US election at-a-glance: 29 Sept

DAY IN A NUTSHELL

As the bailout deal falls in the House of Representatives, both presidential campaigns blame one another for the failure of the bill.

KEY QUOTES

"This bill failed because Barack Obama and the Democrats put politics ahead of country."
Doug Holtz-Eakin economic adviser to John McCain

Whatever you think about the substance of McCain's bizarre campaign suspension... his gambit now looks like a disaster Josh Marshall Talking Points Memo Day at a glance: 26 September

"This is a moment of national crisis, and today's inaction in Congress as well as the angry and hyper-partisan statement released by the McCain campaign are exactly why the American people are disgusted with Washington."
Bill Burton, Obama spokesman

"Will McCain suspend his campaign again?"
Andrew Sullivan, Atlantic Monthly, in jest

"If this is really "a national economic crisis," and others have failed to lead, then McCain should lead-by re-suspending his campaign."
William Kristol, Weekly Standard, not in jest

"Whatever you think about the substance of McCain's bizarre campaign suspension so he could single-handedly save the economy, his gambit now looks like a disaster, judged on its own political terms."
Josh Marshall, Talking Points Memo

NUMBER NEWS

Barack Obama is riding on a wave of popularity, as the economic crisis deepens, and as voters make their verdicts on Friday's debate.

He leads all four tracking polls, by margins ranging from five points (Rasmussen and Hotine/Diageo) to eight points (Gallup) and nine points (Research 2000).

In the battleground states, there is more good news for Mr Obama.

A Muhlenberg poll has him seven points clear in Pennsylvania, while a PPP poll gives him a narrow two point lead in North Carolina.

And in Florida, Survey USA has him trailing John McCain by just one point.

DAILY PICTURE

Singer John Legend performs at an Obama campaign event in Columbus, Ohio