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Key vote for Nevada's Democrats Key vote for Nevada's Democrats
(10 minutes later)
Democrats in the US south-western state of Nevada have begun the process of selecting a presidential candidate, in fiercely contested caucus elections.Democrats in the US south-western state of Nevada have begun the process of selecting 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.
US TV networks project a big win in the state for Republican Mitt Romney.US TV networks project a big win in the state for Republican Mitt Romney.
The party's contest in Nevada has been largely overshadowed by a same-day primary being held in South Carolina.The party's contest in Nevada has been largely overshadowed by a same-day primary being held in South Carolina.
However, a win there for Mr Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, could give him a useful boost going into the next primary vote in Florida.However, a win there for Mr Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, could give him a useful boost going into the next primary vote in Florida.
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 - Nevada Early returns suggest he may have captured more than 40% of Nevada's vote, with rivals John McCain, Fred Thompson, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul clustered far behind. 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 - Nevada Early returns suggest he may have captured more than 40% of Nevada's vote, with rivals John McCain, Ron Paul, Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee clustered far behind.
According to polls ahead of voting in South Carolina, Mr McCain has a narrow lead in the state. According to polls ahead of voting in South Carolina, Mr McCain has a narrow lead there.
The Arizona senator, who lost the state to George W Bush in 2000, is hoping to re-establish the momentum he lost after his defeat to Mr Romney in Tuesday's Michigan primary. The Arizona senator, who lost the southern state to George W Bush in 2000, is hoping to re-establish the momentum he lost after his defeat to Mr Romney in Tuesday's Michigan primary.
His main rival in the southern state appears to be Mr Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, who is hoping for the support of evangelical Christians. His main rival appears to be Mr Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, who is hoping for the support of South Carolina's 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.
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.
Hispanic voteHispanic vote
In Nevada, Mrs Clinton has backing from influential politicians in the state's Hispanic community, which makes up about 30% of the population, while Mr Obama has the support of a powerful local union organisation. In Nevada, Mrs Clinton has backing from influential politicians in the state's Hispanic community, which makes up about 25% of the population, while Mr Obama has the support of a powerful local union organisation.
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
Many of their target voters work in the casinos and resorts of Las Vegas and for the first time, nine casinos are holding Democratic caucuses to try to 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 are holding Democratic caucuses to try to make it easier for workers to vote.
The BBC's Lourdes Heredia, at a caucus in the Luxor casino in Las Vegas, says the atmosphere is like that of a football match.The BBC's Lourdes Heredia, at a caucus in the Luxor casino in Las Vegas, says the atmosphere is like that of a football match.
Supporters of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards are grouped on different sides of the room, exchanging loud cheers and shouts, waiting to be counted.Supporters of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards are grouped on different sides of the room, exchanging loud cheers and shouts, waiting to be counted.
The candidates' support will be calculated according to how many people gather in each corner.The candidates' support will be calculated according to how many people gather in each corner.
The Obama campaign has handed out red T-shirts saying "Make the Vegas dream the American dream", says our correspondent.The Obama campaign has handed out red T-shirts saying "Make the Vegas dream the American dream", says our correspondent.
Mrs Clinton's supporters all wear white T-shirts saying "I support my union, I support Hillary" - a reference to a row over union support in the run-up to the vote.Mrs Clinton's supporters all wear white T-shirts saying "I support my union, I support Hillary" - a reference to a row over union support in the run-up to the vote.
Maribel Fuarez told the BBC: "I have always supported Hillary because she's a woman and it's time we had a woman president.Maribel Fuarez told the BBC: "I have always supported Hillary because she's a woman and it's time we had a woman president.
"I feel Bill Clinton was a good leader for the Latino community and even though my union supports Obama, I haven't changed my mind. My vote is my vote and I'm proud of it.""I feel Bill Clinton was a good leader for the Latino community and even though my union supports Obama, I haven't changed my mind. My vote is my vote and I'm proud of it."
'Embarrassed''Embarrassed'
In Nevada's Republican caucuses, only Mr Romney had done any serious campaigning with the other front-runners instead preferring to focus on South Carolina. In Nevada's Republican caucuses only Mr Romney had done any serious campaigning, with the other front-runners 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 in Nevada, the Republican presidential hopefuls have focused on the economy in their final campaigning in South Carolina, which is losing many manufacturing jobs.
Mr McCain, who won in New Hampshire, 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, who won in New Hampshire, 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."
The other main contenders in South Carolina appear to be the other two men who have already won a primary - Mr Huckabee and Mr Romney.The other main contenders in South Carolina appear to be the other two men who have already won a primary - Mr Huckabee and Mr Romney.
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.
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 focusing heavily on South Carolina, is trailing Mr Romney in fourth place in the opinion polls.Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, who has been focusing 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.