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Republicans set for Florida vote Republicans set for Florida vote
(about 2 hours later)
Republicans in Florida are set to vote in a crucial primary election for the candidate they want to represent their party in the US presidential race.Republicans in Florida are set to vote in a crucial primary election for the candidate they want to represent their party in the US presidential race.
Polls suggest John McCain and Mitt Romney are neck and neck, with Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani trailing.Polls suggest John McCain and Mitt Romney are neck and neck, with Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani trailing.
Mr Giuliani, a former New York mayor who led national Republican polls for months, has staked his bid for the party nomination on winning Florida.Mr Giuliani, a former New York mayor who led national Republican polls for months, has staked his bid for the party nomination on winning Florida.
Democrats are also voting in a contest that is mostly symbolic.Democrats are also voting in a contest that is mostly symbolic.
My opponents are fighting each other, calling each other names - let them do that. We're not going to call anybody names Rudy Giuliani What is a primary? Economic gloomQ&A: Florida primaryMy opponents are fighting each other, calling each other names - let them do that. We're not going to call anybody names Rudy Giuliani What is a primary? Economic gloomQ&A: Florida primary
None of the Democratic candidates have campaigned in this state after the party's national committee penalised Florida for holding its primary early - a move seen as an effort to give the result there more weight.None of the Democratic candidates have campaigned in this state after the party's national committee penalised Florida for holding its primary early - a move seen as an effort to give the result there more weight.
But Senator Hillary Clinton has said she wants the state's delegates reinstated and will arrive in Florida after polls close.But Senator Hillary Clinton has said she wants the state's delegates reinstated and will arrive in Florida after polls close.
But for the Republican race, analysts say this election will not only give the winner a huge number of electoral college votes but crucial momentum ahead of Super Tuesday on 5 February, when 24 states vote.But for the Republican race, analysts say this election will not only give the winner a huge number of electoral college votes but crucial momentum ahead of Super Tuesday on 5 February, when 24 states vote.
Giuliani battleGiuliani battle
The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Miami says that the economy is the issue dominating state residents' minds.The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Miami says that the economy is the issue dominating state residents' minds.
Mr Romney has campaigned on the economy
Florida has been hit hard by the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the candidate that offers the best solution could gain a decisive edge, our correspondent says.Florida has been hit hard by the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the candidate that offers the best solution could gain a decisive edge, our correspondent says.
Of the two Republican front-runners, Mr McCain has focused on national security and has strong support among a large number of military servicemen and veterans in the state.Of the two Republican front-runners, Mr McCain has focused on national security and has strong support among a large number of military servicemen and veterans in the state.
Mr Romney has campaigned on the economyMr Romney, a former businessman, has presented himself as someone with the credentials to shore up the economy. Mr Romney, a former businessman, has presented himself as someone with the credentials to shore up the economy.
On Monday the two candidates accused each other of having liberal tendencies as they made a final push for votes.On Monday the two candidates accused each other of having liberal tendencies as they made a final push for votes.
Mr Romney attacked Mr McCain for legislation reducing the role of money in politics, for his position on immigration and for his support for an energy bill that he said would have driven up consumer costs.Mr Romney attacked Mr McCain for legislation reducing the role of money in politics, for his position on immigration and for his support for an energy bill that he said would have driven up consumer costs.
"If you want that kind of a liberal Democratic course as president, then you can vote for him," Mr Romney said."If you want that kind of a liberal Democratic course as president, then you can vote for him," Mr Romney said.
"But those three pieces of legislation, those aren't conservative, those aren't Republican, those are not the kind of leadership that we need as we go forward.""But those three pieces of legislation, those aren't conservative, those aren't Republican, those are not the kind of leadership that we need as we go forward."
Mr McCain responded by saying that "on every one of the issues he has attacked us on, Mitt Romney was for it before he was against it".Mr McCain responded by saying that "on every one of the issues he has attacked us on, Mitt Romney was for it before he was against it".
He accused Mr Romney of being a "liberal governor" of Massachusetts with a record of economic mismanagement.He accused Mr Romney of being a "liberal governor" of Massachusetts with a record of economic mismanagement.
Mr Giuliani, who insists he can still win in Florida, said he was focusing on positive goals.Mr Giuliani, who insists he can still win in Florida, said he was focusing on positive goals.
"My opponents are fighting each other, calling each other names. Let them do that. We're not going to call anybody names.""My opponents are fighting each other, calling each other names. Let them do that. We're not going to call anybody names."