US election at-a-glance: 22-28 Mar

WEEK IN A NUTSHELL

Sparring between the Democratic contenders continues, with Hillary Clinton forced to acknowledge she "misspoke" when she described coming under sniper fire in Bosnia in 1996 and Barack Obama still facing questions over his controversial former pastor. Republican John McCain tries to keep in the limelight by outlining foreign policy and economic plans, as well as airing his first general election advert.

KEY QUOTES

"When you make a false claim that's in your prepared remarks, it's not misspeaking, it's misleading. It's part of a troubling pattern of Senator Clinton inflating her foreign policy experience."
Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor comments on Mrs Clinton's claims she landed under sniper fire in Bosnia

We have a choice when it comes to our pastors and the church we attend

Hillary Clinton

At-a-glance: 15-21 March

"Senator Clinton has every right, but not a very good reason, to remain a candidate for as long as she wants to. As far as the delegate count and the interests of a Democratic victory in November go, there is not a very good reason for drawing this out."
Senior Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, an Obama backer, urges Mrs Clinton to quit the race

"We don't have a choice when it comes to our relatives. We have a choice when it comes to our pastors and the church we attend."
Hillary Clinton weighs into the row over Mr Obama's former pastor, saying she would have left his church

"Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed."
John McCain outlines his foreign policy vision for the US

"My job is to make sure the person who loses feels like they have been treated fairly so that their supporters will support the winner."
Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean on the need to keep party unity while resolving the Democratic contest

NUMBER NEWS

The Democratic Party may be concerned by the results of a Gallup poll which showed potential for significant "defection" by Democrats to the Republican side in the general election, if the Democratic nominee is not their preferred candidate.

This was particularly the case among the Hillary Clinton supporters surveyed, some 28% of whom said they would vote for Mr McCain if Barack Obama was the Democratic candidate. Only 59% said they would back Mr Obama.

Almost a fifth of Obama supporters said they would vote for Mr McCain if Mrs Clinton was picked as the Democratic nominee. Just over 70% said they would support Mrs Clinton.

Analysis by Gallup suggests that the Democratic Party is most in danger of losing the support of independent, conservative and, among Clinton supporters, less-educated voters if the candidate of their choice is not running.

The "defection-rate" would be lowest among black Democrats, the survey indicates.

WEEKLY PICTURE