Punches are flying ahead of the biggest prize so far in the US presidential nominating process as voters in a dozen states prepare to weigh in on Super Tuesday, according to dpa. Republican presidential contenders Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz escalated their fight against front-runner and billionaire businessman Donald Trump on Friday after taking turns taking aim at Trump in the final debate before the crucial primaries a day earlier. Among Republicans, Trump leads in national polls and is on top in most of the states that will vote next week on so-called Super Tuesday, which could give him the necessary momentum to become the Republican Party's candidate. Among Democrats, Clinton hopes on Super Tuesday to again take control of a race that was once considered smooth sailing for her before Sanders nearly tied with her in Iowa and then defeated her by a large margin in New Hampshire. Clinton and Sanders first face off in a primary Saturday in South Carolina, where Republicans held their contest last week. Clinton's campaign had referred to her "firewall" against Sanders in many of the southern states that vote Tuesday, where large African American populations have long favoured Clinton. Clinton has also secured the endorsement of several prominent African American lawmakers and leaders. Sanders however has also sought to gain inroads in the community, and one African American supporter dismissed the idea that Clinton should automatically receive support from black voters.
