BEIJING, Oct. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- The pressure is on for Wednesday's final US presidential debate in Tempe, Arizona... when top contenders for the White House make a last ditch attempt chance to persuade voters on a range of domestic issues.

    Latest polls put Democratic challenger, John Kerry, extending a slight lead over George W. Bush by three points as the already tight race enters its final stretch.

    The economy and Iraq are consistently listed as the top issues in the race.

    Both candidates campaigned in battleground state of New Mexico. At a rally in Hobbs, New Mexico, Bush accused Kerry of not being credible.

    Bush said: "In the spring of 2003 as I ordered the invasion of Iraq Senator Kerry said 'It was the right decision' Now he says its the wrong war.

    In the same debate he said Saddam was a threat and a few minutes later he says there wasn't a threat in Iraq.

    Now he is trying to tell us that he has only one position, who is he trying to kid. He can run but he can not hide."

    At a rally in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Kerry blamed skyrocketing oil prices on Bush's mismanagement of the war in Iraq.

    Kerry said: "Last week gas prices hit, as the Governor mentioned, $53 dollars a barrel and people are talking about $60 bucks a barrel and one big reason is President Bush's gross mismanagement and miscalculation in the war in Iraq."

    Bush has made small gains among young voters and Kerry has picked up strength among women voters ahead of the debate -- the final chance for both candidates to speak directly to an audience of millions of voters. Enditem

(CCTV.com)