Campaigns Go All-Out in Ohio

Barack Obama has led in the last 11 Ohio polls, but the battle for the all-important state is intensifying as Republicans make a last-minute get-out-the-vote sweep. Early voting has leaned Obama’s way, but Republicans—who don't see a clear path to the White House without victory here—say that means little. Salon and the Wall Street Journal look at the battle for Ohio.

Republicans are launching an effort that exceeds the party’s massive 2004 voter-turnout operation, which gave Bush a slim victory. They’ve already made more voter calls than they did in that "gold standard” year, and they have an elaborate system targeting voters on issues that matter to them. A McCain pollster says the gap between the candidates in the state is closing, but a Democratic secretary of state—a Republican steered the election ship last time—could boost the Dems. (More Election 2008 stories.)