McCain and Clinton rally for gruelling race ahead

FRESH from New Hampshire victories, John McCain rallied yesterday for a Michigan showdown in the most confounding Republican presidential contest in half a century while Hillary Rodham Clinton, buoyant once more, took time to “get grounded” for the gruelling race ahead.

Her top rival suggested his politics of hope is about to get a harder edge.

“We have to make sure that we take it to them just like they take it to us,” said Illinois senator Barack Obama, responding not just to his Democratic rival’s New Hampshire primary win but to attacks on him by her husband, former president Bill.