Obama and McCain take debate to the trail

WASHINGTON -- Democrat Barack Obama warned supporters Thursday not to get "cocky" about his lead in polls, while Republican John McCain pressed on with his theme that his rival would raise taxes.

A day after their final debate, both presidential candidates visited battleground states to make their campaign arguments anew.

The Democratic nominee reminded New Hampshire supporters that surveys there in January had him ahead of rival Hillary Rodham Clinton but he lost the primary.

"For those who are getting a little cocky, I've got two words for you: New Hampshire," he said in Londonderry, repeating a warning he gave to New York donors earlier in the day. "You can't let up or pay too much attention to the polls."

McCain, campaigning in Pennsylvania, echoed an argument he made at Wednesday's debate that Obama would raise taxes. He declared small businesses the winner of the candidates' matchup at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., saying his economic plan would do more for them.

"The American people are not going to let Sen. Obama raise their taxes in a tough economy," McCain said.

At his event, Obama said his plan would lead to tax cuts for most Americans and charged that McCain would rather attack him than discuss the issues. He again tried to link McCain to President Bush. "John McCain still hasn't explained a single thing he would do differently from George Bush when it comes to the most important economic issues we face today," Obama said.

McCain repeated his vow from the debate that he would not be another Bush. "I'll take us in a new direction," he said. McCain again raised doubts about Obama's experience and his readiness. "The next president won't have time to get used to the office," McCain said. "He won't have the luxury of studying up on the issues before he acts."

New Hampshire voted for Democrat John Kerry in 2004 and Bush in 2000. Pennsylvania has voted for Democrats in the past four presidential elections. McCain and Obama both headed to New York City for the annual Alfred E. Smith dinner, named for the first Catholic to run for president. McCain also appeared on CBS' Late Show With David Letterman.