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| Page last updated at 10:47 GMT, Thursday, 29 January 2009 | |
| | 1 SEPTEMBER
Hurricane Gustav means the first day of the Republican convention is scaled back, with Cindy McCain and Laura Bush hosting a fundraiser instead.
| 3 SEPTEMBER
Sarah Palin, John McCain's surprise choice for running mate, makes her debut speech and wins over the Republican party faithful.
| 4 SEPTEMBER
John McCain delivers his acceptance speech to the national convention, as he becomes the Republican Party's official presidential candidate.
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| 24 SEPTEMBER
With a $700bn financial rescue under debate in Congress, John McCain announces he is suspending his campaign to return to Washington.
| | 26 SEPTEMBER
The first presidential debate between the candidates, focusing on foreign policy, goes ahead as planned at the University of Mississippi.
| | 29 SEPTEMBER
The House of Representatives votes against the $700bn bail-out and Wall Street's shares plunge in their biggest ever points drop for a single day.
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| 2 OCTOBER
Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin fight it out in the vice-presidential debate in Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
| | 7 OCTOBER
The second presidential debate, at Belmont University, Nashville, was a town hall meeting with questions from the audience.
| | 10 OCTOBER
A bipartisan investigation in Alaska says Sarah Palin violated the state's ethics laws in her decision to dismiss the public safety commissioner.
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| 15 OCTOBER
The final debate, in New York, with the candidates encouraged to ask each other questions on domestic issues and about their plans for the economy.
| | 19 OCTOBER
Colin Powell, former Secretary of State for President George W Bush, endorses Barack Obama and criticises the McCain campaign's negative approach.
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| | US ELECTION AT-A-GLANCE
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER
Pick a day to follow the campaign as it unfolded in our daily and weekly election bulletins.
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