Barack Obama urged his supporters to work "like our future depends on it" as the race for the White House focused on a few crucial battleground states at the start of its final week.
Mr Obama, who unveiled his "closing argument" of hope on Monday, has established more than a seven-point lead over his Republican rival John McCain in the latest average of national polls by RealClearPolitics.com.
But Mr Obama has repeatedly warned anyone feeling "cocky" that the race is far from over and Mr McCain insists he has the Democrats right where he wants them.
On Monday Mr Obama will be in Pennsylvania, where he has a commanding 11-point lead, before moving to Virginia, where he is leading by almost eight points.
On Monday, the 47-year-old Illinois senator told voters in Canton, Ohio, that the election was about hope and a "brighter tomorrow".
"And don't believe for a second this election's over," he said.
"Don't think for a minute that power concedes.
"We have a lot of work to do; we have to work like our future depends on it in this last week, because it does depend on it this week.
"If you'll stand with me, and fight with me, and give me your vote, then I promise you we will not just win Ohio, we will win this general election and together we will change this country and we will change the world.
"Let's get to work."
He went on: "In one week, you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election; that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat; that asks us to fear at a time when we need hope.
"In one week, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change it needs."
"After 21 months and three debates, Senator McCain still has not been able to tell the American people a single major thing he'd do differently from George Bush when it comes to the economy.
