WASHINGTON - For Barack Obama, the way to cross the finish line first may be simply to stay on course and avoid game-changing mistakes. It doesn't hurt that the political landscape favors Democrats or that the Illinois senator has a huge cash advantage over rival John McCain.

   Headed into the final week flush with cash, Obama has the lead in most national polls, is running ahead in states won by Democrat John Kerry in 2004 and is either leading or competitive in about a half-dozen states last won by President Bush, including delegate-rich Florida and Ohio and onetime GOP stronghold Virginia.

   The financial shocks of the past several weeks, an unpopular war and a president with sub-basement approval ratings should help Obama.