US hopefuls gear up campaigns
The latest polls see senators Clinton and McCain as the favourites in their respective nomination contests
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Sunday, 03, Feb 2008 11:04
US presidential hopefuls from the Republican and Democratic parties are continuing the hectic pace of campaigning ahead of Tuesday's crucial vote.
A total of 24 US states are set to vote on February 5th to nominate their favoured Republican and Democrat candidates who will then contest nationwide elections later this year.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are being seen as the frontrunners for the Democratic party's nomination after contender John Edwards withdrew from the race.
Both Clinton and Obama have been campaigning in western states as they seek to mobilise their core voters. The wife of former president Bill Clinton addressed supporters in California, Arizona and New Mexico while her rival paid a quick visit to the state of Idaho.
Speaking to the press on his campaign plane, Illinois Senator Obama, who will be the country's first black president if elected, insisted that he was the underdog in the Republican race.
"I don't think that there's any doubt that Senator Clinton - she's still the favorite. When folks know me and my record, we do well. If they don't, she's got the advantages."
Among the Republicans, John McCain, who is focusing on southern states, was more optimistic about his chances in the next few days as he told reporters he was confident of victory.
"I assume I will get the nomination of our party. I assume that unifying our party is a very critical item... and I'm confident I can do that."
Meanwhile his main contender former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who will be the first Mormon president if elected, took a brief break from campaigning to attend the funeral of the leader of the Mormon church Gordon Hinckley. The race for the party's nomination narrowed this week as former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani decided to end his bid to become the country's president.
The latest Gallup poll shows Mr McCain enjoying a 20 per cent lead over Mr Romney while Ms Clinton has opened a seven point lead on Mr Obama. The surveys which are based on random interviews of a thousand members of each party yesterday showed a three point difference between the main contenders in the Democratic race and a 19 point difference between Mr Romney and Mr McCain.