Who said that Political Parties should hurle abuse at each other? This does not and will never instill confidence in the voters. If they want to fight, put them in a Ring and let them get on with it. But I would have thought the Party who is best capable to run the country would get in - whether they mud sling of not is another issue.

Tarni, London, UK

I really wish that Hillary could be the candidate she is attempting to be because I am a woman her age and I understand why she's tough and relentless and sometimes considered a B...... The problem is you can't believe her, and you can never know if she means what she is saying even on simple things like who she talked to in the last town.

We as Americans recognize that we need a real leader........ I wish it could be Hillary, because she does have a lot of experience but I can't vote for her because I don't trust her to protect and defend our country. I trust that she will say she intends to and that once elected she'll say all the right things, but behind the scenes she'll do what the Clinton's have always done - exactly what they please regardless of the law or ethics.

Sally, Kiantone, NY

John Kerry's Vietnam record wasn't smeared by the Swift Boaters. It was accurately described. Boo-hoo.

Jeff Cook, Houston, TX

Referring to the "Swift Boat", you can't call it a smear if is really true and can be backed up with evidence. One only has to do their research.. OOps, I thought that is what the journalists were supposed to do on a story instead of just repeating the feeds from the wire services....i.e. AP, Reuters, etc.

Fernao de Magalhaes, Guayaquil, Ecuador

I don't buy ANYTHING these people are saying anymore. Every single one of them are so dishonest, and for people to buy into anything proves that they do a great job at deceiving us.

http://pcexposed.blogspot.com

Jenny Bea, New York, NY

What I find interesting is the distortion continuation of the rumor by your statement at the start of the artcle..." agents of Mrs Clinton were quoted as saying that they had obtained unspecified “scandalous information” about Mr Obama. " Only later clarifying the claim as coming from that infamous Republican stalking horse Robert Novak.
Better reporting, or better editing? Either way there is an expectation of continuity.
Try, try, try again.

Art, Lake Bluff, IL

Can you say "Unredacted FBI Files" illegally taken by the White House during the Clinton administration? Is there any doubt that if there was dirt on file, that the Clintons both have and will not hesitate to use it?

Doc, Norfolk, VA

Puh-leeze. Hilary can't even control her husband...how can she control the country?

Andrew, springfield,

This was started by the Obama campaign to force Clinton to "out" any scandalous information now. Since her campaign said they didn't have any she'll appear too political when she launches a "scandal"-based attack later in the campaign. Kudos to Obama.

Howard Marchall, houston, tx

After reading these comments, I am struck by the creative imaginations they demonstrate. Makes you wonder how creative the real players can be. One thing is for certain, nothing is as it appears. Perhaps Obama breaks that mold... but Big Money did not become Big Money without covering all the bases.

Brad, Jacksonville, FL

It appears to me that big money is running scared and resorting to the campaign strategy of last resort by attacking Obama with unsubstantiated innuendo that may also take Hillary down at the same time. This attack demonstrates that Hillary, in conjunction with her big money "Boys Club" cronies on the Left and the Right are desperate to keep political power in the family. This is the clearest example of how there is no real difference between bought and paid for candidates from either party; except Barack Obama.

The Republicans WANT to run against Hillary, she is a known quantity with a sordid past that they can exploit. Big money WANTS Hillary as a candidate because if she wins, they still have a bought and paid for government. If after obtaining the nomination she doesn't win the election they still win with a GOP candidate and they retain ownership of our political system. With so much money at stake for these people, how much of a stretch is it then to suspect that Hillary's big money friends, at either her direction or at least with her tacit approval, are working directly with Bob Novak and the vast Bi-Partisan conspiracy (I began to LOL then realized it wasn't funny) to try to plant the smallest seed of suspicion in the minds of the voters against Barack Obama.

These people and the guiding hands that control them fear Obama because he is not in their pocket, he is not beholden to their campaign contributions and they know they cannot field any candidate in any party, even Bloomberg as Independent, and win a campaign against Barack Obama based on integrity. They are desperate and will do anything to ensure that Hillary is the Democratic candidate the Republicans face next November.

One must also ask; How desperate are they really and to what lengths will they go to stop Barack? I should stop watching "24" because I am truly chilled at the prospect.

This should end really really well for everybody except the average Americans who stand to lose the most.

Christopher Burgis, Sunnyside, Queens, USA / NY

It seems to me that the Dirty Business of politics is beginning to reach a crescendo in pure STUPIDITY where the REAL issues that need Discussion and resolutions are being "fogged" over by the same Demented rethoric in order to avoid Accountability ... Is this what America is being offered ... No plans, no solutions just the same pandering BS that is as Worthless and useless as the Candidates???

redhawk, Alexandria, KY

Both parties remind me of my children - when they were younger and didn't know better. Always tattling about who's doing what...I'm sick of listening to any and all of them. If they "spout" about "what the American people want" one more time, I'm going to scream. None of them have the foggiest idea what is important to the American people.

Cheryl, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Anexio, Sarasota, Florida

I like the response you wrote. I bet no body else gets it.

mike, columbia, USA

Wouldn't it be nice to have just one honest, hard working politician for once?

KB, KC, KS

It's time for "Phone Book Democracy!" Just pick names out of the phone book for the Senate and the House. For the prez, pick about 6 as presidential candidates, then let them debate on real issues and we'll vote. Before you dismiss this idea, ask yourself, "Could it possibly be worse than what we have now?"

kate, Alexandria, VA, USA

I noticed this article referred to Kerry's war record being smeared by the swift bosters. His war record is waht it is, no one smeared him, his actions were brought to light and no one has been able to disprove the allegations. Kerry himself had no defense so stop accusing war veterans of doing something they didn't do...next you'll be saying Bill Clinton didn't sell America out.

John Collins, Lumberton, NC

As someone who spent eleven months in a North Korean prison, I wonder what part of North Korea
Wan Ker lives in. Those people went to lunch in 1953 and never came back. Oh, by the way one thing I learned while a guest of the people, its the DPRK, not North Korea.

Stu Russell, Eureka, USA California

Thank goodness there are no lies in Communism.........riiiiiight! Besides, we're a Republic, not a Democroacy.

Will, Charlottesville, USA

North Koreans are allowed on the internet?

Steve, Los Angeles,

There is only one politician out there for President who is honest and telling the truth. Only one politician who has consistently taken a moral stand against corruption, waste and onerous taxation.

There is only one politician who addresses the issues of our massive deficit, the decline of the dollar, the massive inflation caused by the out of control printing of dollars by the Fed.

There is only one politician who is actually trying to end the foreign involvements and wars which have left us bankrupt ,a soon to be third world country, no longer free and the laughing stock of the rest of the solvent world.

That person is RON PAUL. If America does not wake up and realize this, we are doomed to be a has-been great country.

Michele, Stanwood, USA/WA

IMO there is only one person whose principles have been tested/proven over and over again. That person is Congressman Ron Paul. He does not talk out of both sides of his mouth, but consistently stands for small government and personal responsibility.

You owe it to yourself, your family, and our country to take this test and vote for Paul if you land on the top diamond: http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html

Smitty, Sidney, USA/Maine

Hillary is a boob. A truculent, power-driven boob, nothing. She's a salesperson with no inventory. She's been riding the coattails of her bubba for 16 years. America will never vote this idiot in as President.

Fezziwig, The Beach, Florida

I see some of my conservative counterparts from th U.S. are accusing we liberals of being fascist. It was the American Republican Party, namely George Bush, who started a war with Iraq for no good reason, came up with the slogan, "you're with us or against us", is still threatening Iran and Syria, paid off the N. Koreans, trashed the dollar, left the Gulf Coast in shambles for political reasons, whittled away a lot of our fundamental human and civil rights, and the list goes on and on. So tell me again who's a facist hellbent on the destruction? The answer resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC, USA.

BobVADemHawk, Richmond, VA, USA

Joe Biden sucks. I would never support him.

Arnold, Atlanta,

Ron Paul is the only honest man of integrity in the race. Why vote for people that you know are just lying to you and serving special interests and lobbyists, when we can at least try something different for 4 years with Ron Paul. You can always go back to the special interest canidates in 4 years if you don't like how things go. I'm voting for real change for once.

cunningham, Columbus, Ohio,

None of the candidates or most of the Republicans is discussing real issues at these debates and we are letting them get away with it! The majority of posts relating to this article have no real substance and only serves to further a distraction from real issues! I want to hear about real solutions real problems like taxes, the war in Iraq, the falling dollar, the escalating price of oil and food in this country! I have yet to hear it from any of them but Ron Paul! I guess all of the others are too busy playing the game and we all know who the losers will be!

RIchard, Pottstown, PA

all these yahoo wana-bees clinton or obama ,can't hold a candle to Senator Joe Biden ,quit looking at popular figures ,joe is a great candidate in my book ,and i am an independent that will never vote for the carpet bagger,or pretty boy ...

jose, somerset, nj

The politcal machine of the United States has always been rigged/broken (depending on your P.O.V) its time for a fundamental change. Overhaul from the electoral college system, down to the actual voting ballot system.

The current system (and its subsequent holes) is what help the nutbag we currently have leading our nation into power. And we all can attest to how good that turned out.

Ghost NYC, New York , New York, USA

None of the candidates or most of the Republicans is discussing real issues at these debates and we are letting them get away with it! The majority of posts relating to this article have no real substance and only serves to further a distraction from real issues! I want to hear about real solutions real problems like taxes, the war in Iraq, the falling dollar, the escalating price of oil and food in this country! I have yet to hear it from any of them but! I guess all of the others are too busy playing the game and we all know who the losers will be!

Richard, Pottstown, PA

Who have you not seen slinging mud? Answer: Ron Paul. He simply explains his position on important issues, rather than side-stepping them, giving a slippery answer, or attacking his opponents. He's not reading from a script. He's an authentic and genuine statesman. The rest of this bunch (Republican and Democrat) are just politicians. http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

Ariel, Bay City,

Democrat or Republican it makes no difference. I've seen the political games enough that neither party has a qualified candidate.

fred, oxon hill, md

Clinton News Network has surrendered entirely along with the rest of the MSM. Biden, Dodd, and Richardson are position for the VP slot. The Clinton machine is full steam. Normal questions are “Gottcha”, “Right-wing Conspiracy”, “Republican Play-book” ,“Mud-Slinging” ,“Gangin-Up”, “Left-wing Conspiracy”, "swift-boating" or just plain jealousy by Her opponents. The Power plays are all betting on another Clinton Co-presidency. This is about ultimate power and control. I have to say this now because in a couple of years I would be shot . We have to Stop Her Now. Every time the news is about the Queen-to-be, whether good or bad, it is just more free name recognition. This empowers the dimwits, uneducated, and undecided, undocumented or dead voters to put her in power.

Mike B, ANNAPOLIS, MD

The last time we heard Hillary blaming the Conservative Republicans for something, she was claiming that the "Monica Lewinsky" scandal was made up by the Far Right of the Republican party. Where there is smoke, there is fire.

Roger Harris, New York, NY

It would be nice if the press and public would be "distracted" by a candidate who tells the truth, has REAL experience and knowledge for a change. With all this two bit bickering by the least qualified candidates (who for some strange reason are the front runners), the foolish democrats are totally ignoring the one person who actually could win: Joe Biden.
Why is it quality and intelligence seem so underated in this country? Lets not nominate and/or elect a loser this time. Please?
Joe is Right.
Biden '08.

Lesley, sonoma,

OK, lets move to North Korea!

My FAVORITE vacation spot!!!

Get a clue people.

Dwight Slamp, Hollywood Florida, USA

Shouldn't they be working or something? Not much going on on the Senate floor I guess.

Jen, atlanta, ga

Here they go again. Before anyone moves any further on mud slinging, let's get one thing straight. The Swift Boat Veterans made no innuendos or slung any mud. They flat out made direct statements of fact backed up by eye witness testimony of decorated veterans. Kerry got caught boosting his resume and lying about his service record. So if Obama says he is being "Swift Boated", he is saying he has been caught lying. Does he really want to say that?

Novak's credibility is established. No one can doubt he was told what he reported that he was told. The question is whether the Clinton operachik was in possession of any real scandal or whether he was testing Obama's reaction to see what to do next.

It's time to put up or shut up and stick to real issues. They all complain on the debates about what is wrong, but not one of them has come forward with concrete plans on what to do. They just say "trust me". Yea, like that's believable either.

Signed
One holding a lantern in the dark

Timothy Messer, QUEEN CREEK, AZ

The thing that democracy causes to happen is compromise. There is no comprimise in dictatorships. This is the fundamental difference which makes democracy best. There is no perfect political system.

Steven Lazzerini, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

The democrats are socialists (national health care, Union teacher, no raise for individual techers based on merit) and the current Republican administration are fascists (large Federal power, torturing, obliteration of civil rights, 9-11 police state). Ron Paul is none of these, and the most representative of individual rights, calling for the decrease of the federal gvt.s power . One should understand that rights are not granted by the federal gvt., those are called privileges; rights are inherent to every US citizen as set forth in the constitution. p.s. The draft was/is unconstitutional, only fascist/socialist countries take away an individuals right to life.

gsm, la, ca

Full of self-loathing and guilt, we Americans are lazy, stupid, cowardly and pathetically weak. We believe only what we are fed and have lost the ability to think critically. Votes are purchased by slick ads and rehearsed debates. Our ignorance is sustained and manipulated by a press that refuses to tell the simple truth without bias or emotion. Our country is sick to the core and we'd better wake up. Our freedoms, our lifestyle, our culture of diversity and acceptance is in jeopardy. If you refuse to learn BOTH sides with an open mind. then don't bother to vote. Your vote is a powerful tool. Read, learn and think......if you can.....and then decide who is best for your freedoms, safety, pocketbook and future. They are counting on you being a drive-thru voter.......DENY THEM.........vote fully informed. The more you learn, the more powerful you become. Your life and mine depend on it.

Ellie, Anytown, USA

We need to remove the entitled from government. I will not follow a herd off a cliff. I vote "None of the Above".

They are all the same. Do your homework and look into their records rather than listen to anything that comes out of their mouths. None of them are capable of running this country anywhere but into the ground. This is what America has to choose from? We can't afford any of them and neither can our children.

Stephanie, Nashua, NH

Looking at it from the UK, and we have enough problems with our 'political class', I just cannot understand how Hilary Clinton is ahead in the polls. As one of your correspondents said, she has not achieved a single noteworthy accomplishment in 20 years of being close to or in power.

Wake up USA look behind the gloss don't get suckered like we have in the UK

Colin RIchardson

Colin RIchardson, Bridgend, UK

Isn't the whole process of election in America sordid.

Tom, London, UK,

Hey look the North Koreans are chiming in! Hey isn't time to turn off your electricity??

Nancy Pelosi, Cincinnati, Ohio

And so it begins.

The Clintons are masters at the game of plausible denial. Their proxies attack, then they put on those familiar wide-eyed looks of innocence, and their lapdog media gobble it up.

What's utterly astonishing to me is that, after the decades of lies, the Clinton machine has any credibility at all.

Also, what has Hillary done that merits her status as a serious contender? She's been in the public eye for nearly 20 years. For all that time, she's held court in the councils of power.

Yet she has not a single real accomplishment worth noting. All she's done has been deny knowledge of scandal after scandal after scandal.

If our nation chooses her, we will deserve whatever we get.

Rocco, Bedford, Michigan

Who cares, how will this election change our lives. We need a third party and more choices. Tired of these politians.

Phil McCracken, Old Whole, Texas, USA

why does denial from the clinton bunch still surprise anyone ? There is nothing they will not do to get what they are after. When caught they just deny, deny, deny, truth in any matter doesn't connect with them and theirs. If not caught great but when caught their answer is always " sorry , didn't know anything about it " deny , deny ,deny,

Del, Boise, Idaho

I know it's a bit off topic, but I think a bit of correction needs to be made here. The allegations made in the last presidential election against John F. Kerry's Vietnam service were not smears. To date, when any allegation the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has been challenged, it has been shown to be true every time. Unfortunately Sen. Kerry and his political allies have succeeded in giving "Swift Boat" the false connotation of untruth when just the opposite is true.

C.J. Simones, Farmington, Minnesota / USA

Obama won his long-term game by innoculating himself against any future mud that will now be attributed to Hillary regardless its origin. In the short term, he sounds paranoid and the TV picture was horrible with a few UAW members holding signs and looking confused.
Hillary won her game by looking presidential and having Wolfson sound reasonable.
Novak had his uglies re-visited and has to be declared a loser for having his character become a side - issue.
The Republicans win because it takes them 2 minutes to plant a comment with their columnist friends, causing a tornado among Democrats for weeks to come.

Kate Head, Washington, DC

One thing you rarely hear about Hillary,or Bill for that matter, is that they're fair, even-handed or forthright in their political maneuvering. And it's highly unlikely that any Republican party agent would put anything into the mix against Obama at this point - just nothing to be gained... yet.

God bless Obama for standing up, instead of withering and I expect there'll be more shananigans before it's done.

Craig, Dunedin, FL

Marianne...no one said it was the Conservatives. Someone suggested it was the Republicans.

Rev G Oleson, Bangor, Maine

Hillary Clinton cannot lead this country with a vindictive attitude. Face Obama and debate the issues. Igoring the problems of our nation by ignoring one's competlitor will not solve anything.

George, Belgrade, Montana

I'm afraid it's too late. It looks like Mrs. Clinton will be the Democratic nominee.
So many people I have asked say they will not vote for her. Many of them are Democrats. Everyone I ask who say they are a Republican or Independent say they would not vote for her under any circumstance and the few people I hear say they are definitely voting for her cite reasons like "because she is a woman" or they want Bill Clinton back in the Whitehouse or they want to see what will happen if she's elected.
To me she is the tallest midget in the circus and I'm afraid she will not only lose the election to the Republican but will drag the Democratic congressional majority down with her with their less than stellar performance to date.
I believe a black man with Hussein in his name will not be electable in this country for many election cycles to come and Edwards is a trial lawyer.
We're setting ourselves up for a painful defeat and I'm afraid it's too late for a better candidate to emerge.

James, Ft. Lauderdale,

We may as well Nominate Abbott&Costello for the offices. At least they can prove 13x7=s28 three different ways. The democrat's can't even prove what they stand for. Let's see. Higher taxes on the rich.(do you make over $50,000). Collectivism, (nee communism) Socialism,(it takes a village).We're arrogant enough to change nature.(Al says so). Future armies will come via the draft so as to get the RICH kids to serve. (Charlie Rangel). Who get's drafted when we run out of rich kids. You guessed it, everyone elses.(not that theres anything wrong with that). But it will make no difference anyway, Nancy and Harry don't want to fund a military anyway. The world will leave us alone if we leave them alone. Don't forget, a drivers license in every OLLA. Tear down the fence. The U.N. will protect us. What else. Almost forgot, MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Rick Franclin, Coral Springs, USA/Florida

Obama showed his true self in his response to Novak: He has integrity, strength, and truth on his side. Only a person who had nothing to hide would demand full disclosure of anything anyone had on him. He has come out of this stronger, and Hillary looks even more unsavory. I am an American citizen, by the way, and will vote.

katharine stavrinou, drammen, norway

Everytime the election year approaches, I find myself liking the Chinese way better. At least you are well aware that the Chinese way is rigged. Americans are kidding themselves if they think they really have any say in choosing their leaders. What is the difference between Clinton and Giuliani? Why are the candidates with real experience (Biden, Dodd) trailing so much?

Jon, Shanghai, PRC

It doesn't make sense to blame the Conservatives for the insinuation that Obama has something to hide. If a Democrat wins the Presidency we had much rather it be Obama than Hillary.

Marianne Wooten, Cumming, GA

Lies, lies and more lies. That's the problem with democracy.

Wan Ker, Fukmi, North Korea

YEAH!!! lets waste time slinging mud. that's the answer.
I got a great idea. Lets give them all a job application, make them list their experience and we will hire the best person.
I mean they all have credible experience right?
They all have major accomplishments in their long careers, right?
WE are looking at the two most inexperienced people yet.
Lets rethink if we want America to win.

Jeff, Quakertown, PA

Forget all these distractions..it's all a game. As a Republican, I am pleased that you Dems are falling all over Hillary and Obama and distracted from someone running for your nomination and who is so much better qualified than these two candidates. The one man who has yrs of experience, spoke and appeared Presidential at the last debate, and actually answered a question directly. Thank God you all are being distracted from Joe Biden!

Jim, Boston, MA

Away of what is known as"politics is a dirty game", still believe that Hillary does not need any scandalous act to win the race of Democrates.She posses more merits as a politician than her rival is and that is exactly her accumulated account with her voters.
Keep it up!!

Tayseer Abu Qurs, Kuwait, Kuwait

Dear "Anexio, Sarasota, Florida" Great sense of humour. Love it.

Nim, Lincoln, UK

Mrs. Clinton has publicly denied any knowledge of her husbands numerous affairs. An incredibe statement given the number over such a lengthy time and her contacts, but politically calculated. I am not concerned with their private life but their history of lying. We have had 16 years of it from the White House and enough is enough. So either she knew and lied about knowing, or she did not know and is too foolish to be President.

patrick, new york,

If you want see honesty in the Democratic Party, just photoshop or imagine a swastika armband on all the candidates. They are all genuine fascists.

Fred, Atlatnta, US

"Mud slinging" is like a lawsuit. Either it has merit or it does not. If the slinger makes a frivilous charge at the slingee, then the slingee should prove that this is the case and the mud actually lands on the discredited slinger.

I say keep on slinging...

Don Voss, St Charles, MO

Bush and Quale wore the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. To demented liberals that's draft dodging. On Clinton silence. Kerry had multiple deferments. When his number came up he applied for a deferment to study in France. The draft board, nothing doing. He did not say America call on me I am ready. He was a pilot at the time. He said no to the Air Force and flying over Viet Nam. He said yes to the navy that at the time was only engaged off of the coast of Viet Nam. To his shock when he got there they were engaged closeup. He thought if I have to for political reasons a nice safe tour off shore. This is not what I'd call a patriot. He dodged the draft til the dogdging ran out.

Joe Covey, Scranton, Pa. USA

It would be far more helpful if we looked at our choice of candidates, from a limited two party field, as job applicants.

What is their recent history of accomplishments? Name who you would consider for positions in your government, and tell us in very clear terms what you intend to accomplish. What are their references, as in who of stature will vouch for them?

The media need to do a comprehensive, yet a concisely digestable background check for us, a profile, of each candidate. I, and I'm sure many millions of other citizens would agree, charge you with this task. Anyone listening out there? I would assume professional media people read each others work.....national and international

Don Voss, St Charles, MO USA

Why would anyone listen to Novack? Obama used it to attack Cllnton...it benefits him. I have no respect for the guy now. He totally turned the campaign negative. Is this guy really a republican? He obviously can't stand being behind and will do anything to make Clinton look bad.

He'll do anything to go negative. Boy did he lie about being positive. He doesn't know the issues so talks trash.

Pam, Washington, DC, U.S.A.

re: Jack R. Va Beach

You hit the nail on the head, nothing else to say.

Ed M., Barnegat, NJ

Anexio, try proof reading your response. Then go back to Mexico please!

A Proud and True American.

John, Hamburg, ia

I suspect the alleged rumors are about Obama's ties to shady real estate baron Tony Rezko, whose case is about set to go to trial. That's a guess; the smear site Hillaryis44.com has trashed Obama (and Edwards) for months, and Rezko has been one of the areas of its unhealthy obsession with anybody not Hillary.

I am not saying the smear site is the source for Novak, but it would seem the Rezko affair would be the rumor.

Susan Nunes, Reno, Nevada

Kerry selectively released his military records and omitted the records immediately after his first (less than honorable discharge) from the Navy. Jimmy Carter provided the means (by Executive Order) to have his discharge upgraded, which is proved by the 16 February 1978, DD Form 214.

Anyone with even limited intelligence, could see the pattern of deceit by the liberal media and John Kerry. Kerry dedicated his entire career to perpetuating the fraud of his Honorable service. This while doing very little of anything of substance for the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Rob, Tumon, Guam

As for the first comment suggesting that Kerry never released his military records, it takes all of 5 seconds on Google to pull up ALL those records, including his honorable discharge on Feb 16, 1978, and his 5 medals awarded. Guess it's easier to slander people than to make any effort....

Chris, New York, New York

I'm a conservative and believe any of the Republican candidates are better for America than what the Democrats offer but I find myself impressed with Obama. I think the dirty tricks are showing up because the Clinton camp knows he is getting very strong. Ms. Clinton is simply too political to win. Blind ambition is what drives her. Principles are like pieces in a puzzle to her. She shapes her views depending on what fits. Obama testily yet smoothly deflected the dirty trick charge and shows zero fear of the Clinton machine. Fun to observe as I am sure the anti war stance and proposals for large programs with the money coming from the tax payers will lead to a Republican victory in the general election. But I do kind of like Mr. Obama.

Tim Brummett, Spokane, WA

Where was Bush? Ya, you are right. He wasn't there throwing a grenade into a basket of rice so he would have to have rice plucked out of his a$$ cheek by a medic. Kerry was a real hero! In a wartime, what kind of schmuck has himself video taped jumping out of a boat with his m16 at the ready? you can't get any more phony than Kerry. The guy has no credibility whatsoever!

Matt, albany,

A question about policy is now called an attack.
A question about judgement is now called mud slinging.
What they want to talk about is whether they should answer questions like pearls or diamonds and in any event, didn't Hillary look marvelous.

Libergonian, Town, I Think,

Since we're so swept up in "swift-boating", I wonder if Bush II's smearing of McCain is relevant.

It was implied he really didn't have it so bad in captivity, wasn't it?
I find it humerous how GOP draft-dodgers are so eager to minimize the courage of others...and then lead the country into war.

Paul, Detroit,

Hillary Clinton will stop at almost nothing to gain political power. She has reversed herself more than once to gain political favor with the voters. She has now alleged some kind of bogus scandal affecting one of her chief rivals for the Democratic nomination. No dirty trick will be beneath her in her single-minded lust for power.

She is clearly unqualified for leadership, having led nothing in her career except the abortive national healthcare study group. Her run for the New York senate seat was merely a stepping stone for her run for the presidency. As US Senator from New York, she has accomplished very little for the people of New York state.

Anyone who gets in her way will be smeared and destroyed. That's how she handled the women victims of her husband, Bill Clinton. She smeared and destroyed the reputations of each of them to preserve her own future political career. Hillary Clinton is the embodiment of greed for power for its own sake.

Patrick Curry, Irvine, CA, USA

By the time we all vote, we'll be so sick of them all that we will have to be dragged to the polls. You can count on Hillary becoming shrill and eventually she will get out of control. With Hillary, it has to be all her way, as she hopes to be dictator. Her devious handlers will help her demonetize those that threaten her ability to get back in the White House. Just ask those that worked in the White House when she was there. You don't see them out supporting her.

WILLA MILLER, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA

Barack is the only hope the U.S. has to regain it's promise.

Hillary is as old school as they come, and the thought of essentially a rotating monarchy between the Bush-Clinton families concerns a lot of Americans.

The Republic game of leap-frog over "who is the most conservative" is very disturbing, because it assumes that the religious right still has sway. Throw into the mix "Rudy 9-11" and you're left with a pretty woeful crowd, all chanting, "I'm the MOST conservative."

Barack is the only one offering hope of a new chapter. When he speaks, you're inspired. When he walks off the stage, you feel as though America may have a new dawn again. It will take a grassroots effort to defeat the Hillary machine, but it must be done for the good of the country.

Tommy, newton, USA, MA

One has to wonder if the Clintons actually graduated from the Josef Goebbels School of Public Admistration and Propaganda. She didn't know about it? Believe me, if that micro-managing little Fascist and her Brownshirts had something, it would have been banner headlines in Americas answer to Pravda, the New York Times.

And if we could find the person or people who paid for the "push-polling", we'd probably find a connection to the Clinton campaign somewhere, no matter how far removed.

It's time for the Republicans and the other Democratic candidates to realize that Clintons Gestapo play a form of hard ball that they've never experienced - and they play very, very dirty. Instead of throwing mud at her, they should be throwing verbal hand-grenades filled with the truth about her and her lying "husband".

One mans humble opinion.

Jack R., Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regardless of the number of times left leaning journalists try to imply the Swift Boat Vets for Truth were lying, there is still absolutely no proof or evidence disproving their allegations. Kerry has still refused to release his Navy records, most likely because he was dishonorably discharged. This is the only explanation for the reissuance of his medals years later, all on the same date. I'm confused, though, are we talking about the medals hanging on the wall in his Senate office or the ones he threw over the White House fence?

Robert, Denver, USA

Where was Mr Bush while Kerry was getting wounded........

Snigger, Mudville,

Tom Baldwin is NOT an objective journalist. He's very madly and very deeply in love with American Democrats (for Baldwin, the more left-wing they are, the stronger his attraction and devotion) and the man does whatever he can do to forward their cause and to undermine American Republicans (Baldwin's outrageous falsehood in this current article about John Kerry's Vietnam record being "smeared" by the Swift Boat ads is only the latest installment in Baldwin's long history of biased reporting for the lib cause).

Don Gibson, Sunnyvale, California, USA

The views expressed on this site so far hit the nail right on the head. The American voter is totally fed up with the politicians of both political parties. The anti-war lefties can't get anyone to see their flicks, the Democrat Party has passed nothing, and the Republican Party is full of weak sisters in general. CNN roars about 4M viewers for a Democrat debate, That is a joke when 65M voted for POTUS in 2004. If any of these bozos makes it to the White House, us average tax paying slobs are both fools and toast to boot. Where have gone Joe DiMaggio?

jlagrayfox, Allen, Texas

Until the candidates mature to the point that they deal with issues instead of garbage, whether fact or fiction, this country will be without a candidate that truly DESERVES to be President. The current batch of children, just like the last batch, and the one before that, give this country a black eye. They cheapen all of us and the entire democratic process with their nonsense.

Mary Siddle, Levittown, PA

Lord I can't wait for Don IMUS to return ... he called these two "Satan and the Jug Eared Octaroon".

Dick Tuck, Boston, MA

I can't bring myself to consider voting for any of these "candidates". American politics is so far beyond pathetic it's not worth the effort to discuss it.

Mike
www.QuickTrivia.com

Mike, Seattle , WA

Precisely. Being "Swiftboated" is accurate only if by it Obama means that the Clinton campaign is pointing out he is claiming he is something he is not by people who are in the best postition to tell the truth about him.

To assign such a negative connotation to being a Swift Boat Veteran is more proof as if anyone needed it of how little esteem the Left holds military veterans, in this case people who served right along side the man who awarded himself Purple Heart decorations and later perjured himself in Congressional hearings reporting "atrocities" he had never seen. Forget the fact that the leader of the Switboat Veterans for Truth was himself a lifelong Democrat.

Fellow Democrats simply pointed out the Hillarys stance on Drivers Licenses for Illegal aliens was self contradictory. This somehow in the Clinton campaigns mind amounted to playing "gotcha" politics and "attacking" her. Repeating ones own words back to them is hardly that.

Dan S, Milwaukee, WI

There is no "swiftboating"- the charges of phony heroism by Kerry were proven beyond any doubt. Kerry still has not allowed publication of his military record in the Pentagon files; they were sealed by his request. What is so secret about them?
Marc Jeric, Las Vegas

Marc Jeric, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89117, USA

The current crop of presidential candidates need to grow some thicker skin. Every time somebody coments on one's record, they claim they being attacked.PLEASE!!!!! Why not questions on Hillary's recent donaitions, failure to release records while in the White House, plus tons of history that nobody is asking her. Why haven't anyone questioned her on her Marxist rant on," taking big oil's profits," without asking why is real scary that a press corp is afraid of her.
For those who complain about the Swift boat attacks, well Kerry has never proven them wrong, and has failed to release his army medical files as promised two years ago. For the record the Republicans never called Max Clelland ,'unpaitriotic,' and went out the way doing so. He lost due to siding with the former democratic minority leader from South Dakota who wanted the Federal Workers Union to have a say on who gets fired as employees of Homeland Security Department.\
Democrats by their own record are pitiful.

Donald Segal, Alpharetta, Georgia

It is unbelievable to me that any one in their sane mind would even consider voting for any of these democrat buffoons. They are an embarrassment. I am an independent conservative and I am not to happy with the Republicans but at least they have ideas.The democrats are all over the place and just talk platitudes.They bash Bush and Bush is not running.The administration is a screw up but I do not see anything coming down the road from the democrats any better. We need to drill in Anwar, and off the two coasts. We have enough oil in the US to replace Saudi oil. And they say we have to be less dependent!

David Shovan, Marine City, MI. USA

Swift Boating? The Swift boat veterans told the TRUTH about Kerry's brief stint in Vietnam.
The Clinton Machine perfected the vile art of destroying their
opponents with pre-emptive smears and lies. The Clintons
invented the "politics of personal desrtuction".Both the phrase
AND the practice.

Robert, Boston Massachusetts

Robert Athanas, Boston, MA

The charges of the swift-boat veterans were true. If you're being smeared by the truth, start stacking your remaining virtues as a counter-weight or leave the political field.

Don, Tempe, Arizona

How many times will Mrs. Clinton get away with saying "I had no idea". Is she not in control of ANY of her surroundings? Seems to me she would be an easy target with all of the things that she has "no idea" about.

Beth, Cincinnati, OH

"I'm not in this race to fulfil some long-held plan...." hit the nail right on the head! The long held plan is the Clinton-Gore plan that was drawn up under the Presidents Commission for Sustainable Development and the Community Sustainability Act authored in part by Senator Clinton in her first year of her first term. If Obama can get this message out because it goes to the heart of our National sovereignty then I firmly believe Obama is a choice worth considering as a Republican because on our side there are few choices in the front runners that are RINOs in reality.

Rodney Stubbs, Salem, Oregon

Just like, Hsu, Chinese dishwashers and planted questions, Hillary's dream team's first response is always denial. It then moves only to the verified facts and moves as more facts come out. Watch the same stratagy play out on this.

The American media will lap it up like a dog and report what a flawless campaign she is running.

Jo Jo is Right, Cincinnati, Oh

It's "naivete," not "naivety."

David Rogers, Austin, Texas

Politics in the United States of America is going through a degenerate period because of unionized management and staff in public education. Billions of dollars are spent on public education every day in the USA. Most of it goes into the purses of an entrenched educational bureaucracy dedicated to the perpetuation of itself. Since the days of the so-called Sixties Revolution, this bureaucracy has grown and has systematically reduced the overall quality of public education in America. The sorry state of American Politics today is tolerated by the dumbed-down electorate produced by unionized "educators" in City, County, District, and State school systems across America. When Nikita Khrushchev slammed his shoe down on that U.N. table and exclaimed, "We will bury you!" he was talking about burying our children under mountains of ideological codswallop. Bureaucracy in the USA is a tool of International Socialism; especially the "educational" bureaucracy.

Ironmule, Vernon, Alabama U.S.A.

hilery is the onlay person for me as the president of the states. She has shown time and again that she is a leader of the hightest quantiy and will fight forver is the right thing to do.

I for one will vtoe for her because bill clinton is the force behind her behind...her.

If you dont like her then yoiu need to shuts up and let the people like me make all the decisuns for the futureo of this countyr and the people that made it wwat it is today.

Anexio, Sarasota, Florida

Is this the same right wing that made up that Vast Right Wing Conspiracy in the past? How convenient!

jdj, Foothills, NC

Hillary must believe that she's bullet proof. If she thinks the mud is flying now, just wait until the Republican candidate, whoever that turns out to be, starts spending money on her demise. She has far too many skeletons in her closet. She's toast.

Scott E., Virignia Beach, Virginia USA

Unbelieveable. Mrs. Clinton is only in favor of mud slinging when she is in the one doing slinging. Or was that before she was against mud slinging? I say sling all the mud you want. That's the only way we know who these candidates really are since they won't SHOW us who they really are. They might no get elected otherwise. The only people who care about who is mudslinging is the media. Why are we letting them tell us what to think? As for Washington, kick them all out. They can't even finish their jobs before the holidays so basically we are paying them to argue back and forth ,get nothing done and take vacations. We should all be so fortunate.

Stephanie`, San Antonio,

This deserves the write in vote of "None of the above".
Ron Paul is the only adult in the candidates. The rest are kids who are not ready to be leaders.

Dusty Reed, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Tom Baldwin skews facts of the last presidential campaign. He asserts that Kerry was "smeared" as many other Kerry-backers still do. It's gettin' old! John Kerry, as officer in command of a Swiftboat, had the official resources to promote himself to three Purple Hearts in three months duty of a nine month tour. And, that he did. In his arrogance, he didn't think it necessary to release his service records to the public, even for his Presidential run. To this day, those records have never been satisfactorily released.
While the best-seller book "Unfit for Command" gave us the real view of Kerry's "naval exploits," Senator Kerry could have sued the authors O'Neal and Corsi over the book. Of course, the burden of proof would then have been on Kerry to prove these authors were liars about his Navy service.
Obviously, he and his staff felt safer in avoiding court-action which would have required full disclosure of Kerry's service records. Smeared?...Baloney!

Stan Stein, Philadelphia, PA

The more I hear and see Hillary Clinton, the more disgusted and repulsed I become. She is a disgrace to America. On behalf of myself and most of the democratsin America I call on hillary to withdraw from the race immediately.......

Mane, Virginia Beach, va

I am a Canadian living in America so I can't vote. But I can observe and what I see of Hillary is frightening. Although I am not aligned with Obama's left leaning social ideas I think he is an interesting man who wants politics to be clean and above board again. Voting in a Clinton is sure to keep that from happening. Such power hungry, self-promoting nonsense from HIllary!!!!. Good on Obama for calling her on it!

Cynthia Clarke, Rochester , new york

Clinton already hosed Obama in Michigan - with the help of the governor. Granholm pushed to moved up the primary knowing the Dems would pull all the delegates. The day after Obama (and the other non-Clinton major Dem candidates) said they wouldn't be on MI's ballot, Granholm announced her support for Clinton and then pushed to have delegates restored. Now the primary may not be held Jan. 15 and the only major (D) candidate on the ballot will be Hill. Obama had a good chance in MI - but now has none ... and that could cost him the nomination.

Minerva, Warren, MI

I think both parties should grow up!!! The public wasn't born yesterday. If this is a demonstration of how they are going to run the government heaven help us. It will be the same-o-same-o. Nothing will get done. I'm tired of committee's wasting time and money. Our government is a do nothing but pick on the other party government. None of them should be elected. Kick them all out. They believe what is printed about them in the papers, or on the news. And they are the one's who put information out there.
Answer the questions. Don't go on about something outside the bounds of what was asked. You should be hit up the side of the head for doing it. We fall for it every time!!! We deserve what we get. Sad so Sad

Sidonie Brown, Detroit, MI

Mr Baldwin's command of the facts is lacking. It's his oppin ion that Kerry was smeared. Not a fact. Three Purple Hearts in 100 days means Kerry was layed up the entire time he was in Vietnam or(and Freud would have a Field Day with this)"Medals were absolutely interchangleable," to quote the Senator.

James, Eugene, Oregon

Very classy response by Obama here. He responded with resolve (which was apparently steel like) and simply asking Clinton to decry the rumours if they had no scandal, or to release whatever they've got so things can be open. He neither placed the blame on her nor let a potential rumour fester and destroy his campaign.

My view is that Obama made himself look strong and honourable here while Hillary look neither worse or better (although the manner in which her representatives responded seemed somewhat malicious)

perry, Toronto, Canada

The games these two play matter very little because in the final result neither will be good for this country. Hopefully the electorate will come to its senses before a mistake is made.

Camillus, Blairstown, NJ

Perhaps you don't have the day-to-day news that we do ... but the Clintons have an entire fleet of individuals staffed to personally destroy people (i.e. sling mud). I'm glad to see Obama stand up to this empty name-only candidate.

Anthony, Ventura, USA/California