Gwyneth urges expats to back Barack

The American actress, Gwyneth Paltrow, who was among the guests at a fundraising party in London, where she lives, for Barack Obama in April, is now fronting a video encouraging American expats to "Vote Democrat. Vote Obama. Vote from Abroad." It is produced by Democrats Abroad which estimates that more than six million registered Democrats live overseas. "If you live abroad, you've got to do it," begs Paltrow.

But is Paltrow too skinny to be of help to Obama? A vigorous weight-shedder, the actress is one of the many celebrities who visit the Harley Street health guru Dr Nish Joshi for his red meat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and mostly fruit-free diet. Somewhat extraordinarily, the Wall Street Journal no less, suggested recently that Obama's fit, thin physique may be an electoral liability in a nation of mostly obese voters. With John McCain's Republicans trying to drive home the point that Obama has little in common with the average voter, people will not vote for someone they night secretly envy.