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US rivals target knife-edge races US rivals target knife-edge races
(about 2 hours later)
The US presidential candidates are focusing their efforts on key swing states on the penultimate day of campaigning in the White House race.The US presidential candidates are focusing their efforts on key swing states on the penultimate day of campaigning in the White House race.
In Ohio, Democrat and front-runner Barack Obama urged voters to end "the politics that would divide a nation".
In Pennsylvania, Republican John McCain urged supporters to "knock on doors - with your help we can win".In Pennsylvania, Republican John McCain urged supporters to "knock on doors - with your help we can win".
His Democratic rival Barack Obama and Mr McCain's running mate Sarah Palin were each speaking three times in Ohio. Analysts say that to win the race, Mr McCain needs to win in Ohio while Mr Obama needs to take Pennsylvania.
Ohio, which narrowly voted Republican in 2004, is seen as a must-win for Mr McCain in Tuesday's election. Ohio, which narrowly voted Republican in 2004, carries 20 electoral votes under the system used in US presidential elections, making it one of the largest states where polls show the result could still go either way. Pennsylvania boasts 21 electoral votes and voted for the Democrats in 2004.
Under the system used in US presidential elections Ohio carries 20 electoral votes, making it one of the largest states where polls show the result could still go either way. 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
Pennsylvania is another crucial state. It boasts 21 electoral votes and voted Democratic in 2004. Despite more gloomy news from the opinion polls on Sunday, Mr McCain told supporters in Wallingford: "We are going to win in Pennsylvania, we are going to win this election - I sense it and I know it.
'We will win'
Analysts say Mr McCain, 72, needs to win in Ohio to stand a chance of reaching the White House, while Mr Obama needs to hold on to Pennsylvania for the Democrats if his poll lead is to be translated into a result on election day.
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 Despite more gloomy news from the opinion polls on Sunday, Mr McCain told supporters in Wallingford: "We are going to win in Pennsylvania, we are going to win this election - I sense it and I know it."
"We are going to win here and we are going to bring real change to Washington," Mr McCain added, in the first of two rallies in the state."We are going to win here and we are going to bring real change to Washington," Mr McCain added, in the first of two rallies in the state.
Earlier, a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation national survey suggested Mr Obama had a seven-point (53-46) lead over Mr McCain in the race for the White House. The BBC's Matthew Price, in Pennsylvania, says Mr McCain has been focusing on conservative Democrats, and independent-minded voters who live in economically depressed areas of the state.
A Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll saw Mr Obama increasing his lead by one point, heading Mr McCain 50-44. The Arizona senator has appeared more relaxed and confident in recent days and his campaign believes he is staging something of a comeback.
'True maverick' But most polls suggest he may have left it too late, our correspondent says.
On Saturday night, Mr McCain had showed his lighter side, appearing on the high-profile TV comedy show, Saturday Night Live. Earlier on Sunday, a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation national survey suggested Mr Obama had a seven-point (53%-46%) lead over Mr McCain in the race for the White House.
A Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll saw Mr Obama increasing his lead by one point, leading Mr McCain by 50% to 44%.
'Sidekick, not maverick'
Rallying supporters in Columbus, Ohio - in the first of three speeches in the states on Sunday - Mr Obama said: "I have two words for you: Two days.
"In two days you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election."
And he hit out at Mr McCain's record on the economy, saying he had backed the policies of the Bush administration "all the way".
"He [McCain] hasn't been a maverick, he's been a sidekick," Mr Obama said.
"The Mac is back" McCain tells supporters"The Mac is back" McCain tells supporters
He played on his reputation as a maverick and the reality of being outspent on the campaign trail by Mr Obama. Meanwhile, in a new TV advert broadcast on Sunday, the Obama campaign highlighted US Vice President Dick Cheney's endorsement of Mr McCain.
"I'm a true Republican maverick: a Republican without money," Mr McCain joked, pretending to introduce a sale of campaign-related products on shopping channel QVC - chosen, he told viewers, because the McCain-Palin campaign could not afford nationwide network TV coverage like Mr Obama. In the advert, an announcer says Mr McCain earned Mr Cheney's support by voting with the White House 90% of the time, adding: "That's not the change we need."
He appeared in good spirits on the show as he stood beside comedian Tina Fey, performing her much-acclaimed impersonation of Mrs Palin.
For his part, Mr Obama, 47, used a nationwide radio address to repeat his message of "change": "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."
And in a new TV advert aired on Sunday, the Obama campaign highlighted US Vice President Dick Cheney's endorsement of Mr McCain on Saturday.
In the advert, an announcer says Mr McCain earned Mr Cheney's support by voting with the White House 90% of the time, adding "That's not the change we need."
Crucial statesCrucial states
Both campaigns have thousands of volunteers working flat-out manning phone banks, handing out brochures and knocking on doors as election day approaches.Both campaigns have thousands of volunteers working flat-out manning phone banks, handing out brochures and knocking on doors as election day approaches.
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL This is the time of anxiety where events and statements should be treated with most caution Gavin Hewitt Updates from the campaign trailSend us your views Mr Obama has warned against complacency and urged Democratic supporters to vote.FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL This is the time of anxiety where events and statements should be treated with most caution Gavin Hewitt Updates from the campaign trailSend us your views Mr Obama has warned against complacency and urged Democratic supporters to vote.
Yet final weekend has already sprung a couple of surprises, one on each campaign so far.Yet final weekend has already sprung a couple of surprises, one on each campaign so far.
On Saturday, it was revealed Mrs Palin, the governor of Alaska, had been duped by a prank call in which a Canadian radio presenter successfully convinced her for five minutes that he was French President Nicolas Sarkozy. On Saturday, it was revealed Mrs Palin, the Governor of Alaska, had been duped by a prank call in which a Canadian radio presenter successfully convinced her for five minutes that he was French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Meanwhile, it was reported that a Kenyan aunt of Mr Obama was living illegally in Boston, four years after an immigration judge rejected her request for asylum.Meanwhile, it was reported that a Kenyan aunt of Mr Obama was living illegally in Boston, four years after an immigration judge rejected her request for asylum.
Barack Obama continues to focus on the economy
Mr Obama said he did not know his aunt, Zeituni Onyango, was in the country illegally, adding that the laws covering the situation should be followed.Mr Obama said he did not know his aunt, Zeituni Onyango, was in the country illegally, adding that the laws covering the situation should be followed.
Officials later launched an investigation into the leaking of Zeituni Onyango's immigration status, reports said. Officials later launched an investigation into the leaking of Ms Onyango's immigration status, reports said.
Meanwhile President George W Bush, in his last weekly radio address before his successor is chosen, urged citizens to use their vote on 4 November.
The BBC's Justin Webb, in Washington, says that millions of Americans - perhaps a quarter of the total turnout have already voted early - and that now the final rallies are in sight.The BBC's Justin Webb, in Washington, says that millions of Americans - perhaps a quarter of the total turnout have already voted early - and that now the final rallies are in sight.
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.