A week before Barack Obama and John McCain square off in the first of three televised debates, the candidates continue on the campaign trail, stumping for votes in states that they may not win.

Obama has finally headed back East after a four day jaunt through Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, the three up-for-grabs states out West.

Polls show Obama the definite favorite in New Mexico.  He also has a short lead in Colorado, while McCain leads in Nevada.

Today it is back to Florida for Obama, where despite spending more money than McCain, the Illinois Democrat has not been able to close the gap in this race.

Obama holds a rally in Coral Gables, near Miami.  On Saturday, he goes to Jacksonville.

Remember that in the Florida Primary way back on January 29, Obama did not win one county south of the city of Jacksonville and Duval County.

And if you've ever driven on I-95 from the Georgia line until it runs out in south Miami, you know that's a lot of mileage without any victories.

McCain meanwhile visits Minnesota, where he just was for the Republican National Convention two weeks ago.  He also has a morning rally in Wisconsin.

Polls in the North Star State continue to show Obama with a short lead, as the Democrats really have history on their side in that state.  Obama's lead in larger in the Badger State.

The Republicans have not won Minnesota in a Presidential election since 1972, when Richard Nixon won a second term in office thanks to a landslide over George McGovern.

Even Michael Dukakis won in Minnesota!

McCain though needs to break through somewhere in the Upper Midwest.  In recent days, he has visited Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa - and he trails in the polls in all three of those states.

There was an even a respected poll issued yesterday from Indiana, which showed McCain behind Obama by four points.

Indiana hasn't gone to the Democrats since LBJ in 1964, showing just how difficult it may be for the Republicans to win that state.

Let's get down to business - if McCain loses Indiana, then it's going to be a big night for Democrats on November 4.

46 days to go.