Romney was making a late, concerted push into Pennsylvania, drawing jeers from Obama aides who called it desperation. Obama won the state comfortably in 2008. Romney appeared intent on another path to the presidency should he lose Ohio.

His foray into Pennsylvania is not folly. Unlike states that emphasize early voting, Pennsylvania will see most votes cast on Election Day. The state has not been saturated with political advertising, giving Romney and his supporting groups — still flush with cash — an opportunity to sway last-minute voters with a barrage of commercials. Obama is countering by buying commercial time in the state as well and is sending former President Bill Clinton to campaign Monday in Pittsburgh, Scranton and the Philadelphia area.

The candidates’ wives and running mates fanned out to the South, Midwest and West to cover more ground.

‘‘Here’s what it comes down to: We can’t afford to wait four more years for real change to get us on the right track,’’ said the Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, rallying for votes in Montrose, Colo. ‘‘We only need to wait four more days.’’

Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Biden drew roaring support in Beloit, Wis., in a middle school near Ryan’s hometown.

Obama reached beyond the big cities of Ohio before heading back to the White House. Romney was headed into the weekend with a kickoff event for the finish, joining up with his running mate and their wives.

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AP White House Correspondent Ben Feller reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Ken Thomas, Julie Pace and Julie Carr Smyth in Hilliard, Ohio, Steve Peoples in Pataskala, Ohio, Daniel Sewell in Cincinnati, Ann Sanner in Springfield, Ohio, Matthew Daly in Beloit, Wis., Philip Elliott in Montrose, Colo., and Jim Kuhnhenn and Mark S. Smith in Washington contributed to this report.

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Follow Ben Feller on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BenFellerDC