U.S. on cusp of change, Obama says

CHESTER, Pa., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Voters have one week until they can "turn the page" in U.S. politics, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Tuesday in Chester, Pa.

"In one week, you can choose policies that invest in our middle-class, create new jobs, and grow this economy from the bottom up so that everyone has a chance to succeed," the Illinois senator told a cheering crowd during a rainy outdoor campaign event.

Obama returned to the themes of change and hope that dominated his speeches during the primaries, but he didn't back away from criticizing his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who is trying to change the color the Keystone State from blue to red.

"Now, in the closing days of this campaign, my opponent is trying to distance himself from the president he has faithfully supported 90 percent of the time," Obama said. "John McCain has ridden shotgun as George Bush has driven our economy toward a cliff, and now he wants to take the wheel and step on the gas."

Americans need to ask themselves not whether they're better off now than four years ago, Obama said. "The real question is, "Will this country be better off four years from now?" he said.

With their help, Obama told participants, "we will not just win Pennsylvania, we will not just win this election, but together, we will change this country and we will change the world."