Rivals on attack as campaign nears endgame

President Barack Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney attacked one another yesterday in frenzied campaigning as the presidential election enters the closing stages.

Polling showed the candidates in a virtual tie for the popular vote nationwide, with Obama holding a slight lead in the all-important battleground states that will decide the outcome.

Beyond the nine so-called swing states, Romney was making a last-minute play for traditionally Democratic Pennsylvania with a massive advertising foray and a campaign appearance with running mate Paul Ryan in the state last night, his first stop there this autumn.