US Democrat Barack Obama quickly took off the gloves and was again battering John McCain as little different from President George Bush as the race for the White House intensified.

The Republican’s direct answers endeared him to evangelicals, writes Conor Ryan from Lake Forrest, California.

US presidential contenders Barack Obama and John McCain differed on abortion today, with Mr McCain saying a baby’s human rights begin “at conception,” while Mr Obama restated his support for legal abortion.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain were preparing to reach out to conservative religious voters, a group that has largely supported the Republican Party but from whom Mr Obama hopes he can siphon some votes with firm talk of his Christian faith.

An anti-poverty organisation in the US is airing a public-service announcement that features actors George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Alfre Woodard and Julia Roberts, singer Toby Keith and others urging viewers to vote to fight Aids and Third World poverty.