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Had my first proper cup of tea since Monday morning (the interviewee's other half is from the UK and always brings tea bags back from visits home).

It does feel a bit odd being at what's usually the centre of US politics when most of the politicians have gone away. All the colour of the campaign is elsewhere. Indeed the only excitement was the street theatre of Halloween; the one night of the year when stuffy, staid Washington let's its hair down (and judging by last night, paints it a different colour).

DC stands for District of Columbia, and because Washington it's not a State, the people who live here have limited political rights. Until about 40 years ago, they couldn't even vote for the President. Now they can, and they have a delegate in Congress, but she isn't allowed to vote.

The citizens of DC pay their taxes; so whatever happened to 'no taxation without representation' ?

Some gossip before I go : a Democratic congressman claims Republican politicians have been whispering in his ear that they're voting Democrat for President; one of the country's leading election experts that one Senator will face a run-off in December, which could be a nail biter for determining whether or not the Democrats end up in full control of Congress; and apparently Obama bought four new pairs of shoes from a local shop the other day; all those rallies have worn out his soles."

READ ALL OF SHAUN'S COPY BY CLICKING ON THE LINK ON THE RIGHT: SPECIAL:SHAUN LEY'S US ODYSSEY.