But no previous weapon had been so destructive.

ECONOMIST: Thomas Ferebee

Given that only 36% of eligible Memphians voted in the previous election, Mr Lawler's most powerful weapon may be an ability to draw voters to the polls who would otherwise have stayed at home.

ECONOMIST: The Memphis mayor��s race

However, Mr Buffett said he had reloaded his "elephant gun", a reference to a previous comment in 2011 that he was using such a weapon to look for acquisitions.

BBC: Warren Buffett