国际英语新闻：U.S. presidential race tightens as candidates focus on key states

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- In the final days before the election, the U.S. presidential race appears to be tightening again.

    RACE TIGHTENS

    Latest national polls continue to show Democrat Barack Obama leading Republican John McCain in the race for the White House.

    However, the size of Obama's lead is shrinking a bit.

U.S. Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama campaigns during an election rally in Sarasota, Florida, October 30, 2008.

The Gallup daily presidential tracking poll of 2,789 registered voters taken Oct. 26-28 has two likely voter models.

    One based on past voting behavior and current intention to vote shows Obama leading McCain 49 to 46 percent, while the second based on current intention to vote shows Obama up 51 to 44 percent.

    The cnn survey shows that Obama is ahead 51 to 47 percent.

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain listens as he is introduced at a campaign rally at Everglades Lumber in Miami, Florida October 29, 2008

Among various polls, Obama's leading range is between 3 and 8 points, while the range was between 2 and 15 points Wednesday.

    A new Ipsos/McClatchy Poll this week found McCain trailing nationally by 6 percentage points, 2 points closer than the week before.

    The poll also found 8 percent of likely voters still undecided, enough to deliver the election to the Arizona senator if they moved to him as a bloc.

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.

With Obama's lead seeming to be solid, many experts and a lot of media outlets are saying the race is effectively over.

    However, some analysts pointed out that while he's still trailing, McCain still has a chance, although it looks very slim.

    "Sure, McCain can win," election analyst Greg Mueller said. "It's not going to be easy. But it can be done."

    Howard Fineman, a senior writer for Newsweek, said Obama's campaign staff believe it will remain a close race to the end because there is still a number of undecided voters who could vote for McCain on the final day.

    

    GEARED UP FOR THE FINALE

    Both campaigns are geared up for the finale.

    Obama's campaign aired a 30-minute infomercial entitled "American Stories, American Solutions" Wednesday evening simultaneously on CBS, NBC, Fox, MSNBC, Univision, Black Entertainment Television, and TV One.

    The ad was receiving very positive coverage Thursday.

U.S. Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama and his Vice Presidential nominee Senator Joe Biden (L) wave to supporters during a campaign rally in Sunrise, Florida, October 29, 2008

The Politico called it a "smoothly produced infomercial" that "weaved together American iconography -- images of amber waves of grain, pickup trucks and American flags -- with portraits of iconic voters, testimonials from politicians and one business figure, footage of Obama speeches and direct appeals from the candidate."

    The Los Angeles Times said the spot "offered even the swiftest channel-flipper the chance to see Obama looking presidential."

    Meanwhile, McCain sharpened his attack on Obama, pointing out that Obama has broken a promise on campaign financing.

    Addressing a Florida crowd Wednesday, McCain said, "When you're watching this gauzy, feel-good commercial, just remember that it was paid for with broken promises."