THE reliability of opinion polls is doubtful but an alternative means exists for predicting the outcome of America's election. Purveyors of Halloween masks of presidential candidates take a ghoulish glee in claiming that they have accurately predicted the winner of the past seven elections: he who sells most, wins. Luckily for Barack Obama, his masks are outselling those of John McCain by 54% to 46%. He is beating Mr McCain in the sales of other presidential tat, too. The Democratic former law professor is trouncing the ex-pilot in sales of action figures. Mr McCain can take little comfort that those wanting to dress as the Wicked Witch of Wasilla, Sarah Palin, far outnumber Halloween Hillarys.

AP/Amazon.com