On this day in 1931 President Herbert Hoover signs a congressional act making "The Star-Spangled Banner" the nation's official anthem. On to today's top stories:

"Rhetoric Heats Up Before Vote" (Susan Page, USA Today) In the final days before March 4 the campaigns have blasted each other on national-security experience. The last-minute "heat" is the result of an ad the Clinton campaign released last week asking voters (or parents) which candidate they want answering the White House phone when there's an emergency at 3 am.

"Obama, Clinton Make Final Push" (Jon Craig, Cincinnati Enquirer) Campaigning just miles away from each at neighboring high schools, Clinton and Obama slung mud, kissed babies and blasted President Bush.

"Obama Backers Urge Clinton to Exit if She Loses" (Brian Knowlton, New York Times) The line coming from the Obama camp, which is not exactly being rejected by the Clinton camp, is that Hillary needs to win both Texas and Ohio to stay in the race. Meanwhile, reporter Knowlton notes, Howard Dean is already lobbing rhetorical bombs at McCain -- perhaps a sign the DNC chairman wants this primary over with as much as Obama.

"Latino-Black Relations May Tilt Texas Results" (Joel Millman, Wall Street Journal) Helping Obama's final push in Texas, where he holds a lead, are Hispanic voters who seem to be moving his way. Although a recent SurveyUSA poll has Clinton with a 13-point edge in Hispanic voters, that's down from 33 points a week earlier.

"McCain Fending Off 'Mischaracterizations'" (David Jackson, USA Today) Without an official nominee of their own yet, Democrats are compensating by criticizing John McCain on a variety of issues in an attempt to frame his candidacy.

"In Ohio, Tense Race Hinges on Grass-Roots Organizers" (Andrew Jacobs, New York Times) Obama has traditionally had a better ground game, especially after Feb. 5, when it became clear that the Clinton camp hadn't planned for the post-Super Tuesday contests. Although Clinton leads in Ohio, Obama is hoping that his organization will win out.

"Huckabee Poised to Lead Revival of Conservative Evangelical Wing" (Stephen Dinan, Washington Times) Although Mike Huckabee is nearing the end of his campaign, his political goal of having stayed in the race far beyond the point where he could win has paid off in one large aspect: Huckabee is ready to claim leadership of the Right's evangelical wing.

"Clinton, Obama Recast Their Message on Iraq" (Peter Slevin, Washington Post) With the economy heading voters' list of concerns, Obama and Clinton have recast the Iraq war not only as a national-security blunder but also a drain on precious resources which could be spent back home.

"Nafta Bashing Ends at Texas Line" (Amy Chozik and Nick Timiraos, Wall Street Journal) The thing about bashing trade deals is that their affect on the national economy differs from state to state.

Get today's other election stories at RCP's Politics and Election page.