WASHINGTON: A controversial Democratic congressman has reportedly been approa-ched by US presidential hopeful Barack Obama to be his chief-of-staff.

Rahm Emanuel, 48, was named by Democratic sources as a contender for the job. The Illinois congressman is considered a highly partisan politician who served in Bill Clin-ton's White House.

He was chairman of the Democratic campaign committee two years ago when the party won a majority in Congress.

A new poll released yesterday showed that Obama's lead over Republican rival John McCain held steady at seven points.

Reports said many ordinary Gulf citizens favoured Obama.

A study, meanwhile, said Obama had spent three times more on television advertising than McCain in the final days of the campaign.

lIndian astrologers are predicting Obama will win the election by a comfortable margin, but one warned of potentially life-threatening times ahead for the candidate.

Mumbai astrologer Raj Kumar Sharma said he was worried about the weak sun moving into Obama's chart from April 2010 to January 2011.