TACKED to the door beams inside the single-storey house that serves as the headquarters of the Democratic party in Arizona are signs with the logos of Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

But the two luxury fashion chains would not be particularly pleased with the publicity: bold, red, angry Xs are slashed across them.

They were put up by Democratic campaign volunteers here to send out the message: 'Unlike Sarah Palin, we do not spend US$150,000 (S$225,100) on our clothes', as Ms Kelly Paisley, head of presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign here, puts it.

The signs riff on the furore which occurred after political ethics campaigners lodged a complaint over the Republican campaign allotting that sum for its vice-presidential candidate's wardrobe, including designer outfits.

The tactic is slightly disingenuous of course. Many Democrats, certainly many of Mr Obama's former classmates at Harvard and colleagues at the Chicago law firm where he worked, do shop at high-end stores. But the signs are also symbolic of the irreverent, youthful image that the Obama campaign likes to portray of itself.

Instead of toiling in a corporate office, staffers and volunteers work out of a small, quaint house rented two months ago. It is in a road with funky art galleries and stores in downtown Phoenix.

Neighbouring buildings include houses with 'for sale' signs as well. The choice of venue is a reminder of the message that the volunteers give voters: that Republicans have ruined the economy, leading to a string of foreclosures.

Arizona may be Republican candidate John McCain's backyard, but the Democrats are not giving in.

Instead, the cash-rich campaign pumps money, volunteers and time into the state, which has voted Republican since 1968, except for the 1996 election when Mr Bill Clinton was re-elected.

The effort has paid off, claims MsPaisley, citing a poll which indicates that Mr Obama has whittled Mr McCain's lead here from 14 to 7per cent.

Inside the house, volunteers like Alexandria Bassett, 27, haphazardly group around big tables in the living and dining rooms, manning the phones.

In the kitchen, two children scribble on art paper, to add to the gallery of colourful Obama posters all over the house.

At this point in the race, the volunteers are no longer calling Republicans in a bid to win them over. Instead, they are urging Democrats and Independents to send their votes in early.

Reading from a script, Ms Bassett speaks into the phone: 'Change starts from the bottom up, and your vote will make a difference.'

She tells The Straits Times: 'It is an uphill battle. But we're progressing.'

Another volunteer is 24-year-old Cole Hickman, who was a soldier in the Iraq war. Wearing a 'Veterans for Obama' T-shirt, he says the Democrat candidate 'understands more about the need for more help for vets, better equipment in war, and not making soldiers go to war again and again'.

The volunteers do not just call Arizona voters. They also reach out to those in neighbouring states like New Mexico, a swing state where Mr Obama played to vast crowds on Saturday.

Says Mr Dave Lieslak, campaign communications director: 'Coming from Arizona, we have a unique opportunity to tell the rest of the United States about John McCain's lack of sound judgment and unstable temperament.'

xueying@sph.com.sg