The polls are heading Barack Obama's way, but much of the coverage in the US still focusses on John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin
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Top draw
Many observers saw John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate as a play for female voters but it seems the Alaska Governor is becoming more of a hit with the fellas. The New York Times reports that the crowds turning up to hear Palin speak are stacked in favour of the guys, with one female supporter at a rally in Weirs Beach,New Hampshire, estimating the ratio as "70-30, maybe 65-35, men to women". One of these men, who gave his name as "John Deere", said of Palin: "She's beautiful ... I came here to look at her."
Palin pushes up ratings
The entertainment summit of the season - Governor Sarah Palin and her impersonator Tina Fey (pictured above) - earned Saturday Night Live its best ratings in 14 years. But if you blinked, you might have missed it. Fey was answering questions at a news conference, something Palin hasn't done yet as the Republican vice-presidential nominee, when Palin walked onto the stage. Fey beat a hasty retreat in the opening segment, walking by in front of the real Palin with a barely perceptible nod. For the first half-hour, when Palin first came out, the audience was about 17 million.
Latino Joe
For Senator John McCain, Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher's catapult into the national consciousness may have backfired somewhat but that hasn't stopped Obama from finding his own "Joe the plumber". The Huffington Post internet newspaper reports that voters in Colorado are receiving "robocalls" automatic, recorded telephone calls from a Colorado plumber called Joe Martinez. He tells voters: "Take it from Joe the plumber, if you want a president who will put middle-class families first, join me in voting for Barack Obama."
Money mail
If you're a concerned citizen or eager reporter keen to grab a look at Sarah Palin's state emails, it looks as if you're going to need deep pockets. Those who have made the request have been quoted a price of up to US$15 million ($24 million), reports MSNBC. They give the example of a request from AP to see all state emails received by "first dude" Todd Palin. AP was told that to search each state employee's emails would cost US$960.31. If you decide this is worth it, it's likely you won't receive the emails until long after the election has passed.
- Independent, AP
