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US rivals in last push for votes US rivals in last push for votes
(about 1 hour 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 is to finish close to midnight in Nevada, more than 1,800 miles (3,000km) west.Republican John McCain, trailing in polls, started early in Florida and is to finish close to midnight in Nevada, more than 1,800 miles (3,000km) west.
Democrat Barack Obama opted to target Florida, North Carolina and Virginia - all won by the Republicans in 2004.Democrat Barack Obama opted to target 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.
Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin was cleared by an investigator of abusing her power as governor of Alaska in a report released on Monday evening.
An earlier investigation for Alaska's state legislature had found she did abuse her office by allowing her husband and other staff members to pressure Alaska's top law enforcement official to fire her former brother-in-law.
Mrs Palin fired Walt Monegan, the state public safety commissioner, but denied it was because of his refusal to dismiss her sister's ex-husband, a state trooper.
Tributes to grandmother
Meanwhile, Senator Obama said his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham - who largely raised him as a child - had died aged 86 in Hawaii after losing her battle with cancer.Meanwhile, Senator Obama said his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham - who largely raised him as a child - had died aged 86 in Hawaii after losing her battle with cancer.
In a joint statement with his half-sister, he described her as "the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility", adding that their debt to her was "beyond measure".In a joint statement with his half-sister, he described her as "the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility", adding that their debt to her was "beyond measure".
Senator McCain and his wife Cindy issued a statement offering their condolences to Mr Obama and his family. FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL In my estimation 70% of the crowd had already been to the polling stations Gavin Hewitt In pictures: US election countdownGuide to US election nightUpdates from the campaign trail Senator McCain and his wife Cindy issued a statement offering their deepest condolences to Mr Obama and his family. FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL In my estimation 70% of the crowd had already been to the polling stations Gavin Hewitt In pictures: US election countdownGuide to US election nightUpdates from the campaign trail
Two weeks ago, Mr Obama took the unusual step of breaking off campaigning for two days to visit his grandmother, saying he did not want to risk leaving it too late to see her.Two weeks ago, Mr Obama took the unusual step of breaking off campaigning for two days to visit his grandmother, saying he did not want to risk leaving it too late to see her.
A USA Today/Gallup poll published on Monday finds likely voters favouring Mr Obama by 11 points over Mr McCain, 53-42%.A USA Today/Gallup poll published on Monday finds likely voters favouring Mr Obama by 11 points over Mr McCain, 53-42%.
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 Sarah Palin 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 Sarah Palin 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.
Mr McCain was dashing through half a dozen states on the marathon campaign's final day - including Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Mexico and Nevada - before heading home to Arizona.Mr McCain was dashing through half a dozen states on the marathon campaign's final day - including Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Mexico and Nevada - before heading home to Arizona.
John McCain tells supporters "we will win"John McCain tells supporters "we will win"
Various polls suggest Mr Obama has a two- to four-point lead over him in electoral vote-rich Florida.Various polls suggest Mr Obama has a two- to four-point lead over him in electoral vote-rich Florida.
On Monday morning, the 72-year-old 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, the 72-year-old 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."
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.
At an event in North Carolina, he appeared to become emotional as he spoke of his grandmother, saying she had died peacefully in her sleep with his sister by her side.At an event in North Carolina, he appeared to become emotional as he spoke of his grandmother, saying she had died peacefully in her sleep with his sister by her side.
Earlier, in Jacksonville, Florida, the senator reminded his supporters that Mr McCain had told the town on 15 September that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong", only hours before Lehman Brothers went bust and Merrill Lynch was bought by Bank of America.Earlier, in Jacksonville, Florida, the senator reminded his supporters that Mr McCain had told the town on 15 September that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong", only hours before Lehman Brothers went bust and Merrill Lynch was bought by Bank of America.
The crowd jeered at the Republican candidate's statement, but Mr Obama told them: "You don't need to boo, you just need to vote!"The crowd jeered at the Republican candidate's statement, but Mr Obama told them: "You don't need to boo, you just need to vote!"
"After decades of broken politics in Washington, eight years of failed policies from George Bush, and 21 months of a campaign that has taken us from the rocky coast of Maine to the sunshine of California, we are one day away from change in America," he said."After decades of broken politics in Washington, eight years of failed policies from George Bush, and 21 months of a campaign that has taken us from the rocky coast of Maine to the sunshine of California, we are one day away from change in America," he said.
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.
Some 130 million Americans are expected to cast a vote, in a higher turnout than in any election since 1960, the BBC's North America editor Justin Webb says.Some 130 million Americans are expected to cast a vote, in a higher turnout than in any election since 1960, the BBC's North America editor Justin Webb says.
Millions of Americans - perhaps a quarter of the total turnout - have already voted early.Millions of Americans - perhaps a quarter of the total turnout - have already voted early.
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 gain 270 out of the 538 Electoral College votes to win the presidency.A candidate needs to gain 270 out of the 538 Electoral College votes to win the presidency.
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 Send us your viewsELECTION 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 Send us your views
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.
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.