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US rivals in final dash for votes US rivals in final dash for votes
(18 minutes later)
The US presidential rivals are spending a hectic final day of campaigning criss-crossing the country in a last push for votes in key states.The US presidential rivals are spending a hectic final day of campaigning criss-crossing the country in a last push for votes in key states.
Republican John McCain, trailing in polls, started early in Florida and finishes close to midnight in Nevada, more than 1,800 miles (3,000km) west.Republican John McCain, trailing in polls, started early in Florida and finishes close to midnight in Nevada, more than 1,800 miles (3,000km) west.
Democrat Barack Obama is travelling to Florida, North Carolina and Virginia - all won by the Republicans in 2004.Democrat Barack Obama is travelling to Florida, North Carolina and Virginia - all won by the Republicans in 2004.
On Tuesday voters give their verdict and elect the 44th US President.On Tuesday voters give their verdict and elect the 44th US President.
A USA Today/Gallup poll published on Monday finds likely voters favouring Sen Obama by 11 points over Sen McCain, 53-42%.A USA Today/Gallup poll published on Monday finds likely voters favouring Sen Obama by 11 points over Sen McCain, 53-42%.
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL In my estimation 70% of the crowd had already been to the polling stations Gavin Hewitt Guide to US election nightUpdates from the campaign trail class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7705038.stm">Campaign in pictures class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5582">Send us your views FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL In my estimation 70% of the crowd had already been to the polling stations Gavin Hewitt href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7706617.stm">In pictures: US election countdown class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7705795.stm">Guide to US election nightUpdates from the campaign trail
Other national polls indicate Mr Obama's lead over his rival is holding steady at between five to 11 percentage points.Other national polls indicate Mr Obama's lead over his rival is holding steady at between five to 11 percentage points.
But the BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Washington, says that while Mr Obama has held a pretty steady lead for several weeks, there are a number of factors that could undermine the predictions of the pollsters.But the BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Washington, says that while Mr Obama has held a pretty steady lead for several weeks, there are a number of factors that could undermine the predictions of the pollsters.
Among them, he says, are the role the Illinois senator's skin colour may play in voters intentions; whether newly-registered voters will actually vote; and the Palin effect - whether Mr McCain's running mate has energised or alienated Republicans.Among them, he says, are the role the Illinois senator's skin colour may play in voters intentions; whether newly-registered voters will actually vote; and the Palin effect - whether Mr McCain's running mate has energised or alienated Republicans.
McCain defiantMcCain defiant
Both camps are keenly aware of the need to get voters out in the states that polls suggest remain in the balance.Both camps are keenly aware of the need to get voters out in the states that polls suggest remain in the balance.
"The Mac is back" McCain tells supporters"The Mac is back" McCain tells supporters
At a raucous, heavily Hispanic rally in Miami, Florida late on Sunday night, Mr McCain was defiant, telling supporters: "My friends, it's official: There's just one day left until we take America in a new direction."At a raucous, heavily Hispanic rally in Miami, Florida late on Sunday night, Mr McCain was defiant, telling supporters: "My friends, it's official: There's just one day left until we take America in a new direction."
Various polls suggest Mr Obama has a two- to four-point lead over Mr McCain in electoral vote-rich Florida.Various polls suggest Mr Obama has a two- to four-point lead over Mr McCain in electoral vote-rich Florida.
The 72-year-old is dashing through at least seven states on the marathon campaign's final day - including Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada.The 72-year-old is dashing through at least seven states on the marathon campaign's final day - including Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada.
On Monday morning he told a crowd of about 1,100 supporters in Tampa, Florida: "Senator Obama is running to spread the wealth, I'm running to create more wealth."On Monday morning he told a crowd of about 1,100 supporters in Tampa, Florida: "Senator Obama is running to spread the wealth, I'm running to create more wealth."
In an article for Monday's Wall Street Journal, Mr McCain also attacked his rival on the economy.In an article for Monday's Wall Street Journal, Mr McCain also attacked his rival on the economy.
"Senator Obama wants to raise taxes and restrict trade. The last time America did that in a bad economy it led to the Great Depression," he wrote."Senator Obama wants to raise taxes and restrict trade. The last time America did that in a bad economy it led to the Great Depression," he wrote.
Mr Obama, 47, is spending Monday targeting a series of states that four years ago voted Republican, but where he now has a chance of winning; including Virginia and North Carolina, which have not backed a Democratic hopeful in decades.Mr Obama, 47, is spending Monday targeting a series of states that four years ago voted Republican, but where he now has a chance of winning; including Virginia and North Carolina, which have not backed a Democratic hopeful in decades.
In his own opinion piece in Monday's Wall Street Journal, Mr Obama writes: "Tomorrow, I ask you to write our nation's next great chapter... If you give me your vote, we won't just win this election - together, we will change this country and change the world."In his own opinion piece in Monday's Wall Street Journal, Mr Obama writes: "Tomorrow, I ask you to write our nation's next great chapter... If you give me your vote, we won't just win this election - together, we will change this country and change the world."
Both campaigns have thousands of volunteers working flat-out manning phone banks, handing out brochures and knocking on doors ahead of Tuesday's election.Both campaigns have thousands of volunteers working flat-out manning phone banks, handing out brochures and knocking on doors ahead of Tuesday's election.
The BBC's North America editor Justin Webb says millions of Americans - perhaps a quarter of the total turnout - have already voted early. Now the final rallies are in sight.The BBC's North America editor Justin Webb says millions of Americans - perhaps a quarter of the total turnout - have already voted early. Now the final rallies are in sight.
ELECTION DAY ON THE BBC Join us on 4 November to follow the news as America votes, including: Live text updates through the day and night, with input from BBC correspondents around the USResults as they come in, on a live updating map, from midnight GMTStreaming video of the BBC election night programme in WashingtonAnalysis from BBC North America editor Justin Webb in Washington, and Gavin Hewitt and Matthew Price at the candidates' HQs ELECTION DAY ON THE BBC Join us on 4 November to follow the news as America votes, including: Live text updates through the day and night, with input from BBC correspondents around the USResults as they come in, on a live updating map, from midnight GMTStreaming video of the BBC election night programme in WashingtonAnalysis from BBC North America editor Justin Webb in Washington, and Gavin Hewitt and Matthew Price at the candidates' HQs class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5582">Send us your views
Some 130 million Americans are expected to cast a vote, in a higher turnout than in any election since 1960, our correspondent adds.Some 130 million Americans are expected to cast a vote, in a higher turnout than in any election since 1960, our correspondent adds.
Under America's Electoral College system, states are apportioned votes based on their population, the biggest being California with 55 votes.Under America's Electoral College system, states are apportioned votes based on their population, the biggest being California with 55 votes.
A candidate needs to win the magic number of 270 out of the 538 Electoral College votes to win the presidency.A candidate needs to win the magic number of 270 out of the 538 Electoral College votes to win the presidency.
When Americans go to the polls, as well as choosing a new president and members of Congress, they will be casting votes on a wide range of ballot initiatives such as same-sex marriage, abortion and animal rights.When Americans go to the polls, as well as choosing a new president and members of Congress, they will be casting votes on a wide range of ballot initiatives such as same-sex marriage, abortion and animal rights.
Polls suggest the six closest state races on election day will be in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada and Ohio.Polls suggest the six closest state races on election day will be in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada and Ohio.
Mr McCain holds the lead in Indiana and North Carolina, but Mr Obama is ahead in the others, the latest polls from Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby suggest.Mr McCain holds the lead in Indiana and North Carolina, but Mr Obama is ahead in the others, the latest polls from Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby suggest.
"Obama's lead is very steady. He could be looking at a big day on Tuesday," said pollster John Zogby."Obama's lead is very steady. He could be looking at a big day on Tuesday," said pollster John Zogby.
Backed by the BossBacked by the Boss
In Ohio on Sunday, Mr Obama told supporters they were "two days from changing America".In Ohio on Sunday, Mr Obama told supporters they were "two days from changing America".
Ohio, a narrow Republican win in 2004, has 20 Electoral College votes, making it one of the largest "undecided" states.Ohio, a narrow Republican win in 2004, has 20 Electoral College votes, making it one of the largest "undecided" states.
Bruce Springsteen introduces Barack ObamaBruce Springsteen introduces Barack Obama
Ohio has also voted for the winning candidate in every presidential election since 1964.Ohio has also voted for the winning candidate in every presidential election since 1964.
In Cleveland, the Illinois senator told a crowd of 80,000 who had gathered to hear him - and the singer Bruce Springsteen - that he was "feeling good".In Cleveland, the Illinois senator told a crowd of 80,000 who had gathered to hear him - and the singer Bruce Springsteen - that he was "feeling good".
"The crowds seem to grow and everybody's got a smile on their face," he said. "You start thinking that maybe we might be able to win an election.""The crowds seem to grow and everybody's got a smile on their face," he said. "You start thinking that maybe we might be able to win an election."
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says the race for the White House has now reached fever pitch in what has been the longest and perhaps one of the most dramatic election campaigns in American history.The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says the race for the White House has now reached fever pitch in what has been the longest and perhaps one of the most dramatic election campaigns in American history.