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| Your questions to Katty Kay | Your questions to Katty Kay |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Ahead of the US elections, BBC Washington correspondent Katty Kay has answered your questions in a live Twitter Q&A on Thursday 25 October. | |
| This is an edited version of the session. | This is an edited version of the session. |
| John in Scotland emails: Is it not the case that USA's presidential election is a totally money driven event? | John in Scotland emails: Is it not the case that USA's presidential election is a totally money driven event? |
| Katty answers: $2 billion will be spent on this campaign but events matter too. His victory at the Denver debate didn't cost Romney a cent. | Katty answers: $2 billion will be spent on this campaign but events matter too. His victory at the Denver debate didn't cost Romney a cent. |
| Question from @Evolve69: Why are US ballots so complicated? Why not a simple, identical, nationwide ballot with candidates names? Cheers. | Question from @Evolve69: Why are US ballots so complicated? Why not a simple, identical, nationwide ballot with candidates names? Cheers. |
| Katty answers: Because each ballot has the presidential & all the local candidates as well. | Katty answers: Because each ballot has the presidential & all the local candidates as well. |
| Question from @TheFreeMason: Never mind what the polls say, who's REALLY in the lead at this point? | Question from @TheFreeMason: Never mind what the polls say, who's REALLY in the lead at this point? |
| Katty answers: Short of a crystal ball - we sort of do have to rely on the polls. Sorry. But I think it is neck & neck | Katty answers: Short of a crystal ball - we sort of do have to rely on the polls. Sorry. But I think it is neck & neck |
| Question from @MikeBgolfing: 4 years ago Mitt got smoked in the primaries. What has changed to make him a viable candidate now? | Question from @MikeBgolfing: 4 years ago Mitt got smoked in the primaries. What has changed to make him a viable candidate now? |
| Katty answers: Voters are disappointed with Obama. Romney has economic credentials & being the GOP nominee automatically gives him status. | Katty answers: Voters are disappointed with Obama. Romney has economic credentials & being the GOP nominee automatically gives him status. |
| Ewan, Scotland emails: In the event of a tie, what happens? Could President + Vice-President come from different parties? | Ewan, Scotland emails: In the event of a tie, what happens? Could President + Vice-President come from different parties? |
| Katty answers: If it's 269 to 269 electoral college votes, the House of Representatives chooses the president and the Senate picks the vice-president | Katty answers: If it's 269 to 269 electoral college votes, the House of Representatives chooses the president and the Senate picks the vice-president |
| Question from @sophie2709: Should US voters consider the world's view, which gives Obama the most backing internationally? | Question from @sophie2709: Should US voters consider the world's view, which gives Obama the most backing internationally? |
| Katty answers: It's complicated. In 2004 Bush used global antipathy towards him to win support at home. But having friends abroad is useful. | Katty answers: It's complicated. In 2004 Bush used global antipathy towards him to win support at home. But having friends abroad is useful. |
| Question from @_Stephen_Adams: There have been more female than male voters in every election since 80. Will women decide this race? | Question from @_Stephen_Adams: There have been more female than male voters in every election since 80. Will women decide this race? |
| Katty answers: The campaigns seem to think so! More women vote than men in US elections, so Romney & Obama are fighting hard for female support. | Katty answers: The campaigns seem to think so! More women vote than men in US elections, so Romney & Obama are fighting hard for female support. |
| Question from @Mysterion3000: From the photo, it looks like your BBC News US office needs more natural lighting. | Question from @Mysterion3000: From the photo, it looks like your BBC News US office needs more natural lighting. |
| Katty answers: It needs more everything! | Katty answers: It needs more everything! |
| Question from @strmrgn: Which Senate race do you feel is the most important to watch, and will the Democrats retain control of the senate? | Question from @strmrgn: Which Senate race do you feel is the most important to watch, and will the Democrats retain control of the senate? |
| Katty answers: We are watching six key Senate races. I'm focused on Massachusetts. It looks like the Democrats will hold the Senate | Katty answers: We are watching six key Senate races. I'm focused on Massachusetts. It looks like the Democrats will hold the Senate |
| Andrea in the Netherlands emails: Could adverse weather like snow or hurricanes tip the balance in swing states on the day? | Andrea in the Netherlands emails: Could adverse weather like snow or hurricanes tip the balance in swing states on the day? |
| Katty answers: This election is so tight that yes I think snow, rain, or Sandy could affect turn out and the result. | Katty answers: This election is so tight that yes I think snow, rain, or Sandy could affect turn out and the result. |
| Question from @lucyglewis: Which candidate do you think has the most momentum behind them at this stage? | Question from @lucyglewis: Which candidate do you think has the most momentum behind them at this stage? |
| Katty answers: Romney has had momentum since the first debate - I do know Obama campaign is watching this very closely. | Katty answers: Romney has had momentum since the first debate - I do know Obama campaign is watching this very closely. |
| Will Gorman in UK emails: Why were both so defensive when another candidate questioned their commitment to Israel? | Will Gorman in UK emails: Why were both so defensive when another candidate questioned their commitment to Israel? |
| Katty answers: US sees Israel as key ally in Middle East but no one running for President wants to alienate the power and money of the Jewish lobby. | Katty answers: US sees Israel as key ally in Middle East but no one running for President wants to alienate the power and money of the Jewish lobby. |
| Question from @redkoko: How does Romney winning election change USA/UK relations? International opinions on Romney? | Question from @redkoko: How does Romney winning election change USA/UK relations? International opinions on Romney? |
| Katty answers: Romney didn't win himself any friends in London - but I think the relationship will still be special, essential and strong. | Katty answers: Romney didn't win himself any friends in London - but I think the relationship will still be special, essential and strong. |
| Question from @rhysdgriffiths: Do you think it's a shame the other four tickets on the ballot get absolutely no airtime whatsoever? | Question from @rhysdgriffiths: Do you think it's a shame the other four tickets on the ballot get absolutely no airtime whatsoever? |
| Katty answers: It is a 2 party state and they won't win but the BBC has covered them. | Katty answers: It is a 2 party state and they won't win but the BBC has covered them. |
| Question from @Bergomi134: Why is Ohio so important/integral to the US Election? | Question from @Bergomi134: Why is Ohio so important/integral to the US Election? |
| Katty answers: Ohio is a microcosm of US. It has agriculture, manufacturing, energy, rural and urban areas. No Republican has won White House without it | Katty answers: Ohio is a microcosm of US. It has agriculture, manufacturing, energy, rural and urban areas. No Republican has won White House without it |
| Lars Tornfeldt in Sweden emails: Can Mitt Romney swear the presidential oath on the book of Mormon. | Lars Tornfeldt in Sweden emails: Can Mitt Romney swear the presidential oath on the book of Mormon. |
| Katty answers: It would be a first! But unlikely. He took the oath as Governor of Massachusetts on the same Bible his father used in Michigan. | Katty answers: It would be a first! But unlikely. He took the oath as Governor of Massachusetts on the same Bible his father used in Michigan. |
| Question from @FunkyZedo: Why are voters disappointed with Obama - he created 5 million jobs, ended Iraq war, Bin Ladin killed, etc? | Question from @FunkyZedo: Why are voters disappointed with Obama - he created 5 million jobs, ended Iraq war, Bin Ladin killed, etc? |
| Katty answers: Expectations for Obama were high. The economy is still struggling. Unemployment is 7.8%. Not all his fault. | Katty answers: Expectations for Obama were high. The economy is still struggling. Unemployment is 7.8%. Not all his fault. |
| Question from @SmartGuyLA: Do you think there's any appetite to abolish the electoral college, a clearly outdated 18th centurey relic? | Question from @SmartGuyLA: Do you think there's any appetite to abolish the electoral college, a clearly outdated 18th centurey relic? |
| Katty answers: No. | Katty answers: No. |
| Question from @MertensA Which state do you think will surprise people and vote against the candidate that polling suggests is leading? | Question from @MertensA Which state do you think will surprise people and vote against the candidate that polling suggests is leading? |
| Katty answers: Hmm...perhaps Florida. Romney is up but the Puerto Rican vote could tip it to Obama. | Katty answers: Hmm...perhaps Florida. Romney is up but the Puerto Rican vote could tip it to Obama. |
| Richard in London emails: What time do you think we'll see a clear result next Tuesday night? How late will I be staying up? | Richard in London emails: What time do you think we'll see a clear result next Tuesday night? How late will I be staying up? |
| Katty answers: In 2008 the election was called by 11PM - this time it could be later. It depends on a few tight counties in Ohio. | Katty answers: In 2008 the election was called by 11PM - this time it could be later. It depends on a few tight counties in Ohio. |
| For more tweets from Katty Kay you can follow her Twitter account: @KattyKayBBC | For more tweets from Katty Kay you can follow her Twitter account: @KattyKayBBC |