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Clinton wins tight Nevada caucus Clinton wins tight Nevada caucus
(about 1 hour later)
Hillary Clinton has won a fiercely contested election in the US state of Nevada, according to projections based on 88% of the vote count. Hillary Clinton has won a close-fought US presidential caucus in the state of Nevada, according to projections based on 95% of the vote count.
Preliminary figures show Mrs Clinton with 51% of the vote, to 45% for Barack Obama. Both candidates have fought hard to win the support of Latino voters. Preliminary figures show Mrs Clinton with 51% of the Democratic vote, to 45% for Barack Obama. Both have fought hard for the support of Latino voters.
US TV networks project a big win in the state for Republican Mitt Romney. In the state's Republican contest, a big win was projected for Mitt Romney.
The party's contest in Nevada has been overshadowed by a closely-fought primary being held in South Carolina. The party's Nevada contest has been overshadowed by a closely-fought primary being held in South Carolina.
Voting continues in the first southern state to hold a primary, where Republicans John McCain and Mike Huckabee, who appear to be the frontrunners in a very tight race, have focused their efforts.Voting continues in the first southern state to hold a primary, where Republicans John McCain and Mike Huckabee, who appear to be the frontrunners in a very tight race, have focused their efforts.
But a win in Nevada for Mr Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, could give him a useful boost going into the next primary vote in Florida.But a win in Nevada 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, Ron Paul, Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee clustered far behind. This is a huge win for Hillary. This is big, this is a big day Terry McAuliffe, Clinton campaign manager Nevada's Latino votePoll guide - S CarolinaPoll guide - Nevada He had captured 52% of Nevada's vote with 95% of precincts reporting, with rivals John McCain and Ron Paul tying for second place with 13%.
In a statement after his projected win, Mr Romney said: "Today, the people of Nevada voted for change in Washington.
"Now Washington must act and take the steps necessary to strengthen our economy."
Analysts say Mr Romney, a Mormon, may have benefited from the support of the nearly 7% of Nevada voters who share his faith.Analysts say Mr Romney, a Mormon, may have benefited from the support of the nearly 7% of Nevada voters who share his faith.
Mormons represented roughly a quarter of those attending the state's Republican caucuses, and virtually all of them were voting for Romney, according to preliminary results reported by the Associated Press news agency. Meanwhile in South Carolina, pre-vote polls suggested Mr McCain - who lost the state to George W Bush in 2000 - might hold a narrow lead there.
Meanwhile in South Carolina, pre-vote polls suggested Mr McCain - who lost the state to George W Bush in 2000 - may hold a narrow lead there. Observers said unusually wintry weather, particularly in the north of the normally balmy state, might affect turn-out.
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.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.
Hispanic voteHispanic vote
In Nevada, Mrs Clinton has had 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. Following news of her projected win, Mrs Clinton's campaign manager Terry McAuliffe told US network MSNBC: "This is a huge win for Hillary. This is big, this is a big day."
Going into the vote, Mrs Clinton was backed by influential politicians in the state's Hispanic community, which makes up about 25% of the population, while Mr Obama had 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 held 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 held 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, said the atmosphere was like that of a football match.The BBC's Lourdes Heredia, at a caucus in the Luxor casino in Las Vegas, said the atmosphere was like that of a football match.
Supporters of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards were 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 were grouped on different sides of the room, exchanging loud cheers and shouts, waiting to be counted - the way each candidate's support is calculated.
The candidates' support is calculated according to how many people gather in each corner.
The Obama campaign had handed out red T-shirts saying "Make the Vegas dream the American dream", our correspondent said.The Obama campaign had handed out red T-shirts saying "Make the Vegas dream the American dream", our correspondent said.
Mrs Clinton's supporters all wore 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 wore 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 in Nevada, the Republican presidential hopefuls have 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 Graphs do not include delegates from Nevada caucus 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 - former Arkansas governor Mr Huckabee and Mr Romney.
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 nominee 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 nominee Graphs do not include delegates from Nevada and S Carolina votes
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 Democrats will hold their primary in South Carolina on 26 January.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 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.