His first job at a high-frequency trading operation was as a quantitative research analyst at Citadel, a giant Chicago hedge fund, which he joined in early 2009.

WSJ: High-Speed Trading in the Spotlight

Adrian Gray, who oversaw the Bush 2004 voter-contact operation and is now a policy analyst for a New York investment firm, makes the point that as of Tuesday, 530, 813 Ohio Democrats had voted early or had requested or cast an absentee ballot.

WSJ: Rove: Sifting the Numbers for a Winner

In an earlier interview, former CIA analyst Michael Scheuer said the Italian military secret service had approved the operation involving Hassan, and CIA sources who refused to be named told CNN in 2005 that the agency had briefed and sought approval from its Italian counterpart for such an abduction.

CNN: Berlusconi may be called in CIA 'kidnap' trial

But bank analyst Dick Bove speculates whether Walmart is getting away with running what looks to be a banking operation but without all the banking regulations.

FORBES: Bove: Is Walmart's Banking Business Legal?

"We struggle to see how yet another 'me-too' co-operation with GM Europe on componentry will help address any of the fundamental issues, " said Credit Suisse analyst Erich Hause.

BBC: Peugeot shares jump 12% on alliance talks