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As election closes in, Obama on center stage

President Barack Obama gestures towards the crowd as they respond to his words while he speaks about the economy after participating in a roundtable discussion with working parents, small business owners, students and faculty, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at Rhode Island College in Providence, R.I. Obama wants women to know what his administration is doing to help them succeed. Four days before midterm elections in which Obama's fellow Democrats need a big turnout from female voters, Obama spoke in Rhode Island on growth in the U.S. economy and administration policies directed at women. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
President Barack Obama gestures towards the crowd as they respond to his words while he speaks about the economy after participating in a roundtable discussion with working parents, small business owners, students and faculty, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at Rhode Island College in Providence, R.I. Obama wants women to know what his administration is doing to help them succeed. Four days before midterm elections in which Obama's fellow Democrats need a big turnout from female voters, Obama spoke in Rhode Island on growth in the U.S. economy and administration policies directed at women. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) President Barack Obama gestures towards the crowd as they respond to his words while he speaks about the economy after participating in a roundtable discussion with working parents, small business owners, students and faculty, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at Rhode Island College in Providence, R.I. Obama wants women to know what his administration is doing to help them succeed. Four days before midterm elections in which Obama's fellow Democrats need a big turnout from female voters, Obama spoke in Rhode Island on growth in the U.S. economy and administration policies directed at women. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

By Associated Press 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Clashing views over the nation’s trajectory are closing out the final week before the midterm election.

President Barack Obama is emphasizing economic growth during his tenure.

The Senate’s Republican leader is depicting events he says seem to be spinning out of the president’s control.

Obama and Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell are finding common ground.

In their parties’ radio and Internet addresses Saturday, Obama and McConnell agree that many Americans’ wages are still falling behind.

Obama blames Congress for not acting on measures such as the minimum wage. McConnell faults Obama for policies he says have failed.

The weekend sparring underscores the prominent role Obama has taken in the midterm elections even though he is not on the ballot.

Republicans have tried to make the election about the president.