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Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama this morning acknowledged that tonight's Super Tuesday results would settle little in a Democratic presidential race that threatens to grind on into next month and beyond.
Before voting near her home in New York - one of 24 states staging 43 Democratic and Republican contests in today's unprecedented "national primary" - Mrs Clinton said: "We're all kind of guessing about what it's all going to mean because it's never happened before."
Her rival, Mr Obama, said: "The fact that we've made so much progress I think indicates that we've got the right message, and the question is are we going to be able to pull some states out. No matter what happens though, we're probably going to see a split decision tonight."
In an electrifying battle that will see either a black man or white woman as a US presidential candidate, the pair headed into the 22-state Democratic contest with Mr Obama having pulled even with Mrs Clinton, or even slightly ahead. He has enjoyed a fortnight of extraordinary momentum, wiping out her double-digit leads in national polls in critical states such as California, New Jersey and Missouri.
A month after their early contests amid the snow and ice of Iowa and New Hampshire - with Mr Obama winning the former and Mrs Clinton launching a stunning comeback in the Granite State - voters speak today coast-to-coast, from frozen mountains in the north to the red earth of the Deep South. There are elections in Alaska and Alabama, New Mexico and New Jersey, Idaho and Oklahoma.
Yet, because Democratic Party rules stipulate that the 1,681 delegates up for grabs today are awarded proportionately - a candidate can lose a state but return a similar number of delegates - both campaigns expect the two rivals to roughly split the delegates on offer.
It makes for the closest Democratic race in a generation, and one that may not be decided until Ohio and Texas vote on March 4, or even when Pennsylvanians got to the polls on April 22 - a prospect of deep dread for already exhausted aides and strategists. To win, one candidate must reach the magic number of 2,025 delegates.
Yesterday both sides were engaged in a game of expectation management. "The nominating rules of our party are really designed to prolong a contest between two strong candidates," said Mrs Clinton's spokesman, Howard Wolfson. "Many of us will be making our reservations for Texas and Ohio, and perhaps Pennsylvania and beyond that."
Mr Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, was equally cautious in his predictions. "We fully expect Senator Clinton to earn more delegates on February 5th and also to win more states," he said in a memo to reporters. If Obama wins a few and stays within 100 delegates of Clinton today, he said, "we will have met our threshold for success."
The Republican elections may provide more clarity. Of the 21 states holding contests, eight award delegates on a winner-takes-all basis. This makes it easier for one candidate to build up a big lead tonight when there will be 1,023 delegates up for grabs.
Mitt Romney boomeranged across the country and back in a 37-hour dash, branding himself the true Ronald Reagan conservative at every stop.
"I think you're going to see a growing crescendo of Republican conservatives getting behind my candidacy," the former Massachusetts governor said, before conceding: "Right now that hasn't entirely happened."
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I voted...for OBAMA... I love Bill Clinton...but the idea of the republicans dragging him thru the mud with Hilary in the white house is too much for me to bare. AT THIS POINT...anyone but BUSH would be a god send. Obama as president would send a wonderful message to the world. His election would show the world we are NOT what BUSH and the evangelicals represent. It just is the "liberals and moderates" are too busy with their lives sometime to understand the ramifications of let 52 million idiots choose a president. I PROMISE IT WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS TIME..
maureen, sacramento, usa
I am voting for OBAMA... He will represent our country well. Young wants change...wants to tax companies that ship job abroad. I can't handle another 8 years of clinton bashing.
kelly, sacramento, ca
These are dangerous times for the world, yet it is a time America is bent on committing international relations Harakiri. A time when the world needs strong leadership and all Americans are interested in is their stupid economy. Let me assure Americans who don't, can't see beyond America and a selfish interest of buoyant economy and not dabbling in affairs of other countries that this their economy will go into serious depression with that of the rest of the world when the world descends into turmoil. What we need now is an America that is even more visual in policing the world than Bush's America has done. An America that will not be afraid to take the likes of Iran's Ahmadinejad to the cleaners or put down new, or intending Saddams. If not for Bush, by now America would be running under the table with its tails tucked in fear of terrorists. Right now it should not be about just elections but about who can lead the world by the noose, even harder than Bush had done.
Sunleye-Solawumi Olaleye, Lagos, Nigeria
The surge that Senator Obama has experienced over the last couple of days shows that America is finally hearing him out. Am sure he will perform exceptionally well after super Tuesday.
Cindy, London,
I am not so sure that Blaire was not elected the 1st time, because he used the word "Change" and was a fresh face.
However, I do think it would be a much more pragmatic and effective to have Hillary as President, especially with the sinking economy.
Denise, New York, New York
Voting for hillary is like voting for bill. it seems hes too close to the power.
I like Obama. its really odd, I'm UK born and bred and yet I dislike all of the British alternatives and would much prefer to be able to vote for Obama.
Brown is boring. Cameron really winds me up and the lib dems hardly exist. i've paid more attention to the american elections...well no thats not true. ive paid more attention to the democratic race, i have no idea who the republican candidates even are, than I have any election in britain.
fred, thatcham,
My head says Clinton...
www,inquirelive.co.uk, for some witty blogging!
August, Washington,
I think buying into the propaganda of "experience" vs. "change" is dangerous. We should evaluate candidates based on their record on important issues such as health care, immigration, and war. Even though Hillary Clinton has spent more time in the senate and in the public office, Obama has a better record of getting it "right" on these issues as can be seen from his health care reforms in Illinois and his opposition to Iraq from the get go. I don't think Republicans represent anything different from "status-quo" and let's face it "status-quo" sucks!
VOTE OBAMA!
chini, San Francisco, CA
No, I am from Vilnius, Lithuania, EU.
I think, that Mr. Ron Poul is best. Libertarian-republican. It is nice. But He is not popular in U.S.A. I think, that in this situation is better Mr. M. Romney.
Rolandas Tucas, Vilnius, Lithuania
I am proamerican, globalist, libertarian and think, that in future EU, U.S.A, Canada, Australia, N.Zeland and other libertar and democratic states become a great and strong federation.
Rolandas Tucas, Vilnius,
For all these people saying that Obama should be president and Hilary Vice, surely it should be the other way round as she has experience and he doesn't? He could then get some much needed experience and run next time round. It seems ridiculous that people in America vote for someone simply because they are a new face and and over-use the word 'Change'. Actions speak louder than words. America is entering troubled economic times, and needs someone with experience driving the ship. I was also astounded by McCain's general lack of intelligence. When asked a simple question about policy, he stuttured and stumbled 'Maybe.. Probably..' Surely there needs to be some standards? Out of all the people in America, there must be somebody more intelligent than him! Obama's not much better, 'errrrrr.. i .. errr..'. At least Hillary is intelligent and sharp tongued, but then I suppose American people don't like intelligent women!
Tam, Northampton, UK
Rolandas Tucas ---are you an american?
morton, chicago , illinois
What Romney did in Maine state his strength. He won over 50% of the vote even though both senators endorsed McCain and attended the caucuses speaking for McCain. I have great expectations for the Presidential vote in Nov. Romney is the only candidate who overwhelms those expectations. He is the economic genius, is against illegal immigration. Romney is set to fix our economy and to save the principles upon which the republican party was founded.
Rolandas Tucas
Rolandas Tucas, Vilnius, Lithuania
The razzmatazz of American politics have always had the ingredients of a Broadway musical; this time the casting agents deserve an industry accolade.
We've got senility, a first first lady, as well as a black gent. I hope Mike Huckerberry stays in the show; he's a guitar strumming character straight from the pages of Mark Twain - think global cartoons!
The enthralling prospect of the black gent as President and the lady the Vice, would ensure that the show ran and ran.
We'd have two parrallel presidents continually vying for prominence - essentially a dark plot with an ad-lib script.
Robbie Rohan, Great Chart, UK
No doubt about it: Barack Obama is the best man to be the next president of United States Of America.
Finland's supporting Obama!
Good luck with Super Tuesday!
Kristoffer, Helsinki, Finland
And still no mention of Ron Paul. Media blackout. It's disgraceful.
dazed, Cheltenham,
Mike Huckabee would be my choice for President if I had a vote in this election.Compared to his rivals,he is way ahead insofar as I am concerned. Let me say what he is NOT, unlike
some other prominent presidential canditates we all know..... and this should suffice as a ringing endorsemnt alone. He is not an endorser or supporter of those who butcher human life in the womb nor does he live in their 'make-believe' world of imagined human rights such as that of the much hyped 'right to choose'. And all in the name of compassion,..... if you don't mind! A MISPLACED VIRTUE IF EVER THERE WAS ONE. Enough said !!!
TOM KEARNEY, SHANNON, IRELAND
Situated in a far-off Country, namely India, I can only suggest that The Great Democracy should elect a first Lady as the President.
kalyan das, Calcutta, India
'Hey,' she thought, 'The whole 'tear thing' worked in New Hampshire right? So let's try that again just before Super Tuesday!' Brilliant! There is no tactic too crass for Hilary apparently.
GabeCase, Belfast,
And Ron Paul not a mention of this gentleman why not why the discretion?
Adrian, Besancon, france