For Barbie Snodgrass, who has a modest amount of stock in a retirement plan, the meltdown has turned this election into a make-or-break one, tipping her away from McCain without convincing her that she can trust Obama.

NEWYORKER: The Hardest Vote

Though the state's declining population lost two of its votes in the Electoral College -- it will only have 21 in the coming election -- Pennsylvania packs enough of a punch to make or break a presidential campaign.

CNN: UPenn students have electoral power

Downing Street's insistence that those who use the M25 orbital road around London could make or break Labour's election chances has meant that renewed emphasis has been given to road-building.

ECONOMIST: British election briefing: Transport