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US campaign enters final weekend | US campaign enters final weekend | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(30 minutes later) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The two men seeking to become president of the United States have entered the final weekend of campaigning. | The two men seeking to become president of the United States have entered the final weekend of campaigning. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic candidate Barack Obama still holds a poll lead, but one new survey suggests his lead over Republican John McCain is narrowing slightly. | Democratic candidate Barack Obama still holds a poll lead, but one new survey suggests his lead over Republican John McCain is narrowing slightly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Campaigning in Virginia, Mr McCain told voters "we can and will win". Later he will appear in Pennsylvania and on the TV comedy show Saturday Night Live. | Campaigning in Virginia, Mr McCain told voters "we can and will win". Later he will appear in Pennsylvania and on the TV comedy show Saturday Night Live. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In Nevada, Mr Obama told voters they had "three days to turn the page". | In Nevada, Mr Obama told voters they had "three days to turn the page". | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Illinois senator, who will campaign in Colorado and bellwether state Missouri later, warned against the dangers of complacency and urged supporters to make sure they voted. | The Illinois senator, who will campaign in Colorado and bellwether state Missouri later, warned against the dangers of complacency and urged supporters to make sure they voted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Obama started the day by delivering the Democratic Party's weekly radio address, using it to talk about his economic plans, the war in Iraq and healthcare. | Mr Obama started the day by delivering the Democratic Party's weekly radio address, using it to talk about his economic plans, the war in Iraq and healthcare. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"If you give me your vote on Tuesday, we won't just win this election - together we will change this country and change the world," Mr Obama said. | "If you give me your vote on Tuesday, we won't just win this election - together we will change this country and change the world," Mr Obama said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He also sought to tie Mr McCain to the Bush administration, saying: "We can't afford four more years of the tired, old, trickle-down, on your own philosophy that got us into this mess." | He also sought to tie Mr McCain to the Bush administration, saying: "We can't afford four more years of the tired, old, trickle-down, on your own philosophy that got us into this mess." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
. Although most worldly-wise Republicans expect to lose and most Democrats expect to win, both sides will be short of breath over the next few hours North America editor Justin Webb The greatest political show on earth | . Although most worldly-wise Republicans expect to lose and most Democrats expect to win, both sides will be short of breath over the next few hours North America editor Justin Webb The greatest political show on earth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
President George W Bush, in his last weekly radio address before his successor is chosen, urged citizens to use their vote on 4 November. | President George W Bush, in his last weekly radio address before his successor is chosen, urged citizens to use their vote on 4 November. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"After months of spirited debate and vigorous campaigning, the time has come for Americans to make important decisions about our nation's future," he said. | "After months of spirited debate and vigorous campaigning, the time has come for Americans to make important decisions about our nation's future," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr McCain, in his own radio address, warned that Mr Obama lacked the experience to handle the international threats facing the US. | Mr McCain, in his own radio address, warned that Mr Obama lacked the experience to handle the international threats facing the US. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
'Wealth redistribution' | 'Wealth redistribution' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Both candidates are visiting states seen as crucial to their chances of winning Tuesday's election. | Both candidates are visiting states seen as crucial to their chances of winning Tuesday's election. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Speaking to supporters in Newport News, Virginia, Mr McCain attacked his rival over the economy and his tax plans. | Speaking to supporters in Newport News, Virginia, Mr McCain attacked his rival over the economy and his tax plans. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John McCain criticises the Democrats' "tax and spend" approach | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Referring to a comment by Mr Obama that he would "spread the wealth around", the Arizona senator said: "He's running for redistributor-in-chief, I'm running for commander-in-chief." | Referring to a comment by Mr Obama that he would "spread the wealth around", the Arizona senator said: "He's running for redistributor-in-chief, I'm running for commander-in-chief." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After a lunchtime rally in Springfield, Virginia, Mr McCain will head to Perkasie, Pennsylvania, in the afternoon. | After a lunchtime rally in Springfield, Virginia, Mr McCain will head to Perkasie, Pennsylvania, in the afternoon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Analysts say Mr McCain needs to win in Pennsylvania - where he is behind in state polls - to have a chance. | Analysts say Mr McCain needs to win in Pennsylvania - where he is behind in state polls - to have a chance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
His running mate, Sarah Palin, is campaigning in Florida, another battleground state which voted Republican in 2004 but where Mr Obama has whittled away Mr McCain's initial poll lead. | His running mate, Sarah Palin, is campaigning in Florida, another battleground state which voted Republican in 2004 but where Mr Obama has whittled away Mr McCain's initial poll lead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mrs Palin told supporters in Polk City that Mr Obama's tax plans would take away money from small businesses and that his healthcare proposals would cost Americans more. | Mrs Palin told supporters in Polk City that Mr Obama's tax plans would take away money from small businesses and that his healthcare proposals would cost Americans more. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To cheers, she asked: "Florida, do you share our commitment and can we count on your vote on 4 November?" | To cheers, she asked: "Florida, do you share our commitment and can we count on your vote on 4 November?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Polls in Virginia, which has not backed a Democrat for president since 1964, show Mr Obama has pulled ahead of his rival there. | Polls in Virginia, which has not backed a Democrat for president since 1964, show Mr Obama has pulled ahead of his rival there. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Obama also has the edge over Mr McCain in Nevada and Colorado, both of which voted for George W Bush four years ago. | Mr Obama also has the edge over Mr McCain in Nevada and Colorado, both of which voted for George W Bush four years ago. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL There seems to be a two-pronged strategy: Sarah Palin energises the base, John McCain hangs out with his more centrist mates Matthew Price's thoughts in full | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Missouri is seen as a vital state to win because of its record of backing the eventual winner in almost every election since 1904. Mr Obama leads in Missouri by a very narrow margin, polls show. | Missouri is seen as a vital state to win because of its record of backing the eventual winner in almost every election since 1904. Mr Obama leads in Missouri by a very narrow margin, polls show. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Obama is extending his campaign advertising into traditionally Republican territory over the weekend, running advertisements in Arizona, his rival's home state, as well as Georgia and North Dakota. | Mr Obama is extending his campaign advertising into traditionally Republican territory over the weekend, running advertisements in Arizona, his rival's home state, as well as Georgia and North Dakota. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile, the Associated Press has reported that an aunt of his, Zeituni Onyango from Kenya who lives in Boston, is in the US illegally after an immigration judge rejected her request for asylum four years ago. | Meanwhile, the Associated Press has reported that an aunt of his, Zeituni Onyango from Kenya who lives in Boston, is in the US illegally after an immigration judge rejected her request for asylum four years ago. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The news agency also quotes Mr Obama as saying he did not know she was in the country illegally. | The news agency also quotes Mr Obama as saying he did not know she was in the country illegally. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
'Coming back' | 'Coming back' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As the candidates focus on battleground states, last-minute preparations are being made for Tuesday's vote, the BBC's North America editor Justin Webb reports. LATEST POLLS Gallup | Date | McCain | Obama | Sample | Error | 2008-10-2842%51%27892%2008-10-2942%50%28002%2008-10-3041%52%28252%RasmussenDate | McCain | Obama | Sample | Error | 2008-10-2847%50%30002%2008-10-2946%51%30002%2008-10-3047%51%30002%Wash. PostDate | McCain | Obama | Sample | Error | 2008-10-2844%52%13162.5%2008-10-2944%52%13272.5%2008-10-3044%53%15802.5%IpsosDate | McCain | Obama | Sample | Error | 2008-10-0639%48%10363%2008-10-2042%50%7733%2008-10-2743%48%8313.5%As the candidates focus on battleground states, last-minute preparations are being made for Tuesday's vote, the BBC's North America editor Justin Webb reports. LATEST POLLS Gallup | Date | McCain | Obama | Sample | Error | 2008-10-2842%51%27892%2008-10-2942%50%28002%2008-10-3041%52%28252%RasmussenDate | McCain | Obama | Sample | Error | 2008-10-2847%50%30002%2008-10-2946%51%30002%2008-10-3047%51%30002%Wash. PostDate | McCain | Obama | Sample | Error | 2008-10-2844%52%13162.5%2008-10-2944%52%13272.5%2008-10-3044%53%15802.5%IpsosDate | McCain | Obama | Sample | Error | 2008-10-0639%48%10363%2008-10-2042%50%7733%2008-10-2743%48%8313.5%
To view enhanced content you must have Javascript enabled and Flash player version 9 or higher installed.download Flash player US election polltracker in full | To view enhanced content you must have Javascript enabled and Flash player version 9 or higher installed.download Flash player US election polltracker in full | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Polling officials are expecting some 130 million Americans to vote - a turnout which would prove higher than in any election since 1960. | Polling officials are expecting some 130 million Americans to vote - a turnout which would prove higher than in any election since 1960. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Security is of most concern in Chicago, Mr Obama's base, where up to one million people are expected to turn out in the city centre for what they hope will be a White House victory for the Illinois senator. | Security is of most concern in Chicago, Mr Obama's base, where up to one million people are expected to turn out in the city centre for what they hope will be a White House victory for the Illinois senator. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But Mr McCain is remaining defiant, playing on his status as the underdog and telling supporters on Friday night that he would still make a late run to victory. | But Mr McCain is remaining defiant, playing on his status as the underdog and telling supporters on Friday night that he would still make a late run to victory. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He was boosted by the support of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who gave a rousing speech in the swing state of Ohio. | He was boosted by the support of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who gave a rousing speech in the swing state of Ohio. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The ex-film star said Mr McCain was a real "action hero" who had spent more time as a prisoner of war than Barack Obama had served in the US Senate. | The ex-film star said Mr McCain was a real "action hero" who had spent more time as a prisoner of war than Barack Obama had served in the US Senate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"We're closing, my friends, and we're going to win in Ohio," Mr McCain told the crowd. | "We're closing, my friends, and we're going to win in Ohio," Mr McCain told the crowd. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In a new poll Reuters/Zogby poll released on Saturday, Mr Obama's lead was down to five percentage points, at 49% to Mr McCain's 45%. The gap had narrowed from 7% in the previous survey. | In a new poll Reuters/Zogby poll released on Saturday, Mr Obama's lead was down to five percentage points, at 49% to Mr McCain's 45%. The gap had narrowed from 7% in the previous survey. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our correspondent says that while the McCain camp claim their candidate is just four points behind in the national polls, his problem is that in many states that he has to win, he is further behind. | Our correspondent says that while the McCain camp claim their candidate is just four points behind in the national polls, his problem is that in many states that he has to win, he is further behind. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No Republican has ever been elected without winning Ohio, Justin Webb adds, and Mr McCain appears to be five points adrift there at the moment. | No Republican has ever been elected without winning Ohio, Justin Webb adds, and Mr McCain appears to be five points adrift there at the moment. |