Republican John McCain, who's been trending upwards in recent polls, today made a final plea for votes from Iowans.

"I won't lack the courage to fix our toughest problems and let them become worse on someone else's watch," McCain says in the Web video, which also includes a news clip that discusses his newspaper endorsements and the backing he's getting from Joe Lieberman.

"I might not like the business-as-usual crowd in Washington, but I love America," McCain says.

McCain spent time in western Iowa today, with stops in Rock Rapids, LeMars, Sioux Center and Sioux City. While he was in Sioux City, he vowed to return to Iowa this summer to visit the State Fair

The Des Moines Register reported:

McCain's largest crowds were in Sioux Center, where about 100 area residents listened to him, and in Sioux City, where a crowd of 150 met with him at the city's downtown public library.

GOP rivals are keeping their eyes on McCain as the caucus results file in this evening.

A Pew poll today showed McCain capturing the national lead among Republican voters and GOP insiders admit there is a sense the senator's stock is rising in Iowa. With that said, it would be an impressive feat if McCain could log a top-three finish, party insiders said, especially considering there was some speculation he might shut down his campaign this summer after poor fundraising.

McCain drew significant campaign crowds as he made his final plea to caucus goers. With the recent assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto two caucus-goers told IowaPolitics.com this week they were switching from Huckabee to McCain due to the senator's foreign policy background.

Des Moines attorney and Republican National Committee member Steve Roberts told Sen. John McCain in October he was the comeback kid. Observers say McCain remains a viable contender for a top-three spot, along with former Sen. Fred Thompson and Texas Congressman Ron Paul.

The large crowds and volunteer effort are pleasing to McCain campaign officials.

"I am happy with the effort on the ground and hoping for the best (on caucus night)," McCain's Iowa campaign director Jon Seaton said.

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