Clinton seeks to rescue Democrats

President Clinton will try to get the voters out

President Bill Clinton is to join the Democratic Party's campaign effort in its final push, as the latest polls show candidate Al Gore slightly behind his Republican rival George W Bush.

The White House said that the president plans to visit California next Thursday and Friday to make sure the country's most populous state turns out to vote for Vice-president Gore.

Mr Gore had previously been reluctant to enlist President Clinton's help in the campaign.

Mr Bush has enlisted the help of retired General Colin Powell

The announcement of his visit follows California governor Gray Davis's call for President Clinton to campaign for Mr Gore.

The latest polls suggest the vice-president is losing ground in what was once thought to be a safe state.

The Republican candidate has already brought retired General Colin Powell and John McCain - his former rival for the Republican candidacy - into his campaign.

With 11 days to go until the elections, the main candidates have been attacking each other's record on different issues.

Mr Gore addressed a rally in Wisconsin on Thursday, and accused his opponent of not being committed to stopping global warming.

Governor Bush told his supporters that Mr Gore would not provide the necessary leadership.

Battle for votes

As the battle for key states intensifies, many believe that President Clinton's intervention may be crucial in a place such as California.

Analysts say that with opinion polls showing such a close result, the election may come down to voter turnout.

Friday's rallies

Bush: Michigan and Wisconsin

Gore: Pennsylvania and West Virginia

Vice-president Gore has appealed to environmentalists and potential supporters of Green Party candidate Ralph Nader to vote for him.

Mr Gore said that voting for Mr Nader - who is thought to command about 3% of the votes - served the interests of the polluters.

He also attacked Mr Bush on his environmental record.

The Texas governor responded by linking Mr Gore with what he called the failure of the Clinton administration.

A Gore government would "add four years of drift to eight years of failed presidency," he said

Independent scrutiny

While the candidates battle for votes, an independent group has questioned their tax and spending proposals.

The non-partisan American Academy of Actuaries issued a report stating that Mr Bush's budget plans would cost more than Mr Gore's proposals.

Al Gore is trying to win Mr Nader's votes

The actuaries say that the Republicans' proposed tax-cuts would probably mean a return to budget deficits around 2015.

Under Vice-president Gore's plan, they say, that date would be pushed further into the future.

The Academy also says that under Mr Bush's proposals the debt will not be eliminated by 2016 as his campaign states.

The report says Mr Gore's target of 2012 for the elimination of debt is realistic under his plans.

But it adds that his goal of paying down the debt also raises questions, because it is does not make clear what will be done with the surplus once the debt is paid off.