US election: the campaign in pictures

December 17, 2007 Sioux City, Iowa: The Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama, talks on the phone with his family during a campaign bus trip Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

February 20, 2008 Dallas, Texas: Supporters reach out to touch the hand of Barack Obama after he spoke at a rally Photograph: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters

March 4, 2008 Dallas, Texas: The Republican presidential hopeful, Senator John McCain, reads over his election night speech, for the Texas state primary, in his hotel suite Photograph: Stephan Savoia/AP

March 20, 2008 Beckley, West Virginia: Barack Obama looks at his wireless device as he waits to speak at a town hall meeting at Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Centre Arena Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP

April 21, 2008 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The former President, Bill Clinton, and his daughter Chelsea watch as the Democratic presidential hopeful, Senator Hillary Clinton, speaks at University of Pennsylvania with one day to go until primary election day in Pennsylvania Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty

April 19, 2008 McKeesport, Pennsylvania: The Democratic presidential hopeful, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, rallies the crowd in the rain as she campaigns Photograph: Charles Dharapak/AP

May 18, 2008 Portland, Oregon: Barack Obama speaks to supporters at a campaign rally on the banks of the Willamette River Photograph: Greg Wahl-Stephens/AP

June 1, 2008 Mitchell, South Dakota: Supporters wait for the arrival of Barack Obama during a rally on the street in front of the Corn Palace in the final days of the primary season Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty

June 1, 2008 Mitchell, South Dakota: Barack Obama addresses a rally on the street in front of the Corn Palace in the final days of the primary season Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty

June 7, 2008 Washington: Chelsea Clinton (L) and the former US President, Bill Clinton, watch as Hillary Clinton speaks at the National Building Museum in Washington. Clinton endorsed nominee Senator Barack Obama to be the Democratic US presidential candidate and suspended her own White House bid, after the Illinois senator secured enough support to win the nomination Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

June 12, 2008 New York: John McCain arrives for a town hall meeting at Federal Hall. McCain had invited his opponent Barack Obama to participate in the event, but Obama declined because he did not want the television coverage limited to one network, as it was during the event Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA

August 27, 2008 Denver, Colorado: The US Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden, waves after his speech on day three of the Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Centre Photograph: John Moore/Getty

September 3, 2008 St. Paul, Minnesota: A woman wears an outfit in support of the Republican US vice-presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, during the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Centre Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty

September 3, 2008 St. Paul, Minnesota: The Republican US vice-presidential nominee, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, holds her son Trig Palin and stands on stage with her family during day three of the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Centre Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty

September 10, 2008 Fairfax, Virginia: Supporters of US Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain are reflected in a teleprompter against the blue sky during an outdoor campaign rally Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

October 2, 2008 St. Louis, Missouri: Joe Biden (L) and Sarah Palin smile as they chat on stage at the end of their vice presidential debate at Washington University Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

October 7, 2008 Nashville, Tennessee: Barack Obama (L) answers a question as John McCain listens during their townhall-style presidential debate at Belmont University Photograph: Charles Dharapak/Reuters

October 7, 2008 Nashville, Tennessee: John McCain waits backstage before the Town Hall Presidential Debate at Belmont University's Curb Event Centre Photograph: Scott Olsen/Getty

October 18, 2008 St Louis, Missouri: Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event at the Gateway arch in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty

October 28, 2008 Hershey, Pennsylvania: John McCain speaks at a campaign rally at the Giant Centre Photograph: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty