Bill Clinton may still have enough of the old political magic left to sway some of these voters by Election Day.

CNN: Analysis: What's next for Bill Clinton?

But sometimes a centre-left majority holds sway in the Parliament on environmental or civil liberties issues, and in such cases there is often legislative gridlock, Votewatch says.

BBC: EU votes show strong UK dissent - Votewatch study

In other southern states big urban and minority populations hold sway in Democratic primaries, pulling candidates to the left of the general electorate and highlighting polarising issues such as race and immigration.

ECONOMIST: The politics of the South

For pensions in deferment though, where someone has left employment but has not yet drawn their pension, the government may have more sway.

BBC: Pension changes 'are a nightmare', experts warn

In a fit of emotion, the rebuffed applicant left a spate of voice mails for the hiring executive, hoping beyond hope to sway the decision before the formal offer was made.

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