国际英语新闻：Obama tries to close deal, McCain vows to fight on

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.

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.

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.

    Obama is also leading in Virginia and Missouri.