Democratic presidential hopeful Al Gore is spreading fear over America's prosperity and abortion freedoms in an increasingly desperate attempt to overtake Republican rival George W. Bush's narrow lead in the election race.
Vice-President Gore warned that the Texas Governor would risk continued economic growth with his tax cuts and inexperience. Mr Bush also could use conservative appointments to shift the delicate balance of the Supreme Court in favour of anti-abortionists, Mr Gore warned as he pushed through the Midwestern swing states of Michigan and Wisconsin.
'Make no mistake about it. A week from now prosperity itself will be on the ballot and the choice will be in your hands,' Mr Gore told a crowd on the banks of Lake Michigan. 'Your one vote may well make the difference. Your one vote a week from Tuesday is more powerful than the voice of any powerful interest.'
Mr Gore's campaign is battling to overturn a minor lead in most major polls that Mr Bush has held over the weekend and into the last week of the campaign - a lead still within a margin of error that puts the race at a statistical dead heat.
Republicans insist the use of fear out on the trail reflects growing fear within Mr Gore's campaign that he may not be able to turn polling trends around.
Mr Bush reflected his party's increasing confidence as he campaigned in the giant Democratic stronghold of California, insisting that the Golden State's 54 electoral votes would go his way, giving him the election.