I have also been assured by several American work colleagues that if Obama wins then he will not be around for long before being assasinated, though they are primarily from the south, which might explain their thinking. In fact a few of them have him marked down as a Muslim sympathising communist who say they will leave the country if he is elected. The more enlightened work mates, see the election being very close to call, also their election is a very complicated process, and though either candidate may win the popular vote majority that does not necessarily mean they will be elected president. I think this election though has for once brought foreign policy of the States to the forefront of political debate as well as domestic issues which is a good thing, though again Obama was heavily criticised in America for his meetings in Europe with various heads of state, though personally I think it was a good move to build relationships ahead of time if he is elected.