US election at-a-glance: 8-14 Mar

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WEEK IN A NUTSHELL

The Democratic battle is brought no nearer to a resolution by Barack Obama's primary win in Mississippi; meanwhile, Democrats in Michigan and Florida discuss holding new contests. Clinton adviser and former vice-presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro steps down from her unpaid role after a row over racial remarks. Republican presumptive nominee John McCain focuses on fund-raising and refuses to be drawn on potential vice presidential candidates.

KEY QUOTES

"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept." Clinton supporter Geraldine Ferraro, speaking to the Daily Breeze paper in California

I don't know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who's in first place Barack Obama <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7284293.stm">At-a-glance: 7 March</a>

"I do think we will have a dream ticket, it just won't be those two names."House Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi rules out the "dream ticket" combination of both Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton

"With all due respect, I've won twice as many states as Senator Clinton. I've won more of the popular vote than Senator Clinton. I have more delegates than Senator Clinton. So I don't know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who's in first place."Barack Obama responds to an offer from the Clinton campaign to run on a joint ticket, headed by Mrs Clinton

"I'm optimistic about this year because I know John McCain... I've campaigned with him and I've campaigned against him and I can tell you this: he's a tough competitor." President George W Bush speaks at a fund-raiser for Mr McCain

NUMBER NEWS

Exit polls indicate that Mr Obama won Tuesday's Mississippi primary with the support of 90% of black voters, who made up half the electorate, but only 30% of white voters.

A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released on Wednesday suggests the Democratic Party remains divided about which of its two candidates it would like at the top of the ticket.

While Mrs Clinton has a four-point lead over Mr Obama in the national poll, with 47% to his 43% - the closest margin between them so far in the survey.

Meanwhile, the same poll suggests that Democrats view Mr Obama - by 48% to Mrs Clinton's 38% - as having the better chance of beating Mr McCain in the general election.

However, when the pair are matched directly against him, the gap narrows. Mr Obama leads Mr McCain by 47% to 44%, while Mrs Clinton is seen as edging Mr McCain by 47% to 45%.

WEEKLY PICTURE

Barack Obama's win in Mississippi's primary did not give him a decisive edge in the battle to be Democratic presidential nominee