The underdog - again

Monday, Oct. 14

By Samantha Hayes, for NEWS 9

WASHINGTON -- There's not much time left for stump speeches, because there's not much time left on the stump for the two presidential candidates. John McCain and Barack Obama are essentially making their closing arguments to voters in battleground states. In Virginia Beach today John McCain acknowledged the results of recent national polls. "Let me give you the state of the race today. We have 22 days to go. We're 6 points down. The national media has written us off."

This is ground McCain believes he knows how to maneuver. Just a year ago, he said the news media was writing off his candidacy for the Republican nomination before the primary season had even begun. His January win in New Hampshire turned his campaign around and set him on the road to the nomination. But in order to get back on top again, many voters are looking for economic leadership, and that's what McCain tried to deliver during his second campaign stop in Wilmington, North Carolina. McCain reiterated his pledge to freeze federal spending, renegotiate mortgages for struggling homeowners, and cut taxes.

Barack Obama delivered his own speech on the economy today, in which he outlined his vision for temporary tax credits for U.S. businesses creating new jobs, and waiving the penalty fee on 401K and IRA withdrawals through 2009.

So in the next 22 days, voters will have to decided which candidate has the best plan for economy, if they haven't already. CNN's latest average of national polls shows Obama with an 8 point lead over McCain, which puts him squarely in the role of underdog - again.