US election diary

Bush family split

A renegade wing of the Bush clan is lobbying for George W. Bush's defeat. "We feel it is our responsibility to speak out about why we are voting for John Kerry, and to do our small part to help America heal from the sickness it has suffered since George Bush was appointed President in 2000," Bush Relatives for Kerry says on its website www.BushRelativesforKerry.com. The group is founded by Tracy Cannon and Hilary House, cousins of the President. "George W. Bush is a man of limited vision and seemingly little compassion," House said. "My role as an American is far more important than that of a cousin."

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Court balancing act

The potential balance of power on the Supreme Court has moved centre stage with Supreme Court chief justice William Rehnquist's diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Rehnquist, 80, is in hospital after undergoing a tracheotomy. The leader of the court's conservative majority, he is expected back on the bench next week. But his illness reminded voters a new president could be asked to replace several retiring justices on the closely divided court.

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Family values

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger may have Democratic family ties but will campaign with Bush this week in Ohio. Being an uncle by marriage didn't stop Schwarzenegger from poking fun at Senator Ted Kennedy's weight yesterday. "My kids just brought home a beautiful pumpkin, but you know what? I'm going to return it because it's a Democratic pumpkin. It has the orange colour of John Kerry's tan, and the roundness of Teddy Kennedy."

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Stars in their ayes

Hollywood stars are working to woo apathetic voters to the polls. Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Sharon Stone, hip hop king P'Diddy, pop heart-throb Justin Timberlake and Oscar winner Benicio Del Toro are weighing in to political causes. DiCaprio appears in a television campaign to persuade young voters to turn out. Also taking part for MTV are actor Samuel L Jackson, pop idol Ricky Martin, Timberlake and Del Toro.


- AGENCIES