There are many ways to pay off campaign debts — cajoling phone calls, begging letters — but Bill Clinton believes that he has come up with a better method to wipe out the financial obligations outstanding from his wife's failed presidential bid.

He is raffling himself. In an e-mail sent to millions of people who supported Hillary Clinton's White House campaign, the former President asks: "How would you like the chance to come up to New York and spend the day with me?" For those who would like the One-Day-With-Bill prize, an online donation of as little as $5 (£3) will buy them the chance.