If you had read his book "The Audacity Of Hope" you would know that he speaks from his heart. I love the fact that he doesn't accept lobbyist money (he turned away $50,000 a couple weeks ago when he found out it was from a lobbyist)

He is actually more middle of the road than you may think. He explains his ideas in his book-but he also wants to hear from the American people, rather than just trying to pass legislation without our consent.

I, like many who have chosen him, think that it's not such a bad thing that he hasn't been in Washington very long. Many of the people who have are corrupt, or only listen to the Americans who have money.

The majority of Americans are middle class or poor and a lot more are moving into the poor category because companies are moving their operations out of our country and cutting wages, regardless of performance. It is close to impossible to find a good paying job to support your family without going to college, and college is expensive.

Frances, Wichita, KS

So you all think that it can't be worse after 8 years of Dubya. You ain't seen nothing yet. Obama, the man who has already written his memoirs. Has never run anything larger than his ambitions!

Jean Arrache, Montreal, Canada

You are right. Hillary is bright, experienced, and very talented, but every time I see her i'm reminded of the whole sordid Clinton presidency, the scandals, etc. I look at Obama and I want to look forward to the future. The Clinton/Bush generation had their chance, their time on the stage. They all now look old and helpless. We need to move forward, give new, young leaders a chance, and I'm betting that Obama is the right man for our times.

Barry Ronan, La Quinta, CA, USA

Anybody wil be better than Bush (or another republican) of course, but Obama is totally unproven. He's just got 2 years in office, and has not really clear views on where he is heading with the USA.
(Segolene Royal is equally unclear on where she is taking France, unless down the drain.)

Bill, Bristol, UK

8 years as a state senator, 4 years as a U.S Senator (by the time he assumes the presidency), Years as a professor, and we still do think he's "experience" enough? (1) I guess most of us should not aspire to become president. JFK shouldn't have either.

(2) what then does one need to be considered experienced?

ronald, bronx, usa

Obama's fatuous comments in his speech this week told more about his "vision" of the world than anything else has said. His chances of the nomination are as good as mine, and I am a Republican!, I also do not beleieve that Mrs Clinton has a chance. Who does? As the bookies would say it is an open field.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Texas

It's going to be a very rough road ahead for Obama and there will be unscrupulous mudslinging from the shock jocks on the right of the political spectrum but I feel the journalist's sentiments were correct. People here even in the south of the USA, down to earth people, feel it is time for a massive change, they feel politicians are not taking the real issues like global warming, foreign debt, disappearing manufacturing jobs and real healthcare seriously enoughand the swing to the left is continuing apace.

Richard Tucker, Cotter, USA

Re: Greg Hoover in London - Not to worry. Two years hence Mr. Obama will still be a referred to as Senator.

Alan Hofstad, Dallas, Texas, USA

By the time November rolls around, I think very few folks are going to have much interest in voting for any Republican that reminds them of the Rove/DeLay era. There was a very refreshing display of independence yesterday during the Gonzales hearing by some senior Republican senators that remember a time when politicians put country before party. I don't think it is these moderates that will have trouble holding their seats in '08, I think it will be those that are too slow to sense that the winds are changing.

Fred, Lincoln,

America may be ready for a change in principle but how does this equate to it’s current practice and the present state of the world. Then would Obama or Clinton fit into this equation? The American way of life differs considerably from that of most other countries, so the next President surely needs to be someone who is acceptable to the Establishment but can place America in a more stable and congenial relation to the rest of the world.

Henry Percy, London, UK

there is indeed a growing feeling here, 'across the pond' that America needs a new direction. It is clear that America SHOULD have not gone back to another President Bush, having already 'done' that in the late 80's and early 90'. Now there is the feeling of not really wanting to re-do the Clinton years, but instead go in a new direction. The Senator from Illinois is enjoying the fruits of that yearning. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, may propel Mr Obama to the White House.

Ben Hilton, PORTLAND, Oregon, USA

I agree, Americans do desire a radical (for Americans) change. Senator Obama is a fresh face and a likable one. My only reservation about annointing him is that it is still early in the game and there are others.

Money though it is a major factor, is not the only important factor. If a smart but less well financed candidate can take the first two or three primary and caucus contests the money will follow for a competitive campaign.

As to the Republicans: They are all increasingly, looking like long shots.

Jim Walton, Washington, DC

You may be well-read but I doubt that you've read either of his books. My view of the coming election is that many Republicans who retains even a somewhat close tie with the Bush administration will be risking an end to their careers. There was a refreshing display of bipartisanship at yesterday's hearing on Attorney General Gonzales, with moderate and even conservative Republicans finally showing some independence. Many were veterans who remember more better times when both parties put good of the Country ahead of partisan concerns. While Obama does not conform to the Republican position on issues tailored to win the support of single-issue voters, I don't think these issues will carry the day any longer The days of Rove and Delay are coming to an end, and it can't come soon enough for for me.

Fred, Lincoln, MA/USA

Obama is a brilliant, though inexperienced, politician.

Sadly, because he doesn't understand how the US economy works, he's unqualified to run the country, as are any politicians who voted against the tax cuts that saved our economy, which exists ONLY on a foundation of healthy, thriving business.

I pray we are not stupid enough to elect this man.

bob, terdsburg, nh/usa

And so, where will be the world today if it is represented by Sen Obama? What will be the details of our new foreign policy, or of our new tax policy, or of our new health care system, etc? And assuming that Sen. Obama must make compromises with Congress, what will he consider his priorities?

Charles Oltorf, Austin, Texas, USA

The only change Gordon Brown represents is an upward movement of tax revenue into the government's coffers. Unfortunately he probably has more chance of inheriting the national leadership than Obama does.

KR, Stockport,

"Barack Obama, the black senator from Illinois."

Why reference his race here where it is not relevant? Will Mr Baker be calling him "black President Obama" in two years time?

Greg Hoover, London,

There is certainly an overwhelming desire in the US to have an end to the disastrous Bush presidency, but whether that mean automatic enthronement for Obama is much more of an open question. Some of the polls, for what they are worth at this stage in the game have shown Obama narrowing his gap with Mrs Clinton, others have shown her lead widening. Baker's ridiculous selective comments from people he doesn't identify commenting on Clinton's fortunes are both silly and lazy journalism. I can find millions that think George Bush is America's greatest president, in fact I believe Mr Baker uses to think that way at one time. Clinton is a very accomplished candidate. Her position in the polls has never moved out of the mid thirties, she has piles of money, a formidable machine, and the much admired Bill Clinton. The bookies have her at the shortest odds, they and not Mr Baker, are probably closer to the truth.

John, CT, USA

I do not agree. Obama is a media creation. Pure and simple. The man has no track record and he has a 95% liberal voting record in the US senate - very out of touch with the American electorate. He is pro-choice, pro-gun control, anti-tax cut, pro0-affirmative action - all the hallmarks of elites like a NY wallstreeter and traits that continually lose at the ballot box....Middle America is center-right and all recent election figures (majority of the states) reflect that.....I live in Mr. Obama's state of Illinois....I myself am very well read, well educated and have weighed the options....The man is actually very out of touch with American sensiblities...Could he win? sure he could win via the Electoral college or via against a poor Republican candidate.....But the bottom line is that Obama really does not represent change...he represents a media creation with liberal ideas that are by all means out of touch and favor with the majority of the American electorate....

Karl, Bensenville, USA, IL

Thank you for recognizing Senator Obama's geniunity , abilty to bring everyone together and give us back the great country of the United States of America, once again.
The Senator has something deeper beyond his "cute" look and charisma.

Smith, New York, NY

If Obama's votes and views in the Illinois legislature follow thru' to proposed presidential policies he'll be the most left wing candidate on the ballot bar none.
No thanks.

Stan(expat), USA, USA

“People think Obama is where the world is today,” '

Well, he needs to come down south then, because Mr Obama is certainly not the world of today here...

He's black, she's a women and America isn't ready for either, unfortunately.

Another white old man is coming...

G.L.Lawrence, Miami,

Barack Hussein Obama has no chance unless he changes his name. Bozo the Clown could beat him or Hillary Clinton in 2008. Back to Obama, what has he done? Two years as senator and what else has he done?

Paul DeMaurian, Baton Rouge, LA,