston on Sunday to lend support to the Coakley campaign, a sign of the growing apprehension felt by the White House.Mr Obama went to Boston on Sunday to lend support to the Coakley campaign, a sign of the growing apprehension felt by the White House.
Amid the national attention on the election, money, activists and party officials poured into Massachusetts for both sides ahead of Tuesday's election.Amid the national attention on the election, money, activists and party officials poured into Massachusetts for both sides ahead of Tuesday's election.
MAIN CANDIDATES MARTHA COAKLEY: Born in 1953; pursued a legal career and made a name for herself in child abuse cases, most notably that of Louise Woodward, a British nanny convicted of a baby's manslaughter in 1997; in 2006, became the state's first woman elected attorney general; if elected, would become the state's first female senatorSCOTT BROWN: Born in 1959; a lawyer, little-known Massachusetts state senator and National Guard member, although never deployed; running on a ticket of lowering taxes and "bringing common sense back to Washington" and made a signature issue of opposing President Obama's healthcare billMAIN CANDIDATES MARTHA COAKLEY: Born in 1953; pursued a legal career and made a name for herself in child abuse cases, most notably that of Louise Woodward, a British nanny convicted of a baby's manslaughter in 1997; in 2006, became the state's first woman elected attorney general; if elected, would become the state's first female senatorSCOTT BROWN: Born in 1959; a lawyer, little-known Massachusetts state senator and National Guard member, although never deployed; running on a ticket of lowering taxes and "bringing common sense back to Washington" and made a signature issue of opposing President Obama's healthcare bill
Mr Brown has said that if he wins, he hopes to be sworn in as quickly as possible.Mr Brown has said that if he wins, he hopes to be sworn in as quickly as possible.
He arrived at the polls in the green pick-up truck he used to criss-cross Massachusetts during the campaign, and which has featured in TV advertisements that aimed to burnish his appeal to blue-collar and independent voters.He arrived at the polls in the green pick-up truck he used to criss-cross Massachusetts during the campaign, and which has featured in TV advertisements that aimed to burnish his appeal to blue-collar and independent voters.
Ms Coakely, voting early near her home, voiced confidence, saying: "We've been working every day."Ms Coakely, voting early near her home, voiced confidence, saying: "We've been working every day."
Analysts say that with opinion polls showing that nearly half of all Americans think President Obama is not delivering on his major campaign promises, the Massachusetts race could be seen as a referendum on his first year in office.Analysts say that with opinion polls showing that nearly half of all Americans think President Obama is not delivering on his major campaign promises, the Massachusetts race could be seen as a referendum on his first year in office.
Are you a voter in Massachusetts? What issues matter most you? Why is the race so close? You can send us your views using the form below.Are you a voter in Massachusetts? What issues matter most you? Why is the race so close? You can send us your views using the form below.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions