In Zanesville, Ohio, Republican presidential nominee John McCain tried to distance himself from President George W. Bush, while Democrat Barack Obama worked 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, despite sharing a common philosophy with the Republican Party. Obama responded to McCain's comments during a speech in Denver, noting that McCain was finally being honest and acknowledging that he and George Bush have many similarities. Obama addressed a large crowd in Denver, stating that he would not allow George Bush to hand over power to John McCain. Despite being far behind in opinion polls, McCain remained optimistic about his chances in the election, believing that the race was tightening. On the 41st anniversary of being shot down in Vietnam, McCain reflected on his time as a prisoner of war, expressing his dedication to fighting for the American people. "I will advocate for you, my friends." Obama and his team have consistently tried to link McCain to Bush, pointing out that McCain has supported the president's decisions 90 percent of the time. The Obama campaign, well-funded and ready for battle, aired a TV ad showing McCain alongside Bush with a voiceover declaring, "He's lacking in fresh ideas, out of touch, and running out of time." McCain, while expressing his respect for Bush, has made it clear that he has disagreed with the president on various issues such as government spending, Iraq strategy, and climate change. He believes that the country has been led astray by the Bush-McCain approach for the past eight years and warns against continuing down the same path for another four years. "It is time for a change in Washington, which is why I am running for president of the United States," stated Obama. He is currently ahead of McCain in national opinion polls and in battleground states like Iowa, which Bush won in 2004. According to a recent Courier-Lee Enterprises poll, Obama has a 54 percent to 39 percent lead in Iowa. However, a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Sunday indicated that the race is becoming closer overall, with Obama leading McCain 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, potentially jeopardizing not only the party's chances of retaining the White House but also numerous seats in Congress. McCain reassured that they are doing well and have closed the gap in the last week, expressing confidence that they could potentially be leading on Election Night if the current trend continues. He noted the intensity and passion among supporters, expressing pride in the competitive campaign he has led. McCain expressed his strong support for his vice presidential running mate, Sarah Palin, despite the criticism she has faced. While many question her readiness to be president, McCain initially believed her selection would benefit his campaign. However, some conservatives doubt her experience and ability to serve as vice president. McCain stated, "I don't defend her. I praise her." McCain stated that Palin does not require any defense. He addressed inquiries about the Republican National Committee's expenditure of $150,000 on clothing for her and her family during the campaign, mentioning that a portion of the clothes had been returned and the remainder would be given to charity. McCain emphasized Palin's modest lifestyle and commended her for energizing and conducting herself admirably in front of crowds.