Languages
Page last updated at 22:33 GMT, Friday, 17 October 2008 23:33 UK

US election at-a-glance: 17 Oct

DAY IN A NUTSHELL

As the McCain camp continues to make allegations about possible voter fraud on the part of the Obama-linked group Acorn, the US Supreme Court blocks an attempt by Ohio Republicans to challenge the rights of 200,000 newly-registered voters (whose names do not match social security or driving licence records) to cast their ballots. Speculation mounts that former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, is set to endorse Barack Obama over the weekend. Mr Obama receives endorsements from a number of high-profile newspapers.

KEY QUOTES

"A cloud of suspicion... seems to right now hang over this election."
Rick Davis, McCain campaign manager, is worried about voter fraud

This is the first time the newspaper has endorsed the Democratic Party's nominee for president
Chicago Tribune

"I'm playing the old guy role anyway, you know, this whole campaign and now I gotta come behind him! Jeez!"
Joe Biden complains to Ellen DeGeneres about appearing after actor Colin Farrell on her chat-show

"He just asked a question. And Americans ought to be able to ask Senator Obama tough questions without being smeared and targeted with political attacks."
John McCain defends the honour of Joe the plumber

"There are few public figures we have respected more over the years than Senator John McCain. Yet it is without ambivalence that we endorse Senator Barack Obama for president."
The Washington Post makes its endorsement

"The Times without hesitation endorses Barack Obama for president."
The LA Times offers its first endorsement since 1972

"This endorsement makes some history for the Chicago Tribune. This is the first time the newspaper has endorsed the Democratic Party's nominee for president."
The Chicago Tribune is backing the local candidate

NUMBER NEWS

Barack Obama's lead remains steady in the daily tracking polls.

In most battleground states, the polls suggest that Mr Obama is also in a strong position.

Rasmussen has him ahead in Nevada by five points and Missouri by six points, while Research 2000 has him tied in North Dakota, and leading in Florida by four points.

A Survey USA poll of Florida, however, puts John McCain ahead by two points.

DAILY PICTURE
John McCain's wife Cindy hands out sweets from a plastic pumpkin to journalists on her husband's campaign plane
Cindy McCain gets into the Halloween spirit with members of the press on her husband's campaign plane.




Electoral College votes

Winning post 270
Obama - Democrat
365
McCain - Republican
173
Select from the list below to view state level results.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS
Why the media tie-up of the decade didn't work
The Saudi women TV anchors covered from head to toe
The tyranny of the self-service store checkout

Explore the BBC

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific