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US rivals in last push for votes US rivals in last push for votes
(about 2 hours 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 have spent 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 opinion polls, started early in Florida and is to finish 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, at his last campaign rally in Virginia, told voters he had one word for them: "Tomorrow."
On Tuesday, voters give their verdict and elect the 44th US president.On Tuesday, voters give their verdict and elect the 44th US president.
On the eve of the ballot, Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin was cleared by an investigator of abusing her power as governor of Alaska.On the eve of the ballot, Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin was cleared by an investigator of abusing her power as governor of Alaska.
The report for the Alaska Personnel Board found that there was "no probable cause to believe that the governor, or any other state official" violated state ethics laws.The report for the Alaska Personnel Board found that there was "no probable cause to believe that the governor, or any other state official" violated state ethics laws.
An earlier investigation for Alaska's state legislature had found Mrs Palin did abuse her office by allowing her husband and staff members to pressure Alaska's top law enforcement official to fire her former brother-in-law.An earlier investigation for Alaska's state legislature had found Mrs Palin did abuse her office by allowing her husband and 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. Mrs Palin sacked 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 grandmotherTributes 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.
Barack Obama pays tribute to his grandmotherBarack Obama pays tribute to his grandmother
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 deepest condolences to Mr Obama and his family.Senator McCain and his wife Cindy issued a statement offering their deepest condolences to Mr Obama and his family.
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. At an event in North Carolina, Mr Obama appeared emotional as he spoke of his grandmother, saying she had died peacefully in her sleep with his sister by her side.
A USA Today/Gallup poll published on Monday finds likely voters favouring Mr Obama by 11 points over Mr McCain, 53-42%. Later, giving his final speech of a 21-month-long campaign, he told supporters in Manassas, Virginia, that he had found the long journey to election day both humbling and enriching.
There are those who see sinister motives in efforts to introduce electronic voting nationwide North America editor Justin Webb Read Justin's thoughts in fullIn pictures: US election countdownGuide to US election nightThere are those who see sinister motives in efforts to introduce electronic voting nationwide North America editor Justin Webb Read Justin's thoughts in fullIn pictures: US election countdownGuide to US election night
"You have moved me again and again, you have inspired me, sometimes when I am down you've lifted me up," he said.
"You've filled me with new hope for our future and you've reminded me about what makes America so special."
He went on: "We are less than one day away from bringing about change in America."
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, spent Monday targeting 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. In Jacksonville, Florida, he 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!"
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. A record 27 million people had already cast absentee or early ballots as of Saturday night.
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 views
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 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.