WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- With six days left before election day, U.S. presidential front runner Barack Obama is making maximum efforts to close the deal as soon as possible, while underdog John McCain remains unyielding and aggressive against all the odds.
Obama, a Democratic senator from Illinois, when
campaigning in the pivotal states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Florida,
told his enthusiastic supporters they are "so close" to victory.
U.S. Democratic presidential nominee
Senator Barack Obama greets supporters during a campaign rally in
Harrisonburg, Virginia, October 28, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo) Photo
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But
McCain, a Republican senator from Arizona, was determined to fight to the end.
According to ABC World News, McCain is now focused on
defending a number of Republican states, and has become more aggressive.
U.S. Republican presidential nominee
Senator John McCain is joined by U.S. Republican vice-presidential nominee
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (L) and her husband Todd (2nd L) at a campaign
rally in Hershey, Pennsylvania October 28, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
However, doubts about McCain's chances for the
presidency are growing, even among fellow Republicans. Two Republicans once on
his short-list for vice president sounded skeptical.
Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, hinted
"the very real possibility of an Obama presidency." Tim Pawlenty gave a dour
assessment of McCain's chances in his state, saying Obama has a pretty good
advantage in his state of Minnesota.
OBAMA HOLDS ADVANTAGE IN
ELECTORAL VOTES
The U.S. president is elected by the Electoral
College, which is elected on a state-by-state basis and a person needs at least
270 of the total of 538 electoral votes to win the presidency.
Therefore, presidential candidates will focus on key
states that will determine their fate. In this election, five states are
considered very crucial.
The Republicans haven't lost Virginia in 44 years and
they absolutely need Florida to reach 270 electoral votes.
Republicans never won the White House without
carrying Ohio, and the last time Missouri backed a losing candidate was in 1956.
Although a traditional Democrat-leaning state,
Pennsylvania is also pivotal because McCain does have a chance there.
However, new poll numbers for these states look grim
for him.
A Survey USA automated poll of 648 likely Ohio voters
shows Obama leading McCain 49 to 45 percent.
A Bloomberg poll of 639 likely Florida voters taken
Oct. 25-27 shows Obama leading McCain 50 to 43 percent.
The Rasmussen Reports automated poll of 500 likely
Pennsylvania voters taken Oct. 27 shows Obama leading McCain 53 to 46 percent.
