Mr Strimple said: "We have just started advertising there heavily and I believe that every one of those states will snap back heavily in our favour." But behind the scenes a mood of grim pessimism has gripped McCain staff. Even in the aftermath of Sarah Palin's triumphant speech at the Republican convention, one of Mr McCain's closest aides told The Sunday Telegraph that he expected Mrs Palin and her state of Alaska to disappear from public view within six weeks, a tacit admission that he expects to lose the election.