In the meantime, the Republican and Democratic parties are unleashing the last of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of so-called "soft money" -- hard cash -- in the final barrage of campaign ads and get-out-the-vote efforts.
Wearing a splendid pair of high heels and a black wrap dress with cuts and slashes entwined with what looked to an untutored eye to be medical bandages, Dame Vivienne found the large, soft-looking armchair too hard and uncomfortable.