10 Days to Change: A Snapshot in Time

"For the last 21 months, she has followed the odyssey of his presidential campaign like a spectator on a faraway balcony. She underwent a corneal transplant to see him on television. She reluctantly agreed to film a political advertisement when he urgently needed to reassure voters about his distinctive American roots. She told him during one of their frequent telephone conversations that it might not hurt if he smiled a bit more.

And on Friday, Senator Barack Obama spent the day here saying goodbye."--

the lead to a fine story in the New York Times, about Obama's visit to his grandmother in Hawaii, probably for the last time.

On Friday, VP candidate Palin was also off the campaign trail, being deposed by the Alaska state government, investigating whether she violated ethics laws or other laws as governor. She also gave a speech advocating funding new programs for special-needs children by cutting earmarks, such as federal support for "fruit fly research." However, that precise research led to new insights into autism which may lead to more effective treatments.

It also became known on Friday that the highest paid person in the McCain-Palin campaign this month was Palin's make-up artist, who made more than McCain foreign policy advisor.

On Friday, Barack Obama had majority of 50% or more in all 6 daily tracking polls.

Newsweek poll: Obama 53% McCain 41%. Obama is viewed favorably by 62%. He leads among all age groups, including seniors, and among white working class men.

Obama is "positioned to win the largest share of white voters of any Democrat in more than three decades."