Death, taxes, and negative campaigning....

Especially this year, when the pseudo-intellectuals who embrace the fashion for describing the world in terms of "loss aversion" have cooked up "experimental proof" that negative campaigning actually works.

And it's going to come to the UK.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

The desire of British media to mine frivolity always amazes me. Whenever the words fat, stupid or loud appear in British headlines about USA, you know the editor is a faker.

I for one hope you don't write about Gordon Brown and obese Scots, now that UK is the new land of fat. You won't though.

Gabriel, Pittsburgh, USA

As for Obama's supposed lack of experience, he had more experience as an elected official than Hilary Clinton did. Face it, people in this country will come up with any pitiful excuse to cover up their racism against the best candidate we ever had.

Melanie, Indiana, USA

Actually Obama is LEADING with women by 13- Kerry won them by 3. Where is his women problem? Please explain...
The Fox survey was a right-wing push poll- not objective worded questions etc.etc.
If he has a problem, it´s with Democrats and voters age 65+-but even with elder voters he bests Kerry.

Rasmus, Hamburg, Germany

As one of those "overweight American voters" (I could stand to lose 25 lbs for sure), I have supported Sen. Obama from the beginning. Young? So was John F. Kennedy (43 at his election, the youngest American President ever). Untried? He's been in the US Senate for just 4 years. Never too thin.

Bill, Cairo, NY, USA

No offense, but I've noticed that most of the people responding aren't even from the United States. Do you not have your own issues to deal with? WE'RE the ones who will be voting, not you. Obama, if elected, will be OUR president, not yours.

Jennifer, Cleveland, TN, United States

Obama's RESUME is definitely too thin for him to qualify as President.

Imagine auditioning people to direct a Royal Performance of a Shakespearean play, and having an applicant say "Well, I've never directed ANY play before, but I did act in a 3rd-grade Christmas pagent."

That's Obama.

Nick Andrelli, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

It's his brains, his record, his policies and his non-achievements that are thin on the ground. There's so little of substance in those respects that who notices the non-entity behind them?

Kate, London,

I'm starting to think that Hilary is badly needed by Obama as a vice president and co campaigner. If he looses the election then the Democratic party will surely regret it's decision to support Obama instead of Hilary.

Andreas, Nottingham, UK

When all is said and done, this year's Presidential vote is really an IQ test for the United States of America. We will either show our pragmatism, maturity & intelligence to the rest of the world by voting Obama, or our prejudice, stagnancy and arrogance by voting McCain, even after 8 years of GWB!

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

Well, gee, Mr. Allen-Mills, do you think you could be a little more condescending to us fat, stupid Americans? I hope I can tear myself away from the fast food counter long enough to lumber into a voting booth and prod the lever with my sausage-like finger to cast a vote based on media fluff.

Jane, Lynden, USA

McCain polls only had 1,000 people voling. Rove had Fox news reporting his winning , not this time.
Obama Vacation as you put it ,was big and grand his has the support that can be seen and not made up.
Most of all the Fox People did not like McCain at first and thay
stell don't. Look out 4 BAR

nat, City. Atlanta, USA

The media are to blame for all this Obamamania, they have hardly been impartial on any topic and they have blown his charisma all out of proportion. To be honest the man I want to see as President went by the wayside some months back, John Edwards, he would have been better than Obama or McCain.

Terry Owings, Auckland, New Zealand

from the story:
...prompting an Associated Press reporter to wonder: “Sometimes it’s hard to tell if Barack Obama is running for president or Mr Universe.”

Now that Ron Fournier is Washington bureau chief of AP, their GOP bias is obvious. AP is in the tank for McCain.

Bob, Portland, USA

Obama is too slick for me, with not much substance behind him. You don't hire a guy fresh out of business school to be the CEO of a blue chip firm.

Jettie, Vancouver, Cnada

A vicious attack? Comparing Obama to Lohan, Brittany or any of the many Hollywood types that made their money through Capitalism but now support the Democrats agenda of Socialism and Communism (for the common folk only - of course).

If it is vicious, then so is the Democrat's agenda.

J Scott, Salt Lake City, UT, US

Don't vote for the skinny guy,
vote for the guy who you agree with: McCain.
McCain has spoken, and supported, BOTH sides of all the issues - he has been pro and con abortion, even voted against the McCain Feingold act, and in favor of torture.
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/9111.html

Lamont Cranston, Tennafly, USA

Does Barack really want to be President of these people? To suggest that being lean might be a disadvantage, casts a critical eye over the American public. These fat old guys are really beyond the pale to start using such trivia. What kind of sofa loafer do they want? No one any use for this world?

Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom

Politically incorrect to say so, but a nation that is 75% white
with many of them ageing, is going to be cautious about
choosing a young, untested radical blackman for president.
A black candidate would need to be vice-president first and
so become known and then naturally become President.

Alfonse, Bristol, UK

Clearly the McCain camp are concerned enough at Obama's popularity to "go Rovian" a little earlier than planned, but this really smacks of desperation. Hilarious.

John Claro, Cleggan, Ireland

I'll take the thin hunk anytime to the creaking, angry and cynical old man!

Mary, Stevenage, UK

Too skinny to get elected??? What will they think of next? There are numerous reasons Obama could fail in November, but a fat electorate isn't one of them!!

Josie, Seattle, USA

We in the US are just finishing up 8 years with a regular guy as our leader - we didn't want to feel stupid. It will be interesting to see what happens if we next pick a leader based on not wanting to be reminded that we are fat.

Gruenwelt, Fargo, USA

Obama is not sufficiently phlegmatic to make it to the white house. If a man lacks the broad shoulders required for the office of President he will make wrong decsions for his nation & the world.

Richard, Bucharest,

It is obvious that he is willing to say anythng to get elected. For example, he has proclaimed the tax more spend more principle of the Democratic party but also sided with a more conservative pitch. It was evil to drill for oil in the U.S., consistent with the Democrats, yet now drilling is OK.

Neal, East Lansing, U.S.A.

In the words of James Carville ... "It's the economy, stupid."

I hope that Barrack enjoyed his vacation.

MWD, VA, USA,

North Western Europe, and mostly Northern Ireland, have provided the bulk of the genes for most former Presidents. It's a bit like always having an Italian Pope. So it'll need a pretty outstanding candidate to beat that. Obama seems not quite there. Close but no cigar. President McCain sounds right.

Jacob Swartz, Hong Kong,

A Blue Ribbon Panel appointed by Congress says that Iran is planning an EMP attack on the US. The panel goes on to say that we are NOT prepared as a country to defend against such an attack and as a people we are poorly equipped to deal with the consequences. The panel surmises that over 200 million could die as a result. Read more here:
http://www.harvybing.com

Jerry, Decatur, USA

The polls figures are changing because more and more voters see what a sham he really is.

Tom, Leeper, USA

I disagree. The truth is that Obama’s judgment and experience are very thin.

Dave, Rutland,

Obama can't with without the older, white, middle and working class voter. It's as simple as that. Young and minority groups are loud, but in the end often don't show up on election day, and if they do this year, they're just not enough of them. Maybe he needs Hillery more than she needs him.

alice, salado, tx/us