McCain heads home to Arizona for last rally

Mr McCain's appearance at midnight on the steps of the Prescott courthouse marked the finale of his last free day of electioneering.

His day's itinerary comprised seven states across three time-zones and marked the culmination of a presidential bid that has been written off more than once before.

The 72-year-old seemed energised as he told thousands of supporters at his final rally: "It's been a long, long journey. We are closing in the polls. All we got to do is get out the vote.

"I'm an American and I choose to fight. Don't give up hope. Be strong. Have courage and fight. Fight for new."

Mr McCain also promised that he and running mate Sarah Palin would "change things in Washington".

"I will never be able to repay you, except to say to you that I will never, ever let you down," he said. "Let's go out and win this election and get our country going again." Despite a sore throat and almost empty campaign coffers, Mr McCain's election day barnstorming proved that he was in no way ready for the marathon to end.

After being introduced to the crowd by his wife Cindy, Mr McCain said: "It's wonderful to be back in Arizona, it's great to be home. Seven states today and the enthusiasm and the momentum we've received, we're going to win and bring it home to Arizona."

After a 22-month contest which political pundits believe has re-written the rules on presidential electioneering, the Republican candidate is abandoning his typical election day routine of watching a film.

Instead he is continuing to campaign with get-out-the-vote stops in Colorado and New Mexico. "He's still out there fighting every inch of the way," said his campaign manager, Rick Davis. However, Mr McCain would still need one of the biggest election upsets in generations to win. His hopes appear to be pinned on winning Pennsylvania, a traditional Democrat stronghold, to amass the electoral votes needed to become president - a strategy regarded as a long shot.

Mr McCain said he planned "to take a long walk in the desert", after voting in Phoenix, Arizona, adding: "I also have some cactus that need planting."

The Republicans also unleashed a stream of damaging adverts against Democrat rival Barack Obama including a recording of Hillary Clinton criticising Mr Obama's inexperience.

In a rare bit of good news for the Republican, Mrs Palin was cleared today of abusing her powers as governor when she fired Alaska's public safety commissioner in July after he had refused to dismiss her former brother-in-law, a state trooper.

Mrs Palin, who voted in Alaska last night, will join Mr McCain and 2,000 others tonight for the Republican's election night party at the Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix. Every US president has stayed there since Herbert Hoover and Mr McCain plans to give his address - victory or concession - on its Squaw Peak Lawn.