US Presidential Election

Final debate: McCain hopes to close gap

Article published on the 2008-10-15 Latest update 2008-10-15 18:00 TU

Final debate: McCain needs to catch up, Obama hopes to consolidate lead.
(Photo: Reuters / Montage : RFI)

As the third and final presidential debate approaches, John McCain has plenty of ground to make up in the polls. Barack Obama continues to surge ahead of his Republican rival, who has revealed an agressive strategy for the final head to head. With just three weeks to go before election day, the two candidates are under pressure.

For John McCain, tonight's debate is crucial if he hopes to close the gap with his rival. The latest polls show the Republican lagging behind, with one survey giving Obama a 14-point lead.

The debate is likely to focus on economic issues. As the financial crisis continues, almost 70 per cent of Americans said that the economy was their biggest concern in a recent survey by the Los Angeles Times and Bloomberg. Both candidates have revealed their plans for the American economy in recent days.

John McCain has revealed that he will be on the attack in the debate, saying that he will show his rival to be a terrorist sympathiser. The Republican camp has already accused Obama of being closely tied to former members of the Weather Underground, a radical organisation which carried out bombing campaigns in the 1960s and 70s.

Senior McCain adviser Nicolle Wallace told NBC television on Wednesday: "We've never been interested in negative attacks for the purpose of negative attacks. But the truth has to stand on its own tonight."

Negative campaigning is proving unpopular with voters, however, as a new poll by the New York Times and CBS News reveals that many voters who are becoming dissatisfied with McCain cite his attacks on Obama.

The choice of Sarah Palin as running mate also drew criticism from voters who have switched sides during the campaign. The same survey puts Obama ahead by 53% to 39%.

The final debate will take place at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, hosted by Bob Schieffer of CBS News.