In Zanesville, Ohio on Monday, Republican presidential nominee John McCain tried to distance himself from President George W. Bush while Democrat Barack Obama tried to link them together during a day of intense campaigning. McCain stated on NBC's "Meet the Press" that he has stood up against his party, including President Bush, and has the scars to prove it. Obama responded in a speech in Denver, highlighting McCain's admission that he and Bush have a lot in common. Obama addressed a crowd of over 100,000 supporters in Denver, vowing not to allow George Bush to pass the torch to John McCain. Despite polls showing him far behind, McCain remains confident that the race is tightening just over a week before the Nov. 4 election. This day marked the 41st anniversary of McCain being shot down in Vietnam and spending over five years as a prisoner of war. McCain reflected on his experience in the "Hanoi Hilton" and reiterated his dedication to fighting for the American people. "I will advocate for you, my friends." Obama and his team have tried to connect McCain to Bush whenever possible, pointing out that the Arizona senator has voted with the president 90 percent of the time. With ample campaign funds, Obama's team unveiled a TV commercial featuring McCain alongside Bush, with the announcer declaring, "He's lacking in new ideas, out of touch, and running out of time." McCain, on the other hand, stated that while he respects Bush, he has disagreed with him on various important issues, such as opposing increased government spending, criticizing Bush's Iraq strategy, and pushing for stronger action on climate change. McCain believes that the Bush-McCain philosophy has led the country down the wrong path for the past eight years, and he does not want another four years that mirror the previous eight. Obama stated that he is running for president because he believes it is time for change in Washington. He is currently leading in national opinion polls and in polls in many battleground states, including Iowa, where he has a significant lead according to a recent poll. However, a different poll suggests that the race between Obama and McCain is becoming closer overall. According to the Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll, Obama is leading McCain by 49 percent to 44 percent among likely U.S. voters. In this survey, the Illinois senator's lead has decreased in the past three days after reaching a high of 12 points on Thursday. Some Republicans have expressed concerns that McCain's campaign has been shifting from issue to issue, putting not only the Republican Party's chances of keeping the White House at risk but also jeopardizing many seats in the U.S. Congress. McCain stated that they are doing well, having made progress in the last week, and if this trend continues, they could be leading on Election Night. He noted the enthusiasm and passion among voters and expressed satisfaction with their competitive position and the campaign he has conducted. McCain expressed strong support for his vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin, despite the criticism she has faced. While many Americans doubt her readiness to be president, McCain initially saw her as a valuable addition to his campaign. However, some conservatives have questioned her experience and ability to serve as president if needed. McCain emphasized his praise for Palin rather than defending her. McCain stated that Palin does not require any defense and he defended the Republican National Committee's purchase of $150,000 in clothes for her and her family by explaining that a third of the clothes had been returned and the rest would be donated to charity. McCain also praised Palin for living a frugal life and commended her for igniting crowds and conducting herself admirably.