5 Nov 2008

Morning Report; US papers

6:52 am on 5 November 2008

A 'sea change' in US politics is described by the papers covering the last days of the election campaign for the US presidency.

The Washington Post describes a final effort from John McCain as he campaigned in seven states on Monday, trying to secure a come-from-behind win.

For Barak Obama, the death of his grandmother has cast a pall over the final day's campaigning.

The New York Times says the 2008 election represents a 'sea change' in US politics.

The Los Angeles Times says the American television networks are promising to be more cautious in declaring a winner this year.

Votes will be counted in the east before polls close in the west, but all the networks have promised not to project a president-elect until he has the required 270 electoral votes.

That's not expected to happen before the votes in California are counted.