WHAT a fascinating spectacle the drawn-out drama of the American election has been so far,with candidates competing for who owns the flashiest molars, perkiest pant suits or that biggest vote-winner; cherubic children.

However, in a country which invented equal opportunities and political correctness, it was puzzling to see the hustings descending into reality-type entertainment with candidates being castigated for being too old, too young, too black, too white,too female,or, by proxy, too pregnant.

Ageist? Sexist? Racist? Who cares? Vote 'em in. Vote 'em out. Who wins? You decide!

The Republicans Pistol-Packing-Momma vice candidate hopeful, Sarah Palin, marketed herself as a lipstick- wearing pitbull, so by Big Brother standards she's in with a good chance.

Democrat Barack Obama's impersonation of John Kennedy would make him a natural winner on America's Got Talent, while John McCain could sparkle in the mature section of the X Factor,as very few auditionees can sing or dance anyway.

I suppose we should be grateful that our ambassador to the USA, Victoria Beckham, didn't appear at any of the conventions, though I suspect 'Spendy' Spice would never use her money to bankroll a political party. Much too frivolous.

All this spectator sport gave me the impetus to pop into our own political conferences but unfortunately the deadline for free media admission had passed, so I have had to raid my piggy bank to attend.

By the time you read this I'll have 'done' the Liberal Democrats in Bournemouth and will be getting ready to visit the Conservatives in my home town, Birmingham.

Unfortunately it seems I may not be visiting the gathering in Manchester,as Labour wants to charge me £400 to get in.

* WHINGE OF THE WEEK: SO THE wise mandarins at the Department for Children, Schools and Families have decided to raise the school leaving age.

Pity the staff who will have to deal with youngsters who would rather be in training for a skilled job; pity the students who will no longer be able to study without the disruptive influence of bored classmates.

No wonder teachers call the DCSF the Department of Curtains and Soft Furnishings.