mr. McCain lied. Liar liar pants on fire. No different than Sarah palin dodging the questions and being an attack dog.

McCain lost.

Syed.

i think Obama won, he seemed more confident. I dont think McCain calling people "friend", specially the undecided saw that as a good thing. It was not a good tactic. He tried to sell the image of a "good guy".

No doubt about it: Obama won this debate. He was precise, specific and on the point every time.

McCain was ranting and seemed old and exhausted. Grampa Simpson once again.

No return for McCain, Obama next president of the US

McCain couldn't even get his facts on foreign policy correct.

He's in trouble. (and deservedly so)

I think that Mc Cain is playing with words and was aggressive against Opama

I think McCain did himself no favours outside his core base voters tonight. Repetitive, flat, and not particularly coherent on policy.
I can’t see many independents and floating voters being wooed by his performance tonight.
His proximity to audience members was inappropriate and uncomfortable at times, as he tried to get among them. A little needy, if not seedy.

Obama was professional, presidential, clear, concise, and able to put his ideas forward coherently. He stayed on message very well, and responded to attacks with enough stength of character but a measure of dignity to not be dragged into the mire that his opponent seems hell bent on pulling him down to.

Obama won pretty handily.

My local liquor store won. McCain used the term "my friends" so much that we had to go buy more booze.

Seriously, Obama definitely won. People have finally heard McCain's fruitcake plan for health insurance...a $5000 tax credit. Does he have any idea how much insurance actually costs? Apparently not. This would also encourage insurance to be sold much more as a commodity than even in the current situation. Obama's plan is better.

This is just one example. I think Obama's plans are more on-target for the middle class and were better elucidated during this debate.

In conclusion, my friends...(oh, shi-, another shot)

Senator McCain was stale. He needed to present a plan to rescue our economy, and the only new "idea" he brought to the debate was to somehow restore home values. Obama, as before, ennumerated a laundry list of concrete economic plans, and McCain offered vague statements about taxes, earmarks and home values. Not enough. Too little, too late.

McCain lost. He was evasive at times – the next best alternative of silence to conceal ignorance. He keep begging "friends" right up to the closing statement of begging opportunity to serve, not whether he deserve that opportunity. The repetitions of "friends" makes him looks suspecious of a lying agenda.

I think that Obama pointed out some very detailed points about his policy and clearified some of the misconceptions that McCain would have most people believe. Obama has been very clear with his message and McCain does very poorly trying to distort it. We're tired of hearing about what McCain has done 20, 30, 40, or 50 years ago. None of what he has done affects us in a positive way today yet what he has failed to do stimulates the doubt that he lacks the ability to lead us out of the failures that we are all enduring at this very moment.

I think McCain did better because, it seems he sounded like he had a competent plan for the Country.My gut said Obama was swinging from the hip when trying to explane his positions.I also liked the idea of stopping the money train for other countrys.

Sen. Obama won handsdown. He was more precise in his policies overall and I think he really connected with the audience. Also, he seemed more confident and was more direct with his views while McCain seemed "shaky". I also did not like the fact that early on McCain told the young African American gentleman "you've probably never heard of Fannie Mae". The gentleman smiled but it was obvious that he was insulted, so was I.

Hello from Singapore. As one of your commentator said, obama kept on linking McCain with Bush policies, while his opponent was a bit erratic in his answers. Obama did not loose his cool, was very consistent and effective in his replies. Mc Cain is clearly trying to find a way to bring him down, but did not dare to pull out the gloves as promised, probably out of concern that the audience would not like it....he leaves the dirty job to his VP, which is not very courageous.
Obama did a better job.

Advantage Obama

Obama won this one. I can't say I found anything special about Obama's performance (it was just good), but McCain was a bit creepy with all the "my friends" and getting so close to the audience... a bit desperate.

Defining moment was when Obama said healthcare was a right and when Mccain said it was a responsibility!

Obama, he was much more composed. Obama focused on the issues where as McCain spent lot more time on negative talk.

Obama won! McCain could not prioritize three issues Tom asked How will Mcshame be able to run our country...

Sure, Obama won – still better to have an ersatz MLK/JFK than an outdated oldtimer. My friends, my foot.

Obama won, easily.

obama started to stumble and seemed boring and airheadish, if thats a word. mccain seemed calm and cool and hit right on in specific points like supporting home prices. i am surprised obama doesnt support this. also, he made it clear that obama wants government to control our lives more and that he offers freedom and choice for the american people with less taxes not more. he mentioned how obama lied in illinois and claimed he would lower taxes and than he raised them. it seems like if obama raises taxes we are going to have a depression, not a recession. and letting pakistan know secret missions the usa will do in the future shows obamas naivete concerning foreign affairs, he looked like a high school teacher while mccain seemed presidential, knowledgeable and honorable.

McCain was pathetic and patronizing he as was not confident of what he was saying. Looks like he's ready for the retirement home to me !!

McCain has not in the past, or at this time, "put country first", he is the worst kind of politician, skewing facts and twisting truths and worst of all, he hides behind the "experts" that he assembles around him like Phil Graham, because Mr. McCain just isn't bright enough to untangle the very complicated "21st century' problems our country and indeed, the world, is faced with today.

McCain: A War Horse ready for pasture and deservedly so. He's fought long and hard, let him go enjoy the rest of his days in a golden sunset with all of our respect and gratefulness. This is a time for fresh ideas and the energy inherently found in those in the prime of their lives and the top of their game, like Senator Obama.

Senator Obama, Godspeed.

Obama won. He even beat McCain on foreign policy tonight! Great job by Obama.

Obama clearly won. He was direct and solid. McCain was muted and like Palin made up his own questions to answer.

why obama wont give out his university records? he is a radical and doesnt want the middle class to see that he really wants huge government adn the redistribution of wealth from those who work to those who would rather collect welfare. no thanks. and the dream energy miracles he thinks he is going to invent in ten years is a pipe dream. drill offshore and make millions of jobs for americans asap. thats the ticket. we dont need higher taxes which will cause an obama led depression. go mccain, experience in tough times

G'day from Australia

Listening to the debate live on the radio from my office in Australia, I didn't see the body language. But I think Obama's comment about "sending troops into Iraq instead of getting Al Quaeda" and "Sen McCain you voted for it" was a 'gotcha' moment.

Also Obama's "why should families go bankrupt over healthcare while we spend millions in Iraq" was a gotcha moment.

Ultimately will a former military man and POW (McCain) redirect obscene levels of defence spending to fix the nation's economy and health system. Don't think so.

rw
australia

Obama won....
I do hope he can carry this on.. win the election and then keep his promises....

when american is facing a depression, you dont put a liar who said he wouldnt raise taxes in illionis and than he did. you put experience. i want my job to exist next year. i dont want a neophyte to mess things up with his fantasyland dreams. we have a defeciet yet obama wants to give something to everyone. wake up. its bullshit

I'm registered as an Independent but this debate moved me so far away from McCain so quickly I haven't caught my breath yet. The "my friends" was so way too much. He is the bully on the playground, beating up people (Obama and voters) because he's a Know-Nothing and knows it. And then when he spoke of the "great Ronald Reagan" and his conservatism, I turned the debate off. I thought he shot himself in the foot when he brought Palin on board, but tonight the foot is gangrenous.

To mike jones:

To your point about the "energy miracle": No miracle is needed. We already have most of the technology to be energy independent. What we need is big funding to make it happen, which is not going to come from the private sector alone because there's no short term profit.

Obama is the winner for the people in my opinion. Just look at who stayed witht he people after the debate and who ran out. Typical of McCain. McCain can talk at the people, he can point fingers- at the people but he cannot relate to the people-the regular people in America. He runs out on them, talk about good judgment, then talk about Obama, he is a fine example to all Americans.

barack obama was more specific on all issues and in an orderly manner. i give it to obama.obama won

I live in Mexicali, Baja California,Mexico. Mr.Obama represents the american people"s hopes as well as ours here in mexico. The economic-political failure of the present administration is dragging us into an unprescedented crisis here in mexico. Mr.Obama I send you all my support, and please don't forget to work hand by hand with the mexican people! YES WE CAN!!!

Oabam/Biden is a superior ticket. It combines intellect, experience and a plan that is definitive. I am not sure how Mcain managed to win over the last contestant, as he may have done a better job in defending/defeating Obama. To Mcains benefit, he does not seem to be that good of a communicator as Obama or Biden. On top of that, he has Palin as an embarassment. Besides the debate being more intellectually driven and controlled by Obama, he and the future VP to be, Biden, both are better orators. Frankly, I think the only way Obama would loose is probably due to race factor. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of racists, that will choose a goose over Obama. I am looking forward to the last debate.

Mike Jones, you sound like a republican cliché. 8 years of that irresponsible nonsense is enough.

Just like you, McCain, Palin and their cronies are sounding increasingly shrill and increasingly hollow.

America doesn't want more of your crap.

OBAMA WON BIG ! HE HAD SUBATANCES BUT McCAIN SOMETIMES WAS NERVOUS AND RARELY HAD ANY SUBSTANCE ! AGAIN McCAIN BECAME ARROGANT WHEN HE REFERED TO SEN. OBAMA AS THAT ONE .

With all his 30 yrs experience in washington...Sen McCain lost again tonight...how does he suggest to buy out bad mortagege in the tune of 300 Billion Dollars on top of the already 700Billion package bail out we tax payers already dished out? He doesnt just get it...my friends....Obama is the change we need.

McCain is going to buy distressed homes and cut taxes?

Does America have any concept of debt? Where do you think you will find the money to do all of this? America does not have an unlimited credit card, eventually it will have to pay the debt.

The only practical solution is to make those who can afford to pay more, ie the rich. Most of them pay little to no tax in percentage terms and it is time they did. Obama is prepared to take them on and make them pay their way.

McCain will just pander to them as he is one of them.

Advantage Obama. He is in touch with the way things are, what people and our country needs. McCain is out of touch, just look at his plan for health care and his choice for VP. "That One" will be the next President of the US.

Obama won – by far!

Obama win, because Mccain does not accept others idea that much, seems like he does not want to work with other people just reject that completly, that does not work any where, even in your home, job, or if your have a company, he always says only he has the experience and other are naive and inexperience, Obama is standing there are presidential candidate, liked by the people, He is an equivalent presidential candidate as Mccain and even more liked by people
MCcain learn a lesson now

Kia Ora from New Zealand!

I watched both presidential debates and the VP debate and I think that Obama/Biden came ahead in all 3 debates. Although I believe that McCain could be a good president I think the people behind him are the truly dangerous ones. And given that he takes responsibility for picking Palin I can only fully endorse Barack Obama.

OBAMA WON BIG ! HE HAD SUBATANCES BUT McCAIN SOMETIMES WAS NERVOUS AND RARELY HAD ANY SUBSTANCE ! AGAIN McCAIN BECAME ARROGANT WHEN HE REFERED TO SEN. OBAMA AS "THAT ONE" . WHY DOES McCAIN HESITATE TO GO AFTER BINLADEN WHEN PAKISTAN WON´T BE ABLE ?? THIS IS DISTURBING !

Obama will earn u respect America...McCain can barely earn himself any...and he doesnt treat his peers with respect! How on earth could he refer to Obama as "THAT ONE" ?! Can u imagine what McCain-Palin would sound like on an international platform?!
Well Sen. McCain i have news for u.."That One" is "The One" !! Obama all the way baby!

Prea from India

Obama won. McCain needs to take advantage because he is in the second place right now.... but he said the same and I think he was scared....

Obama should be the next president!!

Can Mike Jones please stop posting? We are well aware that you want McCain to win and that you don't like Obama.

You're too angry for anyone to listen to seriously. Please take a moment and try to be level headed, you're doing yourself (and McCain) no favours.

And please don't swear, it's unbecoming.

Jim

Watching Live here from Hong Kong.
Obama won this one hands down. He spoke like a person in complete control, and made things as clear as possible without trying to do the whole "my friends" thing. He got straight to the point and was direct. He also got onto the ball and made sure he had his side of the story was told without letting McCain getting away with unsubstantiated claims. And that is the kind of president the USA needs.

Listening on the radio, it sounded like McCain learned his lessons from the last debate and tried to toe a more respectful line. Obama did make a couple of errors–"country" for "world" when he was talking about his American experience, for example–but his message was consistent and his delivery firm and convincing. McCain didn't even sound convincing when he spoke of his strengths, such as his bipartisanship, his foreign policy experience, and his rogue status within his own party. "My friends" was condescending, and Brokaw clearly favored JM. Consider, for instance, how many times he thanked McCain directly after a response, while on the other hand exasperatedly chastising Obama for speaking over limit. Even with Brokaw's help, though, this debate was for McCain, at best, a draw. No ideas, no candor, no autonomy.

Obama did a fine job in my opinion and if I could vote in the US, I certainly would vote for him. McCain always comes across as condescending. He was trying so not to be himself, but then came the "that one" and the "hairpiece". I know he couldn't keep it up. You can see the hate spewing from him

Did anyone see John Mccain's child like behavior? When Obama was speaking John stood behind him and gave jesters to the crowd. John looked to the crowd, rolled his eyes and pointed with his thumb, like a child would do when making fun of someone behind their back.

if i hear "my friends" one more time...............

Obama won fairly and squarely. McCain's inexperience has been exposed oncemore I was expecting him to unleash the knockout punch in order to catch-up but he didn't have the character to do so. He tried by purporting that Obama's cronies had received money from freddie mac and Fannie Mae but forgot to say that that Rick Davies his campaign manager's lobbying firm received almost $3 million from the mortgage giants. What a shame Mcshame what a disgrace Mcsame! Goodbye old boy your time is up and don't forget to take Palin out of the political scene for noone except you can tolerate such a failure.
ojong from cameroon

to me, looking at it from an outsider/foreign point of view, it would be completely incomprehensible that out of this pick , mccain would even have a slight chance. if you guys let him win, my faith in humanity would really get on it's lowest point ever.
and it aint that high to begin with.

to me it looks like you guys are looking at soup, and considering to use a fork to eat it

for anyone, that has trouble still figuring it out; obama is the spoon!

I think Obama was the clear winner – he was more specitic in his answers. McCain looked old and was rambling. And why does McCain think tghatg everybody in the audience was his friend?

Greetings from Canada.

Republicans have severely damaged the reputation of the US in the last 8 years and most of the PLANET wishes for things to change ; one way or the other. But Obama seems more able to change things than McCain.

That been said, I wonder how the American voters, maybe a taboo subject, react to the evident difference in age and stamina of the candidates. McCain is older and it showed when walking around. Maybe not the best image for him to show.

Mike Jones:

Fox News is calling for you, Line #2.

I'm sure they will appreciate your comments and the tirade that is sure to follow. It's interesting that Repubs quickly emote with mispelled words and obscenity.

Mccain won. He has already proven himself. A tough record is better than no record. The only thing obama can say is that mccains going to give tax breaks to the wealthy. Obama wants bigger government , so who do you think is going to pay for it? Everyone that has a job. I cant believe Americans are buying into Obamas BS. You dont take a defensive tackle and put him at quarterback to run the show. We need experience in todays world.

After Kerry and Gore, this is the third time we are going to hear a smart candidate like Obama fighting for the highest office. Wake-up America, we can not afford to elect people like McCain to highest office. See what Bushes have given to this country-recession, war, hatred and lowest image and status. America does not deserve this kind of world image?

Obama won. The gap was not great, but he generally gave firm and credible answers while McCain waffled, quoted very selective figures and facts, and often didn't answer the question. He looked and moved like an old man, while Obama exuded energy.

As others have already said, McCain's constant repetition of "my friend" was creepy. And he was constantly asserting "I know how to do (x)" and asking to be taken at his word. Taken together, these two tactics just made him sound like a con man or a used car salesman.

Neither Mac Cain nor Obama seem truly fit for the White House. However Mac Cain would seem to me to be the most qualified of the two to handle all global affairs the US is and eventually will be engaged in.

obama won. mccain brought no specifics. once again he was rude, called obama "that one" and lied about all of obama's policies. he's really lost all self-respect and he's lost my vote and my respect. he's a bad joke.

Barak Obama won a debate where it is clear to all that he is more Presidential than a more and more whining McCain.
It is very clear also that McCain lives in yesterday, he looked very old and out-of-date, he looks like an angry old man. So in style, Obama won.
When it comes to politic, for an European like me, I will say that we have heard all this American imperialism over and over in so many years. When are USA going to start using and respecting UN instead of acting like the World Police?

I am from Brazil. I saw the debate. Obama won. He doesn't lie.

Obama is correct– health care is a right. Universal health care works in Europe, Australia, New Zealand - other developed countries. It's unbelievable that America, a superpower, can't provide for universal health care. Barack got it right!

McCain won easily!!! All the Obamabots are out again.

I thought Obama clearly won the debate. McCain looked very stiff and showed his age. I really don't think he could do a job which is so demanding. If you ask me it's all over for McCain.

and I don't even wanna think what a chaos the world would get into if mccain got healthissues and palin would get the job.
I mean; come on????!!!!!!!!
doesnt leading the strongest country in the world accquire for some more intelligence then that?

Viva Obama. The gentleman kept his cool. Was never the first to trade 'insults' tried to address the questions. McCain needed not call Obama "this one" and also needed not to advance his arguments founded on presumed Obama weaknesses. In addition he even tried to put words into Obama's mouth. And about the handshakes at the end...though A BIT LOGICAL McCain showed disdain and disrespect to Obama and indeed the black Americans and all self-respecting Americans...www.sherpsherp.blogspot.com

Obama was specific about his policy, coherently explained how his policy positions differed from McCain's, and he remained calm. McCain was nasty, rambling and every time he said 'my friends' it sounded patronizing. The only people calling this debate a "draw" are the talking heads who feel compelled to look "unbiased" by not saying anything at all.

Obama won.

This was supposed to be McCain's "territory'. He was expected to take charge and turn things around but he failed to do that.

A crucial moment in the debate was when the candidates were asked to prioritize the three issues. Obama’s response which expressed the need for prioritization came across as more sensible and pragmatic, especially given the economic crisis the U.S is faced with right now. The middle class can relate to this approach since running our homes with stretched budgets often involves prioritizing; allocating resources and efforts basis the importance and urgency of our needs.

Overall, believe Obama came across as being more decisive and informed with regard to matters affecting the middle class.

Everyone one agrees that Obama is an great speaker. What you need to do is what they have both said. Look at their records and listen to what independant organizations are saying about their plans and fact check everything. They have both distorted thing but I feel Obama has been the worst. There are so many rumors floating around about this and that. Tax cuts – Obama said his plan would cut taxes for 95% of Americans. The truth is that 48% of those Americans have no tax liability and pay no taxs.
Listen Up America "THE HOPES AND DREAMS OBAMA PROMISES WILL NOT PUT FOOD ON YOUR TABLE!"

Greetings from the Philippines.

I wasn't able to finish the debate; I had to leave before they went on to discuss foreign policy.

It seemed to me that McCain easily got agitated, looking down while Obama was speaking and rushing to react. (Though to be fair, Obama began responding to the accusations as well.) Still, I liked how Obama kept his gaze locked onto McCain as the latter spoke. He showed no evasiveness and no uneasiness.

I think Obama's best answer was when he said health care was a "right," as opposed to McCain's saying it was a "responsibility." Both answers are correct, of course, but it depends on whom the responsibility will rest. Will the burden be on the citizens or on the government?

Finally, I was very happy with Obama's answer to the question regarding the order of priorities. While McCain's "why don't we do everything at the same time?" answer is nice and idealistic, it doesn't show a clear plan.

From what I saw, I think Obama definitely won this one.

Another great performance by Senator Obama tonight.
He will make change for the better and also restore the good name of this wonderful country.
Lets do it right this time!
(my friends)

Obama won. He exceeded my expectations within the town hall setting. McCain did a good job but Obama outshined him on matters of the economy because "its the economy, stupid."

Obama is COPYING Bill Clinton's style, thinking he will earn points by doing so. He is capitalizing on the economy the way Clinton did when he said back then- "its the economy stupid." . He stayed on after the debate to impress the audience that he connects and sympathizes with them. A gesture that i find revolting bec it just aint genuine, it is not sincere. Its a strategy that to my astonishment, many americans are buying! OBAMA, no matter what you do, i can see through you and your motives. Let me tell you, YOU ARE NO BILL CLINTON!!!

Mccain lost because he did not know how to respect other people view history shows that no idividual alone can solve the problems it is always collaborative effort i see more respect for other in obama speech than mccain

After watching the dabate between Senators McCain and Obama, I would like to only say that Senator Obama is a much more eloquent speaker than McCain and that McCain is not! Senator McCain stumbles in his speech, is very tight jawed and stiff armed. He doesn't look like much of a President. On the other hand, Senator Obama reminds me an awful lot of former President Clinton;an eloquent speaker good on his feet, but a constant speaker of lies. In truth, I do not like either of these candidates and only hope that God will deliver us out of the hands of these two rediculous people running for the office of the President of the United States.

I felt that Sen Obama won the debate overall demonstrating a cool and intelligent demeanor. Both were too wordy in their responses focusing too much on the others faults/failures. in order for the nation to get more detail and new info from either candidate, the debate monitor/media need to ask different questions. The generality of the question on the same principle national issues allows the candidates to respond with the same old campaign rhetoric. They need to be challenged with diversity of topics and substance.
Jim Obal

hi from Australia
one man was completely uninspirational, dull, the other was calm, measured, intelligent, articulate.

One day I hope the american people will realise (with great sadness, i must add) how low your country has fallen in the eyes of the world. There is only one leadership team that has a hope of restoring the US to its rightful place of a nation to be respected. Woe betide your beautiful country if you have 4 more years of iraq/guantanomo/terrorists/ignore kyoto/doubtclimate change/ignore alternate energy/failed health system/unregulated financial system.

Go Obama/Biden

Obama won, I cannot understand how anyone would vote for the needy old man with the weird smile that spoke in cliches...

He may get the evangelical and the racist votes, fortunately those will not be enough to get him into the oval office like they did for his buddy W.

I think Obama won albeit by a narrow margin. As a black person I really felt offended by the "that one" comment. We've been called many names over the years like "you people", "those people", "boy", etc. It falls in the realm of all those things, which refer to black people as insignificant. McCain must be reminded that Obama is a fellow Senator and a potential next President of the US and must be referred to as such.

ivin from Namibia

With no doubts in my mind now obama is the next president of United state of america

Obama won . Lucky America . I wish we had our own Obama .....

P.S. And to think OBAMA spewed unacceptable remarks about the Clinton presidency?! You have no moral right to do what you are doing! Shame on you OBAMA!

Hello from New Zealand!

Obama won BIG! The guy is respectful, thoughtful, precise and he inspires people...I think American's should be proud of him, if he becomes the next commander in chief...as I think that will change the world attitude towards America.

The world needs a change and a change that will set new direction for all people....A vote for Obama will be a vote for a better world. Go American's do the right thing.

obama wins the debate and a battle

but ultimately the american public loses the war

what both these guys are saying – is just to win an election

the american economy has already caught cancer. and no one has the cure for it. it is going to take long to cure it ( if it can be cured)

its high time guys, we as world citizens start focussing on other countries like china,india,latin america, africa !

McCain has done the same thing he did back in the 80's with the S&L bail outs with the Keating situation. Deregulation of the S&L and McCain's good friend went to prison for the fraud and McCain was sorely tarnished and his reputation suffered. What the current crisis shows is that he hasn't learned lessons that scorched him 20 years ago and has placed the publics trust once again in the toilet regarding the subprime crisis and bailout.

Maybe too many years in Washington is just too much to bear and even good people eventually go bad, but this guy seems to have surrendered his credibility and sold his soul years ago.

McCain has shown bad judgement concerning the economy, the war(s), social issues, and health in regard to the $5000 insurance break he wants to offer which will make insurance availability through your employer a nostalgic memory of the past. Like his good friend, Phil Graham has said, "we Americans have become a nation of whiners". These guys are out of touch with ordinary middle class citizens as they live the good life and wonder what is all the wailing and gnashing of teeth they hear way up in the stratosphere.

I ask that anyone who suggest that McCain should get the prez should get an IQ test seriously, even a racist with a half decent IQ can see that Obama sound more practical and sensible. We live in a world where intelligence counts for more than it did ten years ago much less ten years before. It is obvious to me that McCain is going after the crowds who are near or complete idiots, I mean he chose one as his VP.

I too found McCain's repeated use of the phrase "my friends" rather creepy – his rather slimy style reminded me of one of those old style television evangelists. He also had a lot of trouble actually answering the question. And for someone who criticised Obama for saying he would go after Osama bin Laden and get him, didn't he say the same thing in different words? Why was that not "telegraphing his punches".

There were other policy positions where Obama was crisp and clear, and McCain was shallow and misleading, but it would take too long to enumerate them all – however, the respective positions on energy provided one classic example.

I haver to say that this is also the first time I felt some serious unease about McCain's heatlth. He did seem rather old and tired. The possibillity of his dying in office and passing the baton to President Palin is too horrible to contemplate.

hello from Germany. Obama won!

Please vote for Obama!!!!! McCain is never a alternative!

Obama seemed to have a better grasp on all the issues. He gave clear and concise answers. McCain did okay but he seemed more in an attack mode than an explaining his policy mode, which I think gave Obama the edge.

Obama won handily and he showed leadership..

Hi from Australia,
I have been following Obama for more than 18 months and he is truly a man of substance. I can only hope that America does not let this unique opportunity slip through their fingers and they vote Obama the next President of the United States.

I think Obama did..

McCain has a rare quality. He looks into People's eyes and tells them 3 words. Example, I heard him say the second time about Putin that Putin had KGB in his eyes.

I wonder what Putin might be thinking, he might ring McCain tonight...

Lucy, You look so funny with your comparing Obama and Bill Clinton. Thank God that Obama is not Clinton.
Clinton was good on politics but a disaster in private life. Obama is good on both and very trustworthy to me.

Mark I completely agree with your opinion !!!!!!
Apparently if you are a Democrat ( where the word democracy comes from) you seem to be a hippie???

http://www.iftheworldcouldvote.com/results
you might check this link out

Greetings from Belgium

Lucy, I agree with you that Obama is doing a Bill Clinton when he stayed behind after the debate to talk to the audience. Another ploy indeed. Another imitation. Bill Clinton should denounce this and urge Obama to be more original.

I really don't know if Mr. Mann watched the same debate as the rest of the world,as almost everybody seem to agree that Obama was the clear winner. The people posting on this blog, the people posting on other blogs and most of the media.

'that one' won emphatically!

Got bored. Turned off the Tube when McCain responded on what He would do environmentally in the next 2 years...don't insult my intelligence please...by the way Social Security has a hefty surplus of about 15 years....Medicare on the other is on the brink of collapse.

As a viewer in New Zealand I felt Obama came across well. He was more forward looking, dynamic and believable. I think John McCain is likely a nice bloke, but he looked like an elder statesman who should now retire. Also, his choice of Sarah Palin will drag him down. We have had a lot of publicity here in the last few days about a recent worldwide survey showing 16 out of 17 countries surveyed want Obama to win – the only country that polled higher for McCain- the USA. Surely the fact that nearly the whole rest-of-the-world is supporting Obama is a pretty strong indication that he is well regarded and considered the best candidate? Thank goodness it appears that Americans are waking up and seeing that Obama is the best thing you have got going!

Unlike his first debate, McCain was more consistent and specific to the issues on this one. In my opinion, he did a fine job.

http://keatingeconomics.com

Keating Economics is an eerily replay of history in which McCain betrays the Public's Trust again with DeRegulation and throwing caution to the wind. Let the good times roll, until the party's over.

McCain talked about the fact that this country doesn't have time for
on the job training...oh well, sorry you just lost another vote!
What do you think? Do you think that in case of a unforeseen long
sickness or even death Palin would be ready to take over without blinking? Time to turn your keys over McCain! You are loosing your mind. There comes a time that you need to realize that you can't longer drive and if you continue to do so you put at risk all of US!

There was no question....Obama won handily and just like he said.... "Mcain ***bombed** out and any one who can't see it is just climbing aboard a sinking ship while Obama is clearly handing out lifelines. Obama delievered so many slam dunks in a cool, precise, detailed, informed and PRESIDENTIAL manner, McCain, had no idea that he was being sucker punched so many times that his responses reflected how *punch-drunk* McCain was. McCain was completely knocked out and showed that he doesn't have the stamina, the smarts nor the endurance for what it takes to be President of the local dog pound let alone President of the United States. Also McCain showed his non-effective aggressive pit bull (with lipstick if you please referring to his pit bull running mate) manner by attacking Obama early on in the debate and even referred to Obama as "that one", "you and your cronies".....a clear indication of being an irrascible, disagreeable old white man who cannot accept nor embrace change nor the people who come with it in the America that will be voting in a few weeks. He was also pacing and following behind Obama like a pit bull....Obama was cool and flicked him off like the irritating gadfly McCain is. McCain calling everyone "my friend" which was so phony as to be pathetic...and telling the young African-American man, "perhaps you don't know about " certain economic issues. Pluueeessseee!!! Finally, let's be real...McCain's performance and responses in this debate reflect an America that is clearly on the decline and continues to follow the failed policies of George Bush...there is a new America that is emerging and will be even stronger under President Obama.....President Obama....that is how John "bomb, bomb, bomb" McCain will be addressing him in the next few weeks. Finally, one last point....AFTER the debate, John and Cindy McCain got of out the room like they were going to close in on the sale of a new house....Obama and Michelle stayed in the hall, spoke to everyone, shook hands, were genuine and engaging and were ***engaging the same people**** that will be voting in the coming months....John and Cindy have no rapport with average Americans and clearly showed that they do not want to be with the voters they claim they represent....Obama and Michelle, on the other hand, clearly showed that they love people and are comfortable with the people who ***will*** vote for Obama. John McCain really showed what a failure he is and what a sorry excuse for a presidential candidate he and his pit bull/moose/wolf shooter running mate are....McCain also showed how desperately inadequate he is in a town meeting forum. Barrack Obama....looking and sounding like a "true" President to me....and after this debate...to millions of Americans and to our friends around the world. Go Obama Go! Hail to the new Chief and the defender of the Constitution of the United States of America! No doubt about it!

I didn't see the debate but was able to read the transcript posted here in CNN and I just want to agree with Greg that Brokaw was obviously favoured with McCain...

Uhmmm, weird..i thought a moderator shouldn't take sides.. Tom, so is this your first time?

Because I'm not the moderator, I can easily say that Obama won!..

Obama won. Its a fact that McCaine is just and old man that needs to retire. Its time for a fresh change in America.

obama won pretty handily... he is very specific on his points, pretty solid and conscise in every issue discussed, and most of all, has concrete plans on how to address these issues, while mccain is just the traditional politcian next door who prefer on twisting every word Obama has said, he is more obsessed on obama's character than presenting his case to the american people and to the world on what he would do as president of America to get the people out from the mud of econcomic crisis... Well, it is understandable because it seems that solving the complex issues of the economy and health care is not really his field of expetise... He was even beaten in foreign policy which he is presumed to have an edge over Obama because he has been there for the last theirty years, he cannot present or give a coherent answer. He even misquote Obama to invade Paistan. Tragic for Mccain

I watched the debate tonight carefully and intuitively, heard both sides. i just want to see if I can explain the health care plan of the two parties, using what happens in my country. Now in my country, we have a health care plan to fit every ones needs and likes, take me, I am a midde class worker with a daughter, I am on the Union plan which is governed by the government, it is offered to all nationals and residence of my country, I pay US$42.00 a month, that covers me and my daughter for all dental, eye, doctor visits of any kind, illnesses (hospital fees inclusive) that suits me just fine, as I have many other bills I have to concern myself about. It is considered group insurance as almost all of the middle class buy into it so it is money for the government without expensing the poor person. My sister is high end or upper class and therefore does not need governments help, so she has her own health care plan from some insurance firm paying some US$200.00 a month for her and her two children. I could not afford that. This government institution giving affordable health care is I believe what Senator Obama is offering, and it makes health care affordable without breaking the government spending because of the numbers who buy into it. The other plan of the US$5000.00 as a tax incentive, only applies to persons that have bought in to some pre-existing health care plan, that if you could afford you would have bought already, this is not money in your hand, and as I have fast learnt, tax incentives hardly apply to the lower and middle class of society anyway. It is not money in your hand. For that I will go with Obama's plan any day, my country Barbados did, and it works, and me and my family are covered. Senator McCain is just using big numbers to confuse your head.

kathy
Obama does not need to imitate Bill if he does we will have another monica in the WH

Clearly this time around, there is no doubt who the winner was-Senator Obama. On all issues currently facing the Americans and Non Americans around the globe,the Economy,Foreign Policy,Global climate changes, Energy security and Terrorism, Senator Obama, I think had a clear plan and strategy to tackle them. On the other hand, Senator Mc Cain was incoherent and muddle headed in explaining primarily to the American people, on how he and his 'maverick' running mate will solve the extremely grim situation in the US economy, which is not only affecting middle class Americans but also businesses(small, medium and big) in Asia and Europe as well. Not being an American I can't vote.However, I would urge the Americans to vote, and tvote for Youth and Change and not status quo which is what it will be if Mc Cain gets elected.

one more thing ... I would be honored to shake hands with Obama ..

Obama won hands down, Clear, subtstansive answers on every question.

McCain is so out of touch with the issues at hand, he looked ridiculous.

Sven, you negate Clinton but forget that you had a better life during his tenure. And Sven, how can you be sure that Obama's private life is untainted? With a wife that looks like Michelle, I wouldn't be surprised if he has his own skeletons hidden in his closet. And how do you know he is trustworthy, has his past actions and decisions in the Senate proven this?? I don't think so.

Mc Cain was too shallow in his answers. His way out for not answering the question was to say that the country's problems was easy to solve. However, he did not state any plans.

He had been copying the idea of Obama when Obama answred the questions first. He just change the sentence constructions.

The way he analyzed what Obama said was kind of twisted. Mc Cain had been sending negative signals ...in .his answers and in his body language/. His use of word like "that one"....is unbecoming for any educated person ,,,what more of the one who is to become President of a country.

Mc Cain positions keep on changing.....before it was war and now he is for talks......As to what will be his priority,,,,,,energy, health care etc...... so now he candle everything at the same time. The last time, he wanted to suspend his campaign to fly to washington to solve the problem.

What can I say.....OBAMA DEFINITELY MAKES SENSE.

I dnt jst knw why anyone wld want mccain in white house he is just to old and not fit,obama won tonite debate hands down

I live in Australia and have lived in UK, US, Singapore, Hong Kong and NZ. Sorry to sound quite selfish here. But if the rest of the world is to succeed we need a strong america. Not a bankrupt America with old cronies in Washington and New York.

For me McCain came across as the typical politician who killed this great nation's future. When the guy said "My friends" i thought of putting a list of my own friends to kill cos it sounded so bad. The world needs an american leadership that can connect with the next generation. For me Palin makes Bush an intellectual!!. Oh my word. I only beg America even if you dont like Obama then your next best choice is to NOT have a president if its going to McCain with Pailin.

The world needs a strong america and you can rise from this mess that Bush has left for your'll and us around the world. But please please dont vote for McCain and Palin that would be the end of America.

"McCain will Cain you and Palin will make sure the pain sticks forever. "

Obama is the next generation of America. Its time for America to make that change. Just like they made Kennedy president for the Television era now you need Obama for the internet era. For god sake McCain doesnt even know the internet!!.

correction

he can handle everything at the same time

McCain as usual arguing from authority which is repeated all over again and again....his tax refund is good only for good buisness and not the American people- another gimick for privatization which is the cause of our present economical disaster...
On this account I go for Obama...

No doubt about it Obama is my new president!!! Cubans for Obama!!!

Wow Lucy, you state 1) because of how Michelle Obama "looks" she must be a bad person, and 2) because there is no evidence Obama's life is "untainted" (whatever that means)- it must be true?

Wow. What century are you living in?

Obama clearly won.

Amazing that McCain is doing so poorly when he is such a good and likable man. Eriudite Obama has almost nothing to show for leadership except coming out against the war after it was too late to do anything about it.

McCain should get off the attack wagon and make his own points clear, and hope the people see his good points and decide to favor him by election day. Obama is such an egomaniac he's already written two memoirs, and he hasn't finished his first term yet in the Senate.

Most Americans prefer to reward the hard working and the commited amongst us. Both these men have good points but McCain has the real record of a leader for all of America.

I think Obama won big time this time.
Mc Cain seemed subdued, on the defense, not sure of himself, even on foreign politics, what was to be his forte. An old man, nothing new. No energy. So I think (and hope) the race is run.
That's what I hope.Furthermore I think Michelle is a warm, lovely person, I don't like Cindy very much. Did you see how she walked on the stage, hands behaind her back? And I don't like Sarah Palin either. She likes herself to much.

This will go down in history as the "that one" debate. A disgraceful and fitting end to McCain's presidential ambitions.

I would disagree with you Mike Jones.
"right on in specific points like supporting home prices. i am surprised obama doesnt support this. "
Propping up house prices does not solve anything and it can make things worse and drag out a recession. There are good reasons for not supporting it which McCain will ignore as it hits a populist chord with people like you.

Senator Obama won the debate. He took over the debate early. Senator Obama was clear on his position on the economy, healthcare, the war on Iraq and social security.

Fortunate for Senator Obama and unfortunate for Senator McCain, the continuous attack dog tactic Senator McCain imposed on Senator Obama, was negative. And it backfired.

All Senator Obama has to do from here to election day, is to ignore the attack dog. Senator Obama just needs to stick to the issues, discuss his plans to fix the problems we now face as a nation and the voters will vote for Senator Obama with confidence as someone not as a stranger to our Nation but a Senator ready for the presidency.

Bill Clinton was a great president and Obama will be a great president.

LUCY: If you want to get into a debate about "bad presidents", let's take a good long look at the last 8 years of Dubyaism.

Ever hear the saying: Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house?

McCain was clearly the winner–he was the only one that would answer the question that was asked of him.

if obama .. not elected as a president in the future .. there is only one reason: racism.

Lucy. My life is not so very influenced by American presidents since i am from Norway. But you are speculating about Obama in a dirty way. USA is in a bad situation because they elected Bush to rule over its economy for 8 years, so here is the result. Who ever becomes president have a very hard work to do to fix this. I would trust the young and strong Obama more than the old and angry McCain.

Good luck with the election all of you :)

Neither one of the candidates won the debate. This was a waste of voters time and money. Observing *supposed* leaders of a *superpower nation* being petty and personal on international TV does not inspire confidence for the future. Having said that, I do however feel that some of the points raised by Obama, such as "who controls the new energy revolution* – and comparing it to the computer revolution, certainly raises my opinion of his visionary abilities.

OBAMA is noble in his persona and character. he even comes across as the most mature one. it is my hope america will see that when voting.

greetings from india.

Was definitely impressed by Obama. To be unbiased I would have to say that he did not seem as eloquent as he used to be in previous speeches. However, matter of fact is that the town hall debate format is something new for him and he definitely outdid McCain.

Despite all the talk from the Republican camp that McCain was going to find the debate to be his forte it didn't come across as well. McCain was just another bumbling Washington goon. He and Palin may comment that they are different and Mavericks but its all empty promises.

America does not need a President/ VP who you can go to the pub with for a beer/ shoot Moose (helicopter/ no helicopter). They had that in Bush and well, popularity polls of 24 show the ineffectiveness of this style of government. It needs someone who is understands the growing importance of globalisation, technology and world citizenship and someone who is going to make change rather than act as a commentator. This is something the McCain/ Palin camp fails to provide.

To Sven Grodem, Your remark should have read- Obama LOOKS good on both, and he LOOKS trustworthy bec that is All he really is. Its what you call PROJECTION.

McCain is trapped in history in mind and bellicose behaviour on the debate stage. America and the world need a leader whose mind and decisions are focussed on the future. OBAMA articulated that position again very succintly tonight. McCain, like Palin's unceasing winks, was too seductively patronising of voters to be trusted. It's is a bit like a snake oil salesman asking voters to buy. Pretty scary I thought.

Obama is clearly the better option for middle-America but why does he have to be so nice to McCain? I don't mean he should be nasty, rather it would be better for Obama to tell McCain clearly, to his face, that he shouldn't be running a smear campaign against him and move on! Also..

On another topic.. I don't understand one thing.. why do both candidates need to express their undying love to the Estate of Israel?? I know it's an ally but the US has other allies in conflict zones but nothing is said about them, except for Israel?

Obama-rama!!

He deserves to win.
He has the right approach, the right tone and the right direction for America and the World at large.

I feel sorry for McCain, he is smart and im sure he is a decent guy. He just cant keep up with Obama.

I would not want to debate obama. Too good.

Obama, clearly, was more confident and relaxed in answering his questions. I believe McCain does not have a clue about what is going on in the USA and not to mention the world. McCain does not even know how to text, how can a person like that lead the US in the 21st century?

G'day from Australia...
McCain revealed all when he said 'we will bring the troops back as victors...' reveals world view where wars have beginnings, middle and ends. Different times. The war on terror is something one tries to 'manage' – it's not a win/lose dynamic.
Obama is a statesman, a thinker, a man of our times.
McCain will falter now, resort to mud, lies and bleating. Palin is already irrelevant.
Congratulations to Obama and the Democratic Party – do not envy the mess you have to inherit.

I think McCain won hands down. McCain managed to answer his questions whilst putting Obama's record into doubt.

Obama was put on the defensive alot of the times and was showing his anger. Obama had a good closing but his performance during the debate? I thought he looked unsure and really appeared to be the novice he is compared to McCain. But unlike Palin, who has a natural ability to connect, Obama's ability is his oratory skills. But his body language betrays him. It is very clear that he has huge chips on his shoulders and to me, that is extremely dangerous. Especially his seething anger.

It was Obama's game going in, and he pretty much held the lead the whole way through. McCain came across to the people I watched with as desperate to make a connection (has anyone done an official "my friends" count yet?) with the crowd. This was an important task that he failed in, because he needed that connection in order to make his dismissive attitude toward Obama work. While Obama tried to mostly stay on point, McCain came across as defensive, even as he was trying to be on the attack, because he didn't spend nearly as much time talking about specific policy and plans as he did talking about Obama. When your opponent spends his time talking about himself, and you spend half your time talking about him – guess what? You just made the whole debate about him, and if you're going *in* with hime *already* ahead, you've sunk yourself.

It really was a decent effort from McCain, but when those annoyingly ingratiating "my friend" bits didn't work, the whole tactic failed. Obama: 2, McCain: 0.

What I could see today made one thing clear for me. Both candidates would need at least 2 terms to fix the problems. My concern is that McCain would be 80 at the end of the second term. It is by far too optimistic to believe, he would be ready to serve the country 8 years and reach the age of 80.
It is already optimistic to think he would be able to run the Oval Office for 4 years without medical problems. But doing a job that needs him every day 16 + hours and then telling the people he always puts his country first? Yes surely this is his intention, but I doubt his ability. This is not a 9 to 5 job. So who would like to see his own grandpa working 16 hours a day, 7 days a week for 8 long years and then assure him he will reach the age of 80?

Obama clearly won. As a recently naturalized American Citizen I'll be happy to cast my first ever American vote for Obama. He represents everything this great country stands for. And he will restore the respect and greatness the United States always held and will continue to have in the future.

IS INSANE TO VOTE FOR MCCAIN!

Matt from Sydney, Australia.

As you can see from the comments above there are a large number of people watching the US Presidential elections with great interest. In our interconnected modern life, much rests on the outcome of the elections in the US.

After 8 years of the disastrous Bush Administration, we are collectively holding our breath hoping that the American electorate is not sufficiently irrational and unthinking as to elect another flawed Republican Administration.

Once again Obama, as in his first debate and Bidin in his with that ridiculous VP candidate, came out looking like the polished, honest, earnest, intelligent and considered candidate-McCain appeared off kilter and, sadly, too old for the task.

Before this election McCain came across as his own man, able to make considered, non-partisan, appraisals of a situation-he now appears to be another robotic Rove hack.

Bush has effectively destroyed a generation of America's international goodwill -time for a generational change to restore it.

Obama won hands down.

Matt

McCain was a goof. He learned, from Sarah Palin, how to dodge questions. McCain can try to become the president once he is resurrected in the next life – no Jose, not this time. he goofed out.

Although I am now tired of the long drawn out US election, I couldn't resist watching the 2nd debate. It was quite boring at times but then that was good for Obama because he already had momentum. All he needed to do was be himself and talk about what he believes in and what he will do. He did it!
I continue to think that Obama was the smartest US politician in recent years...and after letting Al Gore go (big mistake), I hope AMericans will learn a lesson that a politician has to be SMART and not a mumbling smiling idiots like Bush.
frankly, i don't understand how Americans can like the Republican ticket.... I'm an Asian female and I think Palin is an embarrassment to women all over the WORLD, not just in US. What is she teaching her kids?? McCain is condescending and angry. He uses his military experience as justification for everything. Ok so he was a war hero but I know other American war heroes who are much more sensible, humble and honorable. McCain n his wife have RICH written all over him (his attitude says it but middle class people still think he connects with them!

Having said all that, I hope Americans won't end up being 'Political Extremists' .It's no better than being religious extremists- they both breed hate. Some Republican voters and Democratic voters are already calling each other names in comment segments which is sad. Supporting the candidate of your choice is your RIGHT but please don't get too personal with it! and don't hate voters of the pther side for it! How can u expect politicians not to capitalize on such anger? I'd much rather see a united America where people will make a sensible decision for their country or is that too idealistic of me?
It will be good for the world.

After watching the 2nd debate I cointinue to witness the "Old School" philosophies of John McCain i.e., Ronald Regan, Teddy Rossevelt, might as well throw in John Wayne, not able to compete with the new energy and vision of Obama.

With McCain's quip "....that one..." I felt truly embarassed ; as much as I have been embarassed by the Bush administration for the past 8 years.

Travis, I didn't say Michelle's looks connote that she is a bad person. I said, how can you, Sven or any anti-Bill C. say for sure that Obama never looked the other way when it comes to his personal life? Lets leave the former president's private life, private. As far as i know, we had a good life during his time, and Obama should have never undermined Bill as he has done during the primaries. Shows what kind of Character Obama has.

I believe McCain won. He seemed a lot more knowlegdable in international affairs, in homeland security, on the economy, etc. He's confident, determined, experienced, and I believe that in times of crisis, we need someone who has that experience to help get us out. And it's true what he said, the record shows. I'd rather vote for someone who has such a record of patriotism, dedication to his country, etc than for someone who is inexperienced and is full of promises and no record to show.

Go McCain-Palin!!!!

PS. I think people who talk about his age or the my friend comments... well, they just need a better argument...

You almost (almost) had to feel sorry for Mcain being bested
by "that one". The true colors showed tonight and Obama has
a sincere devotion to help his country.

No doubt , Obama won. McCain is an old man full of greed that needs to step away.I personally don´t agree with anything that he supports and don´t even buy that stupid middle class America talk that Sarah Palin wants to sell us. Its sounds dumb and offensive to the intelligence of the hard working american people.

Kathy ,

Take a good look at your so called Maverick, he's not even looking good, but old and disturbed.
I wouldn't call this projection but perception. But I guess Psychology was not your major.

Obama/Biden 08 go for it!!!

Obama – all the way.

Cynthia-no offence-but your post is pretty much word for word Republican script in support of the argument for McCain Vs Obama.

i didn't see it, but i think it's time that someone slams correctly Gov Palin she talks too much...may be she should give another ...interview, with nobody standing by her side

I am an American living in America. I will be voting for McCain, not because I'm a racist or a bigot, but because he most closely mirrors my own beliefs and ideas about the way we should be heading in this country. Sorry but thats just how I feel. I don't agree with everything he says or has done over the last 20 years or so but who can say they haven't made any mistakes. Like they say where I live " If you have never messed up anything your probably not doing anything."
Our health care system is the best in the world. period, end of story!
It is the best because of the free market system we employ. How many sick celebrities around the world travel to the UK or Canada to get well? Not many! Another thing people don't realize is that every single person in the US has access to medical care right now. It is against the law to turn away anyone from emegency care regardless of their ability to pay.
I don't think that universal health care is a right or a privlidge. It's a mistake.

Absolute Cuban- What has Obama done or promised for Cuba?

Seething anger Robert? Ha ha nice. Does that come from the 'angry black man' section in your book of stereotypes?

I thought McCain's response to the very first question was great. 'What is the quickest and solution to the current economic problems facing Americans?' McCain: Energy Independence. What? Hmm that doesn't sound too quick to me. I guess since his whole economic philosophy of deregulation got blown out of the water this week, he had throw up something.

Lucy, what did you have for dinner tonight? I am not an anti Bill Clinton and i see him as a great politician and leader with a very good and intelligent politic.
Obama has, if i am not much mistaken, a lot of respect for Clinton's but they are different in style i think and of course Obama can't be fully associated to Bill after his lies about the whole Monica affair he went trough.
Lets leave this and look on what Obama can do for the USA into the 2010's and hope he have the power to make USA a batter and safer place to live than Bush could offer. It is a huge tragedy what Bush senior and junior have done with their OIL wars in Iraq and with their racial crusade against people with other belief than themselves.

Dear Christine

Yu had to go buy more booze, where do you live I want to hang with you!

Michael from Slovakia (Central Europe)

It was 4.45 am Central Europe time when today’s presidential debate in Nashville ended. The debate has reaffirmed my deep dislike of John McCain, the constant meddler in other nations’ internal affairs. He was pacing up and down on that red carpet like an old man, for that is what he is. A war hero? Yes, a hero of war, not peace. A peace hero he might have been had he refused to go to a faraway East Asian country to engage in bombing the local people’s villages and homes and cause misery and pain in a country that never invited him to come.

He said today again that what he saw when he looked (former) Russian president Putin in the eye was three letters – KGB. Well, in my country John McCain and his International Republican Institute have a record of interfering in our internal affairs and coaching and supporting enthusiastically the local political forces and leaders known to have been opposed to my nation’s independence 16 years ago. When they managed to get to power, with McCain’s assistance, they paid it back by selling the country’s greatest assets to foreign buyers for a song. I was one of those western-trained people who, when the McCain supported politicians opposed to my country’s independence came to power here, was thrown out of work – in my case by a former registered agent of the dreaded communist secret police (code name BIOLOGIST). Well, I looked my sacker in the eye and saw John McCain there…

When he came to Slovakia in 2002 to meddle once again in its internal affairs and give a special public pat on the shoulder to the political leaders HE wanted to see win the upcoming parliamentary elections, he failed to answer my direct question from the audience without having the reply whispered in the ear first….That’s not a leader, that’s a meddler.

America is a great nation and its people deserve a good president – OBAMA, for he seems wise and intelligent enough not to want to dictate others who they should vote for in perfectly democratic countries. After the recent BIDEN – PALIN debate an American (identified as not a foreigner) responded angrily in a CNN blog on behalf of PALIN and MCCAIN that the very fact that one of the presidential candidates is popular among foreigners will make him vote the opposite. What he/she seems to be forgetting is that it is us, the non-Americans, who have had more than our fair share of outside interfering in our country’s affairs, not the Americans. No one can do that with regard to the US presidential elections, but we do have a right to keep our fingers crossed for whoever we like. That, at least, is not meddling…

OBAMA wants to work with America’s allies, not impose his will on them. That’s good news. The U.S. is a great nation and its people are nice and friendly, and fantastic. They deserve to have their country’s shattered international image restored by an apt leader. The world needs a just and fair America, one led by OBAMA, not MCCAIN.

To mike jones; Shut up and read what everyone else but you thinks.

McCain is an old warmonger with no idea about anything else. Obama is calm, well prepared, knowledgeable and to the point.

Donald L
lol Your health system is the best in the world :-)))))
Come back to reality and check your facts

McCain all the way . There is no substitute for experience.

If McCain wins, I am moving out of the country.

I used to really like and support McCain – circa 2000. He's lost his way somehow, and it's sad.

I was not sure of Obama 12 months ago, but he's proven himself on so many issues – in terms of knowledge and understanding on what really matters now. My confidence in him also comes from the fact that he's surrounded himself with experienced people.

Obama won, hands down. McCain looked out of sorts, fumbling, and – dare I say – 'old'. Not that age is a deficit. It just didn't look good on him tonight. 'Old' does not equal 'wisdom', or 'judgement.'

This year is not McCain's, and it's not Obama's. Both men are good men. We just live in a terrible time. We can thank the Bush Administration.

Question: What else can he/they do to wreck the country?

By the way....is George no more than a side show now?

I wish Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc., were going to be held responsible for what they've done with our country.

I wish Rumsfeld would be made to live just outside the Green Zone in Bagdad. He should have to mop the floors in the un-funded hospitals. He should, as in a court case, make his case for why he should not be charged with crimes against humanity. This is his war, in terms of the way it was conducted from the first day. Not to mention the false pretences in invading Iraq in the first place. I guess that's why he quit. He scurried away. Where's the accountability. Do we have to leave it to historians?

Regarding the Administration: I'm sure they don't mind who 'wins' this election. They will be off serving themselves, in some other capacity.

Obama won tonight. However, it's a truly tough road ahead for all of us.

McCain racist after all?

What did McCain mean by calling Obama, "That one"?

Live in Australia, dont have a vote in US. We thought the debate was mostly a repeat, was there much new really?
Someone should tell Sen McCain, longer you live and work, more years of experience you count, it doesnt necessarily make you better, to the contrary it sets you on ideas you already practiced. We in Australia think twice about electing the same party the 3rd term in Government. Sen McCain's idea of everything being solved "sitting accross the table discuss" sounds like a party looking for new ideas and cant think of one.

I would consider this "buy bad debt" idea a desperate move, has he costed it, does he know what it is they will be buying, how it would be funded, not printing more money I hope.....

When world leaders come here to get operations and what-not instead of there home country, that is reality! :)

Hello from Australia,

Just watched the debate online.
I think Obama won thisone clearly. He was clear and more to the point.
I see much more enthusiasm and passion in Obama while McCain really strikes as an old-minded guy trying to sell himself as a change.
I really feel America needs a fresh change in its direction, and Obama is the guy for this.

I think Obama won because he showed he is ready to lead while remaining cool and respectful. Mc Cain was very rude by saying "that one" refering to Senator Obama. Obama showed he has the knowledge to lead America, when John Mc Cain is going on with false accusations that have been proven false by all media. Palin and him are getting desperate and reccur to low class offenses. Also Mc Cain came up with the idea of solving the mortgage problem, when that is already been done by the new bill. So, it's time for a president who is not going to care only for the rich but for everybody. Obama showed again, that he is the only one with a plan that will bennefit everybody.

McCain still didn't get it... there are so many people opposing the war that whatever his justification is, people want the war to end!!!! The Americans are overstaying in Iraq. Better leave it to the UN troops. What Obama said was true.. McCain is a bomb-bomb-bomb guy who will increase the hate of Muslims against the Americans.. I was undecided but now 65% for Obama... he seems more reasonable and level headed.. McCain has a war record but he is overplaying it.... Too much... Stop harping it, we heard you the first time... Move on McCain!!! I hate war!!

Sven and Mattjenna i agree that the last 8 years of Bush were pretty bad and it boils down to the fact that Bush was lacking in experience, expertise and track record when he got elected. But Obama is pretty much in the same category as Bush at this point? For these reasons, I think Obama will end up being more of the same as Bush if we elect him to the presidency. Why risk it?

Just confirmed that McCain is a ghoulish, out of touch character-I get the creeps just looking at him and when he starts the "my friends" rhetoric he sounds like one of those good ole boys from the last century-we don't need you and Palin (who insults every thinking woman's intellegence) Mr McCain-we need a progressove, calm, intellegent leader of the free world who wil get us out of the mess that Bush and the Rebublicans have got us all into including security, the economy, human rights-the list is endless! The scary thing for us watching from overseas is the fact that half of America supports these clowns!

The final nail for McCain was when he called Obama "That one". This guy is from the dinosour era!!.

If America elects McCain can the last person leaving plannet earth please switch the lights off!!.

Donald L
This has nothing to do with a HealthCare plan, but having money to pay for it, if you can allow it.
And there are more countries in the world than Canada and the UK
Let me remind you that a lot " Leaders" go also to Europe for operations (especially in France)

No, that's actually just my personal opinion.

Obama was a more Confident candidate. I felt at times McCain would resort to Fist Fighting because He was running out of words. We appreciate his patriotism but The 'Black Hole capitalist experiment' conducted the Republicans had already sucked him in halfway...Look at the graph. It's similar to Wall Streets'.

Nagaland, India

Seems that either only Obama supporters watched the debate / watched the CNN coverage or go to the CNN website. Either that or he won the debate by a mile, in which case seems Jonathon Mann was way off in his assessment? The only comments I could find for McCain, were from the three guys called Mike Jones...

I agree with the majority of the comments, Obama won.

Now I need a laugh so I think I'll go to Fox and check out how much McCain won by. Or maybe I'll just watch the Palin / Couric interview again...

In spite of the fact that I agree with almost all of Obamas opinions and think he "won" the debate, I think it is a most depressing thing to understand that it is the superficial impression you get of the discussants in the TV medium that will determine who will soon become the most powerful man in the world. Churchill's words come to mind, i.e. what he said about democracy being a very bad system to govern a country, but that it is nevertheless necessary to choose it because all other systems are even worse.

Obama, the clear winner, and the next US President. How people can be fooled into what McCain is saying is nothing more than glossing over some cosmetic minor policies that Bush and the Republicans have run through to put us all in the mess we are in. We need a fresh approach, some fresh ideas and a sincere effort to build America back up again. Obama offers this. McCain's stances are the same old, and he even used some phrases word for word from what Palin used the other night in the VP debate. Stale, out of ideas, and out of date. Obama offers the best hope.

I have to say that anyone I speak to in Australia is hoping for Barack Obama to win. He would be a good President for a 'new America'. One where there is not only an intellectual understanding that there is life outside its borders, but one that is open to learn from those countries it shares this planet with.

I believe that how a person conducts their private life is very important. It reflects their standards, principles, morals etc.
What I have learnt of both John McCain and Sarah Palin recently is not very complimentary.
The world is watching and hopeful that there will be a new era.
New blood and new ideas are needed.
John McCain has served his country well, or so he has said so many times. The emphasis is on 'has'.
Let him now retire and allow the next generation to solve the problems caused by the ols generation as they will have to live with them.
Slante.

I think both Mccain and Obama both won the debate and beat it to death but who won the debate more? Was it Mccain or Obama. That is the question to ask. I think the debate won the most and defeated both Mccain and Obama. :)))))

Who is Mike Jones?

Plenty of comments from this person lauding McCain. He must have been watching a different debate to the one the rest of us were.

McCain was nothing short of an embarassment. Mumbled answers and that creepy repetitious "My friends" attempt to connect with the audience. If that was with the gloves off, then he is fighting with fists of jello. I can't understand what even core Republicans would see in him.

Even though I'm an Aussie, I'd like to see America return to its former glory. Because when things go belly up over there, we can smell the stink even from here.

Obama looks like the only one with a plan to effect real change and in a way that will hopefully restore those glory days (as well as rebuild your kudos with the rest of the free world).

I just hope that complacency doesn't set in as it did in 2004. Get out there and vote Americans! Take an active role in your own destiny.

Yve ... yes it's scary indeed. If Obama is WHITE ... I am pretty sure, his rating much much higher than now! ... they cannot see across the skin color.

"That one" just became "The One"!

Watched the debate online.

Nothing new on both sides. McCain really needed to convince people that he's the right man for the job. I don't think he has done this.

Kathy V

McCain has the same if not worse policies of Bush. His choice of a running mate proves the point. She is incompetent, stupid and just down right wrong. Did you read the comment from the solider in Iraq? She states McCain does not have a clue what the soliders want! Wake up or do not vote as you are in the same category as Palin

Obviously you are a democrat, probably still pissed off Hillary is not the nomiee. I can not stand people like you because Hillary is not on the ticket even though she agrees 99.9% with Obama I am going to vote for McCain in spite.

Obama clearly won this time. He was concise. I felt that he reached more to me than McCain & was visibly more truthful to the facts unlike the old timer who tries so hard to put him down with his lies. I think the issue that the majority of the American people will bring up by tomorrow is the fact that McCain said that healthcare is a responsibility and not a right. $5,000 tax credit for healthcare? Does he have any idea how much insurance and actual real health costs are? That's nothing if you are ever hospitalized. The old geezer needs to retire.

Debate was shallow and there was a lot of pandering. Obama came off controlled, polished and presidential. McCain, a little erratic – sometimes presidential, sometimes a little awkward and at times, unpleasant – think it was because he was trying to control his temper and disdain for Obama. On issues – nothing much. How can they cover so many major issues in sufficient depth in 90 minutes? What is the purpose of these debates anyway – is it just 90 minutes of waiting for a gaffe? That's what the VP debate was all about.

And the media analysis, as is JM of this blog, is extremely disappointing – just as shallow and superficial. On something as important as the presidential elections, the analysis is like that of an American Idol contest. The world deserves better than this.

With an irresponsible media like this, democracy will be perverted. No winners – only losers.

For the sake of global development and peace, I hope "the one" who is less extreme wins. Its not really clear which candidate that is now. Though I must say that when it comes to VPs, Palin is shocking!!

Hi from Australia. If Obama wins the election it would prove that America is finally a progressive country. McCain was condescending by addressing Obama as 'that' and addressing the audience as "my friends' was just sycophantism.

It is clear that McCain's has orchestrated Sarah Palin to conduct the tactic of character assasination. It is appalling to watch Sarah Palin's aggressive stance towards Obama when everyone seems to have to tip toe around this apparent 'pit bull'. A character assasination on Sarah Palin is seen as sexist – yet she is free to be the aggressor. The fact that debating rules have to be changed to accomodate her inexperience is worrying. This woman could be the next president and she cannot hold her own. Can you imagine the rules changing for Hillary. Can you imagine a debate between Hillary and Sarah – I know who would be the pit bull!

Most countries want Obama – I hope that makes America reflect.

Why do world leaders come to the US for health care?

Because they can afford it. What about the millions of Americans who get no health care? The scary thing is, how the hell will you pay for universal health care?

You can't keep cutitng taxes if you are running massive budget deficits. Either you cut spending, increase revenue or do both. You have no choice anymore, the Chinese, Saudi's etc are your countries bankers and one day they will want to be repaid.

McCain offers no solutions other than further budget blow-outs. Obama will tax the rich and they deserve it.

Who won the debate and who will will the election? That one.

I'm an independent and I was uncomitted before this debate. But after tonight's debate I will cast my vote for Barack Obama. I just couldn't connect with John McCain. He's indeed out of touch. And when he said that health care is a responsibility and not a right, that sealed off my vote for Obama. Health care a responsibility? Responsibility of greedy predator insurance companies? And to me it's really mind boggling why McCain seems uninterested in going after Bin Laden. I never heard him say 'we're gonna kill Bin Laden.' Are they hiding Bin Laden in Alaska? He's more interested in reading what's inside Putin's eyes. And to me it's just a total crap. Obama's gonna win!

Lucy: what do you mean by "Obama undermining Clinton in the primaries?" That he should have just laid low and let Hillary win? If there was anyone who was disrespectful to the other, it was the Clintons against Obama. Obama has been the most respectful US Presidential candidate that I have seen in my (30-year) lifetime.

Hi from Australia,

McCain's performance was an embarrassment. There is no contest here, or at least there shouldn't be. Obama came across as intelligent, confident, pro-active, open minded and sincere. McCain presented as 'old hack', bumbling, obsequious and patronising. And God help America (and the rest of us) if his running mate, Sarah Palin, ever has to assume power!

I beg you America... Give Obama a chance!!!

Obama won it .... and whats with maccain attitude. He calls his opponent 'that one' and he wouldn't shake hand with him in the end and his flat jokes nobody can laugh at. Nobody wants another arrogant man on the top. Substance clearly obama won in economy and then on foreign policy he did lot better from the last one.

I'm an independendt voter but I have to admit that Obama won and will make a great government. He understands that a middle class is necessary for the well being of any country. Education, health, defense, and the rest is what makes a country great, and he is all about it. No experience? He will have all his secretaries to help him out. He is smart, educated, and corageous. He also has a great woman on his side that is bright and also higlyh educated like him.
Go for it Senator Obama!

.... 5K tax credit (health insurance) ... is A JOKE. Two years .. ago my baby son's hospital bill was 9K for 3 days in hospital.

Sven, being the outsider that you are, i can understand why you don't understand what this election means to America at this time. We need a leader who is dependable, tried and tested. Not an On the Job trainee who risks making a disaster out of a mess. A leader who doesn't capitalize on the financial woes of the people just to win over votes. A Man who doesn't trample on anyone's hardwork to gain favor, the way Obama has been doing to his opponents. .And all you people who fault McCain for his age, well, his life has been dedicated to public service both as a war hero and a maverick in the senate so we may enjoy the freedom we all espouses. Don't you forget that!

i can't beleive that someone bidding for the highest office in the country can in public address his party rival as THAT ONE. well from far away Nigeria i think i should tell mccain that if by today he doesn't know his name, tomorrow he will. His name for tomorrow is PRESIDENT OBAMA for USA

Obama won by a knockout. Even McCain himself thought so, making a hasty retreat immediately,. Obama, on the other hand stayed on interacting with th crowd. That speaks volumes of the respective candidate's own self opinion of how well they did.

Hello from Indonesia.

Definitely Obama won this debate. He is quite detail, concise and stay relevant to the subject. He may not bring all good things for everybody, but using military action as last resort even for Iran is indicating good intention for world peace. To some extend some Americans and greedy corporates must swallow the bullet to fix the economy, unfortunately it may affect the main street as well.

We are living in one world, so better US will bring good to other as well.

Obama, you are the one..

During the debate on military strategies John McCain clearly stated that he " knew how to get Osama Bin Laden, and would get him".
No one pulled him up on this, which I found quite remarkable.
Is this sort of election comment shrugged off by the electorate as 'just spin'?
Disappointing if that is the case.

Hello from Brunei all,

There are way too many comments for me to read, I only read the first few ones here.

But I thought Obama was more respectful & professional in the debate. He also seemed to be able to answer questions clearly, by giving examples that relate to the speaker and the rest of the public. As a Malaysian living in Brunei, I don't really know about things in the US, but Obama seem to understand and relate with the american people better IN THIS DEBATE.

And yes, McCain's condescending attitude towards Obama was abit annoying. When he labeled Obama's people as "cronies", I actually found it really funny.

Obama won this debate and I hope with all my heart that he will win the election. Do the right thing America and vote for Obama!

JM Australia

The debate seemed more like "preaching to the choir" for both candidates. I can't see it playing a major role in the outcome of the election. The polls favor Obama at this point, but as we've seen in the past many times, it's all about who actually votes, and where they vote (what state) on election day. The deteriorating economy is definitely a serious problem for McCain. However, Obama's problem is that many of the demographic groups which support him enthusiatically have (historically) a very poor record of actually voting on election day - especially among younger voters. People wrote off Bush in the two previous elections as stupid, unqualified, and out of touch, and look what happened! Margins of error in many of the polls mean a tight race, and any poll that suggests it has "no margin of error" is not a scientific one. This one is still a "nail-biter".

I don't understand how McCain can accuse Obama of wanting to go to war with Pakistan when he simply stated that he'd go after Bin Laden, with or without Pakistan's help, in their country. Talk about skewing people view of the facts (especially when told 15 seconds ago by the guy next to you).

Also, if someone doesn't like you, I'd rather have Obama's approach (of talking to your enemies) than McCain's. If you have an angry teeanger in your house, will you tell the other members of the faily to stop talking to him, or will you sit down and discuss the issues, trying to come to a solution?

Wartorn, "Maverick" McCain... Scary!

It should be GO-bama!!

"That one" get ready to become the next president of America. Keep your promise and redeem the American image but if Americans are tired of being in 1st place and are willing to move down from 1st world nation to 3rd world nation then vote Mccain. As for palin I thought u had a great political future but u are a disappointment joining the attack dog group rather than raising issues in securing vote.you have been used.Mccain has succeeded in destroying your political career by using you to do his dirty job.

And to Jonathan Mann, I feel that based on the WAY in which both candidates presented their cases, Obama should wins hands down.

If however you judge the debate based on the content quality, facts used, etc, then I can't say anything since I don't know America, except for what I hear from the news. But Obama won based on presentation alone.

Its a shame that these guys have to talk about failures of the other. Well, McCain started it and what do you expect ? Obama to just give a deaf ear? He has to counter it and make it clear to all, Dems, Reps and the undecided. I think a considerable amount of time was wasted on these acts.

McCain was very vague in almost all his statements. ie: He says "I know who to do it". Well, you go and ask anyone on the street, most will say the same. Its quite clear McCain is going into hiding. Obama on the other hand was at least 80%-90% clear and direct.

It would have been interesting to see an Obama-McCain debate in the Sri Lankan political TV debate environment where its a "free for all" – the moderator does not stop arguments most of the time.

The verdict is clear – Obama is a clear leader in this race. He is gaining at a rapid pace. McCain – atleast now – stop personal attacks. It seems dirty tactics.

I guess a lot of people still do not believe that McCain isn't just a continuation of Pres. Bush's policies. McCain wants to decrease taxes, so how will he finance the war effort? It's gotta come from somewhere.

.. what I can conclude (as an Independent) ... McCain .. is a bitter grumpy old man who's desperately want to be a president and he used "anything" to accomplish his goal. He does not have "brain" and he always talks being war hero (that does not help/solve current critical problems) ... you can see he's repeated the same things over and over again .. either he is ignorant or he does not get it.

LUCY you sound like McCain and those dinosaurs are died now. Thank God.

I used to support Republican/McCain, but seeing that tired old man tonight, venting frustration and wheezing out small-minded party viewpoints, has greatly disillusioned me. One of the first things one learns as a military officer is to find respect for one’s adversaries, within and outwith the cause, and it was disgraceful to witness the patronizing, superior but unsubstantial attitude of McCain, which underlined his lack of mental acuity and agility; that a man running for President needs to have. He looked woefully out of touch. Seemed to be an impetuous last gasp of a good man who, if he carries on like this, sullies his reputation. He should exit with dignity, he looks too driven by quest for power for that sake only.

I am voting OBAMA/BIDEN – they have a better grasp of issues and current solutions, and they will give us our dignity back!

Obama did extremely well during this debate. He attempted to carefully explain to voters his policies and the rationality behind his decisions. I think he took a page from Biden when he started to bullet pointed his ideas. More importantly, he connected with the audience without making it appear intentional.

However, I am disappointed with the moderator who completely ruined any attempts by the candidates to flesh out their ideas. When Americans are looking for candidates to tell them exactly what each party's respective plan is, you should not discourage the candidates from speaking. Whenever Obama wanted to speak beyond the allotted time, it appeared quite nerve racking for him. On one hand he doesn't want to come off as an aggressive character by telling the moderator to "shut it" and let him speak, but he wants to inform the audience as best he can; this is especially evident when Obama identifies his policies versus McCain's policies. Nevertheless, I think Obama managed to overcome this obstacle with outstanding results.

To Jim.... Palin and Obama are of the same league in terms of capability, knowledge, experience and speaker skills, except that Obama is on TOP of the DEM ticket and Palin in at the BOTTOM. Speaks well at how Dems choose their candidates, huh? Unlike Palin who is still a heartbeat away from the presidency, Obama is going to be "IT'" if we so unfortunately choose this man to be our president. By the way, i am an independent and not a sour graping hillary supporter. I simply appraise a person based on his actions, not on rhetoric.

Lucy,
Yes we do not forget his service and deeds but there are many others like McCain. But his experience, with due respect, cannot help us win the 21st century war. Things change. I'm sick of Gen Petreus being mentioned and used time and again. Its not about your pride alone... When you win somebody else is losing. It is not working anymore. Hatred and vengeance will not end any war. You need a win-win solution, one that McCain is too proud to realise!!!! To him, its about pride and pride alone. One should be humble. This I don't see in him. Just like Bush where pride is more important than PEACE..

Of course Obama won, i personally don't see why a president to be, the #1 citizen of United state of america will be calling a fellow citizen, a fellow Senator "that one"...very disgusting, even if the heat is up, a leader should be a calm, cool and calculated leader, not aggresive, high/hot tempered, i don't see why my president should be telling me my health, my life is my responsibility, while it should be 80% my right and at least 20% from me......Mccain even went further in his remark to that African American guy that asked him question by saying he may not know Fanie mae......does he think he's better off? what does he know? he has been in the senate for years yet failed.
OBAMA WON.

Obama WON!
Republicans failed USA miserably . NO republicanism until they bring leader as great as Abraham Lincoln in them again. until then BYE!

McCain just seems to have attacks has his main focus. He offers nothing new or intelligent.

Obama offers solutions. He attacks, but he is not a one trick pony like McCain and Palin.

I would also like to point out about Palin's attacks this past week. WTF?

People in glass houses should not throw stones and she is hurling boulders.

Johnathan–NO WAY was this a draw. McCain was mean and nasty and didn't have near the knowledge and demeanor of Obama. Wy do you give the Republicans so much credit–as you did with the Palin/Biden debate? Impartial?

I wonder why Obama has dominated in the polls since he appears to make wide generalisations and doesn't appear to realise that free trade and openness to other parts of the world must continue for America's very real threat to it's economy is if the repatriation of money from China and the rest of the world happens, this will be the next shock to America's economy? Listening to the debate his understanding seems weak and naive.

Is it that Americans are not aware that their indebtedness to the rest of the world is only being excabated by the rescue and that America could be soon in Iceland's position. A bankrupt economy. Why isn't he telling people to pay off their debts and fast.
Nan

hello from south africa

i think it is time for obama!!!!!!!!!!!

let him mess up the states like the ANC have mess up South Africa

GOOOO obama

And JIm, do you really believe Hillary is behind Obama in this? You should review the primaries. Their perception of each other during the primaries reflect irreconcilliable differences. This is just for Show of Unity on the part of the DEMS. How naive can you get?

You can call it draw but for me none of the two candidates won. This and the next debate needed to be of prime interest to the non-decided voters like me.
And what I am looking for is less of political speeches and jabbing and more of straight answers. That did not occur. Since the last debate and in last few weeks, a lot has changed; especially the financial out look. None of the candidate changed their rhetoric.
For next few weeks I am looking for some specific answers on Economy, Energy independence, getting USA to the point where it is again a country which is admired in the rest of the world as a great democracy and for it's strong (and not false) economy.

Three cheers for Obama. His answers on all the issues was to the point, and intelligently answered. Credit to be given to Obama's mother and grand parents for having nurtured him into a gentleman and is well qualified for the post of President of USA.

McCain is too old and decrepit. He showed his crude side by referring to Obama as "that one". I did not expect this kind of language from a person contesting for the post of the President of USA.
Kamala Menon Cochran. India.

Seems closer than I expected: I thought Obama would blow him out. McCain managed to avoid serious blunders. What nags at me is that McCain lies so much about Obama's policy. I know that for sure. And I think Obama has tried to more fairly state his opponent's policy. In debate contests in college, that earns points. Obama gets the advantage and the election. Its time for thinking Republicans to support Obama as President for a unified USA; for Democrats and Republicans to continue party and electoral reform and try to make Obama's visions a reality.

I really appreciate the comments of the Lucy's and the Mike Jones's that are showing up on this blog....and the beautiful comments from people the world who are countering them right and left so I am weighing in as well. You all have the right of it .....You see, the Lucy's and the Mike Jones's are the reasons why American's like me are fighting for a better America.... free from racism and self-interests and people who think they have the right to be at the top of the chain and put their foot on the neck of others not only in America but around the world. It is the Lucy's and the Mike Jones' of America who don't have a clue, dont have a plan, don't contribute anything but meaness and spite and derogatory comments and really show how valueless and spinless they are. They are the reasons why this election is so important....and why electing Obama President is the best solution we have for a new America.....to beat the Lucy's and the Mike Jones' by showing who has the class, the intellect and the true interest of America at heart. John McCain's comments such as "that one" and Sarah Palin's woefully poorly constructed responses to intellectual questions, Lucy's childish comments and Mike Jone's inability to gauge who provided the best responses tonight.....this is what Americans are fight against..... vehemently and in a unified manner..., the ignorance demonstrated by the McCain's, the Palins, the Lucy's and the Mike Jones' on this blog. Just as surely as dictator's fall, bullies are shown to be cowards, racism is fought and prevailed against, and moose/wolf killers get exposed, Obama will be President of an America that will have regained its sense of decency and being on the right side of right and doing the right things. The McCains and the Palins and the Lucy's and Mike ALWAYS GET THEIR COMUPPANCE IN THIS WORLD. So Lucy and Mike, continue to write and show your ignorance and your racism and the reason why people like me know that people like you are on the decline, will not gain sway and will eventually wither away.......Just as a President Obama....and he **WILL BE*** President Obama as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow....will show all doubters that leadership and heart is stronger than the mean words and ignorance displayed by others. This presidential race will not be won by the Lucy's and the Mike Jones, nor by the vice-presidential candidate who winks nor by the racist old senator who refered to a fellow senatorial colleague who happens to be a black man as "that one". The Presidential race is going to be won by an American who believes in the constitution and is re-writing history and who is going to show all of the nay sayers and the people who said "it can't be done" and "you can't do it".....YES WE CAN....and on November 5th along with President Obama we all will say empahtically, 'YES WE DID!!!!"

i have never before been so drawn to a US presidential election...

Obama is truly what your country needs right now, McCain came across as too rigid and old school. The other day (Biden v Palin), Palin scared me, a potential future president – please be real!!!

America, surely there is no contest now...

The 'That one' comment was disturbing...I cringed...Mcain seems angry at the world...and how come no one is pointing at the fact that Mcain tried, tried to twist Obama's stand on Pakistan on live tv!!

Belenda ... after I read your comment .. I can see the light at the end of tunnel ..... God Bless United States and God Bless Obama/Biden.

In my perception, Obama is clearly a more learned and wise candidate. I just envy that India does not have prime ministerial material like him in politics right now. Kudos to U.S for having someone like him. You are truly privileged.
McCain comes across as arrogance personified and someone whose stuck in the past. He seems to not understand that there is tremendous strength in collaboration rather than fighting with the whole world. I am not sure how can self image be so skewed unless you have made up your mind. I truly hope for U.S's sake that Obama wins on the D-Day.
All the best ...

I was a undecided independant who has just got onboard the "OBAMA TRAIN 08".Obama just captured my spirit,soul and intellect.With his smooth and calm posture and demeanor.John on the other hand is eratic,arrogant,hostile,and scary when you see him as a possible leader of "OUR GREAT NATION".He and his attack dog Palin have no class or RESTRAINT when it comes to diplomacy.Yes we have the arsenal to blow up the planet ,but why would we?Oh well if your pig headed and arrogant you might just do that so I better go with the so called talker and not with the boneheads.OBAMA/Biden 08

"That one" is THE ONE!!!

Oh and yes....Tom Brokaw.....you are an embarressment to journalism with your clear patronism of John McCain....but even with your biased and partial help as moderator, he still showed that he...and now you....doesn't have the right stuff.....you only have age-old stuffing. You should never, never never again, give a lecture on free will journalism....you clipped your own wings and your own legacy tonight with your sorry commentary and poor rendition of what a true moderator should be. Take a leaf out of the excellent work of Gwen Ifel and others.....you really looked like a neophyte tonight just like John McCain looked like a bull in a china shop. Shame on you, Mr. Brokaw....you should never, ever take a job or a speaking engagement on free jounalism again....your sorry performance tonight showed that you.... just like John McCain, have gotten too old to know....and uphold..... the rules of the game. But guess what , Obama....President Obama, can help you regain the decency and the honor you so clearly lost tonight.....you need some redemption...big time....and I hope you have the guts to take it.

forgot .. lastly to add ... the way McCain treated Obama (1 and 2 debate) .... really insulted me as a middle class worker. McCain's acts like an untouchable rich guy ... has no respect to middle class (He's himself .. a gold digger)

Great insights Belenda and spot on regarding Mr. Brokaws unprofessional biases.

Lucy;
As we all know, US is in a BIG UGLY shape. Do you believe that McCain, a dear close friend of the Bushs will be able to fix the mess created by them? It is time for new faces, new decisions, new inteligences, and specifically new diplomatic talks with the countries that are against us. We must try our best to develop a positive relationship with Iran and all the arab countries, also with South and Central America. Do you want to keep supporting the petrolleum countries? Obama has the knowledge to recuperate America from its lost freedom. DIPLOMACY.

Anton....it is people like you who make me a believer that I know we have to fight for the right things.....thank you and I appreciate all around the world who are teaching and showing us American's what we need to do to reassume our place ***alongside*** our friends and allies and not...as John McCain would have...***show our superiority*** and bomb everybody just to show we can. I pray for a return to sanity and to when we can hold our heads up with the nations of the world who are working things out through engagement and not war. We all must keep the faith.....and I am confident that an Obama presidency and bi-partisan....true bi-partisan leadership in the United States congress....and the will and courage to do the right thing....will bring America back!!!!!

When your election is over, appreciate it very much if you will send the looser over to Malaysia and lead this country of ours. I am very impressed with both candidates. I only wish we have such able people to lead this place of ours.

PS. I'll be expecting McCain at our airport soon.

As a British Woman, I have no say in th elections, however, we all know that American policies and actions effect us all around the world. After this latest debate McCain is leaving a nasty taste in my mouth and the McCain/Palin ticket scares the hell out of me.

God forbid anything happens to McCain, but Palin running the powerhouse of the world. I believe and hope the American people understand that choosing McCain/Palin, would be a huge error and dangerous, not only for Americans' future but for the rest of us in the world.

"That One" will run an America that we all can be proud of.

Hm..Why not elect the man with the most experience?
Ask yourself who do you wan't to guard your frontdoor while you're sleeping.
A war hero , patriot who is willing to fight for your rights or a unexperinced senator who wan't to debate everything and uses the slogan from a child animation series....BOB THE BUILDER:) CAN WE MAKE IT.....YES WE CAN...come on get serious.
So in my house OB is known as BOB:)
I think OB seems like he is really nice guy and I think he is someone who would be a good friend...but hey so is my neighboor but I don't want him for president:),

I believe Obama has once again been able to convince the viewers that he is the one come November 4, 2008. He clearly came up tops on most of the issues raised, particularly the economy. If I am to vote on the debate, I would say that Obama won again.

Raul.... Wars may change in name and in cause, but they remain the same in terms of how we want it ended, with DIGNITY(!) without sacrificing PEACE. After the Vietnam war, McCain worked towards healing the rift between the US and the country that tortured him physically and emotionally. Not many can do that. He is a Man of Peace and a Man of Wisdom; a result of the lessons he has learned through deeds and actions during time served in war. America should give him a chance to bring peace to the world a second time around. Not according to the time frame dictated by his critics but according to his judgement honed by Experience. He is proven and tested. and He will Deliver.

LUCY, pls. stop polarizing democrats. I'm an independent but I stick to issues and not personalities. Your style of trying to paint Obama as a Clinton rival is out of date and a non-issue now. Obama is not running against Bill Clinton for God's sake. He's running against McCain so please stop your dirty tactics coz people in this forum can really sense that you're no democrat but just another ulta right-wing republican who wants to divert people's attention from real issues coz they could no longer come up with any valid and sensible arguments let alone a moral principle to stand on. And questioning Obama's sincerity by sticking around after the debate to me is just absolutely, JUDGMENTAL, ABSURD, RIDICULOUS and downright STUPID. Maybe you should wonder why McCain couldn't hang around for a while with "MY FRIENDS" as what he always refer them to. Now that's hypocritical. Our leaders can make a whole lot of difference by listening to ordinary folks like me not by bragging "I'm a Maverick!" or "Drill baby drill!"

America would be lucky if Sen. Obama can be as good a president as Bill Clinton . He (with exception of the Affair ) was the best president you've had, in my opinion. President Obama will lift your world standings back to where they were prior to W and Cheney.

As I mentioned in a post some 12 hours ago on one of your other blogs Jonathan. Mc Cain had this last chance to fight back and be a pitt bull on issues. However he decided to tell us all the bad about Obama. He did the negative work and Obama made the constructive work.

As I mentioned earlier another 24 hours and I am sure the poll of polls will show 50%+ for Obama and 42%- for Mc Cain.

As John King said if a candidate, like Obama, has a 20% point plus lead on issues like economy and health care 20+ days beofre election day that candidate will win.

I can only agree with John King. if Obama does not end up with a skeleton in the closet he will win. He certainly had an advantage over Mc Cain last night.

To all Mc Cain supporters, honestly Mc Cain already lost to Bush 8 years ago, so if he could not win against GW, what does that say about Senator Mc Cain. I respect John Mc Cain, but he is not a President type and he should it today, as much poison he tried to spit out, he never hit the mark and had not bite.

of course who am I to say that you guys have to vote not me but 50% of who you vote for will effect our lives outside the US too and I surely do not want Mc Cain nor Palin sitting close to the military power and maybe cause another major conflict.

Do you remember what McCain answered about the question related to if Russia is eveil? Basicaly he was telling the audience that he would like to say that Russia is evil, because that is what he thinks, but he could not realy say that. Looks to me that Palin Mc Cain have the same opinion about Russia and that is scary.

Lucy

where you are writing this commenst from? Inside a bunker or a rat hole??

for those living on the earth surface can clearly see where America after failed 8 years, locally and internationally.

Clearly it was Obama who won this second debate. But what worries me is McCain's obsession with war and seemingly one-track mind of resolving conflicts through might and military means which would mean another 4 years of Bush if he were to be elected. On the other hand, there were references made by Obama in the first debate and in his speeches on the need to restore the previously good image and good international standing of the US as well as on the importance of diplomacy and keeping the options open for seeking a negotiated settlement. As I see it, the world which willingly or grudgingly looks up to the US as the most powerful nation for leadership would more likely be in better stead with Obama's even-keel and broader approach in US foreign policy compared to McCain's professed war mongering.

SORRY OF TOPIC HERE.
Lucy before the US can bring world peace, the next President needs to take care of yoru domestic issues first, than the US has to make up for all the destruction Bush has left and rebuild diplomatic ties.

When that is all done 8 years of Obama Presidency is over. So you will have to wait for world peace a little longer and With Mc Cain wanting to be President world peace will be even further away. Not that he is a man of war, but he is not a man of peace either. As he said hi like to have a big stick and use it, he just does not want to tell anyone before he uses it. Sounds very peacful to me, NOT.

Balenda, thank you for your comments. You give all right thinking Americans hope.

And come on...Mccain is not a racist...is the Obama campain really so desperate?
He properly just reffering to OB's title as a senetor THAT ONE:::THAT SENATOR
OMG..if OB is getting elected president and every time a world leader is "attacking" OB you're going to hear him, or the media pull the race card...Shame on them.
Stay to the facts!!!

For all the McCain supporters read this on facts:

The Statement:
Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain said at the Oct. 7 presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, that Democratic opponent Sen. Barack Obama "has voted 94 times to either increase your taxes or against tax cuts. That's his record."

Get the facts!

The Facts:
The effort to convince voters that Sen. Barack Obama would support higher taxes is a central part of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign. McCain and the Republican National Committee have repeatedly cited 94 alleged votes by Obama to bolster their argument.

Factcheck.org, a non-partisan project of the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center, pieced through records to determine just what these 94 votes were.

Key findings:
–53 were votes on budget resolutions or amendments that "could not have resulted by themselves in raising taxes," though many "were clear statements of approval for increased taxes"
–23 were against proposed tax cuts
–11 were to increase taxes on people making more than $1 million a year, to help fund programs such as Head Start, school nutrition, or veterans' health care
–Seven were "for measures that would have lowered taxes for many, while raising them on a relative few, either corporations or affluent individuals."
– The total includes multiple votes on the same measures.

Annenberg says a close look at the record reveals that Obama has "voted consistently to restore higher tax rates on upper-income taxpayers but not on middle- or low-income workers."

Verdict:
Misleading. McCain's summary ignores the fact that some of the votes were for measures to lower taxes for many Americans, while increasing them for a much smaller number of taxpayers. A nonpartisan examination also finds that the 94 total includes multiple votes on the same measures and budget votes that would not directly lead to higher taxes.

Filed under: Fact Check

Another lie from McCain...

Obama won!

All McCain did was talk about why not to pick Obama instead of why to pick him. And what's up with calling Obama "That one"????

OBAMA 08

Why does McCain keep on about he knows how to win? Often associated to him having fought in Vietnam. Here in Australia we accept that we and the U.S. lost the Vietnam war. Could this false understanding of history be due to his advanced years. He certainly looked pretty old in the debate, repeating the same things when answering different questions.

Jim,

Don't you see? Palin and Obama are of the same league here in terms of Experiene, track record, oratorical skills and appeal, except that OBAMA is on TOP of the DEMS ticket, while Palin is at the BOTTOM of the GOP's. Palin is STILLl a heartbeat away from being president while Obama will be "IT," if we so unfortunately choose to elect him to the presidency. I say that speaks well at how the democrats choose their potential leaders, huh?
By the way, i am an independent and not a sour-graping hillary supporter you misjudge me to be. A voter who is now leaning towards McCain bec i appraise a candidate based on his actions and not on rhetoric.

Obama – all the way. Good bye and good riddance McPalin- We have "had enough"

To Kathy

Comparing a demented pig (even with lipstick) to a human is not allowed by any standards..... political or scientific..

Dont you see it ....Mc Cain just sells the "Bush rhetoric" – much worse than his own bumbling repetitive, angry, negative, win war, statements...

Americans ought to know this by now, McCain has done well for the country as a soldier, but thats good enough to make him a president when he couldn't even articulate clearly his foreign policy in this debate.

Obama clearly won, like he's always done!! The guy is simply too smart for Republican strategists with their hate politics!! This debate was a goodbye to the hockey mom to go focus on troopergate.

Go Obama!!

To Mike Jones- Like John Mccain, you failed to get it. America is at a crossroad and cannot afford another wasted four years. As the world looks up to America for guide/direction, only a compoased man deviod of anger problem that will command the first polity of the world. We salute and owe respect to men and women that have won the military uniform, but now parading military lapel buttons are not what is needed at this crtical moment. All what we seek in the man that will lead come November 4, 2008 are embeded in B.O.

Please Mike Jones get wise and busy.

Obama won the debate. He came out swinging and when John McCain started out with an uncharacteristically subdued manner, Obama, I think a little surprised, refocused on his plan and the issues. But, he appropriately addressed every lie John McCain bouted out. It made McCain look like the Senator that he will always be and Obama Presidential. And, WHAT'S WITH THE NOTES????? John McCain had a legal pad of notes that was obviously prepared previously with scripted information which he recited and sometimes, much like the Palin tactics, did not fit the question. Toward the end, he rapidly flipped through the pages to see if he left anything out!!!! It's obvious now, John McCain has no plan, no ideas of his own, only what's prepared for him to say just like Palin. WHO are these people???? You know, if John McCain had a record of accomplishments you would think he could talk about it, rather he spent the evening telling us he TRIED to do several good things, yet he failed over and over again because nobody else would go along and adopt the measure. This sounds like he has NO ability to "reach across the isle" because he certainly does not have any ability to negotiate or even influence anyone else to adopt even good measures. John McCain, like Sarah Palin, are in offices way beyond their abilities.

Wow, someone here said Obama's doing a Bill Clinton by staying around after the debate and that it was not being original. Hmmm... Ok let's give your comment a little credence. Suppose Obama's really doing a Bill Clinton at least he's emulating someone in his own party and shares the same values with him. But how about McCain and Palin suddenly changing there themes to "Change" how's that being original? And what's most funny about it is that there copying not from their own party but from their direct opponent which is Obama & Biden. That's very unoriginal.

Obama was the victor. McCain in desperation promised all of the subprimers that he would deliver a bailout with prime financing at current market value. Tax payers cannot wait for that bill to come in I'm sure....

Sen. Obama won. He outperformed Sen. McCain on economy and economy is the subject that will be in the minds of many voters this year.

To Lucy – You failed like Mike Jones to realise that irrespective of the colours of our skins that we are just one people who cannot afford another wasted four years of a political party that brought us to this sorry-state-of-affairs. Even beyond the shores of America, all mankind is seeking for CHANGE. please get it and get busy

Mark, if you dems are so solidly behind Obama, none of what i say here would matter. The Fact is, Obama hurdled incomprehensible negativities against the Clintons in the past, but look at where he is now? He is relying heavily on the Hillary supporters, on Bill's endorsements and on Bill's winning style to win over voters? Pres. Clinton must be secretly smirking at this guy for lack of ideas he can call his own.
Another point, McCain didn't stay behind with his friends after the debate bec he need not compete against Obama's style mimicking that of Bill Clinton. Had McCain decided to do so, we will end up with an extended contest on who will stay with the audience the longest. That will cost the media a lot more, considering they have to cover the debate from statrt to finish and would have disallowed many viewers to call it a night. McCain is hardly the Actor that Obama is. Obama plays a role and he plays it so well.

Obama won again even that they didnt give lots of time to fight buck on Mc cain 's lies. What can he change @ the moment which he didnt do in the last 30years in the white house? Obama is for change

Kathy V ... Obama's brain power is much much higher than combination of McCain's and Palin's. Just look at their education profiles alone.

Obama is more of a president in tonight's debate. He is precice and calm. He is the best for the world in policies and bringing peace around. Mcain is more of a war monger and there is no hope that he will not drag us into another war to enable second term in office.

To me, though he is experienced, but no the charisma is not there. He is too old for US and will not earn US dwindling respect.

Tonight, i am changing my support from Mcain to Obama. Obama, you are the president, keep on going! This will definitely prove that Americans are democratic.

Mcain, why didnt you remove your hand gloves since the begining of this campain? Do you just woke up from your slumber after discovering that the poll is favoring Obama. You loose my respect. Please focus on the remedy and not attack on personalities. Even Palin is more of a rehearsal VP.

I am not an American but closely follows the American Politics. I did my MPA from Southern Illinois University in 95. America taught me lot. Made some wonderful friends! To be honest my 7 years stay in America led to me become an unofficial ambassador of US of A in Bangladesh. Became the flag bearer of American Democracy, Human rights and freedom. (Americans take these things for granted but they do not know how precious and rare are these in the world that exists beyond America). But now I have become a minority in my country because of the cowboy diplomacy and foolish acts of George W Bush. What pains me more is Mr. Bush does not even have intellect to understand these and American's have elected him not once but twice in the last 8 years! Its going to be an uphill task for the next American President to restore the respect that America used to draw from the World.
I think OBAMA won the DEBATE today, and next month the Americans will speak loudly and elect Obama to get rid of BUSH war mongering!! I sincerely wish that America once again will be the beacon of Peace, Prosperity and Freedom for people like us!

we need Obama in the white house so we as American s ca be able to grt a green light around the Clobe. I have been around the Globe but wat I seen is not that they hate us but the Govermnt makes it harder for this nation.

If i may just add, Obama is an Actor playing a part and he plays it oh so well with lines cleverly practised, not missing a cue to the delight of a captured audience. But when the curtains are drawn, we are back to reality, back in the real world with real people left wanting because all that was said were just words, plain words.

Obama won for sure. It is clear that Obama is looking out for the middle class. McCain on the other hand looks out for the rich and veterans.

Obama answers the questions honestly and to the point. McCain goes on and on, and still doesn't get to the point. It is basically young vs old. Obama won.

The toxic Republican ideology of tax breaks for the rich
and deregulation has brought America to it's knees.

From Enron to Wall Street
Iraq to New Orleans
Deficits to Depression

Time for a CHANGE of regime.

Obama is the choice.

Anton, if i were you, i wouldn't brag about Obama's educational profile. Didn't a famous man once say, the world needs to rid itself of all lawyers to make our world a better place to live in?

Checkmate for Obama. He is the more popular candidate locally and internationally according to the polls. He will be an assest for America and the world at large. He has my vote.

Anton, if i were you, i would't brag about Obama's educational profile. Didn't a famous man once say, the world needs to rid itself of lawyers to make it a better place to live in? Besides, an effective leader cannot lead a country by brains alone, you've got to have the heart too that beats for your constituents. That's why I like McCain and Palin.

Obama was calm,calculated and in control-very president like.He has the making of a great 21 century leader of not only America but the entire free world,including us in N.Z.

i like McCain and the vision he represents for the American people. It may be a traditional direction but that's what kept America safe all these years. He has been there, done that, which makes him more reliable to rise up to the task, whether it is in the economic, political, domestic or international front. Whether he debates better or poorly than Obama is not the questions. Obama is just too young and untested to provide the solutions to the mountain of problems we now have. Obama should have waited a while longer to augment his experience before running for president.

from Phuket, Thailand:
I watched all three debates on CNN's Streaming Video. There is no question that the Obama/Biden ticket 'won' all three debates. There was substance to their arguments; while there was nothing but 'talking points' and stump speaches from the McCain/Palin side...especially from Palin.
(I find it an insult and an embarrassment that somebody like Palin would be chosen for the VP position. This only shows why our – (America's) standing in the world has dropped so low.)

Who “won” now is not material; who will win the general election *is!*
I hope that will be Senator Obama.

I was amazed to see Senator McCain spout the same old stuff all over again, like the supposed voting record of Senator Obama on taxes? That nonsense was discredited (with *many* other things) as misleading…. but still it got re-used? That’s sad; that’s desperation.

Oh, for anyone willing to read up on Senator McCains’ life & record, there’s a long story at RollingStone, very revealing! Read it and then ask yourself “is this the guy who has the mental stability to hold the nuclear triggers for us?”
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain
(Now be brave & post it this time!)

Obama has no record of accomplishment that is a fact. He talks and talks about what he wants to do, yet for his time in congress he only voted with his party. He is a Party Clone as are most politians. Only McCain has a record of bucking party lines. Want more of the same, vote Obama, but know you are voting for a void.

Americans are like football fans with poor judgements. they don't know that their team is playing badly because the opposing team had own goal (Bush 8 years).
I & you know that McCain is 100% better, vote him and forget about the press who is supporting Obama to makeup for their (press) wrong judgement about the Iraq war. Americans vote wisely, vote McCain and not rhetorics.

Crowned Prince
Nigerian Consensus voice

Lucy, I speak as a foreigner. McCain lost this debate on clarity and substance without me getting into his political "judgment" and his touch of reality. McCain is too deep and too steep of his historic Vietnam "achievement" as a deservingly-admired war hero. But that somewhat "medieval" mindset left him irrelevant of today's crisis America faces – a near collapse economy at home and two wars on the brink of inevitable defeats if persisted the way it is. His panic reaction to the bail-out plan displayed how any crisis "managed" him instead of him managing a crisis. As for political judgement, McCain is far too optimistic and heroic of victories in Iraq and Afganhistan to be blind of reality on the battleground. That surprised me completely given his Vietnam's experience. THE COMMON THREAD of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan is summed by one word 'INSURGENCY" which history have proven no victory either in Vietnam, Malaysia and Afghanistan (against the Russian) via application of military force. Lucy, if you calmly reflect some sombre truth – the British are leaving Iraq. They know the impossibility of victory there. Throw you a few numbers here – US spending $10 billion a month (which have not won them battlefield victory nor even contain the insurgency-led attacks) on Iraq. Iraq has foreign reserves of US$79 billion. Without American funding of this war, would Iraq hold on for another 8 months – just financially?? McCain knows that if the US withdraw, the fortified Green Zone would be walked over by insurgent forces.

As for Afghanistan, the British also know the sickening truth. Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, the Commanding Officer of the British forces in Afghanistan said ..What we need is sufficient troops to contain the insurgency to a level where it is not a strategic threat to the longevity of the elected Government.... NOTICE HE USED THE WORDS " TO CONTAIN THE INSURGENCY"- – not hope of winning the war.The brigadier’s grim prognosis follows a leaked cable by François Fitou, the deputy French Ambassador in Kabul, claiming that Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, the British Ambassador, had told him the strategy for Afghanistan was “doomed to failure”. Sir Sherard had told him Britain had no alternative but to support the US, “but we should tell them that we want to be part of a winning strategy, not a losing one. The American strategy is doomed to fail.”

The Nato allies know the Afghanistan war will end up in defeat. Not even George Bush will claim victory in sight and McCain says it will be victory – he is NOT even there to see the real thing on the battleground.

You cannot win an insurgency by military force partly because Taliban, tactically, is reasonably resilient, certainly quite dangerous and seems relatively impervious to losses – exactly like Vietnam. McCain has no touch of political or military history or reality. It is the same of Palin.

God bless America if mcCain-Palin gets deeper into Iraq, Afghanistan and a new one in Iran.

Im surprised that there are ANY Americans who would vote for MCCain/Palin after their performance this last week, and lasr night's poor performance by Mc Cain...

Some viewers have said that they would vote for McCain's experience (vs the inexperience of Obama)

I want to ask, and someone please answer: George Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld had loads of experience: And where is America now? Experience has given you a major financial crisis, jobs lost, deep debt, you are borrowing from the Chinese, the Middle East, in wars you dont know how to get out of....

Do you still think that McCain/palin experience is what you need??

Rachel ... well .. it's not brainer ... do you prefer someone who graduate from Havard Law (plus he was Harvard Law Review president) compared to someone with graduationi rank: 894 out of 899 (let me spell out: McCain) or 6 times changing majors (let me spell out again: Palin) ..... all these stuff reflected how they made decision .... I think ... it's very clear they way their doing debates.... VERY CLEAR. If you think McCain and Palin did superb on debates .... wellllllllllllll .................... (fill in the blank).

forgot ... Rachel .. did I mention ... Obama graduated with MAGNA CUM LAUDE ...

To be honest, I'm waiting for Obama to do his magic, with some substance behind his words. I don't see any use in hailing Obama a saviour of the world, if the plan for such deed is not described in detail and defended in a debate. Oh I'm so sorry, without substance I'm going to vote for MacCain. Yes, he's a aging gentleman, and has some battle scars. But isn't this what one looks for in a leader. Someone who has the experience to call a spade a spade, simply because he knows the results from choosing the alternative.

John, "Two-face McCain", has a terrible record in his 26 years in public office. And, his "Straight-Talk" slogan is the opposite of his performance and rhetoric during the debate.
To borrow a phrase from one of my favorite Hollywood actors, Mr. McCain, "you ARE a legend (in the Senate)...in your own mind"

Anton, I must agree with you in totality – the "business" of any nation is TOO BIG AND TOO DANGEROUS to trust that to very superficial man or woman of suspect intellect. You need the best of the best the country has to lead and manage its highest political institution whose feet stand firmly on the ground and mind is deeply anchored to the people's welfare. This is the ONLY WAY TO EXCEL.

Obama won defenitley... Mccain was so tiered I thought he was about to have a HEART ATTACK!! get a rest mccain.. why bother ur self u r not gona win either ways!!!

No contest here John McCain is done. Am I the only one who noticed he used this baby-talk tone all night? God that was insulting.

As an Arizonan I have witnessed first hand how the wealthy criminal Charles Keating used John McCain as a patsy to cover his ass as he committed fraud that cost billions of dollars. This rube profited from these actions as well. If that's not enough as him to tell you some rape jokes or explain why his wife sometimes looks like she's been smacked around.

I really think a lot of Republican candidates held out on this election rather than struggle to legitimize the corruption and poor decisions of the last 8 years. Think about it, from the onset we had Gulliani, Huckabee, Romney and McCain. None of these people really inspire confidence and would each have struggled to overcome being, the outsider, the New Yorker or the Mormon etc.

Greetings from Hong Kong!

This American watched the debate live online while sipping morning coffee. I needed the coffee b/c McCain is really trying to sound liberal, but he's still representing the Republican Party and we know as Americans, no matter where we live around the globe, that we cannot afford another 8 years of Republican policy. Not to mention the "what if" scenario of a Palin presidency. (Had lunch with a Canadian today who laughed about Palin and told me how shocked/scared she was about Palin being on the Rep. ticket).

Obama/Biden is the only choice.

Hmmm! Normally I respect your opinions J.Mann, but you got this one WRONG!

How does doddering, erratic, creepy, condescending, calumnous, negative & unclear from McCain EQUATE TO A DRAW WITH confident, clear, compassionate, emphatic, trustworthy, positive & clear from Obama.

Robert, Mike Jones, Kathy V, 'John McCain' & yourself should get together & come up with some positive strategy for the Repubs campaign, because they are down and trying a 'Rove/Rumsfield/Cheney' tactic.

Get over it McCainites – Obama wins hands down!

Obama won big time. To neocon repubs commenting here, pls. pls. pls. i beg of you people, don't try to portray yourselves as pro-clinton crowd cause its obvious you're not. You're just trying to win hillary's supporters but I guarantee you it won't work cause I'm definitely one of them. A diehard Hillary supporter. People can sense sincerity a mile away folks. As Hillary said it best "No way, No How, No McCain, No Palin. Let's talk about issues and not play that Karl Rove game. Focusing on issues can give us good judgment. That's the reason why McCain and Palin never won any debates (as perceived by people across the country, not me) due to the clear distinction between them and Obama/Biden. Issues matter to a lot of people. Its not so much of a concern for people with 12 houses especially those who don't know how many houses they have. Well, I don't have to stress my point here. Don't know who's leading in the polls? Go figure!

We all love John. But it seems clear now that Barack obama is the next president of United States.

I am not concerned about who won the debate, but its so obvious that Obama won, my concern is about FOX channel. Is that a Mccain station? Its so much disgust to sit and listen to what the reporter with the blue tie always says whenever I tune in, and I dont know if the poll statistics they talk about is FOX employees opinion. You guys at the CNN are doing a great job. keep it up

Obama won! He connected more with audinece he posed and calm. MaCain started to get angry at one point I think he found it difficult not having his kind of audience.

OBAMA won!!

McCain was horrible, really terrifying with his repetitive and empty phraseology. He was extremely arrogant, I disliked his repeting every two seconds "my friends".

His "physical apparition" makes me sick (no full-torso), he looked like Quasimodo.
Such a person can definitely not represent the US!

It is a sad fact that even today, racism is alive and well in America. Otherwise, Barack Obama would be 20 points or more up in he polls, and would win the election by landslide.

Case in point, my sister, a die-hard, toe-the-party-line republican has openly stated to several people that she would not vote for Obama because he is black and his middle name is...........which means he is a terrorist. Sad, isn't it?

I truly wish the American people would open their eyes and minds and view each man for who he is, what he stands for, and not just his skin color.

I thought Obama won this one again. McCain appeared to shrudder under a pretense of the surge and War. This same old news of war continues to be all the Repulican party can talk about. Obama made me feel like he was really concerned about what he might do for me right now. McCain made me feel like in the bye and bye he might help me out as a tax payer this is just not what the American people want to here. We need assistance now.

I'm Abo Ahmad from Kuwait.

I didn't sleep and watched the debate at 4AM local time but the prize was high. I was a chance to see both in unscripted context.

If i were to vote, i give it to Sen. Obama with full heart and confidence.

You Americans really need to all grad your heads and give them a communal shake. Is there anyone down there with at least one functioning brain cell? After 8 years of the Republican dictatorship and the mess that Bush/Cheny have created around the world plus the corruption and lies that anyone could possibly consider voting for the Republicans. Those two boobs McCain/Palin say that they are going to fix Washington. While that's what the Republicans said 8 yeasrs ago preaching how moral they are. Lo and behold they and all their GOP cohorts have no scrupples. All the Republican Senators and Congressmen just rubber stamped anything that George gave them.

I think it is important for people to wake up and really "hear" What the very junior senator from Illinois has to say-he never answers the question, he always invokes the Bush presidency-the questions we should ask ourselves are what was he doing 5 years ago or 10 or 15? He promises change and he has ZERO record of it-Come on America-wake up before it is too late! Don't let marketing fool you-

Obama won! Obama is "that on" true presidential candidate.

Lucy – stop smoking the pot" – you obviously cannot stand change and probably have a family tied to republicans! oh and you sound ridiculous!!

Best wishes from the UK.
It is very clear to me that Obama won the debate. In fact it was no contest. What the Republican Party and Mr MCcain need to quickly realise is that the world is watching America, and the world is generally intelligent an informed. Mr MCcain is incoherent and seemingly not too bright ---–. He is also close to the prophetic three scoors and ten, so time to rest and leave the interest of the America and the free world to Obama and the Democratics

It's obvious, who won the debate. I really the United States of America and the world need a new kind of leadership. We tired and bored of the same old same. It's time to move on. John McCain still don't get it.

I hope that american people understand that the world has changed.

Obama/Biden 2008

Let's go!!!

Once again, Mr. Obama assured all American what a truly leader should act during a crisis. Looking at Senator Mc Canine last night, you would think that it was in Mars. He had nothing substantive to say other to blame Obama who have been in the Senate for a little over 4yrs. About national and foreign issues, Senator Obama looked more presidential than McCain. Overall, I truly believe that unless something tragic happens to Mr. Obama, he would be our next President.

Obama was way ahead of McCain
He looked as if he has given up already
Obama will win, if they let him survive

McCains whole demenor reminds me of Mr. Burns on the Simpsons. The way he walks...talks...laughs...rambles. McCains war-mongering ways that are wasting billions of dollars laced with scare tactics are at an end. It was almost too painful to watch last night as Obama consistently showed poise and clarity while McCain stood in the corner cracking jokes (that no one laughed at) and snickering.

I just kept reminding myself that it could be worse. We could have to watch Palin again.

John McCain & Sarah Palin = McCanine :-)

Obama smashed him, why? because he didn't carry on like a trumped up school-boy calling his opponent "That One".

To Kathy V:
never ever make the mistake of comparing Obama and Palin in any way. they are not on the same level.

what was with McCain getting close to the people looking all needy and desperate? Having listened to the whole debate, I can comfortably say that Obama won.

"That one" won :-)

I think the only thing that can help McCain now is a terrorist attack. Hope his compaign doesn't come up with one.

Health care should be a right ! de-regulation is not going to make anything better.

To Abenlema

You are right, never ever make the mistake of comparing Palin with Obama. You are insulting Palin. Obama is a blithering idiot who refuses to answer questions. Look at the debate.

And don't you just love his UHHHHHHHHHs

A tie?

I don't think so...

McCain regardless of his ability to lead the country, simply has no real program. Its more or less of the same lame solutions that have proven to be uneffective in the last eight years that McCain is suggesting. Tax Breaks for major oil companies and the rich aren't what americans want!

Furthermore MCain seemed nervous and way too much on the attack while Obama was calm and collected and much more presidential.

Overrall Obama's performance was superior in every aspect. To cal this debate a tie is provocative and very far from the truth.

This is Franklee Speaking from Hong Kong -

In Asia, if you see a person saying "my friends" in every other statements, too many times, after he shakes your hand, you
have to count your fingers.

Obama won hands down.

Obama won, we all hope he becomes the next commander in chief and get us out of Iraq. I dislike McCain comments about Iraq because "victory" is not near. If anyone come to Iraq and evaluate they will be able to see the truth that victory is not in sight and its only a waste of life and money over here. McCain don't even think that staying here is a bad thing, he wants us here for many more years. He needs to admit he was wrong and apologize to every soldier. Don't listen to McCain n Bush, we know their mentality and it’s no good. America please save us and vote for Obama.

This is a very important election. We have seen what republicans are capable of in the last 8 years. All that they have thrown is Fake War. People like O'Reilly or Limbaugh who are sadistic and racial are the ones who have been supporting the actions of past 8 years. I believe Americans and the Whole World deserves much better. Im from India and I have been following the elections and the Wall Street crisis very closely. I feel OBAMA is "the one" who has the answers to these crisis. Please please please please vote for OBAMA/BIDEN 08'-12'

Obama clearly won. McCain was stale, rude, and condescending. He just looked like a grumpy, old man. I voted for Hillary, but looking at Obama now, I am confident now that I am making the best choice. The "This one" comment and the rude smirks were unbearable. Why doesn't his staff help him come up with a better and more respectful poker face. What's up with him getting to close to the people in the audience. That was kinda creepy, "my friends"...eeewwwww

Obama won this debate.... hands down....I hope he wins the Presidency. Only then, you will have an intelligent man running the country.

The fact is -you Americans are only ones that can make the right choices.
We in other continents/countries can only give comments on here....but we cant cast that crucial vote!

So people......it's your cue

and for the record....Barry rocks, and if you Americans choose him he's gonna make it happen for you

From Africa with Love

McCain won. If you think our country is in trouble now... just vote for Obama.

It is a no-brainer if a person is applying for a job, who would you pick? Someone with experience and or someone without any credible experience.

A community organizer, radical activist? I don't think so. Obama sounded like a slick politician, if you really listen close he has no substance.

Use your brains America.

Americans, really, let's be honest. Either man could lead the country effectively. Whether or not you like one or the other is another point. However, and I know the pundits say Americans don't vote at the bottom of the ticket, but this time, it has to be that way. Think back to that horrific day on 9/11, and then try to picture say, an ill John McCain, and leaving Sarah Palin leading the county through that disaster. Simply inconceivable. She could not lead effectively through that time. She will not having teleprompters, and she will not have talking points. She would be inane and asinine at best. Please, for the love of the country, don't put that woman in office. Please.

OBAMA IS THE WINNER
how can senator McCain say "speak softly but carry a big stick "
that is unacceptable .
yeah you speak softly and obviously because of healh reasons , not because you re a wise man . and the big stick is doesn't even apply to animals .
sorry McCain

from zambia, i wish i would vote. with due respect to the old man. let him enjoy his monies. he is past. obama won.

They both failed miserably in last nights debate!

In the end, you can trust McCain! Obamma is just plain scary!

I thought neither won, it was boring. McCain at least you know about him , he's been around awhile, but Obama scares me and I am a democrat, but will be voting for McCain. Dont trust Obama....!!!!!!!!

I think Barack Obama won handily. It was a great debate for him. He controlled the debate, he was Presidential, showed his policies to be more for middle America, was superb on health care and showed he was the best candidate.

The line that Health Care is a Right and as he said as the richest country in the world the thought that everyone should not have health care is ridiculous. For his mother who died at 53 of cancer the spend the last month of her life fighting with the insurance companies is ridiculous.

I thought that moment was great.

John McCain may have come in to attack but Obama did not allow himself to be attacked.

Obama was repetitious , he did not make an impact at all on me.
He was not completely direct . He also keep on connecting Mcain with Bush which is ridiculous. The question about Israel did not answer, he just BS on it, as always.

Obama is not a Kennedy, and not ready to serve this country, maybe if he was in the service I might think twice. McCain has been around a while at least I know him. I thought the debate was boring and mister cool and collective Obama knows how to lie and be calm as he does it. This is one of many democrats that I have spoke to who will be voting republican this year

I strongly believe that Obama did excellent job for the second presidental debate. But I caught McCain that said Senate Obama don't know about the National Security Agency/Council, I think Senate Obama forgot about the domestic abused women in Middle East or other countries that their evil men who treat them as slaves and never want to be equal with women, only dominance dogs. Because of their ridiculous traditional culture. And, I think in Middle East, they really need our help to stop great nasty violance from group of terrorism or others. Those Pakistani, Iraqis, American, British, Jews, and Iranian are other innocents! So they have to be force to stop hurting other innocent people.

I'm glad that Obama won the second presidental debate.

If John McCain wins the presidency, then there is something FUNDAMENTALLY wrong with Americans!!

I think McCain should declare himself out of the race as it stand right now. He knows that Obama is left him behind – even in the opinion polls.

I dont understand why there needs to b a "winner" in such kind of presidential debates.From my perspective,what i was looking for is not for one person to dominate the other in terms of issues or personality or oratory but for someone to come across as first a good person and at the same time to be presidential.What should be ultimately important is if you are "Democrat-leaning' or "Republican-Leaning",did Obama or McCain talk stuff to convince or move voters towards their side.AS soon as i venture into this foray i can say that there was only one candidate who was trying to convince voters of his desire and commitment towards America while the other decided to bank on his record and his pointless banal attacks to try and destabilise the oponent.It is to Obama's credit that he looked composed and got a measure of McCain from beginning to end.One question that CNN pollsters could have asked people which could have been a good indication of things to come could be this...Did Obama do a better job in the 2nd debate compared to his performance in the first debate?(and the same question for McCain as well?)..It would correctly represent who is going to be America's next president.For me its a no-brainer..Obama all the way..Unless race plays any factor in this election Obama will win by a landslide..my prediction 14 points..Rememer you heard it here first.

Was'nt he just energetic, honest, focused, passionate, warm, friendly and even humorous? That's my verdict on Senator McCain's performance. This gentleman exudes honor, dignity and amazing courage to take on so many challenges in the twilight of his life. He was brave enough to show his faith in his people and explain that all solutions can be applied straight away. For me he came across as very human, fun to listen to and very knowledgeable about this world. May God bless the Senator.

As for who won the debate, I think Senator Obama is by far the best material for this office at this time. He has more strength and seems to have succeeded in energizing the future generation. American kids want their own President, give him to them.

God bless all America's noble leaders. May Governor Palin stop her cruel attacks on the Democrats. She is in a priviledged position (no one voted for her) so she must show more respect to others.

thank you. Methuselah

moment of decision for america show the world the way and we follow, pls dont bungle this chance if mcCain wins the world will come to an end. if Obama wins dawn of a new era for america and the world.

Some Republican supporters give no particular reason as to what McCain did to convince them..I will just give you one example on which Obama totally got him and McCain totally went back on his own words.In the first presidential debate,mcCain was very very offensive on Russians and talked about isolating them,teaching them a lesson,giving them warnings but he refused to do anything of that sort this time around.He really shocked me especially since his whole coterie seems to be believer Russia is a complete thug,and he shocked me by saying mabbe for a Yes or No question on if he believes Russian empire is evil.So much for his bland rhetoric...i feel really sorry for the small bunch of republican supporters here.Obama all the way.

I am bemused that Americans can be so smitten by Obama..i cant believe that a first time senator with no hands-on experience, & zero personal convictions can be leading in an election that is so important especially in this dangerous financial and economic times..these are dangerous times, be it on the economy, world security and the last thing the world needs is an American president who wrongly in my view, sees his country as seriously weakened among the comity of nations..Obama for me has been wrongly touted by a very nauseating liberal american media as the 'expert' on the economy.. if he is such an expert, how come he could not answer such a simple and straightforward question on who he will appoint as the treasury secretary if elected president? how come he agrees with Mcain all the time only to disagree later? by the way, what was that dig about his wife being more informed than he is when asked a simple Q on what he doesnt know! Is Michelle Obama running 4 president??

finally, where do the news media get their phoney polls from?? i dont know which debate they watched, but the one i viewed saw an Obama reharshing the same spent and boring line of tying george bush to senator mcain..can someone please remind this whining democrats that george w bush is not on the ballot in november! Americans may blame bush for everything, but believe he is a far better president than Obama will ever be..At least he stands for something...what does obama stand for??

The fact that McCain refused to shake Obama's hand after the debate, then left rather hurriedly, while the Obamas stayed and talked to the audience spoke volumes about McCain's character. His demeanor, as well as his by now infamous "that one" reference to Senator Obama pretty much sealed the deal; Obama will be the next President of the US.

I feel really sorry for the (thankfully) minority of people who in their hearts believe – or at least want to believe- that McCain won the debate, when he clearly did not. I don't know if your hatred for Obama is racially motivated or not, but anyone with at lest a shred of common sense could see that Obama is clearly the better of the two candidates.

BTW, you Obama-haters should really go and visit FactCheck.org and read up a bit. You will clearly see that all of the things that your candidates McCain and Palin have been saying about Obama are either COMPLETE LIES or VERY misleading. Your gullibility is shocking and embarrassing at the same time.

You should really all be ashamed of yourselves for buying into what Bill Clinton used to call "the politics of personal destruction." I would have hoped that my fellow American citizens would be above that sort of thing in this time of crisis, but I guess I was wrong. Very sad.

Everyone who is a christian needs to beware of false propehts like Obama promising everything to everybody.I am ashamed of the people of this country because everyone wants a handout what happened to people working for what we need.The dems want universal healthcare the government pays for it where does the government get its money the taxpayer so to pay for it they will raise our taxes ,so less money on our paychecks it will eventually be every dollar we work for the government will get so lets go ahead and give every God bessed dime to them so they can give us our food ,gas,heathcare and so on.McCain and the Repulicans want us to handle our on affairs that is what I want and I thought this country was founded for.Thats my story and thats the way I want to live.It doesn't matter who won the debate because the pres does just so much anyway what needs to change is the senste and the house.

OH, Obama is the new Kennedy and we have waited 8 years for his coming. I have been working and living outside of the US for eight years and would not mind coming home. 80% of Americans living abroad are voting for Obama. We look at things pretty clearly from over here. Euros dont waste money on war and that is the fundamental difference.

I'm not American but I'm very much interested in this presidential election like millions of foreigners. I've got a question for you American voters: whay do you think of Mc Cain's attitude when he ignored Obama when he wanted to shake hands with him at the end of the debate? He let his wife salute Obama instead,but HE didn't do it. Doesn't it show lack of respect, an unforgivable behaviour from a future president ?

Love it or hate it, THAT ONE ! IS THE ONE!! THAT WON!!!

I'm voting for McCain. Overall, the debate just reiterated the same stuff that both candidates have been saying for a few weeks now, so it was nothing new. Obama is one of the most liberal senators out there...regardless of what he's saying in his campaign, taxes will go up if he becomes president. I'm voting with what will work for my bank account....and I trust McCain more than Obama to keep the exissting tax cuts in place.

When it comes to foreign policy, Obama is a total amateur and doesn't know what he's talking about.

I think that the republicans have been in office to long we are so screwed up because of them, who wants a ditsy broad like Palin to be Vice president she doesn't know squat about anything.. I hope the people pay attention and see what has happened to us for 8 years we need some new blood and brains in the oval office. thanks

Clearly Obama won this debate. He look presidential he answer the questions, he related more with the middle class, he had more precise plans on combating the economic crisis, health care as well as the mortgage crisis. Obama backed up his key points with facts and concrete plans on how they would be achieve. McCain on the other hand is completely out of touch. Sure he claims he will make changes but his records doesnt back it up. He claims that Obama will raise tax through Federal spending but he purpose that the federal government should buy up bad mortgages and resale them at a discounted prices which he admitted with cost the federal government meaning tax payers billions. This in addition will raise taxes.

most people on this board fail to realize that it is not about winning or losing the debate, but more importantly about who would best protect american interest..

sadly for all the obama poster boys on this board, that person is Mcain..

Obama, I give it to him is full of oratory, but sadly for him we are leaving in dangerous times and 'smooth talk' cannot be a substitute for experience..Mcain has lived it, while Obama has managed to read and digest what mcain has lived, and does a darn good job at talking it..

i am a business owner and i know the difference between experience and talk..experience is invaluable..

i know that Americans will eventually come to see what Obama is.. Eventually,calm and informed heads will prevail against the current soap opera playing out.

For a moment , I felt McCain will understand that service to America can be in different forms. I do endorse and respect our forces, but teachers, nurses, doctors, community workers, are equally providing service too. McCain needs to understand that service to America cannot only be done through the forces. As for the debate, I can'telp but admire how composed, crisp and sharp Obama was. In this moment of change, crisis, I'll be damned to even fathom a Dinosaur in that office.

Thumbs to Obama!!!!

I believe McCain's anger is directed at his colleagues who made him choose Sarah palin as his running mate.
With someone like Mitt Romney at his side, we would me more comfortable that the second in command could take over in a heart-beat! Huge Political mis-judgement, and a very sad one!

JJ

For all of you that fear Obama, my father included.

You have fallen right into the Republican trap of keep them scared and they will vote REpublican. Just look at George Bush with WMD´s and threat level red, yellow, etc...

I like McCain but he is not the best Choice. Obama seems risky, but after looking at the facts, he holds the most potential for change and for fixing America. I live abroad and am tired of the devalued dollar and decreasing image of America held by most foreigners.

Let´s show them what America is ready to shine once again.

Go Obama/Biden

HEY Belenda, i am not a racist. I can trace my roots all the way back to the first slave trading ships in America. Not liking Obama doesn't make one a racist but a KEEN OBSERVER who can tell the difference between a Straight Talking Guy from a Smooth Talking One. Admit it, McCain and his kind are the ones that make you feel secure when you sleep at night knowing you are on his watch.

CNN is pro-Obama that is why they continue to say he won the debate. Why is it not listed anywhere on their website about Obama's dealings with "ACORN" or "Ayers?" Afraid of what will happen to Obama's numbers? I used to like CNN but they are showing so much bias to Obama they have rose covered glasses on!

Obama won, lets hope the democrats have learned a lesson from the last 2 election "don' let the republicans steal the presedency

Why is Obama being hailed as a savior who can get America out of its financial troubles? Has he done anything significant in this lifetime to deserve such expectations? The nation has been through tougher times before, and it's our resiliency as a people that helped us pull through those difficult episodes? Why pin your hopes on Obama who has done NADA for you and me thus far?! Just asking.

Sorry Lucy. I don't believe you are an african american. You don't have to like Obama but your acceptance of a man that clearly disrespected the AA male that asked the question about the bailout ,"You probably didn't know what Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae was", gives you away. If you didn't catch that in the debate, I have to wonder about you being a "KEEN OBSERVER".

That being said, Obama clearly won this debate. John McCain seems to be a doddering old man whose only goal is to win. If he truly cared about this country he would never have nominated Palin and he certainly wouldn't continually flip flop based on what he thinks people want to hear.

Obama's rise to stardom is a result of brilliant packaging and marketing.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this debate and was impressed with the standard. I think those on here really laying into John McCain are doing it out of wishful thinking rather than an objective view of his performance. I don't think he came across as phoney at all with his "my friends" statements. I think he actually came across as warm, genuine and competent. Agism is no more becoming than any other prejudice and it seems to be displayed on the forum. Now my concluding comments will surprise, if I had a vote, I would cast it for Obama, but lets be fair, both men performed exceptionally well and it was a great display of democracy in action.
Well done USA.

wrong ,wrong ,wrong McCain won it hands down......Obama same old liberal garbage spued.....give away everything

Who won? Remember debates are not won, debates are lost

and in my eyes McCain lost last night, not being able to set priorities about the 3 biggest domestic issues and saying we can do them all... YEAH right, even if we can do them all we can't do them at the same time.

Obama priorities would be my priorities if I were running for president, and some how that makes me feel the guy is smart or at least has a lot of smart people backing him.

McCain was erratic at best, I couldn't feel anything different when he talked about domestic issues, also let me say one thing.

THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ABOUT THE HOUSING MARKET, SO IT CAN'T BE FIXED BY FIXING THE HOUSING MARKET.

Yeah the housing market is the reason the boom exploded, but no one seems to be asking where the hell did that boom came from.

Obama was right, during times of crisis is when reform can take place, and that is what we need.

Reform the American way of doing things, we can't keep thinking that a country in red numbers can be effective at all, we consume a LOT more than what we produce, the only reason we are still great is because we borrow money in order to keep buying the things we need, but we can only go so far with that kind of mind set.

McCain did not point out that situation at all, Obama didn't say it clearly either, but he hinted about it more than once.

McCain seems to think this problem will fix itself if we repair the housing market, but guess what, it WON'T, now that the boom exploded the confidence in United States of America has been lost, investors think the ship is going to sunk and if they all think is going to sunk then is going to sunk... the reason we still float is because after all that has happened, many countries and people still believe in us, we need to stop to pretend that somehow US doesn't need anyone else and that we can keep moving by ourselves, that is a 20 century mind set, and I mean an early twenty century at best.

In this twenty first century village that we call earth, anything that happens to your neighbor will affect you, US is the house of the guy that earns 800K a year with little effort and spends it all in luxuries, parties and booze, however, one night we were smoking and the house caught fire, the fire is already spreading to all our neighbors, (JUST take a look at the global markets) that is why they want to help us, is not because they love us (not anymore), is because if our house burns down theirs will probably follow.

However, that is not their only option, they can also doze their house in water and wait until ours burns down to the ground (not very good for the American way of living, but god knows if I were in their shoes I would do that)

Lucy, I couldn't help reading your comment and now I have to say something:

If we take a good look at both candidates, they both suck.

McCain: Has experience on his side, but with each debate, it becomes clear that he doesn't have a CLUE of why the USS United States is sinking and that shows he is not the man for this job, I mean after picking a person like Palin, JUST for political reasons and to catch attention (and god she attracts attention), he lost me… and he should have lost anyone with common sense.

Obama: a guy with ZERO experience that talks sweet, just like a pop singer, however, at least he has indeed demonstrated that he has the Judgment to be president, why? He seems to at least have an idea of why the USS US is sinking, and he had to pick a VP candidate, many wanted it to be Hilary, but he had the Judgment to not listen to the voice of the herd and took a person that is well known for speaking his mind regardless of the situation, and that alone backs a few things of what Obama says.

Hi there,

I'm from Canada, your Northern neighbours! And I just wanted to say that I watched the debate closely, I have American family and what happens in the US affects us up here. Obama won and McCain was laughable. That is what the rest of the world is doing at the United States, laughing. The McCain Palin ticket is frightening. Obama was informative and patient while McCain was repetetive and trying to get in little jabs at Obama. It was embarrasing, I felt bad for him. He sounded like a little child. His plans don't add up, he is another George Bush and lets face it, the fact that Bush was ellected twice lost you guys enough credibility as a nation, why would you do that again.

Obama Biden '08.. Please

Obama won hands down> McCain and Palin both avoid answering questions, they consistently speak about whatever they know. McCain and Palin are robotic, I have their lines memorized. When Tom asked them to specifically address an issue, McCain would never give a clear answer, other than you can work all issues at the same time...which is 100% untrue. If he thinks you can address and solve energy, medicare, healthcare, social security and oil issues at the same simply means...more of the same...as this course of action will result in nothing. I'm ready for Nov 4th, I'm ready for a fresh start and the stabilization of our economy...it can be no other way.

Our "friend" McCain looks like one of those boxers; former champions of different weights that refuse to retire and keep fighting when they can even make the scale happy keeping their own weight.
Senator Mc Cain, “my friend”, “that one” will be the next president of the US, stop looking down, and look up, look at his eyes, don’t be afraid “my friend”. You and Sarah start looking like a pair of sore losers in the middle of the ocean yelling and screaming shaking your arms up n down and no one is listen nobody really cares about you any more and I think that loosing to an African American will end up been your biggest problem.

I am appalled at how disrespectful McCain is toward Obama. He's arrogant and rude. He never sat down when Obama was speaking and referring to Obama as "that one". He's a desperate man and the real McCain is beginning to show. He didn't stay back after the debate as Obama did. I wonder why.

most people on this board are fixated on the idea that winning a debate is equivalent to being an effective president..i also observe that most people feel that by mouthing the term 'middle class' in every statement of your conversation no matter how inappropiate is equivalent to having empathy for the middle class and working people...sadly for most of you it aint..the reverse is always the case...take it from me, i know..i am from Nigeria and we are saddled with our own little obama here, all rethoric, talk and ideas but no substance, hence no clue on how to move the country forward..

there is no substitute to experience and that maxim is more poignant during difficult times like this...i am of the opinion that the greatest injustice this generation of americans could do to the coming generations, is to elect a president basically on rethoric, charm and the over arching influence of the electronic media to spin half truths and concot bogus poll figures..

America is at a threshold and the choice is theirs to elect a competent, experienced, firm, steady and i admit boring leader to provide effective ans sustainable leadership..or to appoint a smooth talking inexperienced novice on a personal journey of self discovery

What was up with the "that one" comment, and McCain not even shaking Obama's hand at the end of the debate. I personally think it was a blaten sign of disrespect and contempt towards Obama on McCains part. You would think he would have a little more class than that.

PLEASE BRING RONALD REAGAN BACK!!IHE WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECT!!!MISSING THE BEST PRES EVER!!!

I thank the people from other parts of the world for posting here. Glad to see you folks have keen interest in what's happening here in the USA.

Not to worry, this time around the elections will not get stolen from the rightful winner – and that will be Barrack Obama. Many red states are turning blue for Obama. Yes, we are lucky to have him.

He clearly won the debates. He had more substance, had the right demeanor, very respectful and I am happy that soon he will represent the country and get us out of this mess (not going to be easy) and hopefully gain the respect of the world once again.

27 days more to go, we're getting there.

Mccain is not a racist…is the Obama campain really so desperate?
He properly just reffering to OB’s title as a senator THAT ONE:::THAT SENATOR
OMG..if OB is getting elected president and every time a world leader is “attacking” OB you’re going to hear him, or the media pull the race card…Shame on them.
Stay to the facts!!!

But I dont envy OB, if he is elected, what a change he has to deliver to the people who will be woting for him ....hope he can deliver..or I will have the right ...to say I told you so,...Hi Hi Dare you to vote for him.....

I watched this dance on the stage and all the he said , he did and nothing was more clear then when it started 2 years ago.No one won this and the real loser were, you the American people. No one has given a clear answer to our problems. McCain with pointing to leadership and Obama pointing to nowhere. I wish someone or one of them to tell us how are we going to get out of this mess. There will be no health care for everyone with this mess. There will be no tax cuts for the middle class and there will be no main street. It is time for leadership from someone and I have not seen it for either of them. Please will someone be honest and come foward, tell us not what we want to hear, but the truth.

What a night it was, Macbushpalin trying to crack a joke that did no work. Please America dont be fooled this time by Republicans lies. Obama won and was very impressive this time on foreign issue. It show how elite Macpalin are, how dare you look down on your openent in front of millions watchi around the world calling Obama "That One"? same arrogant as Bush.

Obama promised to work with World community to regulate financial instututions, very wise man Obama he is indeed.

How comes Maccain never say anything about cleaning USA image abroad? if he is true American he should care about America image abroad togain support and give leadership to all citizens of the world. Its clear this time Americans are waking up which is good news for world.

John McCain -

Sounds to me like John McCain thinks Al Capone still has politicians in his pocket. When he said he wouldn't take advice from a Chicago politician, does that include a republican one or when he mentions Chicago is that just a clear insult on the city I love so much.

The RNC had allot of derogatory comments about myself as UN American, His rallies make insinuations that Chicago as a corrupt city, and last night's debate comment as Barrack Obama being "That One".

He has proved to me that he has one agenda. Taking care of his own. Because if he has such disdain for others, He can't possibly be a president of change. John McCain is just short of sounding racist.

True colors!

Blah, blah and blah. Have another glass of kool-ade.
You liberal idiots all deserve what you are surely going to get.
Say the worst you want to about McCain, he certainly wouldn't be my choice. But Obama is a dangerous man. His total lack of experience doesn't even scare me as much as his stalinist view of a 'perfect' America.

Not to mention he:
Has not provided conclusive evidence he's even a citizen of this country.
Has had his school and legislative records either scrubbed or destroyed.
Lied about his intentions to raise taxes in Illinois.
Obstructed Illinois legislation making infanticide through botched abortions illegal.
Will not release his medical records.
Has not a clue how economics works, as displayed in last nights debate. "Prosperity doesn't trickle down", he says. Certainly does. Reagan proved it, and it lead to the prosperity of the 90's. But that's not enough. Then he follows it up with the need to get companies credit so they can make their payrolls and not lay people off. Who does he think BUILDS THE COMPANY IN THE FIRST PLACE??? A homeless person? No, a prosperous person, and through his or her willingness to risk their money, they provide prosperity for the people that work for them.

What do any of you actually know about this empty suit you want to put in charge of the most powerful nation on earth? Anything besides what HE has told you, or have you been too busy swooning and worshiping?

He wants to TAKE TRILLIONS of your dollars and give it to people who don't feel like working, he's going to nationalize everything he can get his hands on, he's going to destroy our energy industries and put hundreds of thousands of people out of work - in short, he's going to make Hugo Chavez look like an amateur.

And he wants to take away your liberty. That's probably ok with you. Sheep don't know the value of freedom anyway.

Obama won hands down!

I looked into McCain's eyes and saw three letters........I saw an O, an L and a D – OLD !!!!!!!!!

Then i had a vision – President Palin in the Whitehouse......................

On a serious note though, i do not think that McCain is racist but he is incredibly rude (after condascendingly telling the Afican American spectator that he had probably never heard of Fannie and Freddy before and after referring to Senator Obama as "that one").

Well its President "That One" to you John McCain !!!!

Mike Jones: It's either you did not watch the debate or you are very poorly educated; no other way to explain the high level of ignorance your are displayed in this forum.

What a surprise that my post was deleted. I suppose telling the truth about old Barry just isn't where CNN is at, eh?

Oh, wait... TRUTH!!... and CNN!!! hahahahahahahaha

My mistake, sorry. I feel like such an idiot thinking CNN would even be interested in the truth.

Who won? Neither one! Who lost? The good American's that play by the rules! Anyone who believes that a human being is going to fix the mess that we (other countries) are in (Domestically & Globally), are just plain FOOLS. Also, I am tired of watching CNN’s “after events” discussions with a “one-sided-panel” of “left-Winged Liberal” cronies and ONE conservative analyst; how can this be a fair discussion on who won? Last night was the last straw; I will no longer be using CNN as my primary news broadcasting network – CNN has proven “time and again” to be a left-wing liberal network – you can not give accurate information when you lean to one side. For Americans to be able to make good judgments, they need fair and precise information. CNN should try some of Glen Beck’s methods and curriculums – Glens not afraid to “set-things-straight” with the American people and is also not afraid to tell the truth. (I know CNN will not poste my comments; CNN will be afraid to)

One man can make a difference – and this man is Barack Obama.

Obama/Biden 08

YES WE CAN!

what kind of wonderful person is the democratic candidate .. he was very spesific,simple and very connected with the people .. American people should proud of him.. i beleive OBAMA won tha debate for being more clear and explained his points to the audience and he was v. patient absorbing all McCain's attacks ... showing a distinctive kind of leadership who we really need on this time of crisis ..

One word about Obama, Presidential !!

This says it all;

http://beingcanadian.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/being-a-hero-does-not-make-you-a-leader/

It's hard to not say Obama when THAT"s ALL THERE IS ON THE MEDIA. I have never, EVER, seen such slanted reporting and newscasting in all my born days. WHEN...did the media stop REPORTING the news and start making it. If OBAMA doesn't win, it won't be because the news media did not do everything possible to make him win.

Why I don't think he should be president? The man has 2 years as a senator as his only claim to fame! Hello America...but when did two years on the job allow you to become CEO of the company you work for? Unbelievable!!!!

I think either fellow won last nights debate. They both dance around the issues, taking very few opportunities to actually say anything that made sense. Both tell you what they think you want to hear...but nothing of real substance. Obama looks good, talks like Bill Clinton but has NO SUBSTANCE PEOPLE!!! Get real here! One of these guys is going to be the president of this country and the leader of the free world...I hope it's not Obama.

McCain is a great American hero, this is true, but he is NOT the only one who is. We have thousands and thousands of great American heroes. Are they all fit to be the next president? "MY Friends" Let's focus on who we want to lead us out of all this mess we are in. Who can do this for us? WE HAVE to VOTE intelligently not emotionally.

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/

Is this true? Why,if a scintilla of it is true, has this not been trumpeted in the press like the Kerry "swiftboat" smear farrago last time?

Over on this side of the pond, no one I have seen or spoken to has reacted with anything but slackjawed amazement (and disgust) at the "That one" – such discourtesy and rudeness (even ignoring possible race overtones – a la Palin – "he doesn't share our values" "He's not like us....")

Similarly, no one with half a brain cell in the UK / Europe / Canada / Australia / NZ / HK, appears to have any other reaction to La Palin than "Oh My GOD" how on earth is this cold, calculating, bigoted, hypocritical, ignorant, morass of idiocy afforded breathing space on the planet let alone on one of the most important political stages in the world and in our time? Especially when she is a melanoma, a heart murmur, a dementia slide, away from Chief Executive! Oh my god – it's bad enough we have Boris Johnson as London Mayor with no real power but this is unthinkable!

It is crystal clear to me that McCain hates Obama's guts...

He is only truthful in his body language towards senator Obama...perhaps without even realising it...

All the rest is fake....even his smile isn't real smile...at all...

3 down...1 to go...

If race doesn't become a big issue....then I think this one's in the bag for Barack and Joe...

I can't wait to record his victory speech !!!

It's gonna be a classic !!!

McCain looked old, angry and unhealthy. He is full of old, angry and unhealthy ideas for the country. Obama looked young, presidential, full of life and lots of fresh ideas. Will they work? I don't know but I'm willing to give him the chance since I know what McCain brings to the table: a disaster. And God forbid if he gets elected and does not survive his term.

obama won for sure..

Once again, Obama came forward with a more consistent arguement, whereas McCain kept beating around the bush. His main fault was when he wasnt clear woth his foreign policy issues.

Amazing how lopesided these comments are... 95% pro Obama. Personally I agreed that Obama did better in the debate. I do wish that CNN would show the clips of where McCain was making some gestures in the background while Obama was speaking. One of the bloggrs brought this up. I did not notice it, and would really like to see that. If it did happen.. man.. that speaks volumes for the immaturity and temperament of McCain. Would he do that to Putin while he would make a speech also?

Scary stuff.. America needs a total image revamping and McCain would be no help at all.

It seems to me as Palin is the next Cheney......

When the majority of you Obama lovers finally get a taste of his horrible medicine within the first six months of his administration, you are all going to be crying (and wondering) why in h*** you voted for him in the first place? You want change? Well, you're going to get it all right...like a ballpeen hammer right between the eyes!

I never imagined that I could surround myself, within my own great country, with so many stupid people. Have we fallen that far from grace? Wake up, America! Stop being mesmerized like a flock of moths to a bright light! That bright light is a bug zapper and it's being operated by Obama and his minions. You are all dumb a**** for even thinking otherwise.

Watched the debate last night, I could not stand McCain talking; I could not connect to the guy. Everything from his smile to his body gesture seemed fake to me. He tried to show toughness but he really failed at it….I am voting for Obama all the way

Hey, did anybody notice that McCain wasn't wearing a flag on his lapel? Oh my God, he isn't patriotic! I'm surprised the Repubs haven't picked up on that one, oh, I forgot, he's one of theirs, so it is okay, because he has already told us he is patriotic. OBama won, no doubt about it. McCain keeps repeating the same points, some which have already been debunked.

Lucy
I'm going to call the Humane Society about those 84 cats you are
harboring...all named Mavrick!

Cindy McCain said today that Obama: waged the dirtiest campaign in American history. Unbelievable .... com'on People saw who runs the dirtiest campaign.... Both McCain's are truly good liars ..... and use anything to win the election ..... very very very sad.

.... the right words .. for both McCains ... PATHETIC !!

Senator McCain is showing himself as a racist. He is using Ms McCain and Gov Palin to help spead this ugly message.

"The term "That One" is racist. Right up there with "You People".
the intent was to show disrespect.& dislike. I am glad that
the McCain camp has decided to show America who the trully are.
I am sure that feel good they can stop pretending. Makes choices
easier.

Planting negatives , reap negatives. Digging a hole for
someone else to fall in is just as good as making the hole for yourself. I encourage the McCain camp to display so self respect for the America people and get up out of the "mud" you do not wear it well. Try to focus on the issues, that what matters. Look up what it means to be a friend and check yourself out Senator McCain.

Dear americans, I am a foreigner and therefore not a supporter of both parties. However, I see the greatest nation on earth selecting a leader and it is shocking to see the political uglyness in a free world such as America. I see an angry man trying his best to get the position by lying, attacking another man's integrity and credibility. I see negative adds on TV, not talking about real issues. I see a woman using her gender to attract and woes voters by spreading outrageous lies in moment of desperation. I was once believe in Palin, but no more. Please American, you guys are the last hope of the free world. Is this the best you've got?

I don't think neither won. I personally was pulling for McCain till he said something along the lines of freezing or slowing down some federal programs like V.A. Sorry, I worked and deployed and I think the ones whom also deployed and fought for this country deserve this.
They both spent so much time attacking each other will plans that was opposite of what each other said its leaves us wondering which is still right. Also, heard from previous presidents that they were going to do this and do that.......what have we learned from that. I am worried about whom I am gonna pick because this debate left me standing out in the dark

i think people need to look beyond of all this black president or lets make history and really study,,,, and make decisions base on the country ... not on the emotional aspect of the people and what people want to hear like obama does a lot... Im a undecided voter still analyzing who im going to vote for because it is a important decision that can not be made just by the thought of making history or because his going to be tha first black president

I read lots of comments comparing the "experience" of McCain relative to OBAMA. None of these asks themselves – the combined experience of father and son spanning two decades of history brought America into two senseless wars which even President George Bush in the dying days of his presidency dare to claim success on the horizon. Why? No allies of America would believe such ludicrous claims but McCain spoke of "victory" in Aghanistan but silent of specific of the same "victory" in Iraq. If you cannot win in Iraq, what compelling factor or factors lead McCain to the conclusion of possible victory in Aghanistan? And if victory was on the horizon, why did Bush stays off in silence now that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is trying to work out a political solution in Afghanistan – same thing that OBAMA's disenchantment with the present regime in Kabul. If victory is within sight of McCain (and also US and its Nato allies presumably), why don't President Bush tells the Saudi to back off and allow the American-led military to wipe out the so-called 'evil" Taliban from the map of the world? McCain claims of victory with no deadline is engaged in self-delusion of reality and deception of American voters.

On the economic front, George Bush brought "titanic" loads and wealth of experience into his administration – the greatest of the greatest experience he can set his sight on – Hank Paulson as his Treasury Secretary. Did those who screamed experience see what 'experience" did for America and the rest of the world. Paulson knelt on one knee to Pelosi only to be told correctly that it is Congress – not her – who holds the key to national salvation. Paulson's experience since his wonder success at Goldman Sach saw the Bush Administration dashing from one fire into another eruption of before (before the first one got put out) and the whole of wall street burning down till ALL THE INVESTMENT BANKS COMPLETELY GONE. Just look at AIG got a lifeline of US$85 billion, they drew over $60 billion a week ago and this morning reported to have drew another $37 billion yesterday (more than $12 billion than the bailout package – wonder where that money come from???).

The simplicity of all these painful truth is this – EXPERIENCE IS A NAME THAT EVERYONE GIVES TO HIS OR HER MISTAKES.

We need fresh uncorrupted stale ideas – not those dead worm mindset that inhabited the past experience. The problems America and the world face is NOVEL where experience counts for nothing. It is crisis management. If experience did wonders, WHY IS AMERICA AND THE WORLD FIND OURSELVES HERE TODAY??? We need creative thinkers who can cranked novel solution to nove unfamiliar problem which we seems have no solution till the time of this writing

For America and the world – it better be Obama-Biden 08.

Common sense, logic and reasoning says to vote for Obama, but I'm a petro-engineer and my portfolio says Exxon and Halliburton so I'll probably have to vote McCain. Back to googling for countries with large oil reserves and weak armies....

:)

Look at the world today – Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Iran, Jordan, the Carribean nations etc, have they progress much in the last four decades of peaceful development? Look at oil-rich economies of Mexico,Nigeria, and Venezeula – have they made tremendous stride of economic progress? Look at, Norway, Finland, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Czech Republic , India, and to some extent Russia of late, how much has these nations achieved?

Without thebest and ablest of political leadership in ANY nation, how can economic development be achieved if countries lurch from one political crisis after another or one economic firestorm after another?

Open up your eyes, this election is NOT a choice of Democrats or Republican. This election is about choosing between the brightest and the ablest ( without regard for race, gender or political baggage of the past to turn America around) or those LESSER THAN MEDIOCRE who demosntrated themselves on the public stage as someone who is unsure of who they are, where they are and what is happening around them TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY INTO THE FUTURE.

IT IS ABOUT A CHOICE OF FUTURE. One wrong step for the next 4 years takes a long long time to walk back while other successful nations just forged ahead. Contemporary economic history has rich examples.

Reminder America> Sen.Obamas Mentor was Rev.Jeremiah Wright!!! A man that believes the White man has to obey a Black administration and the White man will have to pay! and this Rev.Jeremiah still to date has showed and maintains it will happen!!! This is scary stuff,and don't get why Sen. Obama went to this church of hate!!! and why you thought the Rev. Jeremiah! was your mentor,you condoned this mentality for many, many years, and now you act like you were never involved and you ran from your church you wont be getting my vote!!! People are getting wiser day by day,over a decade with your mentor who is the racist now!!! I know my family, and associates don't think like Sen.Obama and his Mentor Rev. Wright. America doesn't need this now or ever!

I just wonder why no news outlet is talking about the law suit filed Berg v. Obama, No. 08-cv-04083.

Obama won of course. But so what? If the media would have investigated Bush and followed his every move maybe the country wouldnot have been in such bad shape. Is there any nonpartisan media. The people see the bias in the media. Cnn was up all night trying to figure out why Obama a blackman is leading. I have news for you media, their is intelligent Blacks. But we seem to want a dum whiteman,instead. Why didn't the media follow Bush or report intelligent, informed information to the people, as they have done with the Obama campaign. I've never been so informed. This is the year I have been given an overload of information, and this is the year the choice is so clear. Get over it. Get some sleep. He is going too sooth our nerves if we allow him to do the job.

I missed the 2nd debate but the 1st debate showed me the colors of both. I recently became a US Citizen with others 1544 in AZ. My state is red and mostly the people I met are voting for Obama from yardworkers to lawyers. I crossed the border 18yrs ago and since 1992 until the present, this election I am so excited for two reasons. 1) Being proudly a US Citizen and 2) Two different versions of time.
There are two things that bother me from both of them. 1) Immigrations and 2) Russia-Relations. No walls will fix the illegal immigration and following them none of them have showed me a resolution and the next president will literally struggle with and for :Russia-US Foreign Relations. I believe in this because I have a Russian BA in the language and the facts are clearly in which both nations have been working for the last 200 yrs and counting together. In the next four years, who ever wants to make a global progress and to solve worldly issues, he'll need to face the hardest work to talk and meet with President Dmitriy Anatolyevich MEDVEDEV, and let's not leave out China. At this point in the race, McCain wants people to vote for him because he was a POW and this is his 3rd run for the White House, I think he's running short on his visions for this country and Foreign Relations. On the other hand, his VP is helping more Obama than McCain's visions by accusing him of having traces of terrorist (ism). She is dreaming if she thinks she is helping John but instead is putting down her character and her position as having less than 2 years of Governor of Alaska, she does not know how things move in Politics whereas J. Biden this is the right man for the job having 30+ yrs in Politics and having a strong character and knows how to approach regular people. I like to close with this: both are not the best we have in this country but Barach Obama has the qualities and the background (because his dad was an immigrant from Kenya like I am immgrant from El Salvador), therefore IF McCain does not come up with a KO, Obama will have the KO in November. I don't vote for parties but for a candidate that has a face like me. God bless America and Obama.

Obama is a better orator and speaker but he really doesnot have any substance to his answers. In the debate he rarely answered the questions posed and seemed to continue to throw barbs at McCain as if he was George Bush.

The last eight years were in fact lead by Bush but the Congress is held by the Democrats and they have to assume a great part of the blame for the situation that we are in. They, including Obama have not been in favor of limiting government which has played a part in our malaise.

I never hear what Barack will do he just talks in generalities and looks good. The media will not ever criticize him or present an unbiased view..especially CNN and Campbell Brown is one of the worst. Media should present all sides and let the viewers decide what they think. It is clear that they are biased in favor of Barack.. The attacks on Sarah Palin are relentless..what she reads or her wink seem to capture their fancy.. Maybe they should look at what she stands for and her experience which is more than Barack can show.

He can vote present, buddy up to terrorists and fraudsters and never say what he will do..he can look the part and act the part but he is nothing other than an empty suit.

Health care costs more than 12,000 a year on average. What should I do with McCain's 5000 tax credit? McCain boasted that he knows how to capture Bin Laden; nobody knows how to, if he knew where Bin Laden is; what is he waiting for? Until he is elected?
He was so negative and desperate. McCain lost the election for good!

As a Swede, I do believe government intervention is necessary to give equal healthcare to all citizens. It works in Sweden.
Barack Obama won the debate with his concise, specific answers to questions asked, whereas McCain was rambling and incoherent at times.

HIs choice of Sarah Palin has weakened McCains chances considerably. Who with any knowledge can take this woman without any seriously? The more mudslinging from the McCain camp, the better Obama looks.

Obama is by far the more intellectually alert of the two. He easlily quotes numbers and names, whereas McCain hardly ever talks about anything with a number in it.

The only thing McCain seems to care about are war veterans and General Petreaus. Obama knows that most Americans are more interested in giving their kids a better education and themselves better healthcare and finances.

Obama is ironically enough accused of being elitist, when it is McCain who has had a privilieged life and lives in great luxury.

The US needs change, badly, to regain its status as a leader of the free world. At the moment it is more like the Emperor without Clothes.

I just watched Larry King interview Michelle Obama and must agree with Republicans that she should not be First Lady of the United States. Do you think that she'd consider being our Prime Minister in Canada? So beautiful and so smart – what else is there?

Obama won hands down. His answers were precise and he actually answered the questions while McCain had a tough time trying to walk around without stumbling let alone answering the questions.

I think he needs to retire, he looked older than my granddad who is 84.

I believe the American and indeed the World in general will be seeing a wonderful land result oriented eadership style from Obama. He is more practical in his approach to issues. I believe Obama will do better as President.

Thank you.

Abel

OBAMA has make a great history in the United State of America and no doubt about him being the next USA president insha-Allah..

John McCain is focusing on trying to make Obama look bad and instead he is looking bad himself. The issues facing us are critical and where's all this talk of we need to work together – I'm seeing none of this from McCain.

Also, Sarah Palin has been very unprofessional with her sarcasm and attempts at being cute, this is no way for a vice president to act. She is a disgrace to American women in politics in my opinion.

Obama is not wasting his time on getting bogged down in the fight but is instead focused on the important issues at hand – he seems to care about the common everyday American. He seems very intelligent and professional and we need his strength for our government.

Obama won!!!!

What about the ACORN scandal? Why isn't CNN covering it? We all know they're UNBIASED. This just must be eluding them.

i am from Azerbaijan i am interested in the debate between Obama and Mc Cain and watch the debates i think that Obama will win the elections and become the next president of the USA i wish happiness and peace to Americans

Obama shows great promise as a potential statesman. McCain is just an old politician, going whichever way the wind blows and not succeeding at any attempt to appear clear and capable. It's over for him, especially in these times. And Palin? Fuggeddaboudit!

Its was Bush and his policies that have given India such a prominant face in this world... If bush was not htere we Indians would have nver got those High paying jobs... Go back to Mumbai and Calcutta and see how much development has taken place in India in the last 8 years... Bush may have failed in some aspects but he truly helped turn around our Country... Im sure history will prove it ....

McCain won it hands down! Obama can't take a position on anything unless he knows the majority will support him. He's an imposter for emulating MLK and Kennedy all while nobody knows who he really is, and a treasonist for his close relationships with terrorists and narcissists (reflecting his own mental disposition). A man devoid of integrity, always playing the race card – the eternal victim of the white man. Indeed, his only redeeming attribute is that he looks great in a rolled up shirt sleeve. All style and zero substance!!! That's your Hussien Obama! And you foreigners – especially Russians and Islamists – would love to see him in power because an American presidency devoid of integrity would drop to your level and validate your dismal, tryannical existence. It would be a sad day for America if Obama ever got elected.

Bobby

Please pass around..

143 Days

You couldn't become chief of surgery after 143 days of experience of being a surgeon.

You couldn't get a job as a teacher and be the superintendent after 143 days of experience.

You couldn't join the military and become a colonel after 143 days of experience.

You couldn't get a job as a reporter and become the nightly news anchor after 143 days of experience.

You couldn't get a job as Director of Nursing after 143 days experience as an RN!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUT....
'From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working. After 143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World ... 143 days.
We all have to start somewhere.
The senate is a good start, but after 143 days, that's all it is

85% of the blogs are pro-Obama bec his supporters are young, spends almost all of their time blogging, and they still have yet to "get a life."
Meantime, McCain Supporters are busy with their lives working for America, and making America work again. THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE! PRETTY MUCH LIKE THEIR CANDIDATES, HUH?!

I have yet to hear any comments or concerns regarding Native Americans during any of the live television coverage of the Presidential/VP campaign. In spite of this, hats off to Mr. OBAMA who met with invited tribal leaders from across the country that came and met with him and voiced their concerns in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was gracious and very respectful regarding the plight of all Indian people. He won the endorsements from all tribes present. I highly encourage all Native Americans to go out and vote for Mr. Barack Obama. Your voice will finally be heard!!

kRISTEN, I just love that bit of information you just shared with us. Truly an eye-opener on the great (?) Obama!!!! What a laugh!
IF OBAMA WINS, THERE MUST BE SOMETHING FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG WITH US AMERICANS!!!!!

Obama won by a margin, from here in egypt in middleast i can tell mr Mccain understand nothing about foreign police.No way USA will win in iraq simple because they are not engaging in any war, the American are hiding in same camps and spending a lot of money whereas a civil war is been waged out there, so go home American ,save you money ,watch the economic crisis in your country or else you will lose your status as superpower.Lamia from Egypt

I would rather that America make history in November, not by electing the first African-American president as the media would want, but by electing someone who is TRULY, TRULY QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB.

Please....for my sake.

Britt, How can you say that McCain's choice of Palin has weakened him, when he chose a VP whose heart beats for America?

This is for you Mr. Jim; go back to school, and learn to spell!

Well after all the debates and news coverage I have never had as much hope that in the next 8 years when I can retire I can be proud to be a Republican and I give all the credit to my candidate Obama. My Father and my Fathers Father was proud to be republican, they have lived well on there retirement. But I have been an independent not sure no hope and now it is such a relief that I can live up to my Fathers and I will be able to be a proud Republican and secure in my golden years. Yes a republican. Thank you Obama my vote goes to you; I have hope in his changes. I would love to be able to able to have McCain and Palin over there’s nothing more then a 6 pack and some good old fashion gossip in the neighbor hood, get around the barbecue with the pellet gun and shot at the stray cats and nasty loud thieving blue jays. That’s what I want to be doing in 8 years. Today I wouldn’t want to sit down with my President and shoot the bull or drink a 6 pack I can’t afford any of those I have a husband and family to do that with. I want some one who is a leader who can get past the past and see all the mistakes and learn from them and strive for a better tomorrow, to give me hope for my children and grandchildren and maybe in my Golden years I will receive a little of that because right now I have no hope for any one if Obama is not our next President.

Basically, I am saying why and who do all these non-
Americans have any rights to say anything about our business' One would think they are the citizens; ha, ha, ha, you bunch of ignorant parasites. Stay out of our business!

Have been reading these blogs about Obama and McCain. The people who are casting aspirsions on Obama' character bother me. I wonder how they feel about the fact that (according to a TV interview of John McCain) McCain returned from Viet Nam and admitttedly had several exttra-marital affairs until he met Cindy, then immediatly divorced his wife and married Cindy. I suspect he had 100 million very good reasons to do so. Give me a break!

In my observation McCain came out ahead, and I'm not republican in my political pursuation. the reason being that McCain offered concrete ideas about what he would do if president.
I'm baffled as to why the media is so reluctant to urge specifics from Obama. Are they afraid to appear prejudiced if they do?
It seems that every time anyone asks of Obamaor his supporters for clarification of an issue raised, he gets away with stumping everyone into silence. Since when do the American media sit back and let a presidential candidate get away with this.
There is no high ground is there when it comes to answering to the voting public, who you are and what you will do when running for president is there?

I have noticed the one; wont pledge the American flag, and he wants to change the national anthem. does he even know where it was written, and one more tid bit does he know where the first capitol was located....

If he could answer one of these correctly, I will vote for him!

good for you Kirsten! But then – reality sucks for some people. lol

John Mc Cain Won, Democrats scared to death! Democrats scared to death of Palin! Im a registered Democrat and I will vote for John Mc Cain! I dont like socialism and communism! Is the market overpriced? You bet! Is food? You bet! Has globalism stolen real tangible jobs from America? Uh huh! Could it all come down around the elite and a lot of uber-rich feel pain? Oh well... welcome to Main Street! John Mc Cain is a vote for the will of the people.

Mr. Obama won the night straight with 72%.He was able to articulate issues of great values to about 72% to the public whilst his opponent tries to play the old dirty trick game.His opponent plans backfired.Mr Obama has demostrated with strength and determination as the suitable person for the US President.I will suggest to Mr McCain to withdraw from the race.Ask its now the results is 2 – 0 in favour of Mr Obama, which will end at 3 – 0 at the end of the third debate.US must seize this opportunity in voting Mr Obama as President in this coming election.Thank you.

The bloggers here are definitely NOT young nor spending almost all their time blogging. What proportion of youths are interested in politics? They are into Kelly Clarkson if she is running for election. Almost 99% of bloggers here DO NOT REPEAT participation – one off comment, so it is mind-blogging to imagine that they are "spending almost all their time blogging" unless this is a suggestion of speculative conjecture – PROBABLY MUCH OF IT EMOTIONAL OF ORIGIN.
Myself is a retiree, spent 30 years working and doing business in multiple jurisdictions, met and relate to young and old whereever I travelled, lived, worked and doing business in different cultures. Bloggers here comes from different parts of the world – A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION OF INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES both from foreigners like myself and Americans now working, travelling or living abroad rather than those coccoon in a shell.

I noticed that the bloggers here demonstrated THOUGHTS ARE VERY PERCEPTIVE, OBSERVATIONS KEEN OF DEMEANOR THAT TRANSPIRED AND THE LANGUAGE AND POSTURE SEEN IN THE OBAMA-MCCAIN DEBATE, much nearer to a judge comments in a court trial of both plaintiff and defendant than naive, screaming emotional outburts in blogs inhabited by immature young kids spending almost all of their time blogging. Bloggers here showed evidence of KEEN FOLLOWING of politics and awareness continuiing developments in this election – these are evidence of mature participants. Their comments of their thoughts are consummated of intelligence and intellectual reflections of a very serious subject – the future of America and the world.

Most of the bloggers here in my judgment are unlikely to find joy in a moment of violent expression of thoughts of hate and prejudice but to reflect calmly on what that moment of decision will bring to their lives not just the next 4 years but their life destinations. America and the world is in an absolute mess of total loss in bewilderment and seem excruciatingly difficult to find ONE STEP right even if we all wants to turn back. American voters know that first step of walking back to sanity and a future is in the ballot choice they will make on the 4th of November and this forum (if they are lucky to ready) is very useful of insight to that critical thinking and that crucial moment of brief reflection before they tick which ticket. There is NO opportunity to change your mind after your vote is counted.

Good luck to all American voters and may God bless America and the world.

Just look at the Dow today – tumbled another 675 points. Global financial markets ACROSS THE WHOLE WORLD WITHOUT EXCEPTION continued to roil in turmoil AFTER THE US$700 billion (and another US$875 billion in Britain plus rescue packages in Germany, France etc ) bailout and synchronised interest cut in all major financial markets (except Japan) and even the token support of the same from China.

The simple truth is -THE FIRST STEP in this struggle for a turnaround effort of the economy IS nearly IMPOSSIBLE OF DISCOVERY much harder than American ingenuity of putting men on the moon and maybe to Mars.

These I hope Middle America, Independent America and swinging voters reflect before they cast their votes. As Bill Clinton famously said – "It is the economy, stupid". So please leave all other baggages of prejudice when you vote next. Your life and future depends on just one next decision and no turnaround maybe like the situation we are all in this downward spiral.

If politicians make mistakes, VOTERS MUST NOT!!! Think before you vote.

So young bloggers aren't allowed to have a say – we are leaving this country to them – why wouldn't they want a say in how their futures will be affected? My vote is a vote for my children's future. I want them to live in a country that is peaceful – free from hate and prejudice, resourceful, compassionate, tolerant and intelligent. Well, maybe just my ideology, but if I can do my part to make it come true, I'm sure going to try my best. I've taken a look at both candidates and their running mates and the only logical choice for me is Obama. He truly is an inspiration. I've read and checked out all the accusations, against him, and there is nothing to convince me that he is any of those things that many Republicans are accusing him of. I'm a hard working, well educated, American. I’m own my own home and have never defaulted on any payments or asked for any type of hand outs. I'm a single mom that has raised to wonderful young adults – one is going to college now – on money that I worked hard for and saved. My other is one their way to college, too. I am your typical responsible American, just not your Average Joe Six Pack.

A note to Cindy – did you get chills, down your body, when your husband declared he knew 'how to get Bin Laden? You mean to tell me, McCain is willing to let our children die – your son die, while he has the secret to stopping the most despicable terrorist of all times? I was thoroughly disgusted with his statement and know if for the desperate ploy that it was.

Our next president has links to terrorists! Wonderful. Time to play survival of the most fit socialist.

Its a foregone conclusion that all of Bush cronies including McCain and his war mongering, right wing idiots have destroyed this economy. As if the Iraq war, Abu Ghraib, Katrina debacle, the Gonzo gate among countless other crimes weren't enough, the Republicans have surely wrought havoc in the financial systems not just in the US but the World over and that's it. The mantra of less government, deregulation, laissez faire is all OUT. It has brought us nothing but sheer despair while all the fat republican cats are sitting pretty, totally oblivious of the plight of the middle class.

Wake up America and throw out all of these good for nothing scoundrels out!

You are right BR, well said ! And for kristen, 4 love of america and lucy, you have all the right to critisize Obama, but don't tell me that if McCain get elected, America gotta change or the war in Iraq gonna stop, do you think he made the right choice for chooching Pali? i don't think so, he made a big mistake among others and het got to pay!
You know something, i can listen to Obama speech for 2 or 3 hours and i would not get annoyed, he is strong that guy (The president of the U.S.A), in the other hand, i feel sick when McCain is talking or limping, that's the truth!
Obama/biden08

Mr Mann,

IF the debate was a draw - and I do not agree with your position on that - and McCain needed a 'victory' to keep his campaign on track, then it follows that Obama won.

McCain was all over the show. His replies were long-winded, off-topic, and vague. It wasn't Obama's best night, either, but he stayed focussed, nearly 100% of the time. He didn't slag McCain off in virtually every reply, either, which McCain did, to him.

I am becoming increasingly concerned with the inflammatory/incendiary rhetoric coming out of the McCain campaign. Sarah Palin is treading dangerously close to slander, and is actively whipping mobs up into ferocious frenzies. Given all the free-floating rage in the USA these days (much of it justified: two wars going nowhere; taxpayer dollars being spent by the gazillions; the economy at a new low every day; job-insecurity - all the things that make people want a scapegoat - I'd say 'George Bush', but he's so irrelevant, he doesn't register on the public consciousness any more!) it is VERY IRRESPONSIBLE to be using Senator Obama's middle-name, implying he is Muslim, connecting him to a so-called 'terrorist' - in short, playing to the very basest fears of Average White Americans.

Americans of colour (and non-Americans who know the USA) know that in this case, 'Muslim' is just code for 'Black'. How else could the 'Muslim' rumour, and the 'Reverend Wright' (20 years in the same CHURCH) scandal, co-exist so comfortably, and nobody comment on the contradiction?

I am worried that McCain has let his campaign - and running-mate - get completely out-of-hand. There IS a limit to free-speech in the United States, actually. The US Supreme Court, under Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, ruled that 'speech that presents a clear and present danger' is NOT protected - Justice Holmes' example was: shouting 'FIRE' in a crowded theatre. This has since been refined to include 'incitement to violence', and similar behaviour - including INACTION - in the presence of people who 'appear to present a danger to themselves or others'.

I wouldn't expect Sarah 'I got my BA in Communications from four different universities' Palin to necessarily know this. I DO expect anyone who holds public office - Mayor of Wasilla, AK counts - to know it! I expect Senator McCain to know it! He was ALIVE when the Holmes Decision was made law... and he's been a LEGISLATOR for most of his life - without a law degree, but that's not required. It IS required to for him know that his campaign is starting to become MENACING, and that it is down to nobody but MCCAIN to get it in line, as his (and particularly Palin's) rallies are presenting an increasingly 'clear and present danger'.

The 'culture-wars' of 1968 are alive and well. They have been re-awakened by the presence of an African-American candidate for President, which HUGE numbers of Average American Voters find... 'uncomfortable'.

AND, they have been re-awakened by the 'Generation-gap' between McCain and Obama. McCain is a Commie-hating, flag-waving, 'America is Always Right', Christian-Right, 'family-values', Moral-Majority, Security First, anti-intellectual, 'take the war to them', old sailor - unapologetically bad-tempered - and steeped in the Cold-War since birth, lo these seventy-two long years ago.

Obama is a bi-racial, open-minded, well-educated, well-travelled (particularly in childhood), Professor of Constitutional Law, who believes (along with Dr Henry Kissinger, Mr Warren Christopher, Mrs Madeline Albright, Mr James Baker, and Gen Colin Powell) in TALKING to the USA's enemies, as well as their allies, supports education, health-care, fairness in taxation, wants to end the (wholly unjustifiable) war in Iraq, knows how to keep his temper, is the FIRST POST-COLD WAR candidate, has THOUGHT about the way other countries see the USA, and why, and isn't afraid to spend money on helping people, if it HELPS them.

McCain is not 'conservative'. He is 'REACTIONARY'. Obama is not 'liberal'. He is 'PROGRESSIVE'.

Bring on the culture-wars. I was with the young people the last time, because they were right, then ('Don't Blame Me, I Voted for McGovern' bumper stickers come to mind from when Nixon resigned). I am with them now, because they are right, now. This IS a crucial election. The USA can move ahead, or it can dig its heels in the middle of the last Century.

How stupid would THAT be?

I am not religious. I'm not superstitious. However, my experience has taught me that there is no such thing as 'co-incidence'. (Or rather, if something happens once, it is happenstance; twice, it is co-incidence; three times, is MEANINGFUL).

1. The first non-anglo person is nominated by his Party in the USA.
2. The incumbent and his veep - Cheney - have lower approval-ratings than Nixon did when he was forced out of office!
3. The US economy has been allowed... by some people... and HELPED... by some profiteers.... to swirl down the toilet, TAKING THE WORLD down with it.
4. Climate-change is endangering the PLANET in a much more immediate way than most people yet realise. It has ALREADY HAPPENED. All we can do now is try to postpone the worst effects.
5. Russia is a resurgent Power in the world.
6. China and India are emerging as huge markets in the world.
7. The human population is crowding out all other life-forms, including those which allow us to survive on this planet.
8. There are two large, open-ended wars, started by the USA, going on.
9. There are several festering sores of genocidal violence on the globe.
10. There is no LEADERSHIP, worth the mention, in the EU/UK.
11. There IS leadership in RUSSIA.
12. There is enormous economic power in the Muslim countries of the Middle East - okay, not all of them... poor old Jordan...

I don't call this a 'co-incidence'. This is one of those turning-points in history. USA, you have a choice: vote to be part of the generation that is OVER, and a world that doesn't exist any more, or WAKE UP, join the human race, and support Barack Obama/Joe Biden.

For the USA, for the International Community, for the Planet, for the FUTURE!

Sala'am. Shalom. Shanti. Peace.

@ Michael from Slovakia

THANK YOU for your perspective!

@ Bob

Blah, blah and blah. Have another glass of kool-ade.
You liberal idiots all deserve what you are surely going to get.
Say the worst you want to about McCain, he certainly wouldn’t be my choice. But Obama is a dangerous man. His total lack of experience doesn’t even scare me as much as his stalinist view of a ‘perfect’ America.

Not to mention he:
Has not provided conclusive evidence he’s even a citizen of this country.
Has had his school and legislative records either scrubbed or destroyed.

WHOA! Paranoid much?

Obama won. He reacted with strength of character and dignity to McCain's attacks. He was also focused.

@ Uma in liverpool, your perspective is truly a breathe of fresh air in this forum. The campaign from the GOP veered away from the heart-beat of America's economic downward spiral and future prosperity to subtly manipulated "non trivial negative contribution" of mischief so close to incitement to disorder and threading the water of subtle racial hatred.

It is hard to believe the "message" so fervently sold in an election campaign which has the import of negative connotation of a potential President in waiting by reason of his long past irrelevant association to someone less glamorous of history when the object (person) of public ridicule was only 8 years old then and NOTHING OFFENSIVE OF PERSONAL LIFE OR PUBLIC CONDUCT EVENTUATED attributed to this candidate for the highest office of the land FROM THAT AGE OF EIGHT TILL NOW to give substance or meanings attached to those adverse connotations insinuated.

The silence of the Republican Party must leave ordinary minds in America and the rest of the world where is (if any) is the tolerance limit of free speech or limit of acceptability of such incitement.

Biden called that conduct beyond disappointment. INDEED!! This election is at risk of not being a contest of ability to contribute the positive but a contest of ability to inflict the negative just "to get there and done that"

The rest of the world looks the unfolding drama with amazement.

First I would like to give a shout out to W. Bush. Thanks for nothing. Darn cowboy screwing up the country.

Second shout to Billy Clint. Thanks for campaigning for our next president(make sure u inhale next time).

Kudos to McCain. The Old man is under a lot of pressure. I personally think he shoud have retired a couple of years ago. He has done all that he can do for his country.

Obama won this debate because he was on point. To me he almost looked like a Black James Bond...u know.. Grace under fire. McCain seem flustered and agitated. But Kudos to McCain for taking his loss like a man and being a good sport.

McCain will have another chance to redeem himself in the 3rd debate, that if he doesnt chicken out, like he tried to do in the first debate.

I have supported McCain in the past-In this debate his answers were trite-Come my friend you can trust me I have the experience, I want answers don't patronize me–I believe he sounded like a 72 year old man who has run out of energy.

Obama looked weak when Tom Brokaw was able to shut him down like Obama was a student at University.

I don't think Obama would be able to deal with Putin.

hoorayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy mike jones

obama started to stumble and seemed boring and airheadish, if thats a word. mccain seemed calm and cool and hit right on in specific points like supporting home prices. i am surprised obama doesnt support this. also, he made it clear that obama wants government to control our lives more and that he offers freedom and choice for the american people with less taxes not more. he mentioned how obama lied in illinois and claimed he would lower taxes and than he raised them. it seems like if obama raises taxes we are going to have a depression, not a recession. and letting pakistan know secret missions the usa will do in the future shows obamas naivete concerning foreign affairs, he looked like a high school teacher while mccain seemed presidential, knowledgeable and honorable.

All i no about is telling the truth,And i believe mccain knows what is right for him to do,
ALL i no is that there is no words of truth in mccain and he can not be able to solve any economico problems, he should stand by the first
word of war in iraq or other environment.

To Uma of Liverpool UK –

wow, have you thoroughly looked into the stuff that you are posting here? or you have resorted to the republican page book only and choose to believe it.

first, barrack was born in hawaii, that's a proven fact. hawaii is part of the united states therefore he is a citizen. stop going this route as it is a mute argument.

he was raised by a single mother on food stamps. but the kid is bright and smart. he managed to get himself to columbia university for his undergrad and harvard for his js in law. both he needed financial aid which only recently he was able to pay off (thanks to 2 best selling books). he graduated magna cum laude. the same story with his wife michelle, who went to princeton and harvard on scholarship grants.

yes, those are ivy leagues schools where people only dream off. it is almost impossible to get in, it cost a lot and every inch of you gets scrutinized (including birth certificates).

the man simply was born with character. compare that to mccain who was raised on silver spoon. just like bush. where everything including a career was handed to him on a golden platter.

why do you think obama offers more substantive responses and solutions? because he's in touch with the common people.
he is the epitome of what this country can offer. how one can make it if you work hard and try hard. the oppurtunity is there.

for someone like palin to question obama's patriotism, it is almost an insult to the brain. her husband was a member of secessionist group. she condoned this as governow by attending their events.

please get your facts checked before posting. the man the republican party is questioning has been vetted for over a year, scrutinized and all he came up on top with nothing to hide.
the repubs can't even come close.

I believe that body language said a lot about both candidates. During the debate you could tell that Obama stood strong and McCain simply looked weak. I think this view has subconsciously affected the way people view each candidate. Whether or not this is a positive item is still yet to see.

O.K., let's just get to the point, Obama won ther's not much to say about because even a teenager like me could understand that

Interesting all the pros and cons of how human mind works!
Very interesting to see how we can see red where its blue, blue and more blue!!
Very very very interesting it will be on Thursday when the next debate takes place........lets jam up here.
Tejinder in Brussels, Belgium

Obama certainly won. He came across as much more intelligent, confident and on the ball. McCain on the other hand came across as some creepy guy who is trying to sell you fake watches in downtown Detroit.

Obama was precise, honest and respectful to McCain
McCain was a lair, dishonest and not respectful to Obama.
Conclusion: Obama won debate with big margin.

@ Anthony

Thank you very much for your kind words. I lived in the USA for forty years, and have always paid very close attention to Presidential elections. My family were not citizens, and I kept my Green Card all those years - which is how I was able to flee back here, when my ex turned me out. I'd move back in a heartbeat, especially if Obama wins. Heck, my driver's licence is still valid! I still have a SSN - I just have to reapply for a Green Card. They're easier to get, if your mother still lives in the States, which she does, and if you've lived and worked there, most of your life.

I had the benefit of an excellent education in the USA, which I wouldn't exchange for ANYTHING. The Holmes 'clear and present danger' Decision on the First Amendment was 10th grade US history. I like learning things, and PAID ATTENTION to everything around me. (Well, not to calculus - my bad - I could have been a physicist, but I really didn't LIKE the higher maths teacher at my school).

@ Joyce in NY

You have obviously mistaken me for BOB, the person whose post I quoted in italics. It's up there somewhere, and there's a LOT of it. My response to him was the sentence:

WHOA! Paranoid much?

Believe me, I know every word of what you said. Please do not confuse ME - a lifelong left-of-liberal - of being either a 'Republican', or 'ignorant'. I wouldn't be ignorant, even if I were a Republican, but because I'm NOT ignorant, I could NEVER be a Republican.

I know all about Ivy League schools, thanks. I even know about Puna Ho Academy, because Senator Obama and I had a classmate in common - she moved from HI to NY when he (and I) were starting 10th grade, and came to my school. I know about Columbia, because I grew up in Lower Manhattan, went to The Brearley School, and ultimately turned Harvard undergrad down, in favour of Wellesley College. (Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's alma mater).

I agree with you, already!! It's a bit tiresome to be knee-jerked at from someone on OUR side. Try not to hit your head so hard, next time, when you jump to conclusions!

Didn't you read my MASSIVE post, above the little one, with the quote? I don't usually waste my time talking to the brain-dead, so I didn't try to ARGUE with Bob; I just quoted him, and ridiculed his absurd position.

Why am I on the defensive here - when YOU misread me? I don't know. I just am. I HATE being misunderstood. I can fairly say that there's very little that bothers me as much, as spending hours writing a long post, laying out exactly why Obama/Biden is the ONLY candidate for the world, during this crucial time in history, only to find that someone MISread just my afterthought post, and formed a perfectly wrong opinion of me.

You did not read my post carefully. I would appreciate an apology.

_________drawing a line under that___________________

Actually, in 1969, I ADMIRED the Weather Underground (and yeah, I was eight, but I was in NYC, not HI, and I was not very good at being 'a child' - my family were old academics, and talked to me like an adult) - about whom even the Nixon Administration did not use the term 'Terrorists'.

They were ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS. They were scrupulously careful NEVER to hurt living beings! I thought blowing up THINGS to protest the killing of PEOPLE was perfectly justified! (I still do, in point of fact - in the context and at that time, I think they were doing the right thing. It might be wrong now - but this is not the same world.) Yes, it was illegal, but so was the War in Viet Nam. Unlike the War, the Weather Underground did not harm people!

If JEdgar Hoover's incredibly corrupt and paranoid FBI labelled the Weather Underground as 'Terrorists', I'm not a bit surprised - though the USUAL term in those days was 'Communist Subversives', which was applied to everyone from John Lennon (to keep him from participating in an anti-War rally by preventing him from entering the USA), to Country Joe and the Fish, whose website I suggest people see, for the FBI file, obtained under the 'Freedom of Information Act'.

The first use I recall, of the term 'Domestic Terrorist', was regarding Timothy McVeigh & Co, and the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City, in 1995.

But, back in the '60s, when I wasn't a child, I actually got into an argument with my parents, about an anti-war demo at Columbia, because I wanted to go, and they didn't want to let me. After a lot of other lame reasons, they finally said, 'You can't go, because you're SEVEN!'

I responded, 'What's THAT got to do with it? I'm STILL against the War!' and stamped my seven year old foot, for emphasis, before storming off to cry in my room.

I've been organising demos, volunteering for Democratic (particularly the more radical) candidates, and doing community organising (a lot like being Mayor of Wasilla, only you don't get paid) since I was fifteen!

I got a master's degree in social-justice and psychology, from a falling-off-the-left seminary (where I was the token non-Christian, and Exhibit A of the two OUT lesbian students), in Denver. I've spent my whole life (until I was disabled - and as much as I can, since) working with the people the 'Greatest Society in the World' threw away (y'know: abused and neglected kids, abused women, rape victims, gay, lesbian, bi, and transgendered people, people with brain-injuries, people living with AIDS, I could go on...).

It wasn't until I moved to Denver (long story, but I ended up loving it there) that I discovered how Reagan got elected. Nobody on the East Coast - none of the intellectuals I knew, associated with Republicans, voluntarily! Of course, it wasn't until I moved to Denver that I realised 'Looky! Most of the people here are White'. (I'm not. I'm mixed race, mixed religion, mixed culture, mixed ethnicity –none of which is 'White' - and I spoke three languages by the time I was one: my mother's, my father's, and my environment's.)

I know JUST what Barack Obama went through in school, with a funny name, being mixed race, in the '60s. He was in Hawaii, where they're pretty open-minded. I was in NYC, where they're ok, but I was the only brown kid in my elementary school, was vegetarian - they fed me peanut-butter and jam sandwiches for 2 solid years - and had a foreign accent. And I was hopeless at sport. WORSE, some idiot thought it would be a good idea to accelerate me two grades. The ONLY good thing about that was that I got OUT of that school faster. I still hate the bigger, dumber, meaner people, in the world, who make life miserable for the smaller, smarter, nicer people.

Maybe that's why I'm all defensive about being jumped on for something I didn't say, and was actually satirising... One of my life's Theme Songs is definitely 'Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood'. Preferably, the Elvis Costello version.

AK legislature on TV. Leaving it here.

OBAMA won he was pricise and straight to the point during the debate while Mccain only tried to make him a monsters.

My heart soars to read these comments! (Most of them!). We, as foreigners, are so worried that the American's will continue the disastrous, current administration but to see this outpouring of Obama support may well reverse the world's opinion of America/Americans. It is time for change. It was also wonderful to watch Michelle Obama interviewed on Larry King. What a gracious, humble,beautiful and grounded woman. What a pleasure it would be , to see her in the Whitehouse. I cannot bear to watch another minute of the winking woman from Alaska, nor the disingenuous "my friend's" maverick McCain. Good luck Senator Obama, the world awaits you.

I’ve always considered myself to be a conservative, but this year I think I'm going with the Democratic ticket. Here’s why:

1. I’m voting Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would.

2. I’m voting Democrat because freedom of speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it.

3. I’m voting Democrat because when we pull out of Iraq I trust that the bad guys will stop what they’re doing because they now think we’re good people.

4. I’m voting Democrat because I believe people who can’t tell us if it will rain on Friday CAN tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don’t start driving a Prius.

5. I’m voting Democrat because I’m not concerned about the slaughter of millions of babies so long as we keep all death row inmates alive.

6.I’m voting Democrat because I believe that businesses should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution as THEY see fit.

7. I’m voting Democrat because I believe liberal judges need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some fringe kooks who would NEVER get their agendas past the voters.

8. I’m voting Democrat because I believe that open borders and government giveaways to foreigners is a great way to grow a nation.

9. I’m voting Democrat because I’m way too irresponsible to own a gun, and I know that my local police are all I need to protect me from murderers and thieves.

10. I’m voting Democrat because I believe oil companies’ profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% isn’t.

11. I’m voting Democrat because I’d rather think with my emotions than my brain, and believe politicians can and should solve all my problems.

12. I'm voting Democrat because Senator Obama has never done anything to offend me. If he does then he will just refute ever doing or saying it, which wipes his slate clean in mine and the publics eye :).

13. I'm voting Democrat because I think it is ok to call yourself a Christian and support the killing of innocent children.

14. I’m voting Democrat because I’m happy with sending a do-nothing, pretty-boy, leftist, socialist, media darling to the White House to represent me and my country.

@Uma in Liverpool, my profound great respect and humbled admiration of your life's enriched experiences and contribution to society. You certainly got your feet anchored to the ground and touched closely with community which shared your life experiences. Unlike you I am a retiree, I travelled, worked, lived and did business in a few jurisdictions across the "other" side of the Pacific and sees the world from different cultural perspective.

The coming US election has my capitivated attention because the US and the world could be at a defining moment of irreversible change. The major global economies are in downward spiral and Governments in US and EU seems impotent of engineering a successful outcome – even finding the first step correctly forward. And the quality of political leadership awaiting the baton change , in my judgement, are astronomically apart.

It would not matter to me one bit whether it is Democratic Party or Reublican Party wins if the candidature (let these be great man or women of highest integrity) offered are all in the league of magna cum laude seeking public office. In my life experiences, I have seen societies advanced so fast up the economic growth trajectory given quality of political leadership and those that lurched from one crisis to abysmal depth in the next turn.

America and the world cannot afford to gamble in this November 4 . election. These are dangerous times of calamity requiring Americans to reflect very calmly, soberly and impassionately on – what I want my life to be and my children' future – before I ink their ballot choice.No other consideration would be relevant except the candidate's physical, mental and integrity of public office experience (if any).

It must be deeply worrying for Americans themselves that rage are rising on the McCain campaign trail. Once the hate message is unleased, the untold consequences of equivalence to pitbull terror attacks may come to haunt American history and political landscape for generations to come. Great men or women of titanic impact on history and mankind come from all colour, ethnicity and all cultures.The late Mao Tze Tung earned the admiration of Dr Henry Kissinger and I saw how Margaret Tatcher brought prosperity to Britain from the brink of chaos and misery that preceded her entry into Britain's highest public office. Kennedy saved the world from nuclear holocaust.

America is rainbow of colour so rich in diversity of selection and emergence of such great leadership. I am personally a bit distressed, disappointed and somewhat disturbed the way the election flow is swimming now.

Today, the developing news on CNN is troopergate. American minds could be asking – is this conduct an abuse of public office or an abuse in public office or both? If I am a American, I would want a President that put my country, my life, my family, my community and our future first in action – not just empty rethorics in exhortation of nice-to-hear political platitudes OF TRANSPARENCY, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, hint of any unfortunate unforseen life fated contact with anyone less glamorous of conduct ( as if these are incurable cancer) for my vote. The Office of Presidency or the highest political office in any country should, in my humble plea, be available only TO THOSE WHO WANTS TO SERVE ITS PEOPLE, NOT TO THOSE WHO WANTS TO FILL THAT ROLE.

May God bless America and the world, I am adequately prepared for my retirement, what about the generation now and those to come????

In his desperation to win, the Straight-talk Express has unfortunately become the Trash-talk Express. Shame on McCain.

there is no doubt that Obama clearly articulated his position to the Americans while his opponent couldn't do just that, and felt so deflated that he refused an offer of a handshake from Obama after the debate.
If the debate counts, then Americans do know who their next president is.
However, knowing that Americans are very gullible, McCain will surely resort to a similar tactic used by the sitting president to unleash fear on the people through dastardly character issues. If Bush with his family relationship with Osama Bin Laden did not make him a threat to the Americans, why then should Obama's former relationship with Ayers be in the front burner.
Cosikeche, Nigeria

for all those McCain who wish to have healthcare, schools, roads, firemen, police, proper protection for our troops...but don't want to be taxed, where do you think the money comes from to fund all the tenets of civilization that you enjoy?

And my favorite ultimate double standard of Ms Palin is her call for Government to "get out of the way so I can run my own life and family" except of course when it comes to government telling women that they have no choice when it comes to their own bodies even when an unwanted pregnancy occurs after rape.
I am beginning to feel badly that McCain has shown such bad judgement when it comes to choosing a running mate. He has spent his life in service of America and was highly respected, but will probably go down in history as running a campaign that stoked the ugly flames of fear, hatred and xenophobia lurking in the middle of the country. Most of which feels like it's being pushed on him by his power hungry instant rock star running mate.
She's the most dangerous politician since Cheney.

I would say it was a tie, but the debates now are somewhat inaccurate descriptions of how either candidate would be in office. Considering the fact that they are both human, in these past months of campaigning and losing their private lives as a consequence of the voyeuristic American society, we should more so look at their past experiences to see which would be a better candidate. This was when they had private lives and a more stable living condition that a person could bear through. They both and their running mates must be miserable right now.

@ Bob

I hate to admit it, but that was actually pretty funny. I disagree 100%, and you caricature the Democratic Party and candidate beyond all reason.

It was still pretty good satire. Satire makes me laugh. Nothing is sacred, including what I happen to believe.

Of course, you're still wrong. ;-)

Thanks, Uma.
Unfortunately, it's a satire we in the US are living with everyday, and it's growing less funny everyday. btw, I don't consider myself a republican, but a conservative. And not a paranoid one, I happen to check the facts pretty carefully. How about you... or do you just 'know' everything by virtue of your incredible intellect (really? 3 languages by age 1? Fascinating... I'm sure you have video or some proof to share).

Why don't you tell me which one of the fifteen points are NOT the beliefs of one or more of the democrats currently 'leading' our congress?

Oh, and while you're at it... why don't you stop trashing the country that gave you such a marvelous education? You're living in a socialist paradise over there, aren't you? How's that National Health working out?

For some people Obama won. For others MaCain won. I believe that depends on people's personal interest.
I Believe Obama's point of views and principles are fair and are in pursuit of a better life for everybody not only for the rich and wealthy. This only guy interview on CNN make $480 millions in 5 years as a CEO. With $400 millions 2000 head of households could have a decent life and this guy can keep 80 millions for himself. This is what the republican policy is all about. The rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer.

The November 4 election is shaping up to be a lot more delicate than anticipated. Having unleashed the wolves of personal attacks on OBAMA via campaign advertisements and public stage, the McCain campaign has wisely pulled back from the brink of voters outrage built on ethnicity, character assasination resulting in even threatened violence. The reference to a passing acquaintance with William Ayers, a 1960s radical who is now a college professor borders on the extreme of absurdity. Did anyone seen or heard Professor Ayers blown up buildings in College where he is teaching – on the ludicrous presumption that he was ever a "terrorist" or has disposition towards such a conduct and OBAMA abeting and assisting him ever or now ?

Most voters are not stupid but that insanity of such a proposition in campaign did not stop a voter's unfounded fear of OBAMA as President of US and another confused him to be an "Arab". OBAMA to his full credit stayed off this fray by being respectful in disagreement. Interesting enough, Palin , did not repeat her criticisms of Obama over Ayers during an appearance in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

So what is McCain's message now to American voters? OBAMA is a decent man despite all that is said to the contrary in the McCain campaign advertisements? And Sarah Palin agrees now OBAMA is no "terrorist" by association – never was and never is? When did the Republican ticket came to this truthful realisation of OBAMA's decency and innocence of character attacks?

The McCain campaign appears to have uncannily trapped itself in this pitbull terror attacks into a delicate dilemma of appearing unable to march as one coherent team with a clear categorical message of what they represent to American voters. American voters might be wondering if you cannot manage a team of two, how can we be sure you can manage the interests and welfare of 300 million Americans?

In this moment of message confusion came "troopergate". Sarah Palin denied wrongdoing. The bipartisan report report said that Palin had "the authority and power to require Mr Palin to cease contacting subordinates, but she failed to act." But in a phrase seized upon by the McCain camp, the report also said she acted within her "constitutional and statutory authority" in the case. This apparent contradiction of positions adds further confusion and delicacy to the campaign.

Looking back at Watergate in United State v Nixon, the late President Nixon DID NOT seems to have been directly implicated in the watergate breaking. One must reasonably concluded that whilst Nixon was "acting within his constitutional and statutory authority as President of USA. Nixon, in awareness of the happenings, just covered-up the scandal which suggest a reckless indifference to the harm caused to America's body politics by acts of ommission EVEN THOUGH HE WAS AT ALL TIME HE WAS ACTING WITHIN THE CONSITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY AUTHORITY AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Yet Nixon Presidency was impeached or threatened with impeachment forcing his resignation from office. One mind is thus provoked to reflect further that in awareness of the truthful events, Nixon's failure to act "procures" the breach of his obligated duty to act for the PUBLIC GOOD demanded of his office of Presidency of US?

That is to say purported exercise of some power or authority by a public officer INCLUDES AN UNSPOKEN AT LAW THE OBLIGATION NOT TO FAIL TO ACT IN THE EXERCISE OF THE SAME POWER AND AUTHORITY BY THE PUBLIC OFFICER otherwise than in an honest attempt to perform the functions of his or her office in PUBLIC GOOD whereby some loss or damage is caused ? If this proposition is correct, it would suggest that the law posits liability accrues whenever a duty to exercise the power legitimately , namely, only in the public interest and not for an ulterior purpose, wouldn't it be the case?

The politics of this election unravelling now is becoming very interesting to watch.

@ Anthony

Thank you again, sir, for your kind words. I was under the impression that you were an American citizen?

As regards the question you pose at the end:
i am adequately prepared for my retirement, what about the generation now and those to come????

I am reminded of the Tsalagi ('Cherokee') Nation's ancient principle: 'Unto the Seventh Generation'. They used, according to the Old Ways, not to take any action - be it changing territory, going to war, interacting with the Invaders - without first considering the effects that action would have upon their people, seven generations in the future. If one assumes a 'generation' is 20 years, the Tsalagi Elders always thought 140 years ahead.

I believe the Tsalagi were not the only indigenenous Americans who lived by a principle like that.

Most of the waves of Immigrants (as opposed to Conquerors/Colonists, who were a bit different) to the New World, arrived penniless, worked themselves to the bone, with the intention that their children and grandchildren should have what they did not. I saw it in the old (meaning my father's age - he was born in 1911), Jewish immigrants in New York; the same generation Italian immigrants in New York; the Irish (they'd been there a bit longer) who are - I don't know why - over-represented in law-enforcement and fire-fighting (whence, the expression 'Paddy-Wagon', for a Police van), from Washington D.C., up to Massachussetts; I saw it in the Koreans who arrived in New York in the 1970s, and opened fruit-stands, working 80-hour weeks, so their kids could go to school, learn US English, and end up at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology. :-) Okay, the last bit is a stereotype.

I don't know when, where, or why the ethos of 'leaving the world better than it was for you' changed, but it did. The Tsalagi Way involves 'treading lightly upon the Earth', because to leave marks, affects not the seventh generation, but one's own!

Actually, I have several very prolonged hypotheses as to when, where, and why the ethos changed. This is not the place for them. That's another book I need to write, before I die.

What is clear is that the poorest people tread the most lightly (except for overpopulation - the scourge of the Developing World) upon this Earth, in that they take the least out, and produce the least destructive waste.

Heavily industrialised countries are the skid marks on the Earth, destroying nature in their ever-expanding quest for wealth.

Finally, there are the peripatetic, parasitic, clouds of 'imaginary wealth' (aka 'capital', generated by/in industrialised countries. Several analysts have said that the Stock Markets are driven by two emotions: greed, and fear. Interesting, that the most 'evolved' societies are reduced to two of the basest human-primate instincts. This is part of why I cannot trust a laisser-faire, free-market capitalist society. Any society which has made a religion (as the USA has done) of free-market capitalism, has lost most of its civilisation, in the process.

See monkeys fight over the orange, and the winner take it off in a corner and gloat while eating it. See the other monkey's envy, and fear of being beaten up again, but by gum, it wants an orange too!

Tangentially, the Seven Deadly Sins, according to the Roman Catholic canon, are: Pride, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Sloth, Lust, and Anger.

Our monkeys, above, have just been through Anger, Greed, Gluttony, Pride, Envy, and Pride, over an orange. I've never been able to square capitalism with any form of Christianity. That's just me. I know the theory of 'prosperity-Protestantism', it's just twisted.

It is half-past five in the morning here, and there are other points in your post which I would like to address.

I do think your final sentence is the crucial question: can we stop thinking in the short-term,'what's in it for me?', and learn to think in the long-term, 'what is best for our descendants?', or not? If not, the planet has 50 years, at the outside. It is dying before our eyes. Climate-change deniers and other similar imbeciles are a public safety menace, and in 15 years, such people will be locked up.

Too bad about those wasted fifteen years...

Until next time!

Cheers, :-)

Uma

I think CNN will only post comments that say OBAMA won and is so busy pushing its far left beliefs that you will never read anything except what they want you to think.
Cnn isnt about news its about shaping the world into left wing mindless idiods.
thats ok because once Obama disarms us we had all better start learning russian.Check out how many russian warships are floating around in our back yard lately.Let Obama feed us all to them.

@ Bob

I am not 'trashing' the country which gave me so much more than an excellent education.

I have always been involved in politics, at the grass-roots level. I was, the entire time I lived in the USA. I have always been involved in my community, in my city, my State, different causes and activities to promote social justice for all people in the USA.

I've been the victim of hate-crimes for protesting the lack of funding for AIDS during the Reagan Administration, for protesting the anti-gay-rights Colorado State Amendment No.2 (later overturned by the Rhenquist Supreme Court), and simply for being vocally feminist.

That is the small-mindedness of some people. It's there, it's sad, it's un-Christian (don't start with Romans 1 - I can refute that, and the bits from Leviticus, without batting an eye)to judge other people, unless you are prepared to be subjected to equal judgement! The letters in red say 'let whosoever amongst you is without sin cast the first stone', and I don't believe you are without sin! It doesn't matter what I believe. If you believe you are Christian, your God is watching you.

Anyhow, I am not trashing the USA! I said specifically that I'd return in a heartbeat.

I don't really hold with patriotism, because it's creepily like religion, especially in the US. Oh, I've had morons with pick-ups bearing 'America: Love It or Leave It' bumper-stickers try to run me down in the road, at demos.

I respond, as we did during the Viet Nam War, 'America: Change It or Lose It'.

It's not the people with whom I have problems - except men who think raping a lesbian woman will 'cure' her, which has happened to me, and yeah I have a problem with them! I have a problem with bigots, in general. I have problems that are complicated, with anti-abortion fanatics. I am not exactly 'pro-choice', in that it's not a 'choice' I would wish on anyone. I know, not only from personal experience, but also from many, many other women, that the situation of women and girls needs to change.

Until women and girls can realistically say 'NO', and have it respected, by their husbands, by guys they just met, by men they picked up, by their uncles; the option of safe, legal, medical abortion must remain available.

I'll tell you what I tell all anti-abortion men: educate your male friends, to respect the words 'NO', 'STOP', and 'I DON'T WANT TO'. While you're at it, you might also start working against domestic-violence, because it's amazing how many women and girls are thrown down the stairs, punched in the abdomen, forced to drink toxins like bleach, by abusive men who don't want them to be pregnant.

In all thirty-five years that I've engaged in this discussion, I have never heard anyone mention those abortions! Are they okay, because the man didn't want the baby? Did you know the two highest-risk times, for women to be murdered by their male partners/boyfriends/husbands are:
1. If they say they're leaving, and
2. If they say they're pregnant?

I had a friend, at seminary, who was pro-life. She had thirteen kids, and adopted and fostered as many more as she could. She rotated picketing abortion-clinics, military recruiting stations, and prisons where the death-penalty was carried out. That is pro-life.

Protecting the right to life of a foetus until she is born, reaches puberty, and can be impregnated, at which time she becomes a second-class citizen is crazy. Protecting the right to life of foetus, until he is 18, at which time he is required to sign up for compulsory military service - even if there hasn't been a draught since Viet Nam, the threat is there - is just bizarre.

Anti-abortion and pro-war do not add up. Anti-abortion and not pro-contraception do not add up.
Anti-abortion and not anti domestic-violence do not add up.

The world is much less black and white than you would like to think.

In all my work, with the social rejects of the 'Greatest Country on Earth', which I genuinely believe has the potential to be that - and a good place to start would be to show some humility - I went to the dark and difficult places in US society, where liberals fear to tread. Liberals send cheques. It takes a different kind of commitment, to work with the people whom nobody will own as part of 'them'.

I realised, when I was fifteen, that DISSENT IS PATRIOTIC! You have to love your community, care about strangers, be motivated to fix what is wrong in your country... and take the lumps for it, but carry on, because the society you live in is worth it to you!

I have dissented with every government except the Carter and Clinton Administrations - and I had my issues with both. Fewer human beings fall through the cracks, because someone pays attention to the cracks, in Democratic Administrations.

The Reagan/Bush years were the beginning of this economic meltdown. Clinton could only shovel so much elephant-dung out of the government, in eight years.

As for 'socialism', if you think that's an insult, that's not my problem. I've always been a socialist. I think Obama is too centrist. Clinton was a Republicrat.

I'm so far Left, I actually agree with Libertarians about a lot of things! [[yikes]]

No, I don't just know things - though I do have a 'trick' memory, which has come in handy through the years. I enjoy learning, and I only need to read something once, to know what it said. It's even better if I hear it, because I've got one of the 5% of human brains that are more auditory, than visual.

Videotape?? :-D Don't be daft, kiddo! I was in high-school when the Betamax was invented!

My mother spoke Hindi to me. My father spoke French (and occasionally Spanish - which I understood, but didn't learn to speak, until school) to me. I was born in England. My parents listened to the BBC, and the neighbours and their children all spoke English. My father had houseguests who spoke French. My grandmother and all my relatives in New Delhi spoke Hindi. I learnt to talk young - 9 months, complete sentences - and I learnt to walk late - nearly 2 yrs. Some kids are like that. I also have absolute pitch. Languages and singing are like breathing for me. It's the 'auditory thinking' thing, I suppose.

Now, I speak, read, and write three languages fluently, and can muddle through in a couple more. I read some ancient languages, courtesy of my excellent education, and love of learning. At the moment, I'm teaching myself to read Urdu (spoken Urdu is very similar to Hindi, but they're written completely differently). A uni friend is an MP in the Pakistani Assembly (equivalent of the House of Representatives), and I'd like to get back in touch, in her language, for a change.

I'd take you on, point by point, but I honestly do not know whether one or another Congressperson supports some of the nuttier items on your list. I thought of making a counter-list, because I could do, strictly for the mental acrobatics. I thought better (or worse... isn't it odd that they mean the same thing?) of the idea.

Oh, re: 'paranoid', see post, scroll up a few, misdirected to me, from Joyce, in NY. She sorts out some facts regarding Barack Obama's citizenship, etc, for you. Your list was certainly more coherent, and didn't seem to be dictated by The Voices from Your Toaster, the way your first posting did.

Conservative. Not Republican. Got it.

I'm a radical. Not a 'liberal' - wishy-washy sorts, most of 'em. I can't be a 'Democrat', technically, as I'm not a US citizen. 'Socialist' is accurate.

The UK is no 'paradise', and Thatcher saw the end of proper socialised-democracy in this country. We're having a lovely Depression, here, thanks to some stupid investments by some deregulated banks! The NHS, which was the envy of every country in the world, is improving, from a low, in about 2005. Canada's socialised medicine works just fine by all accounts.

Still, I'd far rather have the NHS than go bankrupt, or have to rush to the ER every time I was sick - a pain in the tuchis, if you need the ER, and the place is choking with uninsured people with the 'flu! It's not as though everyone is forced to use the NHS.

Not relevant to me anyway. Disabled. SSDI - I paid in, I was entitled. Medicaid/Medicare. I had socialised medicine in the USA for a decade. It rocked! I'd go back to the USA if I could find a place to live... that's the tough part. Here, housing is part of the deal. No Briton sleeps on the streets of his/her country. No American should, either! That's just wrong. I used to know a lot of 'Nam vets who lived in Civic Center Park, in Denver. I took 'em food, and smokes, every week or so, when I could afford it. Helluva way to treat people whose heads were wrecked by serving in that War.

Just curious, conservative Bob, in what year and State were you born? It would help me understand your point of view. I can understand, without agreeing.

Seeya,

Uma

Technically speaking it was not a debate.More like a Miss World contest where contestants are asked open ended questions. It was more of a canvassing platform with the topic being provided by the questioning.

A debate is about issues but here most of the time was spent by the candidates on justifying why they are the "right" candidate. The American voters deserve a better organised debate which needs to give enough time to a few critical issues- allowing both candidates adequate time for rebuttals. The current format looks more like a talk show on a television channel.

Worst election!!! Both Candidates are frauds. This just mirrors how much our two major political parties (Dems & Rep) have deteriorated Rather vote for a used car salesman. At least you get screwed just one at a time.

I feel the McCain campaign is becoming desperate and doesn't have a real plan. After 8 years of Republicans, It's truly time for a change. Gov. Sarah Palin has done nothing to prove herself as a worthy Vice- President. Sarah Palin made a comment during the Republican Convention, " The only difference between a Hockey Mom and a Pit BUll was lipstick. In the past few weeks all I've seen her do is attack Senator Obama. My biggest fear is A potential President with no Plan. McCain is simply playing Politics. There were better candidates than Sarin Palin. McCain's just trying to get Senator Hilary Clinton's supporters. I would like Gov. Sarah Palin and McCain to stay with the issues! Gov. Palin only knew about Roe vs Wade, when asked about another case she stumbled and mumbled. Gov. Palin is no Hilary Clinton. Give America a Break. We're not STUPID.

Most people I know see McCain as more of the status quo, something we definatly need to get away from if we ever hope to move forward as a country in today's world.

Hello Anthony,

In response to this, and 'the AK Trooper investigation' (I refuse to attach the suffix '-gate' to anything scandalous, in journalistic/jingoistic 'style'. I am opinionated about language usage. Me? Opinionated? Doesn't happen.):

If I am a American, I would want a President that put my country, my life, my family, my community and our future first in action – not just empty rethorics in exhortation of nice-to-hear political platitudes OF TRANSPARENCY, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, hint of any unfortunate unforseen life fated contact with anyone less glamorous of conduct ( as if these are incurable cancer) for my vote. The Office of Presidency or the highest political office in any country should, in my humble plea, be available only TO THOSE WHO WANTS TO SERVE ITS PEOPLE, NOT TO THOSE WHO WANTS TO FILL THAT ROLE.

I agree. I have long believed that anyone who wants power, automatically and immediately disqualifies him/herself from being given power. Alas, the world goes as it will, and not as my personal sense of ethics would have it.

Regarding the business in AK, in which Gov Sarah Palin was found to have, 'abused her Official power', but not 'to have acted illegally', what we have is the difference between a criminal offence, and a civil offence. She could still be brought to trial, on civil charges. The ruling also stated that she was guilty of 'ethical misconduct'.

Imagine how stunned I'm not.

This is the same Gov Palin who has been touted by Senator 'Ethical Reform' McCain, as the Governor who 'cleaned up the political ethics of Alaska'. Oops. Perhaps, he ought to have actually vetted her, or chosen someone else, rather than reaching, impulsively (his friends say he's 'impulsive') for the Amazing Unknown Right-Wing Woman from Alaska.

It does shed some doubt, on McCain's judgement.

'Ethical violations', and 'abuse of Official power', we've seen. One need look no further than President Lame-Dubya, and his embarrassment of a VP, Cheney. Not a 'reformer'. Not a 'maverick'. Just a bad-tempered, high-handed, unethical, self-serving politician.

How on Earth will she and McCain - 'McNasty', to his Annapolis buddies - work together?

So far, they don't seem to have done, much, in the sense that the McCain campaign has got completely out-of-hand, which the angry-mob-riling, and slander, from Palin rallies.

Palin, who claims to be 'Christian', is also playing very fast and loose with the Commandment against 'bearing false witness against thy neighbour'.

As for putting the country first, and the people first, did you happen to see Fareed Zakaria GPS this weekend? Check it out on the web, if you didnt. You have to go to CNN-USA to find the webcasts. He interviewed a group of people, who all said, 'the USA cannot be allowed to remain so deeply in debt'. It is an unacceptable economic risk. It is an unacceptable national security risk. It is the reason that no amount of bailing, will keep this boat from sinking.

They also all said that the idea of 'tax cuts', in the present economic climate, is nonsense. Barack Obama has not hesitated to say he intends to tax the wealthy. That has been his platform from the get-go.

This financial collapse started in the Reagan Administration, when, rather than tax US residents to maintain the bridges, Interstate Highways, public schools, and Social Security for US residents, some clever-clever dealing, from the bottom of the deck, borrowing from Peter, to pay Paul, and not raising taxes on the rich, nor corporations (whilst simultaneously cutting back many necessary social and public services - from State Troopers, to prenatal-care for indigent women), sank the USA from being a global, net lender, to being a global, net borrower.

The rich were happy. The Reagan Administration was happy. They were cosy with the large, corporate lobbies, who were also happy.

The United States of America (not the people, the government) has been spending 6-8% more money, than it has been generating, for knocking on 30 years now. It's been accumulating collosal amounts of back interest, and become the biggest debtor nation in the world! As an almost-American, I find that embarrassing!

No wonder I never noticed any 'wealth, trickling down' during the Reagan Administrations...

'Shining City on a Hill', my hat!

And so it carried on (though Bill Clinton managed to balance the internal budget deficit, he did not get the USA out of debt.) Politicians don't win in the USA, if they say: 'you need to pay more taxes'.

That's blxxdy idiotic! Joe Biden was RIGHT!! Paying more taxes, if you're rolling in dough, is patriotic! It probably won't even cost Richie Rich enough to make him give up his yacht club! Of COURSE it's patriotic - giving to your country, so it can be better is the definition of patriotism!! Unless one is purely greedy, shallow, or as stupid as a box of rocks.

Reagan and his cronies were true, hard-core, laisser-faire, free-market, anti-regulation capitialists. (Also fanatically against anything that might even seem 'socialist'... Wicked weird, considering Reagan started his political career as a Labour-Union Leader.)

The balloon floated as long as it could, but it couldn't float on ever-increasing debt, forever. Eventually, it had to land.

Well, it wasn't a soft landing. The 'Reagan float' crashed, messily, all over the world. Thanks SO much, guys!

Much though they may not like it, US residents are going to start having to fund their own road-works, bridge-repairs, railroad tracks, and other infrastructure (which is in a shocking state - but hey - this means jobs in the construction sector!) and paying their own Federal Employees, and even funding their own Defense Budget (so far, funded in large part, by staggeringly huge loans, mostly from China), and schools, and sanitation-workers ('bin-men', to the English), and public hospitals.

The good thing about that, is the US taxpayers don't like waste - especially when it is their money. Ordinary folk are much more likely to take an interest in politics, and how their 'Representatives' - and State Reps - are voting, than they have been doing.

McCain's promises of 'tax cuts' are fiscally impossible. He's spouting 'Reaganomic-babble', frantically, to try to hold on to the ANTI-TAX vote.

To US 'anti-tax voters': 'Grow up. Move out from under your debt-subsidised roof, and get a life! Pay your own way! Stop living beyond your means. You have zero sympathy abroad, because you've made certain NOBODY can get credit, for the forseeable!'

The American people have also been in 'negative savings', for the past decade. They've been spending more than they make, though not by as much as the US Government - and obviously not universally! Saving money used to be part of the the US work-ethic.

I think it went bye-bye, right about the time free-market capitalism became a faith-statement.

*glazed eyes: robot speech*: 'The Markets will self-correct'. 'No bailouts! The Markets will self-correct'.

Well, yeah, they might have done, if something had been done, when the Dems spotted, and pointed out, the problems with the mortgages, last year! Too little, too late. By now the Markets can't self-correct.

Clue: laisser-faire, free-market, deregulated Markets don't work. If putting in some regulation is 'socialist', then for cripes' sake, deal with it! The Cold-War is over!

(It's like those Southerners, who insist on flying Confederate flags, and hate 'Yankees' on principle... get over it! You LOST! It's been 160 years, already! Not that the Brits are much better... still sulking about Agincourt?? Some mothers do 'ave 'em!)

I don't know about 'Conservatives', but I have never seen John F Kennedy's 'Ask not what your country can do for you' speech', described as socialist, yet he espoused the very principles which free-market capitalists deplore!

I'm going to quote that speech, below, at some length, because it is relevant to the present election.

..[F]ellow citizens, we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom – symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning – signifying renewal, as well as change....

I think we know where Obama got his theme. :-) It's not about 'party'.

The world is very different now. For man [sic] holds in his [sic] mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe – the belief that the rights of man [sic] come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

[...] Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans – born in this century,..., proud of our ancient heritage – and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Neat reference to both the Revolution, and the Old World. Brilliant segué into the Declaration of Independence.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

That's LIBERTY. Not 'democracy'. Not 'capitalism'. Not George Bush's favourite word, 'freedom'. 'Liberty' goes back to the Founding Fathers, who didn't have 'capitalism', didn't believe in making the USA into a 'democracy', many of whom came to the New World seeking 'liberty' - except for the Colony of Georgia, which was a penal colony - but you can't have everything.

[....]

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do – for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.

This is a tip of the hat to the Allies - NATO (Western Europe and the UK) - and the Magna Carta, the King James Bible, the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches. Kennedy was nothing if not thorough.

[....]

To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required – ..., not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

Now that is genuinely Christian, without being patronising - and I am difficult to please. 'To help the poor help themselves, because it is right', what a concept, huh? The last sentence is very reminiscent of the 'camel pass through the Eye of a Needle' line in the Christian Scripture. JFK was very clear, that 'a free society' is a 'privileged society' - which brings obligations toward those who are poor. I'll leave you to draw your own understanding of the words 'cannot save' - only saying that it doesn't mean 'saved' in the Bible-thumping way. From what, or why would a free society need or want to 'save those who are rich'?

Yes, I was a uni prof for a while.

To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge – to convert our good words into good deeds – in a new alliance for progress – to assist free men [sic] and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty....

To ... the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support....

Albert Einstein, on the Atom Bomb: 'Man's [sic] technological evolution has outstripped his [sic] moral evolution'. Same concept, from the President, not fear-mongering - just fact.

Also, trust in the United Nations - 'our last, best hope'. One of the things which makes me sad is how ineffectual the United Nations has become. It could have been a genuine force for good. The veto-power of the six Permanent Members pretty much hobbled the UN, from the start.

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

Addressed to the USSR, but also not - he's talking to his enemies, and making a request for reasonable thought, the pursuit of peace, for the sake of everyone.

To those who live in fear of Terrorism - do you honestly believe that the populations amongst whom they hide, do not also wish for peace? The Iraqi President has asked for a US troop drawdown - and given a timeline. The TALIBAN initiated talks - through Saudi Arabia - to work toward a peace.

Nobody wants war - especially on their land, you paranoid maniacs! I grew up 20 minutes' walk from where they built the WTC. That was my old stomping-grounds, that was attacked. I have no love for terrorism!

Terrorism only works if it keeps people terrified, angry, and reactive. Learn to think like the Enemy, and it can be beaten. Stick to sheer force, and it will only grow and feed its violence, off of yours.

[...]

But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course – both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons....

About those trillions of dollars thrown away in Iraq...

So let us begin anew – remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

And McCain likes to call Obama 'weak', because he would speak to Raul Castro, to the leaders of Hamas, to the leaders of Iran (well over the controversial, loud-mouthed, unpopular head of Ahmedinajad. Oh? You mean you thought he was in charge, in Iran? Shows how much attention you've been paying...), to Prime Minister Putin, who would only like a little respect...

By the way, in this context, the word 'proof' can also be understood to mean 'test', which was its original meaning. 'Sincerity is always subject to test'. Got it?

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belabouring those problems which divide us.

Sound advice under all circumstances. I wish JFK could come back, and sort Israël out. :-( That miserable little State is so much more trouble than it's worth! (Most of my father's family moved there, one of my uncles died at Auschwitz, so I am allowed to say I hate Zionist-extremists, without being knee-jerked at, by the Jewish communities who think Israël is somehow sacred. Read Ha'aratz! Judaism and Zionism are not the same!)

[...]

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah – to "undo the heavy burdens -. and to let the oppressed go free."

And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavour,... a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

Strength, tempered by justice; weakness given security; and above all, the preservation of peace; a new world of law.

Any thoughts on what JFK's opinion would have been, of the Internment Camp at Guantanamo Bay - and what goes on there, and the excesses of the mercenaries, at Abu Ghraib?

All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished... perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

To his credit, JFK did begin! I hope the next President gets to work at once. Too much time has been wasted. Thirty years have been thrown away.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty....

Government of, by, and for the people. He keeps going back to the original documents. Beautifully crafted. Truly effective.

Now the trumpet summons us again – not as a call to bear arms..., but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" – a struggle against the common enemies of man [sic]: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

Hmm... hasn't Barack Obama offered university fees, to people who serve - not just in the military, but in all the myriad ways that service is needed, in the USA, and around the world? He's a smart man. He saw a brilliant idea, and ran with it.

JFK outright denounces war, repeatedly, in this speech. Sad and ironic, what happened, so shortly afterward... but he had some dodgy advisors.

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind [sic]? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shank from this responsibility – I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavour will light our country and all who serve it - and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

That's not an invitation one could easily refuse! That is a call to patriotism! This fire knocks Reagan's cardboard 'city on a hill' into an ashtray, and leaves it in cinders! It is WONDROUS, to be invited to join the President, in his vision.

I understand why Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg endorsed Barack Obama, now. I was disappointed, at first, because I was supporting Senator Clinton. I didn't know Caroline, but I did know her late brother, John Jr, and their cousin Tina was a classmate of mine. I had hoped Caroline's feminism would lead her to support Senator Clinton. Now, almost a year later, I really understand her choice, and that of her 'Uncle Teddy'.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.

Socialism? Hardly! Then again... 'From each according to his [sic] abilities, to each according to his [sic] needs'... is just a different approach, to the same ultimate goal - fairness, justice, and decent lives for all people - it didn't work. Neither has free-market capitalism.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man [sic].

Nice way of saying 'We're not the cops of the world'. What a shame, within a couple of years of that speech, the US fell back into that role, and has dug itself in deeper, decade after decade, ever since.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you.

I do. I always have done. I did when I lived in the USA, and devoted my life to service and sacrifice - and expected it of others. I still do. This is a remarkable challenge: the USA asks 'high standards of strength and sacrifice' of its citizens, and of the world, and then says: don't let us off the hook - be sure we are as good as we expect you to be. This is accountability. It is international, and intranational accountability. It is SUPERB.

JFK raised the bar, and offered the public, and the world, the opportunity to hold the US to the level to which he had raised it!

This is inspiring! This is bold! This is confidence without arrogance. Commitment that is offered as mutual, with the public, and with the international public! How DARING, to commit mutually for the good of the country, for justice, for peace, for liberty, with a firm foundation in the Founding Fathers, and a drastic break from the world of General Eisenhower, both at the same time.

This speech dates back to before the idolatry of greed came between the USA and its enormous global potential! That potential is not gone. It's buried under mountains of crap, but it is still there. This hopeful, daring, spirit, is precisely why I love the USA. I have always seen the potential, in the people, fighting to right social injustices, give the have-nots the break they need, to share in the life of the haves. It's uniquely American, and it brings me to tears.

My question, to the USA, is, can you find this spirit and unite, once again? If you can't, it will be the Nixonian culture-wars, and petty bickering, and the worst of the US collective consciousness will have won.

I KNOW my adoptive country is better than that. You are Americans, first, and ideologues, second (or third, or not). Raise the bar! You have a chance!

Uma Devidatta, MAR
(closet Yank :-) )

NB: I removed some dated Cold-War references, and I always put [sic] after the use of 'man' to mean 'humanity', as a matter of principle. 'Man' may be 'textbook-correct' usage, but 'Humanity' is more accurate, more inclusive, and more appropriate, in 2008. Why use a less-adequate word, when a better one exists in the language?

I strongly believe Obama won outrightly. He unveiled his strategic plan as the next President of the United States of America, especially as it boarders around the economy which is a burning issue at the moment.

Socialist Obama and Greedhead Capitalist McBush, I mean McCain, no I mean McBush. This election makes me sick. I've considered not voting. McCain embodies what is broke about Washington, and Obama embodies the dangerous socialism that has ruined Europe. Check out Europe's middle class. what middle class? exactly. Socialism is great, it forces everyone to be poor. Colin Powell/ Condi Rice, where are you?

I think people already have their minds made up on who they like and don't like. After reading a few responses it's clear people have chosen who they're going to vote for because a lot of the responses were bias.
I have listened to both candidates speak over and over again and I have yet to hear what either is going to do for this country.
I am voting for McCain because I don't believe in socialism and I believe he will protect this country better than Obama can. Also people are under the misconception that this economy is due to Bush. It's due to STUPID people taking mortgages they couldn't afford and STUPID lenders giving them the mortgage. People hate to take any responsibility for their actions and Democrats love to support this. Owing a house is not a right. It's earned with hard work and savings. People in this country think they are owed something. It's sad.

Ladies and gentlemen please welcome our next president Mr.Obama

My goodness, Uma! You certainly do go on, don't you? My turn.

In answer to your question, I'm 54, born in the state of Oregon, and still live here. It's not easy, given the level of social engineering being practiced here, but I survive nonetheless.

Nice rewrite of history there, blaming Reagan for the current economic situation, while giving Clinton not only a pass, but kudos. As an American, Clinton was and still is an embarrassment. His arrogance and foolishness is only surpassed by his lack of respect for the highest office in our country. And Carter was an ineffectual buffoon, playing politics and leaving 52 US citizens in the hands of Iran. He was as far out of his depth as Obama will be.

Socialism. I'm against it, and I'll tell you why. It's based on the belief that the government knows better than I do how MY money should be spent. It's not THEIR money, it's mine. I get up every morning, say goodbye to my family and go to work to earn it. I'm not on the dole, I pay for my own health insurance, I have no debt, my wife and I have proven ourselves to make intelligent decisions with our finances. So why should I turn it over to some bureaucrat so he (or she) can decide what's 'best' for me and my family? Because the government has shown so many times how capable it is in managing my money?
NO. The government has proven over and over again that they are incapable of living within their own means, let alone mine.
The government has no authority beyond what the Constitution spells out, yet they have ignored that fact for generations. Liberals are big on 'rights'. Let me say here that the Constitution gives no 'right' to the government to take my money and give it to someone else. That is MY right to do if I please. Yes, I'm a compassionate person. No, I won't insult you by trying to tell you all the warm fuzzy things I do with the money I earn, because that's my business and no one else's.
– When I chose to do it, that's compassion. When someone else takes my money away from me and does it in my name... that's COMPULSION.

You can't legislate social justice when it comes to 'who has' and who doesn't have'. What makes this country great is the opportunity it gives to every person who comes here LEGALLY, to make it or not. Opportunities abound, as long as the government keeps their hands out of everyone's cookie jar and tends to the business it was meant to be doing.

Let's look at some famous 'compassionate' US socialist presidents.
FDR – Shortly after taking office, he got the "Emergency Banking Act " passed, which allowed the Secretary of the Treasury to confiscate the gold held by private citizens in return for paper currency. The next day he issued an Executive Order forbidding people from sending gold overseas and banks from paying out gold. Less than a month later he issued Executive Order No. 6102, requiring everyone to turn over their gold and gold certificates to the Federal Reserve in exchange for paper currency. In January of 1934 he devalued the dollar by 59%, thereby robbing anyone holding US gold certificates in other countries of 40% of their value. Roosevelt made the Great Depression even Greater. It was global because he had impoverished millions of foreigners, and it was more persistent because he had ruined the good credit and name of the United States. An 'honorable' man would have gone before the public, said "we know we have a problem, be patient and we will honor your gold certificates". No, he chose to rob the American people when they were already being beaten down by an economic depression.
Then of course, there's the "New Deal", in which he put forth work programs and 'incentives' – paid for by brutal excise taxes which most effected the poor in the country. It didn't create more jobs, because the people paying the excise taxes for goods and services – which included things like alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, matches, candy, chewing gum, margarine, fruit juice, soft drinks, cars, tires (including tires on wheelchairs), telephone calls, movie tickets, playing cards, electricity, radios – had less money to spend on goods and services... which delayed recovery from the depression. The taxes destroyed jobs, prolonging the 17% unemployment. Higher business taxes took the money business owners would have invested in growth and hiring. Social Security taxes made hiring new employees too expensive. the National Industrial Recovery Act cost an estimated 500,000 jobs among black Americans alone. The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 gave unions the power to secure above market wages, triggering layoffs and the depression of 1938. He took from the South and gave to the North, where the swing voters were. He even passed acts banning discounting in stores.
FDR saw an opportunity no socialist could pass up – instead of doing the right thing for his country and allowing the markets to recover, he blamed the 1929 Crash on 'greedy traders' and within a few years had stolen the gold from the citizens and plunged us deeper into a longer lasting depression, assuring that every poor voter would be dependent on the government for their well being. Luckily, World War 2 came along and we became prosperous again despite his efforts.
Then came Truman. While I certainly give him high marks for his stance on civil rights, he also continued FDR's policies of stealing from one class to give to another.

JFK was something of an enigma. He wanted everyone to be part of the collective, but he wanted to empower the little guy to be a productive part instead of enslaving him with welfare.
He was also a fiscal conservative, and knew his economics – two things Obama knows absolutely nothing about.

Here's a few JFK quotes about taxes:

"It is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now ... Cutting taxes now is not to incur a budget deficit, but to achieve the more prosperous, expanding economy which can bring a budget surplus."
– John F. Kennedy, Nov. 20, 1962, president's news conference
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"Lower rates of taxation will stimulate economic activity and so raise the levels of personal and corporate income as to yield within a few years an increased – not a reduced – flow of revenues to the federal government."
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 17, 1963, annual budget message to the Congress, fiscal year 1964
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"In today's economy, fiscal prudence and responsibility call for tax reduction even if it temporarily enlarges the federal deficit – why reducing taxes is the best way open to us to increase revenues."
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 21, 1963, annual message to the Congress: "The Economic Report Of The President"
--------------------------–
"It is no contradiction – the most important single thing we can do to stimulate investment in today's economy is to raise consumption by major reduction of individual income tax rates."
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 21, 1963, annual message to the Congress: "The Economic Report Of The President"
--------------------------–
"Our tax system still siphons out of the private economy too large a share of personal and business purchasing power and reduces the incentive for risk, investment and effort – thereby aborting our recoveries and stifling our national growth rate."
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 24, 1963, message to Congress on tax reduction and reform, House Doc. 43, 88th Congress, 1st Session.
--------------------------–
"A tax cut means higher family income and higher business profits and a balanced federal budget. Every taxpayer and his family will have more money left over after taxes for a new car, a new home, new conveniences, education and investment. Every businessman can keep a higher percentage of his profits in his cash register or put it to work expanding or improving his business, and as the national income grows, the federal government will ultimately end up with more revenues."
– John F. Kennedy, Sept. 18, 1963, radio and television address to the nation on tax-reduction bill

All I hear Obama saying is we're going to do this and we're going to do that... translated: "spend, spend, spend". Where is this money going to come from?

LBJ. Ah, yes, the "Great Society". Let's see, it's been what... 40 years? That's certainly a program that got people on their feet and gave them self respect. I know I'm glad we got rid of poverty. Aren't you?

Jimmy "Peanut" Carter. Don't get me started. The best thing I can say about him is he kept us from four years of Gerald Ford. The worst is that we're still dealing with Iran.

"BJ" Clinton. Well, he did bomb an aspirin factory. That was close, Bin Laden could have been killed. If he'd been there. And he did anjoy a nice ride on the economic prosperity built on Reagan's tax policies. Too bad he didn't get to be First Lady.

And that leaves us with potentially the next socialist president. Obama doesn't seem to know anything about economics, at a time when 'the right thing' is crucial to know. His plans will send this country down a road of debt that will make today look like September 1929. He has said 'a small percentage of small businesses gross over $250,000" (the tax cap he proposes). That's an outright lie. The vast majority of small businesses as classified by the SBA gross more than $250,000. Would you consider a business employing 6 or 7 people as a small business? I would. 7 employees with wages of $35,000 – that's $245,000 just in wages. And he's going to tax them. Consider what that's going to do to businesses. And all the employees who will find themselves without work when their employers go under.

This country was founded on individual liberties. Our Constitution does not tell US what we can do, it clearly spells out what the federal government CAN NOT do. Since the days of FDR the socialists of the democratic party have been chipping away at the Constitution, eroding our liberties. Most recently they have stolen $700 billion dollars (now there's some deficit spending for you) ostensibly to 'save' the financial markets. In their rush to 'save' us (must have been a big emergency, they only took a weekend off to pack the votes) they only managed to include about $100 billion in pork. Very necessary to economic recovery, I'm sure. Things like :
* Wooden arrows: This tax break, backed by Oregon's two senators, would benefit an Oregon manufacturer of wooden arrows for children by $2 million over 10 years.
* Racetracks: Earmark would allow auto racetrack owners to depreciate their facilities over seven years, saving the industry $100 million over two years.
* Rum: Offers rum producers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands a rebate on excise taxes worth $192 million over two years.
* Wool: Reduces tariffs for U.S. makers of wool fabric that use imported yarn, worth $148 million over five years. The measure was pushed by Reps. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., and Melissa Bean, D-Ill.
* Exxon Valdez: Plaintiffs in the suit over the 1989 oil spill could spread their tax payments on punitive damages over three years, cutting their tax bill by $49 million. The measure was backed by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska.
* American Samoa: Allows certain corporations to reduce their tax liability on income earned in American Samoa, at a cost of $33 million over two years.
* Hollywood: Extends a tax break for film and TV companies that keep their production in the United States, worth $478 million over 10 years.

Not to mention Nancy Pelosi's "global warming" (the biggest fraud and power grab yet perpetrated on the world population) tax breaks.

Uma, you appear to be an intelligent person. Try thinking outside of the bias and beliefs passed down to you, and acquired through your 'education'. What kind of person are you , if you expect the 'government' to save everyone? Yes, I read all the things you've done, working with the poor, ect. But still, ultimately isn't that what socialism is all about? We will have an 'elite' (which we have now) telling us what is best for us, and we give them our sweat and labor, and they dole it out to everyone. How long do you expect food to be on the shelves if there is no longer a reason for the food producers to produce? Why should they bother running a business if their profits are stolen from them?
Only three kinds of people do what they're told without compensation or explanation. Robots, prisoners and slaves. We're not robots, so I guess under socialism we get to decide whether we're prisoners or slaves.
What you wind up with is tyranny. And misery. On a global scale.

Obama seems to be a better speaker on this ocassion and probley had the less pressure on him of the two men since he came in as the favorite . But McCain is the better man in my opinion , just not as good of a show as Obama . I think the media gives Obama undue support that Any republicain cannot ever get , because they are democritic! it seems like a fixed race to me , if you listen to just the media and some air heads McCain is a washed up old foggy , but HE(McCain) IS the better Man.And Obama is just another celebrity ,people often fall for appearance only and forget to checkout the substance of Background and history for example . Bill Clinton is another of this type , so if you liked Clinton you may like Obama ?

Socialism coming to America? Unless anyone holds a different conceptualisation of socialism or capitalism, I would have thought the USA is the fortress invincible of capitalism. If socialism ever comes to America, Cuba would NOT make strange bedfellow and Russia might come join the party along with North Korea and Peoples' Republic of China maybe as well. And I cannot see that happening in this generation at least.

This then brings the question of Government in society. Government IS an integral part of SOCIETY. Make no mistake about that regardless if one is allowed to vote as in America and those who shared similar political institutions or those who do not like PRC, Saudi Arabia or Brunei. Instrusion of Government into society is NOT socialism – definitely not in USA . Today, both OBAMA and McCain proposed different tax-based solution to the sub-prime mortgage crisis and YET BOTH SUPPORTED THE US$700 billion bailout package for Wall Street financial woes – the latter almost can be said to be forcibly IMPOSING the burden of saving banks out of the recalcitrant American hardworking men and women and future generations of ordinary Joe-six-pack so to speak.

McCain was more desperate to bail out Wall Street, even suspending his electioneering campaign to fly to Washingon than OBAMA. So who is more "socialism-prone" to funding and resolving the financial crisis on the beleaguered Wall Street? So does that NOT proved beyond reasonable doubt the "socialist" credential of McCain ( making the hardworking poor saving the financial recklessness of the rich living in obscenity of pleasures like in AIG after the bailout ) much more STEEPER than the same from OBAMA? As for taxes, both McCain and OBAMA has to find money to fund the mortgage crisis – it is ONLY A DIFFERENCE OF PACKAGING of sacrifice, costs and benefits. And that is what Government is about! To say that one candidate epitomise socialism of destroying work incentives and business development has no basis of truth except in idyllic fertile imagination.

In my judgement of history, Governments across this western side of Pacific has shown far greater success in intensive involvement in national economic life than failure. Look at Malaysia, crony capitalism of favouritism based on ethnicity preference nearly destroyed its economy in 1997 Asian currency crisis leaving a much damaged industrial landscape till today. But the intrusive involvement in economic landscape brought tremendous success to its neighbour – Singapore. If anyone watched the inaugural F1 night race recently, this little city state as described by the commentator was lighted up like " a Christmas tree" to show the world it is a first world city of illuminating success. When it achieved independence over 40 years ago, it was barely more than little swamps around the island which had 10% unemployment risking that to 30% in the wake of British military withdrawal east of Suez.. No industry, nothing to crow off as a world's premier banking and financial centre, no manufacturing, no services centre it is today. it has not enough land, water but lots of poverty starting out. Now the world can see its transformation – its sovereign wealth fund is almost the same size as the foreign reserve of oil and gas rich Russia and as Jim Rogers say, on the per capita basis, unsurpassed anywhere in the world. Is this socialism or capitalism??

Look at South Korea. The late President Park Chung Hee did the same thing. He told budding Korean business entrepreneurs – the likes of Chairman of Hyundai no less, what he wants – without explanation or compensation if you like. Those who aspire big role in national development had better toe the national agenda. If not, you can expect little of sympathies and support of officialdom. We see big chaebol, the emergence of an industrial powerhouse of Korea Inc – though partly wrecked by the Asian currency crisis. Without President Park's iron hand of "socialism" of putting the nation first, there would be no industrial Korea Inc. because Park Chung Hee returned favours. it may well have been a agrarian economy a bit better than its turly socialist northern cousin.

In China, it is capitalism with professed socialistic characteristic. You have not votes like USA but after three generation of leadership change post Mao, who is to say it is not an economic powerhouse and a success story? IT IS SOCIALISM IN NAME LONG BURIED IN THE GRAVEYARD OF THE LATE MAO and CAPITALISM in every nook and corner of China. What wrong with big success??

Cuba, North korea – the hybrid socialism – these are complete ECONOMIC FAILURES. Is America heading that way? I bet NOT.

The world has learnt that ALL SOCIALISM IS FAILURE ANYWHERE in the world including the former Soviet Union. CHINA IS THE FIRST SOCIALIST MODEL that works to success and Vietnam is fast learning. India is also heading in the direction of big direct and intrusive involvement in national economic development of building infrastructure AND RESTRUCTURING ITS ECONOMY AGGRESSIVELY – never mind its short term impact on the population etc.

The "free market" laissez faire economies in US and Western Europe is now fumbling on the edges. It is now proven to be NOT the only workable model of economic development and success BUT ALSO PROVEN TO BE LIABLE TO HUGE EXCESS OF FREQUENT SHOCKS AND UNCONTROLLABLE RISK OF SUDDEN TOTAL FAILURES.

My message here is this – IT IS NOT A MATTER OF DEGREE OF GOVERNMENT INTRUSION INTO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE OF THE PEOPLE as allegedly "socialism" BUT IT IS THE QUALITY OF GOVERNMENT INTRUSION in the POLITICAL LEADERSHIP which determine crucially the success or failure of society. Both socialism in China and capitalism has equal chance of success.

Mediocre leadership or worse still of lesser ability are recipe for failures. And I see that in the current Bush administration. George Bush came into political office on 20 January 2001. By 1 April 2001, his administration was already in collision course with China – the Hainan island military stouch of US spy plane colliding with a Chinese jet fighter over South China Sea. Then came the big planning and invasion of Iraq on the deception of WMD, followed by Afghanistan escalation of involvement. Geroge Bush is a classic case of 'capitalism" – leave the economy alone, let us enjoy the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while Wall Street party on its excesses to the fullest opportunity that prevail as Bush party on his war credentials. The US Government spent over US$800 billion and counting on unwinnable senseless war which Rice now admitted is much harder of achieving objective the Administration has ever thought in its wildest dreams. The legacy of Bush administration is CONFRONTATIONAL POLITICS ON THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA and near complete blindness to the care of the economy since the day he walked into the highest office of the land.

McCain loves wars too, has not much of an interest in this election campaign on the economy except now that he is falling deeply behind the poll. In office (if elected), do you think war or economy is his highest priority of time and attention – especially now that it is an absolute mess?

Had George Bush prioritise his attention on the economy (just like the Chinese across the Pacific Ocean) when he walked into the Oval Office and worked through the sub-prime mess,would America and the rest of the world so frightenly distressed of survival????

The choice is obvious in this election between OBAMA and McCain – it is QUALITY LEADERSHIP OF THE BRIGHTEST AND THE ABLEST. Americans choose, i don't have that privilege be it America is capitalist or socialist as one prefer to brand it.

Thanks for reading

I personally dont think Obama has the experience that is necessary to run this country. I think he promises too much. It seems like the people who are voting for Obama think that all of our problems will be solved if he's president.

We have terrorism, hatred and inflation, people. It's going to take a lot more than promises from Obama to make everything disappear.

They're both losers. One is as bad as the other. That's why I'm voting for a third party candidate. I know a third party can't win this time, but I hope that if enough voters showed their displeasure with Obama and McCain by voting third party, then 4 years from now the mainstream media may wake up and recognize that there's life (and news) beyond the 2-party corporate-mouthpiece system.

Clearly Obama won. Obama is far ahead of mccain. if mccain comes its going to be a disaster, and personally i think America can not afford another 'bush'. We need Obama to get us out of these bad times. Go Obama!

The wealthy have been given free reign long enough with tax cuts to stimulate jobs... and where did the jobs go? To India and China and Mexico. And the jobs that have not gone there have gone to the people that dance over our border with the full knowledge and willful employment from those that hire from under the table. There is not a job that an American will not do if they make enough to feed their family and even maybe get a little ahead from the work. I know. I have worked two and three jobs most of my life to pay my way. I'm voting for me this year and thumb my nose at the redneck rich that have had it all too easy for the last 8 years. Obama knows what it is not to have two pennies to rub together, while Bush and his twin McCain got all of their wealth and opportunity from their fathers. People see the world as they are, not as it really is. I've had it to hear with scare tactic voting. Be brave and be free. Do not vote because you are scared of what someone MIGHT do. Give me liberty or give me death. Remember? The rich have had their time and are the wealthier for it. It is now time for the pedulum to swing the other way.

The fact that McCain is spiting fire in order to fraustrate Obama, the truth is that Obama is focused and confident in his policies. Obama is the winner come what may.

Anthony, I'm not saying McCain is a good choice. The only reason I would vote for him is to prevent Obama from obtaining the presidency,

More and more Obama is using the phrase, "Spread the wealth around". Sorry, but that's socialism. When the money I earn is taken from me forcibly, before I even have a chance to see it, and given to someone who didn't earn it, doesn't deserve it, then wastes it on booze and gambling, that's socialism. All based on the belief that I'm too stupid to be trusted to do the 'right thing' with my own earnings. Not too stupid to earn it, apparently, just too stupid to know how to spend it. The government's track record on spending my money isn't too pretty. In my state, for example, our roads and bridges are falling apart, while the state and local liberals are spending billions on light rail which has been voted down multiple times, and has to be heavily subsidized just to keep operating. Because 'they' don't think we should be driving cars.
Barney Frank believes 'everyone' should be able to afford a house, and has brought our banking system to the brink trying to make it happen, and obstructing every attempt Bush made to put more regulations in place.
It would be nice if everyone could afford a house, but the fact is everyone can't. So Anthony, what would you call it if I am forced to pay for someone else's house, if not socialism?
It would be nice if everyone could afford better health care, but the fact is everyone can't. Health care is a product. In an emergency there are clinics for the uninsured. I have health care, and I pay for it. Only I am responsible for how I take care of myself, and I should be responsible for paying the price if I don't. You might choose to subsist on Big Macs and beer, smoke 2 packs a day and live on your couch. When I'm forced to pay for your health care when you develop heart disease, cancer and diabetes because of your choices, which I am unable to control, that's socialism.

"In China, it is capitalism with professed socialistic characteristic. You have not votes like USA but after three generation of leadership change post Mao, who is to say it is not an economic powerhouse and a success story? IT IS SOCIALISM IN NAME LONG BURIED IN THE GRAVEYARD OF THE LATE MAO and CAPITALISM in every nook and corner of China. What wrong with big success??"

"CHINA IS THE FIRST SOCIALIST MODEL that works to success"

I believe there are a billion peasants, child slave laborers and political prisoners who might disagree with those statements... if they didn't fear being killed for speaking at all.
As well as the people of Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela.

I am so fed up with McCain's negativity–he is such a loser. He should talk about what he can do and not what others can't do. Anyone that votes for McCain must be satisfied with the way our county is. Most people obviously have forgotten what McCain said a few months ago at the White House with Bush–"I am going to continue Bush's policies."

I am pleased to announce as an American Citizen that Obama is the clear winner- Obama was precise, doesn't have the "I need to dog McCain every two seconds (unlike his counterpart), and is a serious candidate and last but not least has picked an experienced VP candidate.

This is the best debate they ever had. For me Obama won the debate.
Regarding the final presidential debate, I observed that McCain is clearly came out as an angry man and very confrontational. His facial expressions and non-verbals clearly shows this. I have been following this election process for several months ever since the primaries, I believed even before that McCain will be the selected candidate for the Republicans. However, after the primaries, I have noticed that McCain's image have changed dramatically. I believe that the Americans should vote for the candidate that could turn their country around from the mess that it is in right now. Just look at how both candidates have run their campaigns to date. Obama's campaign is very efficient, well-organized and 'decent', McCain's have been more or less the opposite. The candidates are the leaders of their campaigns, an excellent, well-run campaign bodes for the kind of government they will run if elected President. I think it is a very clear decision if I were to vote.

I am fr Malaysia and I have been following this most important election on earth since last year. I think Obama is level headed and would be the best president for US now. We need a President who thinks before he speaks, clear about his plan and how he is going to make it work. Someone who is precious and diferrent from the current (Bush and Repulican). We need FRESH face and who can bring in new ideas and who has got the energy to fight and win this 2 Wars that America is facing. Gov Sarah is new and not qualified yet or ready to assume the VP role. I will be devastated if she is going to be the next US VP. She should just continue and learn and she will be ready in 2016 although I would think that Senator Clinton will be a far better candidate than Gov Sarah.

i know very well john mccain didnt think very well before chosing an unqualified person like palin.mccain wanted to win hillary voters.obama could have easily done that by chosing hillary but knew he will be doing more harm than good so chose biden.mccain does not have the country at heart and therefore does not derserve to be president.i endorse barack obama.

I thing Obama did great job in the last debate , he was so cool in handling Mccain attacks and i totally support his believes on what is needed to be done in iraq.
Certainly there are big issues that concerns the american citizen now adays with the economic crisis knocking every one's door but from my point of view as an Iraqi , i need to see obama winning because i thing as he strongely believe that war on iraq should never have happened , the focus should stayed in afganstan till the job done against alqaida there ,and also the Maccain stresses that he supported the surge operation in Iraq to enhance security here in iraq while increasing the level of troops did not do that much here or changed the situation but what realy changed it here is the tribal turn against alqaida here and that changed the battle for the favorite of the american , other wise the surge would not accoplish any thing on the ground .

Bob, I do like to share some thoughts with you on your last rejoinder. I am glad you realise and assert that McCain is not necessarily a good choice. I watched the debates but cannot help, with some sadness, coming to the conclusion that he lacked both the depth, holistic and the contextual perspectives of global and US domestic issues. Obama is the opposite. Obama said correctly, the US has 3% of the world's geological oil reserves but consumes at the rate of 25% of global consumption. America has no possibility of drilling itself out of foreign energy dependence. I don't see McCain even acknowledging this truth in the 2nd debate. Obama is very comfortable debating the macro and micro aspects of its policy statements. McCain just want voters to trust and believe he can do it WITHOUT STATING HOW HE DO IT – for example, BIG BALD statement of claims assertion like "I know how to find and kill Osama bin Laden". Then why don't you tell American military to go and get him now instead of waiting for American's men and women to expose themselves to harm's way? As for Palin, I am sorry but feel she is a non-event. Todd was the ACTIVE shadow Governor fulfilling the sworned functions of elected Governor Palin. Who could, except in denial of the explicit truth, honestly assert she will be a reformer when controversy surrounded her husbands involvement in Government while she "sleeping" in the dream world perhaps? Her initial interviews with journalists were telling of her depth of intellect and her "characteristic" association personal attacks on Obama has not resonates with voters or the relevance of this election. What is left is a single-issue campaign on abortion and nothing on the economy so desperately crying out for attention. It is NOT conceivable to me that Americans should vote a Republican ticket in this election.

As for "socialism", I understand completely your abhorence of paying for someone mortgage which they cannot afford and should not afford.This is again where I honestly thought you fell of the election track. McCain, in the final interview, again repeated his difference with Obama on the sub-prime issue. McCain wants to give the money DIRECTLY to troubled Americans to alleviate their mortgage woes. NOW THAT IS SOCIALISM by your definition because it is your money, Bob, that was taken from you forcibly via the US$700 billion bailout to pay for someone's mortgage. Obama's approach is different. He favoured recapitalising the banks to relieve mortgage stressed foreclosure BUT THAT MEANS BUYING INTO BANK'S EQUITY. Bob, you end up as (maybe unwilling) indirect shareholder and that is CAPITALISM. Don't you agree?

I real life, Bob, if you look at capitalism through the prism of supermarket business, you will see that most listed supermarket actually makes 2c to 3c for each dollar of sales revenue after tax. Try google, Walmart, Dairy Farm International (Singapore-listed Hong Kong entity) or Woolworth (Australian listed), you will find this is true. Now given that US corporate tax rate is 35%, if a supermarket in US is earning 1.95c in a dollar, it must have paid 1.05c in tax per dollar and the balance of 97c goes to overhead, expenses of all kinds and purchase costs. If you worked so hard, day and night and 365 days per year, and you had to "give away" 97c out of $1, I cannot understand any objection if the tax per dollar increased from1.05c to 1.1c when you have given already 97c. It is capitalism still unless you assert Walmart is socialism.

As for China, I have travelled, lived, worked and do business there spanning nearly 2 decades There is no slaves, or prisoners that adds up to 1 billion people . It is just your fertile fictional imagination to assert so. I know what is progress and success there. You cannot deny reality.

"He favoured recapitalising the banks to relieve mortgage stressed foreclosure BUT THAT MEANS BUYING INTO BANK’S EQUITY. Bob, you end up as (maybe unwilling) indirect shareholder and that is CAPITALISM. Don’t you agree?"

No, I don't. I call it nationalizing the banks. The US government has NO BUSINESS owning shares in banks, and I have no guarantee I'll ever see that money again. We all know they consider it 'their money', not ours. That's clearly shown by how hard it is to get it back when they make a mistake on your taxes. If they miscalculate and overcharge me, I have to fight for it to get it. If they overpay me (their mistake) they charge me interest on 'their' money, even though I never even cashed their check.
Again, if I want to invest my money in a bank, I'll do it. $123 billion we gave AIG, and what did the execs do immediately after? Went on a $440,000 'spa retreat'. Smart investment, that.

I'll just say this: I pay enough in taxes. I work hard for my money, and the government takes nearly a quarter of it. A great deal of the money they take is wasted by legislators on corrupt spending designed only for the purpose of keeping them in power, or enhancing their power.
I don't trust them to do the 'right' thing with my money anymore.
I would rather have someone who lacks "both the depth, holistic and the contextual perspectives of global and US domestic issues" (nice statement there, I thought 'both' implied 2, not 3) than someone who has a clear agenda which is NOT in the best interest of the citizens of this country.
Obama has changed his position on important matters over and over again and has lied throughout this campaign about his long term relationships with terrorists, racists and corrupt businessmen. Sorry, I happen to think that's pretty damn 'relevant' to this election.

So, there are no slaves in China, or just not a billion?

My friend , to me Mr. McCain is like he is from the 5o's or earlier.Yes I think he need to rest coz being President is a demanding job.

My friend America need a president not only the Americans but the world can respect,that America's image be better from that of being Police of the World and Big Bully .

If Mr. Obama will be next President, it is this change that the World is looking forward to.My friend, Mr. Obama won 3-3

According to McCain in his words from debate #2 "we need a steady hand at the tiller" clearly that is Barack Obama. He proved that last night he has proven throughout his entire campaign. Although he wasn't real dramatic, Obama won.

Bob, the US Government is TEMPORARILY owning the shares in banks they bailed out. These will be sold and US taxpayers has the potential to gain. But by McCain's direct funding of bad mortgage, you must have known "your money" is gone forever the "socialism" way of your descript. But you kept pretense of silence of this self-contradiction.

Your criticism of my writing..."both the depth, holistic and the contextual perspectives of global and US domestic issues” ...both’ implied 2, not 3 is well taken is my somewhat awkward expression but I meant all three aspects which you acknowledged your preference of acceptance of such a President in the Oval Office. Sure I do respect your choice even though I feel this risk would not be to your own economic advantage of further wreckage of an already ravaged economy or America's national interests abroad.

As for China, if you lacked my depth and length of exposure, I cannot expect you to comprehend and therefore not seek to persuade. I believe the internet is informative enough to tell all that 'capitalism" is in dire need of saving itself, and socialism in China is looked upon with sufficient respect that both George Bush and PM Brown called President Hu to discuss global financial crisis. It would not be nice if I say one of the party could have said," don't call us, we will call you !" or is it, Bob??

Anthony, I neglected to say I disagree with McCain's plan as well. The fact is that less than 5% of US home mortgages are in danger of default. This 'crisis' has been manufactured, either through incompetence or by design.
If the US has a 'ravaged' economy (I don't believe it does, but the media certainly want you to believe that) it is the product of an government that has inserted it's fingers into far too many areas it has no business. Fanny and Freddie are in trouble because the people who were 'watching the chickens' are sleeping with the foxes. When the truth of Fanny and Freddie's true situation came to light, they turned it into a 'financial crisis', panicking investors all over the world. The banks tightened up credit, which panicked depositors.

Neither solution is the right one. They are both calling upon the taxpayer to pay for the mistakes and greed of a few. I say keep the government out of it, let the free market be FREE and correct itself.

As for s.ariana, Mars, Letticia from Oslo, Ekanem – Nigeria, ect... and Anthony, I'm guessing... Thanks for your opinions, but if it's all the same to you, I'm glad you're not voting in OUR elections... unless of course ACORN has your name...

...and Abdulla from Iraq, I have no doubt you would love to see us saddled with a president who doesn't care about his country, much less have any intention of protecting it.

click.

I think Obama won!!!! GO OBAMA!

Did anyone notice how the CNN crew were leaning towards McCain and then quickly switched when the polls came in on the debate? Defensive first 30 minutes my foot.

Bob, my following of financial markets globally tells me that one out of six mortgages were reported to be in danger of foreclosure. That is not less than 5% you claimed but closer to 15%. Which is why the distress to the US financial market is so severe of outcome – and spread like a firestorm to every other financial markets including emerging economies.

As to whether the US economy is "ravaged" or in sound health (if that makes everyone feels better), I have no recollection of any previous American administration having worked through Congressional recess and came up with an unprecedented huge US$700 billion bailout package. Remember Hank Paulson (in misplaced judgement) actually got down to one knee begging Pelosi's goodwill assistance to get it through, Bobby? Paulson was politely told that Congress hold the key, not Pelosi. This firestorm spreaded trans-atlantic to Europe and EU collectively came up with over a trillion US dollar of rescue efforts again on desperate weekend as the crisis ticked. Bobby, these are dire serious times in America, unfortunately made in USA which ravaged its economy, wiped out all its investment bank on Wall Street and the rest of the world pains in subsequent, unless you again prefers to deny reality.

As for my imaginary voting in this US election you are worried sick to the point of this paranoia about, I give you my heaven sworn pledge that (while I don't know about the intentions of other foreigners you mentioned in conjunction ) I will NOT vote in this or any American elections. ACCORN is an American institution and it has NO extra-territorial jurisdictionational rights to enrol my participation. If America is overwhelming of this hegemony of all foreign nations on this planet, I will still not vote because I have sworn allegiance to another sovereign and its military. I don't travelled, lived, worked and do businesses moving about on two passports.

My thoughts are with Obama, USA and the world.

Bob, my following of financial markets globally tells me that one out of six mortgages were reported to be in danger of foreclosure. That is not less than 5% you claimed but closer to 15%. Which is why the distress to the US financial market is so severe of outcome – and spread like a firestorm to every other financial markets including emerging economies.

As to whether the US economy is "ravaged" or in sound health (if that makes everyone feels better), I have no recollection of any previous American administration having worked through Congressional recess and came up with an unprecedented huge US$700 billion bailout package. Remember Hank Paulson (in misplaced judgement) actually got down to one knee begging Pelosi's goodwill assistance to get it through, Bobby? Paulson was politely told that Congress hold the key, not Pelosi. This firestorm spreaded trans-atlantic to Europe and EU collectively came up with over a trillion US dollar of rescue efforts again on desperate weekend as the crisis ticked. Bobby, these are dire serious times in America, unfortunately made in USA which ravaged its economy, wiped out all its investment bank on Wall Street and the rest of the world pains in subsequent, unless you again prefers to deny reality.

As for my imaginary voting in this US election you are worried sick to the point of this paranoia about, I give you my heaven sworn pledge that (while I don't know about the intentions of other foreigners you mentioned in conjunction ) I will NOT vote in this or any American elections. ACCORN is an American institution and it has NO extra-territorial jurisdictionational rights to enrol my participation. If America is overwhelming of this hegemony of all foreign nations on this planet, I will still not vote because I have sworn allegiance to another sovereign and its military. I don't travelled, lived, worked and do businesses moving about on two passports.

My thoughts are with Obama, USA and the world. My best wishes to you Bobby even though i find it hard to get this message through

I think Obama won. He exemplified great statesmanship and portrayed himself as a symbol of hope that this country needs soooooo bad.

McCain kept an offensive strategy, which results in no gain. Obama won and definitely owning.

I think this is an outrage!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe that noone can see that the news reporters are being biust (fox) when in fact they are not supposed to be taking any side

If Barack Obama doesn't prove to be the Almighty God that so many of us think he is, we are in for one catastrophic dissapointment. The man got over $700 million dollars in donations, some of it legal, and some it questionable. The News Media elevated him to the status of a Mesiah, women were going thru involuntary orgasms just listening to the man. At no time in American Political history has there ever been so much expected from one individual, and we keep thinking this man is infaluable. Just remember when the "CACA" hits the fan, and things are not going the way we were expecting them Mr. Barack Obama will go gown in flames, and perhaps bring down with him the entire American nation.