the polls indicate that men favor Romney.

Nevertheless, the power of the female vote looms large. Women have the opportunity to shape the election, based on the power of their votes particularly in the battleground states. While many polls do not break down the demographics among women, research by the Lake Research Partners indicates that unmarried women are the largest segment of the rising American electorate with a corresponding, significant influence in voting. Yet, in the 2010 elections, this segment of women showed up less frequently at the polls than in 2008, thus reducing their influence on the elections.

In 2012, women can exert an enormous influence by engaging with the issues, registering to vote and ultimately voting.

Will women choose to flex their political muscle at the ballot box?

Christine M.Thibaut Courtois was linked with a move to Barcelona earlier this year. Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images

Former Barcelona scout Bojan Krkic Sr. says his recommendations to sign Thibaut Courtois and Raphael Varane when both were virtual unknowns were ignored by the Catalan club's technical staff.

Krkic, the father of the former Barca prodigy and current Stoke City attacker Bojan, worked for some years on a consultancy basis for the Blaugrana and submitted reports to sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and other figures at the Camp Nou.

Krkic, who played for Red Star Belgrade in the 1980s, told Radio Barcelona that through his contacts he had become aware that Courtois, who had then just broken into the first team at Genk, was a top prospect.

"In my last year as a scout for the club