US election at-a-glance: 30 Oct

DAY IN A NUTSHELL

John McCain attacks Barack Obama for his 2005 vote in favour of tax breaks for oil companies, while Mr Obama criticises Mr McCain for wanting to continue President Bush's economic policies. At a rally in Ohio, Mr McCain calls on Joe "the plumber" Wurzelbacher to join him on stage, before realising that Mr Wurzelbacher is not present at the event.

KEY QUOTES

"Rousing speeches can fill a stadium, but they cannot keep this country safe. For a season, a man can inspire with his words. But for a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds."
Sarah Palin

We still think we've got plenty of time to close the gap enough to make this election competitive and win it

Rick Davis
McCain campaign manager

US election at-a-glance: 29 Oct

"If you want to know where Senator McCain will drive this economy, just look in the rear-view mirror. Because when it comes to our economic policies, John McCain has stood with President Bush every step of the way."
Barack Obama

"We're still fighting, we're still behind, we still think we've got plenty of time to close the gap enough to make this election competitive and win it."
Rick Davis, McCain campaign manager

"He has campaigned with more style, intelligence and discipline than his opponent. Whether he can fulfil his immense potential remains to be seen. But Mr Obama deserves the presidency."
The Economist endorses

"I'm Ezra Klein and I do not approve this message."
Liberal columnist Ezra Klein objects to the out-of-context use of his words in an anti-Obama mail-out

NUMBER NEWS

The tightening seen recently in the daily tracking polls appears to have stopped, with Mr Obama's lead holding steady at between five and eight points.

In Ohio, Mr Obama leads by seven (according to the National Journal), or by four (according to CNN).

In Pennsylvania, he leads by 12 (CNN), or by 13 (Muhlenberg).

In North Carolina, he leads by six (CNN), or by four (National Journal), or by two (Rasmussen).

In Virginia, he is ahead by four points (accroding to both Marist and the National Journal).

In Colorado, he holds a six-point lead (Marist) or a four-point lead (National Journal).

In Indiana, he is either ahead by one point (Selzer) or trailing by three (Rasmussen).

A Nevada poll from CNN and a Florida poll from National Journal also give him leads in those battleground states.

DAILY PICTURE