US election at-a-glance: 1 Nov

DAY IN A NUTSHELL

In the final weekend of campaigning, John McCain focuses his efforts on Virginia and Pennsylvania ahead of an appearance on Saturday Night Live, while Barack Obama makes stops in Nevada, Colorado and the bellwether state of Missouri. Reports suggest a Kenyan aunt of Mr Obama is living in the US illegally. His campaign says he knows nothing about her status.

KEY QUOTES

"I know this, Nevada, the time for change has come. We have a righteous wind at our back."
Barack Obama

I think people are suspicious about stories that surface in the last 72 hours of a national campaign David Axelrod Obama campaign strategist US election at-a-glance: 31 Oct

"[Barack Obama] said the other day that his primary victory 'vindicated' his faith in America. My country has never had to prove anything to me, my friends. I've always had faith in it and I've been humbled and honoured to serve it."
John McCain, campaigning in Virginia

"It's pathetic that John McCain would take a statement Barack Obama has been making for a year about his faith in the American people and distort it to attack his patriotism. Sadly, this is what we've come to expect from a desperate, dishonourable campaign that will say anything."
Bill Burton, Obama campaign spokesman, responds to Mr McCain's comment

"I think people are suspicious about stories that surface in the last 72 hours of a national campaign."
David Axelrod, Obama campaign strategist, on the reports that an aunt of Mr Obama is living in the US illegally

"It's a family matter."
McCain aide Mark Salter declines to comment on Mr Obama's aunt

"The rousing speeches of our opponent, they can fill a stadium, but they cannot keep our country safe."
McCain running mate Sarah Palin campaigns in Florida

NUMBER NEWS

An Associated Press-Yahoo News national poll of likely voters puts Barack Obama ahead, with 51% support to John McCain's 43%.

According to the poll, one in seven voters - 14% of the total - say they are undecided or might yet change their minds.

Mr McCain's aides say their internal polling suggests the Republican trails Mr Obama by only four percentage points nationwide.

A Reuters/Zogby poll released on Saturday suggests Mr Obama has a lead of five percentage points, with 49% to Mr McCain's 45%, down from seven percentage points in their previous survey.

A Gallup daily tracking poll of likely voters gives Mr Obama a 52% to 42% lead over his rival.

DAILY PICTURE

John McCain focused his campaign efforts on Virginia, a traditionally Republican state where Mr Obama leads in opinion polls