US election at-a-glance: 10 Oct

DAY IN A NUTSHELL

The inquiry into the so-called Troopergate scandal - investigating whether Alaska Governor Sarah Palin fired a top Alaska official for refusing to sack a state trooper who was in a custody battle with her sister - finds she abused her position.

Barack Obama campaigns in Ohio for a second day and John McCain is in Wisconsin.

KEY QUOTES

"I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110 (a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act."
Investigator Steve Branchflower, concluding a 263-page report into "Troopergate"

"I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye."
Alaska Senator Gary Stevens, giving a Republican party response after the report's release

I put myself in the position of a voter, and I tell him, if I don't believe you, I'm not voting for you, buddy

Michelle Obama

US election at-a-glance: 9 Oct

"Obama's blind ambition. When convenient, he worked with terrorist Bill Ayers. When discovered, he lied. Obama: blind ambition, bad judgement."
New McCain campaign attack ad

"The McCain-Palin campaign and some of their followers unfortunately want you to be afraid of Barack Obama."
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, campaigning for Mr Obama in Chillicothe, Ohio

"It's nice that [Mr McCain] thinks he can round up congressional votes the way a border collie rounds up sheep. But you can't be a border collie and a pit bull at the same time. The crowds want a pit bull."
John J Pitney Jr, a former Republican operative, said to Politico

"I put myself in the position of a voter, and I tell him, if I don't believe you, I'm not voting for you, buddy."
Michelle Obama, on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

"I have very distinct things that I like. I have very distinct opinions. Just because I choose to be a little less overt out on the campaign [trail] doesn't mean I'm anything less than very opinionated and very intelligent."
Cindy McCain, in an interview with Good Housekeeping magazine

NUMBER NEWS

The latest Rasmussen daily poll of likely voters gives Barack Obama 50% support compared with 45% for his Republican rival, unchanged since the day before.

Meanwhile, the latest Gallup daily tracking poll suggests Mr Obama holds an 11-point lead over Mr McCain, with 52% to his 41%.

According to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Friday, Mr Obama has a 5-point lead over Mr McCain.

DAILY PICTURE