USA Obama and McCain trade jokes at charity dinner 17/10/08 14:23 CET

After their TV debates, the two US presidential candidates have shared the same stage again. But this time the mood was relaxed at an annual fund-raising dinner in New York.

Republican John McCain saluted Senator Hillary Clinton of New York. “I can’t shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me. I’m delighted to see you here tonight, Hillary,” he joked.

And Democrat Barack Obama made a light-hearted comment about his rival’s economic credentials.

“Now, recently, one of John’s top advisers told the “Daily News” that if we keep talking about the economy, McCain is going to lose. So tonight, I would like to talk about the economy,” he quipped.

Less than three weeks ahead of the election, McCain continues to trail Obama by some five points in opinion polls.

However much uncertainty remains over the outcome of the vote as analysts believe a number of unknown factors and undecided voters could affect the final result.