COLUMBIA -- Democrat presidential hopeful Barack Obama capped a three state tour last night with a rally in Columbia.

Much of the day was spent campaigning in Florida and Virginia before a late night rally at the University of Missouri Thursday. While Obama enjoys a lead in polls nationwide, some suggest the race is tightening in key battle ground states.

In Missouri, Obama has just a one-point lead over Republican John McCain. 

Thursday night, Obama continued his "closing argument" theme, while hammering away at his Republican opponent.

“I can take five more days of John McCain's attacks," he told an enthusiastic crowd. "This country can't take four more years of John McCain's economic theories. That's why I'm running for president." 

Indeed, it was the economy that took center stage at this late night rally. With Obama, again, trying to link McCain with President Bush.  

"If you want to know where Senator McCain wants to drive the economy, just look at the rear view mirror,” Obama said. “Because when it comes to our economic policies, John McCain, he's riding shotgun next to George Bush." 

Obama played it straight, laying out his by now familiar agenda: ending the war in Iraq, tax cuts for 95 percent of Americans, and eliminating capital gains for small businesses.  

He also briefly addressed charges coming from the right that his tax plan "redistributes" wealth.  

"I don't know when we decided to make a virtue out of selfishness," Obama said. "I think there's nothing wrong with us saying we want every single American to have opportunities, that's what this country's all about. That's what will grow this economy."

Campaign staff estimated the crowd to be around 40,000 people, mostly college students. And that's who Obama's specifically targeting, hoping to turn their enthusiasm into actual votes. 

"If you'll stand with me and fight by my side and cast your ballot for me I promise you this: We will not just win Missouri, we will win this general election,” Obama said, “And together we'll change the world." 

"Yes we can, Yes we can," the crowd shouted at times throughout his 35 minute speech.

If Obama was hoping to sway undecided voters, it wasn't happening here. This was the choir after all.

"The question in this election isn't 'Are you better off than you were four years ago?' We know the answer to that," Obama said, referring to Ronald Reagan's famous debate question. "The real question is 'Will this country be better off four years from now?"

The answer, of course, depends on who you ask.

Obama's running mate Joe Biden and Republican vice president hopeful Sarah Palin were in Missouri Thursday as well. Obama will be back in Missouri Saturday for a last minute rally in Springfield.