The American presidency does reveal the improbability of democracy at the national level. Is a candidate going to attract votes for his personality, his general and expert qualifications, the particular policies he espouses, or just for his acceptability to Party patricians? When you consider these points and then relate this general situation to the government of the country, you end up by appreciating that the factors touted during the candidate contests don t necessarily have any relevance when the successful candidate takes office. Furthermore, a successful candidate may espouse a particular major policy, as did George Bush, which is obscured by other factors in the general bunfight, but which is in fact opposed by most of the population.

Henry Percy, London, UK

Whether it is Obama or Clinton who win the Democratic nomination, a Democrat will be the next president of the United States.
Poll after poll of the American people show they want substantial change. Senator McCain does not represent that. In fact, he is nothing more than a G.W. Bush......but with a bad temper. That my friends makes him even more dangerous than our current president.

M.J., Iowa, U.S.A.

Let's hear it for a MODERATE GOP. We used to have giants like Gerald Ford, Dwight Eisenhower, and the senior George Bush (the old man, not the pretender). Hopefully, McCain, Crist, Arnold, and company can take back the party from the Christian Taliban.

Steve Bell, Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.

I am a moderate Democrat but I am enthusiastically supporting Barack Obama because I believe he will bring about the changes our nation so badly needs by reaching across the aisle and working with members of both parties. The bitter partisanship in Congress is making it impossible to get reforms in healthcare, the environment, immigration and our foreign policy. Hillary Clinton has ran a nasty, mean-spirted campaign against Obama, full of mud-slingling, character assassination and the politics of personal destruction. As President she and her husband will make the presidencies of Richard Nixon and George W. Bush pale in comparison when it comes their vindictiveness, secretiveness and wanting to get back at their enemies.

America has too many problems that need to be resolved and they never will be resolved if we demonize those who disagree with us. Obama has proven he can work with those whose views don't always equal his in a way to find common ground and get meaningful legislation passed that will benefit all Americans. He will hold true to his beliefs but will still be able to get majorities to pass legislation because of the type of leader he is.

We don't need more partisanship in Congress, we need less. We don't need more lies, more mud slinging, and more dirty campaigning. Nixon is long gone, and Bush will soon be gone. If revenge and getting back at the Republicans is your motive, then vote for Hillary Clinton. If progress and change and laws protecting our environment, extending healthcare to more of our citizens, a fair and decent immigration policy, and a foreign policy that will restore American values without making us a pariah in the world is what you want, then you have one clear choice: Barack Obama.

Mark Jeffery Koch, Cherry Hill , New Jersey United States

Let's not dismiss George W. Bush, quite yet. I live in South Carolina and was writing a twice weekly column for one of the state's dailies in 1980. I vividly remember how "Dubya" and his troops destroyed John McCain in a matter of two short weeks. Bush is not one to go out on a sour note, either; expect something to happen -- here or abroad -- that will, he hopes, vastly improve his presidential legacy. That being said, I see no difference between the John McCain of 1980 and the John McCain of today. He hasn't changed his stripes. Now, I would hope some of those voting for him are not doing so because they feel he "deserves" to be president. I personally do not feel his lack of conservative chops will affect the way he governs, either. John McCain's success in the White House, (he will beat either Clinton or Obama, but If they team up that's another story.), will depend on who he chooses for vice president. Fred Thompson's presence would present a formidable ticket.

David Peek, Sumter, USA

If McCain wins the primary, which is possible, he will still have the hardcore Republican, plus many moderates/independents, and a small (but big for a conservative) number of Democrats. Romney, although he might be the more Republican candidate, will not do as well on the other side and may lose the general election. McCain has a better chance of beating the Democrats, and in all honesty, he'd make a better president. A president can't just please one half of the crowd. If Hillary wins the Democratic vote McCain will have no problem at all.

Joe Stuart, Beverly, MA

"Forget the party of God, guns and gays. " What a confusing statement. The republican party is hardly the "party" of gays. That being said, I would prefer Mitt Romney over McCain. Either would be better than the two remaining democrats. The power hungry Clintons or the inexperienced but great speaking Obama.

Fred, SLC, UT, USA

I think Senator McCain should make a clean break with the Republican Party, and join the Democrats. He has, after all, a lot more in common with them than anyone I know in the Republican Party. Should he become the Republican Party nominee, I hope he loses. While the Democrats send the country into a Jimmy Carter tail-spin, maybe, just maybe, we will get a Republican who stands for our PRINCIPLES of Conservatism. Romney for President. !

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

Amazing...our author does not seem to realize that the very fact that McCain does not believe in the mantra of continual tax cuts, the persecution of immigrants and the all-knownothingness of the Bush doctrines automatically disqualifies him from the support of the base of the Republican Party. In November, they will sit on their hands should McCain be the nominee, especially should the Democrats choose Obama.

It's a pity, really, as it speaks to the ignorance of the Republican base rather than the competence of McCain.

Mike Nassour, Austin, USA, TX

JDavis from Austin, how you can defend soft money is beyond me. The fact that someone has the most money shouldn't mean that they get the most speech, which is what soft money donations ensured. McCain-Feingold was a landmark moment for American politics and may start the process of reversing the trend of negative campaigning and mudslinging that has dogged American politics. Here's hoping for a good, honest campaign between McCain and Clinton/Obama.

Cathal, Galway, Ireland

I have to say that I understand J Davis' position as a hard right GOP man but , if the Republicans lose it will be because his man (Bush) made such a hash of the aftermath of the military campaign.
So does he now cut off his nose to spite his face by refusing to support McCain?
McCain has a real chance, contrary to Mr Davis' opinion, of winning the Presidency.
Many people loathe the Clintons and many of those are Democrats (me!).

Minnie, LA, CA, USA

Can it be that, having two presidents in succession who ran away from war, the American people are about to elect a man who stood his ground? It says a lot for the people of America if it is so and I, for one, applaud it.

steve lee, Valencia, Spain

If McCain wins the nomination he has one other prominent person to thank, Mike Huckabee, who split the evangelical Christians off from Romney and allowed McCain his narrow victories. Maybe Huckabee will be a VP possibility.

James Lachowsky, Swindon, Wiltshire

As part of the :impossiblilist, increasingly unhinged right wing" of the party, forgive me for asking why my vote (Texas) in a primary doesn't count or matter. As this article points out he has squeaked through in 3 major primaries with less than 40% of the vote. But I am supposed to be happy that he is now the news media and liberal's hero.

For a host of reasons, I cannot abide John McCain including the fact that he helped pass the assault of free speech called McCain-Feingold sponsored by George Soros.

I don't believe for a moment that if McCain bullies his way through to the nomination that he has a chance of beating Hillary or Obama or the combination of the two. He may be the media darling NOW, but come September he will be find how
fast that disappears. POOF!

JDavis, Austin, USA/Texas

I don't think it's fair to say that Bush has been a catastrophe. You try governing in a country where everything you do --or try to do-- is ripped up and torn apart either by the opposition or by your own side. Granted, Bush has a limited repertoire and hasn't been too successful in making his case, on whatever issue, but when he isn't being skewered by the Democrats, he's taking a beating from the Republicans.

And the next President isn't going to have it any better. Forget all this talk about unifying the country or rising above the rank partisanship, blah blah blah.

Our politicans are like the Roman gladiators, entering the arena for blood sport to entertain the restive masses. Everytime they debate, in this current campaign, or hold hearings in Congress or just show up on TV to be interviewed, I think the participants should turn and face the camera and shout "We who are about to die salute you!"

But I love my country, I surely do. God Bless America.

Sarah Chase, Richmond, VA,

" He doesn't think America can survive by closing its doors to immigrants. "

No, we want the door closed to *illegal* immigrants, don't you ?

I don't think McCain can win, I have doubts about his stamina and you can be sure his age will be used against him in subtle but effective ways.

Stan(expat), US, USA

America isn't ready to vote in a black man or a white woman. They are doing the dance now, but when it comes down to it, it ain't going to happen.

But then again, I think they are convinced that they don't want another Republican stepping into the White House after Bush's bunch of mess. By pulling McCain into the hot seat, this makes the election EVEN more interesting. He has some electable traits (as discussed in this article), but a couple of big black marks by his name too.

Looking forward to seeing how things pan out!

A T, Sydney, Australia

It will certainly make the election more interesting althoughone's money must still be on the Democrats. The question for the Republicans is what way do they turn after the expected loss in November.

oldasiahand, Manila, Philippines

I am still not certain that America is ready to elect a black or female President so a moderate Republican like John McCain could win. However if the Republicans choose any other candidate then either Obama or Clinton will almost certainly be the next President.

Paul Hutchinson, Calabasas, California

The endorsements by Rudy and Arnie non-withstanding, McCain will be unelectable toa huge portion of the US electorate. He would be the oldest President ever inaugurated on top of being visibly stricken by skin cancer. Mr. Baker conveniently forgot that McCain was one of the "Keating 5" who, during the Savings and Loan bust up 20 years ago, was censured by the US Senate for taking illegal payments from J. Keating owner of disgraced Lincoln Savings. I plain language: McCain is corrupt!

Bernd Neuenkirchen, Houston, TX /US

A party saved in name only is not a party worth saving.

Ethan, Clearfield, Utah

He won't win. Calling people "Gooks" in this day and age is a death sentence.

Tim, Toronto, Canada

Mr Baker had an article a while back, that Hillary was all but inevitable, that the Republicans were burnt toast. What he missed was that the GOP plays to win - when it counts - and (modern-day) Americans will only trust the presidency to liberals in times of peace and plenty. In times of war and recession, we go Conservative.
John McCain will be the next US president, as his challenge was to make it through the primaries. The right-wing vote split 3 ways, for the amount of time needed for John to re-group and win a few early rounds. Then with only 36% in Florida, McCain wins the state (winner take all), the GOP nomination, and the election in November. Done, Mr Baker.

Jay Bryan, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Mr Baker,
Please get your facts right. The disagreement with McCain is not about ''immigrants''. It is about '' illegal immigrants ''. Massive difference as you ought to know if you have spent any time in the United States.
I. Kelly

I. Kelly, Toledo, Oregon

What a luxury it must be to have political parties that actually disagree about most major issues, rather than the two leading parties in the land only ever really taking umbrage about who thought of the idea first. It must make it a hell of a lot easier to vote.

Chris, Worthing, England

How quaintly ignorant Mr. Baker is.
I'm a conservative Republican & will take great pleasure in NOT voting for Senator McCain.
Do I believe tax cutting is dogma? No. But I believe that I'm far more careful with my budget than government. I spend precious hours of my life earning a paycheck. I would be far more profligate were I able to simply pass a law that gives it to me.
Do I believe in "shutting the door" to immigrants? No. I believe that our door should always be open to those who show respect for our laws.
Do I believe that limiting political speech during a campaign
will create a more level playing field? No. Freedom of speech is the very thing that creates a level playing field. And not just during a campaign cycle.
Do I think that the War on Terror has damaged America's reputation around the globe? Not really.
You see, I've been alive long enough to hear or read just about every conceivable accusation, allegation & criticism of the US...all before 9/11.

KateMcAffery, Thousand Oaks, CA