Economy focus in final lap

Obama, holding a poll lead nationally and in many battleground states, began making what his campaign called a closing argument.

In Canton, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Obama rallied supporters not to let up in their drive to gain Democratic control of the White House. 8220;We can8217;t afford to slow down, sit back. We cannot let up for one day or one minute or one second in this last week,8221; he said.

8220;In one week, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need,8221; he said.

Twenty-one months after he began an uphill climb that has culminated with him so close to the White House, Obama said, 8220;My faith in the American people has been vindicated.8221;

McCain and Obama rallied their core supporters and reached out to undecided voters in Pennsylvania and in Ohio, a state critical to Republican victories in the last two presidential elections. No Republican has won the White House without carrying Ohio.

In Pottsville, McCain talked up a remark Obama made in a radio interview seven years ago.

Obama had discussed the 1960s civil rights movement and said the Supreme Court then never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth. McCain used the comment to play up his charge that Obama wants to 8220;spread American8217;s wealth around.8221;