US election at-a-glance: 25 Feb

DAY IN A NUTSHELL

The rival Democratic campaigns trade blows over the publication on the Drudge Report website of a photograph showing Barack Obama wearing traditional African dress. The Obama campaign complains the photo is being circulated by a Clinton campaign team-member in an attempt to smear the Illinois senator, but the Clinton team denies the charge. Republican John McCain tells a meeting in Ohio he will lose the election unless he can persuade voters that US policy in Iraq is succeeding.

KEY QUOTES

"We've seen the tragic result of having a president who had neither the experience nor the wisdom to manage our foreign policy and safeguard our national security. We can't let that happen again"
Hillary Clinton

If McCain selects a running mate whose conservative credentials are beyond dispute, he'll be choosing a candidate who likely disagrees with him on some issues of great importance Byron York National Review At-a-glance: 22 Feb

"On the very day that Senator Clinton is giving a speech about restoring respect for America in the world, her campaign has engaged in the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we've seen from either party in this election."
David Plouffe, Obama campaign strategist

"John McCain faces a dilemma when it comes to choosing a vice president. He needs a running mate who will be a contrast to him in a few key ways... But if McCain selects a running mate whose conservative credentials are beyond dispute, he'll be choosing a candidate who likely disagrees with him on some issues of great importance to the Republican base."
Byron York, National Review

"The choice before [Hillary Clinton] is to go down ugly with a serious risk of humiliation at the polls, or to go down classy, with a real chance of redemption."
Jonathan Alter, Newsweek

NUMBER NEWS

Three surveys of Ohio voters published today suggest that Hillary Clinton holds a comfortable lead in the Buckeye State.

A University of Cincinnati poll gives her 47%, eight points ahead of Barack Obama.

Quinnipiac puts her on 51%, with Mr Obama 11 points behind on 40%.

And ARG gives Mrs Clinton 49%, 10 points ahead of Mr Obama.

Another ARG poll - of Texas Democrats - will be greeted less warmly in the Clinton camp, however.

It indicates that Mr Obama leads Mrs Clinton by eight points, with 50% to her 42% in a state that her husband - Bill Clinton - said she had to win to stay in the race.

DAILY PICTURE

Mr Obama was on a congressional visit to Kenya in 2006 when this photograph - allegedly circulated by a Clinton team-member - was taken