US election: Joe Biden paints himself as a unifying force ahead of final TV debate with Trump

He may be ahead in the polls but Joe Biden isn't taking any chances, hammering home how much is hanging on the election to supporters in North Carolina.

"The very soul of our nation is at stake. Folks, as my coach used to say in college, it's go time. It's the most important election in our lifetimes," he said.

Voter complacency could still derail him. Hillary Clinton was also ahead with two weeks to go in 2016.

In a crucial week which will see his final TV debate with Donald Trump, he's painting himself as a unifying force.

"I'm running as a proud Democrat but I will govern as an American president. No red states, no blue states, just the United States," he declared.

In Nevada, Mr Trump was also firing up the base.

"We are going to see a red wave," he told crowds of cheering supporters, in spite of official polls telling a different story.

"On election day, you can send a message to the fake news media, big tech companies and the Washington swamp," he said.

"Send them a message they will never forget, show them the American people are still in charge by delivering sleepy Joe Biden and the Democrats a thundering defeat on 3 November."

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And this week will likely see a victory for the president, with his Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett expected to be approved by the judiciary committee on the same day Mr Trump and Mr Biden go head-to-head on TV.

The televised debate in Nashville, Tennessee, will see the candidates grilled on topics including "race in America", "climate change", "foreign policy" and "fighting COVID-19".

Their first debate was an uncomfortable, rather chaotic, watch dominated by constant interruptions and widely criticised for the tone and tactics.

The second was cancelled and replaced with duelling Town Hall debates after Donald Trump refused to take part virtually.

With just over two weeks to go, both campaigns are ramping up.

Mr Trump with a deluge of rallies, Kamala Harris is back on the road after two people connected to her campaign tested positive for COVID-19 and Barack Obama is stepping up for Mr Biden as the race for the White House intensifies.