While America has had numerous third parties, one of our system's strengths is that it in effect forces one of the major parties to co-opt and smooth out the rough edges of issues that third parties may advocate.

FORBES: Election Stranger Than Fiction

His spokesman, a loyal but rough spin-doctor, was replaced earlier this year by a smooth-talking Catalan who is not even a member of Mr Aznar's party.

ECONOMIST: Spain: The Aznar touch | The