Political pundits and commentators have spent many months analysing the campaigns of party delegates. Find out more insight on the candidates, their policies and their pitfalls here.
 'October surprise?'
John McCain and Barack Obama's teams must be holding their breath over the possibility of last-minute revelations.
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 Conventional wisdom in tatters
The spellbinding plot twists of the 2008 White House race have undeniably made this campaign one for the ages.
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 Could the US election be stolen?
Experts warn that a bitter fight could ensue if the race to the White House is decided by a narrow margin.
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 A nightmare for Obama fans
For Barack Obama fans it's a nightmare scenario - his lead suddenly evaporates on election day.
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 Blazing a trail into US history
Four years ago Barack Obama was a political unknown. Now he is reshaping US history.
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 'She's not prepared at all'
Even in the staunchly Republican South, Sarah Palin is facing deep scepticism about her qualifications.
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 A new election battleground
After decades of being ignored, the southern US state of North Carolina matters in this year's election.
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 Issues eclipsed by star power
Political analysts say the role of celebrity in politics has gone well beyond mere endorsements. |
 Palin 'an outstanding pick'
Sarah Palin did in one day what her White House ticket mate John McCain had failed to do for 18 months.
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 Troopergate could dog Palin
It's a he-said, she-said that has dogged Sarah Palin for two months and is likely to do so for two more. |
 Stakes raised for McCain
Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden as a running mate sets the bar for his Republican rival for the presidency.
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 Biden a career politician
Senator Joe Biden turned to his faith to weather personal tragedy and shape his political worldview.
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 Obama's new plan...
Democrat Barack Obama has laid out an ambitious plan that envisions ending US dependence on foreign oil in 10 years.
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 'Negativity the norm'
John McCain and Barack Obama are engaged in creating unflattering images of each other that they hope will stick in voters' minds.
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 Obama's plan: Details missing
Barack Obama's bid to place a new tax on very high incomes is either bold or foolhardy.
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 McCain stays on attack
John McCain has pushed onward with attacks on Barack Obama's international qualifications.
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 Evangelicals quietly worry
A lifelong Republican voices her doubts about what she's not hearing from John McCain.
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 Is McCain too old?
John McCain's senior citizen status is being raised as a campaign issue, but experts say his age is no big deal.
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 Two candidates, two styles
Barack Obama and John McCain could not be more different in how they intend to get to the White House.
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 Mushy middle is hard to reach
They are a complex chunk of people likely to decide the election but difficult to reach and hard to please...
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 Obama's election to lose
Democrats have a good chance of winning back the White House, but don't discount the Republicans.
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 Ready for a black president?
The Democratic Party is taking a calculated risk that Americans are ready to elect their first black president. |
 Courting women voters
John McCain is courting the loyalty of female voters, but faces a fierce counter-offensive from Barack Obama.
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 Internet shake-up
Videos shared on YouTube and blogs scrutinising candidates are part of an internet-age revolution shaking up the US presidential election. |
How McCain, Obama match up
Here are the positions of Barack Obama and John McCain on the main issues in the US campaign.
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How Obama outfoxed Clinton
While Hillary Clinton hinged her campaign on an early lead, Barack Obama mastered the party rules for the long-haul. |
 Looking for running mates
Barack Obama and John McCain are taking quiet steps to choose their running mates, fresh signs that the presidential race is rapidly moving toward their election matchup.
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 Obama & McCain's weaknesses
The crucial question in this year's US election is whose weaknesses will cause them to lose? |
 Obama's speech on race
Here is the full text of Barack Obama's seminal speech on race. |
 Obama & Clinton's long race
Here are the significant events of the 2008 Democratic presidential primary. |
 Michelle Obama, the superstar
Plain-speaking, intelligent and "real", Michelle Obama has become a star in her own right. |
 Religion and the US race
Religion is playing an important role in the US election campaign, leaving non-Christians left out or turned off. |
 Harsh words in the US race
Here are some comments that have roiled the waters in the presidential campaign. |
 Obama a 'new' American hero
A superdelegate in the US Democratic Party has told a Cape Town audience about the Barack Obama "phenomenon" in US politics. |