I am not President Bush

Senators Obama and McCain at the third 2008 U.S. Presidential debate, October 15, 2008, screengrab from CNN.

John McCain assailed Barack Obama's character and campaign positions on taxes, abortion and more Wednesday night, hoping to transform their final presidential debate into a launching pad for a political comeback. "You didn't tell the American people the truth," he charged.

Unruffled, and ahead in the polls, Obama parried each accusation, and leveled a few of his own.

"One hundred percent, John, of your ads, 100 percent of them have been negative," Obama shot back in an uncommonly personal debate less than three weeks from Election Day.

"It's not true," McCain retorted.

"It absolutely is true," said Obama, seeking the last word.

(text by BETH FOUHY, Associated Press)

Later Obama said: "I don't mind being attacked for the next three weeks. What the American people can't afford is four more years of failed economic policies."

McCain proclaimed, "I am not President Bush."