African-Americans are supporting Vice-President Al Gore over Governor George Bush by a ratio of eight to one and could be a decisive factor in the most closely contested presidential election since 1960.
A survey by the Center for Political and Economic Studies, which specialises in issues important to African-Americans, shows that 74 per cent of blacks support Mr Gore compared with 9 per cent for Mr Bush. If the undecideds are excluded, Mr Gore leads by 87 per cent to 11 per cent.
Blacks make up about 10 per cent of the voting population, but their concentration in certain highly contested states can give them a crucial influence. These include Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania, where Mr Gore and Mr Bush are neck and neck in the polls.
Since 1964, the first presidential election in which the new strength of the civil rights movement could be seen, 80 per cent of blacks have consistently voted for the Democratic Party candidate. In 1960, when John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon, 68 per cent of blacks voted Democrat and 32 per cent Republican.
Four years later, when Lyndon Johnson was elected in a landslide against Barry Goldwater, the black Democrat vote soared to 94 per cent.
In the last two elections, in 1992 and 1996, President Clinton was elected with the help of 82 per cent and 84 per cent respectively of the black vote. But some observers believe black voters may be somewhat less enthusiastic about Mr Gore.
Many black voters support Mr Bush's proposals concerning school vouchers and social security. The voucher system, which is opposed by Mr Gore, is supported by 57 per cent of blacks because it would allow them to send their children to schools other than the free state school.
This percentage rises to 74 per cent for black homes with children.
Mr Bush's plan for partial privatisation of the social security scheme to allow workers to invest some of their contributions in the stock market is supported by 45 per cent of blacks.
Reuters adds: Mr Gore rose early yesterday after arriving at his Little Rock, Arkansas hotel before 2 a.m. the night before, taking a stroll to Jefferson Elementary School with Mollie and Bobbie Goza and their two children.
Later he continued campaigning in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Nashville, Tennessee, where he was to join his running mate, Senator Joseph Lieberman.
Mr Bush's "Barnstorm for Reform" campaign landed in the Chicago, Illinois suburb of Arlington Heights yesterday, where the Texas governor was joined by Governors John Rowland of Connecticut, Bill Janklow of South Dakota and Marc Racicot of Montana.
Illinois, with 22 electoral votes, is currently leaning towards Mr Gore, according to local polls, although the gap has narrowed. Chicago suburbs are among the more fiercely contested parts of the state.