OBAMA 'DEATH PLOT' DUO HAD NO PLAN

Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman planned to drive as fast as they could at Mr Obama, who would be America's first black president if elected next week, shooting at him from the windows while wearing white tuxedos and top hats, court documents showed.

The two men also planned to shoot or decapitate 88 black people in a Tennessee murder spree which was broken up by government agents, authorities said.

Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tennessee, and Schlesselman 18, of West Helena, Arkansas, indicated they were willing to die during the assassination bid.

Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren said the two men did not appear to have any formal plan, but added: "Whether or not they had the capability or the wherewithal to carry out an attack remains to be seen."

The pair, who were denied bail, also planned to target an unnamed high school with predominantly African American students.

They are charged with possessing an unregistered firearm, conspiring to steal firearms from a federally-licensed gun dealer and threatening a candidate for president.

Jim Cavanaugh, special agent in charge of the Nashville field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the two men planned to kill 88 black people, including 14 by decapitation, before targeting Mr Obama.

The investigation was continuing and more charges were possible, Mr Cavanaugh added.

Agents seized a rifle, a sawn-off shotgun and three pistols from the men when they were arrested and US authorities said the two men were preparing to break into a gun shop to steal more. Mr Cavanaugh said authorities took the threats very seriously.