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Race turns bitter as debate looms Race turns bitter as debate looms
(20 minutes later)
The US presidential candidates have exchanged barbs as they prepare for a crucial debate on Tuesday evening.The US presidential candidates have exchanged barbs as they prepare for a crucial debate on Tuesday evening.
Barack Obama accused John McCain of "smear tactics" and said he was not paying enough attention to the economic crisis that has been gripping the US.Barack Obama accused John McCain of "smear tactics" and said he was not paying enough attention to the economic crisis that has been gripping the US.
John McCain said Senator Obama was "lying" about his ties to the home loan industry and asked what his rival had ever accomplished in government.John McCain said Senator Obama was "lying" about his ties to the home loan industry and asked what his rival had ever accomplished in government.
The campaign tone has turned nasty as polls show Mr Obama widening his lead.The campaign tone has turned nasty as polls show Mr Obama widening his lead.
'Town Hall' debate'Town Hall' debate
The second presidential debate is generating intense interest among the public. LIVE DEBATE COVERAGE Watch the second presidential debate live from Nashville, Tennessee from 0100 GMT, with full analysis, running commentary and voter reaction.The second presidential debate is generating intense interest among the public. LIVE DEBATE COVERAGE Watch the second presidential debate live from Nashville, Tennessee from 0100 GMT, with full analysis, running commentary and voter reaction.
More than six million people have e-mailed questions to the moderator, NBC news presenter Tom Brokaw, who will preside over the town hall-style debate in Nashville, Tennessee.More than six million people have e-mailed questions to the moderator, NBC news presenter Tom Brokaw, who will preside over the town hall-style debate in Nashville, Tennessee.
He will select only six or seven e-mailed questions, as well as about a dozen from the studio audience of 80 uncommitted voters.He will select only six or seven e-mailed questions, as well as about a dozen from the studio audience of 80 uncommitted voters.
Senator McCain, who is widely viewed as having lost the first debate, has vowed to take the gloves off for this encounter.Senator McCain, who is widely viewed as having lost the first debate, has vowed to take the gloves off for this encounter.
The town hall format is his preferred style of campaigning and may work in his favour, analysts say.The town hall format is his preferred style of campaigning and may work in his favour, analysts say.
Mr Obama, meanwhile, has promised to fight back.Mr Obama, meanwhile, has promised to fight back.
"We don't throw the first punch, but we'll throw the last," he told a syndicated radio show."We don't throw the first punch, but we'll throw the last," he told a syndicated radio show.
Mr Obama's senior strategist, David Axelrod, told reporters that Mr McCain had indicated he was "going to be very aggressive in this debate".Mr Obama's senior strategist, David Axelrod, told reporters that Mr McCain had indicated he was "going to be very aggressive in this debate".
A new ad released by the Obama campaign attacks Mr McCain's record on the economy.A new ad released by the Obama campaign attacks Mr McCain's record on the economy.
"As Americans lose their jobs, homes and savings, it's time for a president who'll change the economy, not change the subject," it says."As Americans lose their jobs, homes and savings, it's time for a president who'll change the economy, not change the subject," it says.
Polling numbersPolling numbers
The latest Gallup daily tracking poll puts Mr Obama at 50% and Mr McCain at 42%, while a new CNN poll put Mr Obama ahead by 53% to 45%.The latest Gallup daily tracking poll puts Mr Obama at 50% and Mr McCain at 42%, while a new CNN poll put Mr Obama ahead by 53% to 45%.
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Mr Obama, the Democratic candidate, is still gaining in some of the key swing states as well. A new Washington Post poll puts him 6% ahead of Mr McCain in Ohio, a state the Republican candidate needs to take if he is to win the presidency.Mr Obama, the Democratic candidate, is still gaining in some of the key swing states as well. A new Washington Post poll puts him 6% ahead of Mr McCain in Ohio, a state the Republican candidate needs to take if he is to win the presidency.
The poll also suggested the Obama camp had a stronger organisation on the ground, with 43% of potential voters having been contacted by Democratic supporters, while only 33% had heard from McCain supporters.The poll also suggested the Obama camp had a stronger organisation on the ground, with 43% of potential voters having been contacted by Democratic supporters, while only 33% had heard from McCain supporters.
And another poll, by Rasmussen, also puts Senator Obama ahead in Missouri, which had previously been seen as safely Republican.And another poll, by Rasmussen, also puts Senator Obama ahead in Missouri, which had previously been seen as safely Republican.
Fresh accusationsFresh accusations
In recent days both camps have launched fresh assaults on the character of their opponent.In recent days both camps have launched fresh assaults on the character of their opponent.
Mr McCain's running mate Sarah Palin posed further questions about Mr Obama's "truthfulness and judgement".Both campaigns have ratcheted up the rhetoric with one month to goMr McCain's running mate Sarah Palin posed further questions about Mr Obama's "truthfulness and judgement".Both campaigns have ratcheted up the rhetoric with one month to go
Governor Palin had accused Mr Obama of "palling around" with a "domestic terrorist" - Bill Ayers.Governor Palin had accused Mr Obama of "palling around" with a "domestic terrorist" - Bill Ayers.
Mr Ayers belonged to the US militant group Weather Underground, which opposed the Vietnam War in the 1960s.Mr Ayers belonged to the US militant group Weather Underground, which opposed the Vietnam War in the 1960s.
Mr Obama once served on a charity board with Mr Ayers but has denounced his radical past.Mr Obama once served on a charity board with Mr Ayers but has denounced his radical past.
In an interview with the New York Times newspaper on Monday, Mrs Palin also suggested that voters should pay more attention to Mr Obama's relationship with his former church pastor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright.In an interview with the New York Times newspaper on Monday, Mrs Palin also suggested that voters should pay more attention to Mr Obama's relationship with his former church pastor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright.
"I don't know why that association isn't discussed more, because those were appalling things that that pastor had said about our great country," she said."I don't know why that association isn't discussed more, because those were appalling things that that pastor had said about our great country," she said.
Mr McCain had previously indicated that he did not want Rev Wright's inflammatory sermons, which Mr Obama has repudiated, to form part of his campaign.Mr McCain had previously indicated that he did not want Rev Wright's inflammatory sermons, which Mr Obama has repudiated, to form part of his campaign.
Judgement claimJudgement claim
Meanwhile, the Obama campaign has been highlighting Mr McCain's involvement in a financial scandal 20 years ago.Meanwhile, the Obama campaign has been highlighting Mr McCain's involvement in a financial scandal 20 years ago.
The campaign video which attacks John McCain over his links to Charles KeatingThe campaign video which attacks John McCain over his links to Charles Keating
It e-mailed supporters an internet video about Mr McCain's connections to Arizona tycoon Charles Keating, who was convicted of securities fraud after his savings and loan bank collapsed.It e-mailed supporters an internet video about Mr McCain's connections to Arizona tycoon Charles Keating, who was convicted of securities fraud after his savings and loan bank collapsed.
Mr McCain was one of five senators - known as the Keating Five - to be investigated by a Senate ethics panel over their intervention with banking regulators on behalf of Keating.Mr McCain was one of five senators - known as the Keating Five - to be investigated by a Senate ethics panel over their intervention with banking regulators on behalf of Keating.
He was found to be less involved with Keating than the other senators but was criticised for "poor judgement".He was found to be less involved with Keating than the other senators but was criticised for "poor judgement".
Mr McCain has himself described the affair as "the worst mistake of my life", and one which led him to sponsor legislation on campaign finance reform.Mr McCain has himself described the affair as "the worst mistake of my life", and one which led him to sponsor legislation on campaign finance reform.
Watch the second US presidential debate live from Nashville, Tennessee from 0100 GMT, with full analysis, running commentary and voter reaction.Watch the second US presidential debate live from Nashville, Tennessee from 0100 GMT, with full analysis, running commentary and voter reaction.