In Zanesville, Ohio on Monday, Republican presidential nominee John McCain tried to distance himself from President George W. Bush, while Democrat Barack Obama sought to link them together during a day of intense campaigning. McCain stated on NBC's "Meet the Press" that although he shares the Republican Party's philosophy, he has opposed not only President Bush but other party members as well. Obama responded to McCain's remarks during a speech in Denver by pointing out their similarities and the fact that McCain was finally being honest about their common ground. Obama addressed a large crowd in Denver, stating that he will not allow George Bush to hand over power to John McCain. Despite being behind in opinion polls, McCain remains optimistic about the tightening race just before the upcoming election. McCain reflected on the anniversary of being shot down in Vietnam, emphasizing his dedication to serving the country. "I will advocate for you, my friends." Obama and his campaign have consistently tried to link McCain to Bush by highlighting the Arizona senator's voting record, where he supported the president 90 percent of the time. With ample campaign funds, the Obama team aired a TV ad featuring McCain alongside Bush, with the announcer criticizing McCain as being "out of ideas, out of touch, and out of time." McCain has stated that despite his respect for Bush, he has disagreed with him on various issues such as government spending, Iraq strategy, and climate change. He believes that the country has been led in the wrong direction by the Bush-McCain philosophy for the past eight years, and insists that another four years following the same path would be detrimental. Obama stated that it is time for a change in Washington and that is why he is running for president of the United States. According to recent polls, Obama is leading McCain in national opinion polls and in many battleground states, including Iowa, which was won by Bush in 2004. A new poll by Courier-Lee Enterprises showed that Obama has a 54 percent to 39 percent advantage in Iowa. However, a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Sunday indicated a closer race overall, with Obama leading McCain by 49 percent to 44 percent among likely U.S. voters in the daily tracking poll. In this survey, the Illinois senator's lead has decreased over the past three days after peaking at 12 points on Thursday. Some Republicans are concerned that McCain's campaign has been inconsistent on various issues, putting not only the Republican Party's chances of retaining the White House at risk, but also jeopardizing many seats in the U.S. Congress. McCain expressed confidence, stating that they have made progress in the past week and if the momentum continues, they could be ahead on Election Night. He noted the enthusiasm and passion among voters, emphasizing that they are competitive and he is proud of the campaign he has run. McCain expressed his strong support for his vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin, despite the criticism she has faced. Many Americans have doubts about her readiness to be president, but McCain initially saw her as a valuable asset to his campaign. However, some conservatives question her experience and ability to step into the presidency if necessary. McCain chooses to praise Palin rather than defend her. McCain stated that Palin does not require any defense and he praised her for the way she energizes crowds. He addressed concerns about the Republican National Committee buying $150,000 worth of clothes for her and her family, explaining that some had been returned and the rest would be donated to charity. McCain also commended Palin for living a modest life and conducting herself admirably.