In late 1937, his analysis duly confirmed that north Malaya might become the critical battleground.

It was his 26th day campaigning in the critical electoral battleground of Pennsylvania since securing the nomination in March.

Once finished, Mr. Bush headed to the critical electoral battleground of Florida, where a new early voting system opened the polls on Monday.

A Bush-Ridge ticket might well deliver this critical battleground, the fifth-largest state in electoral votes, to the Republicans.

"Gore's advantage in critical battlegrounds has grown enormously and is continuing to grow," he said.

At still another point, all the major networks called Florida, a critical battleground, for Mr. Gore.

For decades, scholars across the state have argued that New Jersey - not Virginia, Massachusetts or Pennsylvania - was the critical battleground of the Revolution.

The Forts became a critical battleground during the Second Opium War.

The last two states are considered the most critical early battlegrounds in determining a presidential candidate's potential.

The press in particular has emerged as a critical battleground, one where the party refuses to cede its advantage.