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Republicans gear up for Michigan Republicans gear up for Michigan
(about 8 hours later)
Voters in the US state of Michigan are gearing up for the Republican primary on Tuesday in the next stage of the race for the White House.Voters in the US state of Michigan are gearing up for the Republican primary on Tuesday in the next stage of the race for the White House.
Polls suggest a very close battle between Arizona senator John McCain and local boy Mitt Romney.Polls suggest a very close battle between Arizona senator John McCain and local boy Mitt Romney.
The Democratic contest has been weakened because Michigan chose to hold its vote early and the party barred its delegates from the final convention.The Democratic contest has been weakened because Michigan chose to hold its vote early and the party barred its delegates from the final convention.
Analysts say Michigan's fragile economy is the main issue.Analysts say Michigan's fragile economy is the main issue.
High unemployment The state and its main city Detroit used to be famous for making cars.
Some commentators say this could be a crucial contest for former Massachusetts governor Mr Romney, who failed to win in New Hampshire and Iowa despite heavy spending. But Michigan has been hard hit by a downturn in the automobile industry, and now has the highest unemployment rate in the US at 7.4%.
Close race
Some commentators say the primary could be crucial for former Massachusetts governor Mr Romney, who failed to win in New Hampshire and Iowa despite heavy spending.
Michigan had Mr Romney's father, George, as its governor from 1963 until 1969. Mitt Romney's wife was also born in the state and in eve-of-poll campaigning he has been stressing his local roots.Michigan had Mr Romney's father, George, as its governor from 1963 until 1969. Mitt Romney's wife was also born in the state and in eve-of-poll campaigning he has been stressing his local roots.
"If I'm president of the United States I will not rest until Michigan is back," he told a cheering university audience on Sunday. "The auto industry and all its jobs do not have to be lost," he told an audience in Detroit on Monday.
"I will bring it back with your help." "And I am one man who will work to transform the industry and save those jobs."
Michigan and its main city Detroit used to be famous for making cars.
But it now has the highest unemployment rate in the US.
KEY DATES AHEAD 15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: Nevada caucuses; South Carolina primary (Rep)26 Jan: South Carolina primary (Dem)29 Jan: Florida primary5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey New Hampshire: Key quotesQ&A: US primariesBlog: Clinton's surprise?
An average of polls suggests that Mr Romney is marginally behind Mr McCain, who won the state in his presidential bid in 2000 and won the New Hampshire primary last week.An average of polls suggests that Mr Romney is marginally behind Mr McCain, who won the state in his presidential bid in 2000 and won the New Hampshire primary last week.
Mr McCain told supporters he would make the security of the US his priority. KEY DATES AHEAD 15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: Nevada caucuses; South Carolina primary (Rep)26 Jan: South Carolina primary (Dem)29 Jan: Florida primary5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7178297.stm">New Hampshire: Key quotes class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7049207.stm">Q&A: US primaries class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/">Blog: Clinton's surprise?
"I believe that the most important mission I can have... is to keep this nation safe," he said. Mr McCain is seeking to build on that success by aiming his comments at struggling workers, promising to help retrain them if he is elected president in November.
"We're not going to leave these people behind. That's what America is supposed to be all about," he told students at Kalamazoo on Monday.
Third in the polls is former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucus.Third in the polls is former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucus.
In a rally in Augusta, he said was the only Republican candidate who understood the struggles of working-class people in Michigan.
Other big names, like former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, are not taking part in Michigan, holding their fire for later in the national campaign.Other big names, like former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, are not taking part in Michigan, holding their fire for later in the national campaign.
In the Democrat race, only Hillary Clinton of the leading candidates features on the ballot.In the Democrat race, only Hillary Clinton of the leading candidates features on the ballot.
Barack Obama and John Edwards took their names off last October, after the national party penalised the state party for holding its primary early.Barack Obama and John Edwards took their names off last October, after the national party penalised the state party for holding its primary early.
Most Democrats are focusing their energies on the contests in Nevada on Saturday and South Carolina on 26 January.Most Democrats are focusing their energies on the contests in Nevada on Saturday and South Carolina on 26 January.