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January 19, 2008

South Carolina, Nevada Vote in US Presidential Contests
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AF9734:A6F02AD83191E1601F9ABCD0561CC72F7F0EB4B66EA3A89D& Public opinion
polls suggest tight race for Republican candidates in South Carolina





Republican Presidential hopeful, John McCain, takes the stage at a
campaign event at the Pepper Geddings Recreation Center in Myrtle
Beach, S.C., 18 Jan. 2008Residents in South Carolina are heading to
the polls to select a Republican Party candidate for U.S. president,
as voters in Nevada prepare for both Democratic and Republican
nominating caucuses.

Public opinion polls suggest a tight race for Republican candidates in
South Carolina.

Arizona Senator John McCain, who won the New Hampshire Republican
primary, is facing former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who won the
Iowa Republican caucus.  The candidates' views on the military and
religion are expected to be key factors in the vote.

In the west, Democratic candidates focused on the economy as they
competed for votes in Nevada.  New York Senator Hillary Clinton
criticized a proposed Bush administration economic stimulus plan,
saying the plan leaves out millions of the neediest Americans.

Polls indicate Clinton is running in a tight race with Illinois
Senator Barack Obama and former South Carolina Senator John Edwards.

The presidential contenders are looking to build momentum before the
critical primaries and caucuses on so-called Super Tuesday (February
5) when 22 states will hold presidential nominating contests.  Before
then, South Carolina holds a Democratic primary next Saturday and
Florida holds a Republican primary January 29.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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