Sarah Wildman: Devoted, smart and forcefully clear about her role, Michelle Obama could be the most successful first lady in decades
Sarah Wildman: While Americans opened their minds to elect Barack Obama, they also voted to restrict the rights of gay people in many states
Sarah Wildman: Obama wins: John McCain's attempt to win over women voters didn't work. The Alaska governor was a drag on the Republican ticket
Sarah Wildman: America votes: From New Hampshire to Florida, voters are turning out in record numbers, a sign that it could be a good day for Obama
Sarah Wildman: Two ballot initiatives put the rights of the unborn above the rights of expectant women – including those with wanted pregnancies
Sarah Wildman: Nevermind the Daily Show. In 2008, the more important programme on US television is ABC's daytime talk show The View
Sarah Wildman: With her eyes on 2012, Sarah Palin is aiming at the evangelical base that carried George Bush to the White House
Sarah Wildman: Republican accusations of anti-Americanism and socialism is a reminder of how deep the fissures in US society remain
Sarah Wildman: Instead of reaching out to independent voters, John McCain continues to pander to the Republicans' conservative base
Sarah Wildman: Even in its final months, the Bush administration is working hard to deny women around the world access to contraception
Sarah Wildman: Palin is being marketed as an American everywoman, but she doesn't have a clue about what women actually want or need
Sarah Wildman: In contrast to Barack Obama's call for unity, Sarah Palin's narrow vision of America doesn't accept the complex, diverse reality
Sarah Wildman: Last night, Barack Obama reignited that uniquely American sense of unified purpose and shared responsibility
Sarah Wildman: Clinton's speech won't placate women. They're angry because there's no other female presidential candidate in the wings
Sarah Wildman: Michelle Obama succeeded in placing her story within a unified vision for America that transcends racial and sexual politics
Sarah Wildman: As disheartening as Clinton's loss is to her supporters, backing McCain is a disservice to feminism and Clinton's own efforts
Sarah Wildman: Conservative ballot initiatives restricting gay rights and access to abortion may affect the US presidential race in swing states
Sarah Wildman: In the US and abroad, the Bush administration has severely restricted women's access to contraception
Sarah Wildman: Unlike earlier presidential spouses, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain must emphasise both career and family to avoid criticism
Sarah Wildman: Hillary Clinton once embodied women's hopes and aspirations but is now more concerned with her own legacy
Sarah Wildman: US elections 2008: Ill-considered remarks from supporters of Clinton and Obama threaten to leave both campaigns in tatters
Sarah Wildman: US elections 2008: In Ohio, Clinton won back support from whites, women and the working class, setting her up well for the next big contest in Pennsylvania
Sarah Wildman: US elections 2008: The reporting of a titillating scandal may have the perverse effect of helping John McCain and hurting Hillary Clinton
Sarah Wildman: Should unmarried women in their 30s settle for the nearest available guy, even if it means entering into a loveless relationship?
Sarah Wildman: Super Tuesday: The Latino vote is suddenly a hot topic. How its true potential manifests in this election remains to be seen
Sarah Wildman: US elections 2008: Yesterday's election results in Nevada and South Carolina highlights the importance of minority voters
The best of both worldsSarah Wildman: US elections 2008: Hillary Clinton's victory last night will strengthen the Democratic party and its presidential candidate