The Economist went to press before Mr Obama's stadium speech accepting the nomination on August 28th.

ECONOMIST: Barack Obama struggled this week to unite his party

The votes will end on Thursday night, when Bush enters the convention hall to receive his party's nomination and deliver his acceptance speech.

CNN: Colin Powell

No, Senator Obama's first big policy speech after securing the nomination was to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, demonstrating the enduring power of that lobby.

ECONOMIST: The triumph of the New Left