US election at-a-glance: 16-22 Aug

Speculation mounts as to the identity of Barack Obama's choice of running-mate. As Mr Obama appears to slip in the polls, he goes on the offensive against John McCain, after the Republican hopeful is unable to answer when asked by an interviewer how many homes he owns. The candidates attend a forum on faith and politics, hosted by Pastor Rick Warren at his church in California.

"I think - I'll have my staff get to you."
John McCain is asked how many houses he owns

In politics, there is nothing worse than appearing out of touch Chris Cillizza Washington Post Election at-a-glance 9-15 August

"I guess if you think that being rich means you gotta make $5m, and if you don't know how many houses you have, then it's not surprising that you might think the economy is fundamentally strong."
Barack Obama

"In politics, there is nothing worse than appearing out of touch... seen through that lens, it makes perfect sense why Democrats have picked up on John McCain's comment that he wasn't sure about how many houses he and his wife own."
Chris Cillizza, Washington Post

"Does a guy who made more than $4m last year, just got back from vacation on a private beach in Hawaii and bought his own million-dollar mansion with the help of a convicted felon really want to get into a debate about houses?"
Brian Rogers, McCain spokesman

Eyebrows were raised when John McCain proved unable to answer a reporter's question about the number of houses he owns.

His campaign staff later revealed that the Arizona senator owns at least four, while Barack Obama claimed the true figure was seven.

The Washington Post analysed tax records in an attempt to clear up the confusion, revealing that Mr McCain and his wife owned:

• A ranch in Sedona, Arizona with three dwellings on it, together worth $1.1m (�550,000)
• A flat in Phoenix, Arizona, that had originally been two units, worth $4.7 million
• An $847,800 three-bedroom high-rise apartment in Arlington, Virginia
• An oceanfront apartment in La Jolla, California
• A half-million-dollar loft apartment in Phoenix bought for their daughter Meghan
• Another Phoenix apartment, worth $830,000; and
• Two beachfront apartments in Coronado, California, one of which is valued at $2.7m.

So according to this analysis, the McCains own 10 properties, or 11 if both of the Phoenix properties which have been amalgamated into one are counted.

Alternatively, if the three ranch properties are counted as one dwelling, the amalgamated Phoenix apartment is not counted double, and Meghan McCain's apartment is left out of the calculation, then the figure is seven.

John McCain highlighted his policy to increase oil drilling off the coast of the US this week, with a visit to a Gulf of Mexico oil platform.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version