Mark Hennessy, in Denver, hears the Republican warn of the dangers of Congress and White House falling under Democrat control
FOR AMERICAN football fans in Colorado, former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway holds the standing of a sporting god: imagine Christy Ring, DJ Carey, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Eddie Keher and Jimmy Barry Murphy all rolled into one.
A single play he orchestrated against the Cleveland Browns is still spoken of with awe 21 years later, as is his leadership "in the greatest Super Bowl" ever played against the Green Bay Packers.
Yesterday, Elway came out to lend his support to Republican candidate John McCain during a rally in the city's National Western arena, a venue more used to cattle shows and rodeos.
"He's the equivalent of the Hail Mary pass for McCain: the pass you make when you are in dire trouble and there are only seconds left on the clock and you can't think of anything else," said one in the crowd.
Urging the crowd to "ignore the pundits", Elway said to rousing cheers: "Some of them have already written us off, but I like to think that I know a thing or two about comebacks."
The crowds began to gather before 7am, three hours before the Republican was due to go on stage; but the fresh 72-year-old's day had already started . Morning television news programmes showed him getting off an aircraft before 6am.
Protesters standing at the fence near the main entrance held a "Hockey Mom for Obama" poster, along with those from a group called Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation, which promotes marijuana as a safer choice than alcohol.
The latter group's sign said: "What's the difference between Cindy McCain and a marijuana dealer? Ms McCain has made a fortune selling a more harmful drug." McCain's wife is a multimillionaire heiress of a brewery.
Though several thousand strong, and loud, the crowd did not fill all the chairs. The numbers will, no doubt, be compared to those who turn out for Barack Obama tomorrow when he himself addresses a rally in Denver.
Ten days out, the Republicans are worried. "The main news channels say that this race is over. Have you seen the Barack Channel? They're saying: 'Move along now. It's all over. There's nothing to see'," one speaker told the crowd, to cheers.
Handwritten posters were handed out by McCain staff. "Joe The Plumber Is Right", "Don't Let Them Take Joe's Dough" and other messages supported the Ohio plumber, Joe Wurzelbacher, who questioned Obama's tax plans 10 days ago.
Retired senator Wayne Allard bored with a dull speech, but the man who wants to replace him, Bob Schaffer, worked the crowd as if his political career depended on it, which it may. "Colorado is critical. We will determine the next president of the United States," he said.
McCain's speech was frequently interrupted by a small group of protesters, including two in wheelchairs, angry about disability funding in the state, to the annoyance of supporters who booed.
Though the protesters' message was non-party, one wore a "Wearing Lipstick Is Not A Vice-Presidential Qualification" T-shirt, with the logo on the back so that it was not visible to the crowd, only to the watching press.
In his speech, McCain hit all the familiar themes: Obama's inexperience, and his own record of military and political service, dating back to being on duty on the USS Enterprise off Cuba during the missile crisis.
"America did not become the greatest nation on Earth by giving all of its money to the government so that it could spread the wealth around. We did it by spreading opportunity around," he said.
However, there was a new message: the fear that Congress and the White House could fall under Democratic control.
"The answer to a slowing economy is not higher taxes, but that is exactly what the Democrats will do if they have total control."
Calling for support in the final days, he said: "I am an American, and I know how to fight. Don't give up. Fight for our ideals. Fight for your children. Let's give this country the leadership it needs."