WASHINGTON - US Vice President Joe Biden and Republican rival Paul Ryan sought votes in political battleground states on Saturday while their running mates took a day off the campaign trail ahead of a potentially make-or-break debate next week.
US President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney face off on Wednesday in Denver, Colorado, for the first of three televised debates that could be crucial for the trajectory of the November 6 election.
Obama, who holds a small lead in national and many state-wide polls, spent the day at the White House with no public events. He leaves on Sunday for Nevada, where he will engage in intense debate preparation with advisers.
Romney, the Republican nominee, was in Boston at his son Tagg's home. Romney heads on Monday to Denver, where he will engage in debate preparation as well.
The candidates' absence from the trail left the spotlight on Biden and Ryan. The two men have their own debate on October 11.