(cctv.com)
Updated: 2008-01-15 12:13

US Presidential hopefuls are pressing ahead with efforts to win their party nominations ahead of national elections in November. New Hampshire primary voters turned out in large numbers on Tuesday (January 8).

They're hoping to give a boost to their favorite candidates in a contest that could help determine who becomes the next US president.

For Republicans, the race for the nomination is up for grabs. Arizona Senator John McCain and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney are leading the field in a hard fought battle.

Polls suggest McCain has an edge, but no clear cut advantage. On the Democratic side, polls indicate Senator Barack Obama has pulled ahead of New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

Democratic Strategists say that even if Hillary Clinton places second in the New Hampshire contest, as predicted, her hopes to win her party's nomination still has time to make a comeback.