It's easy to be cool when you're not there. What drivel.
Even though I'm a feminist in many ways, I am objective enough to realize that many men in the world (including nearly all the males in the Middle East) do not recognize women as their equals. If by sad chance Hillary does become president of the US, there are many, many men out there who will laugh at her behind her back, and who will patronize her, and who will not listen to her pearls of wisdom--if she has any--and it will be as if we have a queen instead of a president--just someone to cut ribbons and open supermarkets or whatever queens are doing nowadays. The time is not right for a female at the helm, although men are leading us down the path to perdition.

Rose, Simpson,

At least the real voices of America are finally admitting how nauseating it is to witness how desperate the media is to pump up hillary since so many lack originality. It must be embarrassing for UK papers to be so out of touch with the American public as well continuing to treat politicians as celebrities. Hello UK, we have internet now and can and do read papers all over the world so who do you think you are fooling anymore?

keith, SF, California

Hillary Clinton showed great calm and presidential manner in handling this crisis.

The only people who criticize her are men who are threatened by women and women who are jealous of professional, competent women.

I am a professional competent woman who will vote for Hillary Clinton!

Donna, Lexington, USA/KY

Hadn't thought about the possibility of the hostage situation being staged, but it would make sense.. given Bill being accused of wagging the dog during his term in office to detract from the sex scandal with Monica Lewinsky.

It didn't appear to me that Clinton shined at anything. She wasn't seen until it was long over with, and only then reading something that had been prepared for her. The ones who shined were the police officers who were the only ones who dealt with whatever happened.

This democratic woman voter would never vote for Hillary Clinton. She a carbon copy of George W. Bush, and four years with her in the white house would be just more of the same. The direction of our government to profit the corporations and other monied interests to the denigration of American citizens and their rights and freedoms.

Kristin, Boston, MA, US

why on earth would there be any comment about her "calm demeanour and authoritative response" at all??? she was in no danger, far from the scene, and had plenty of time to plan her response with the help of aids and speach writers. she did nothing to be impressed about

G, Phoenix, AZ

Nicely staged.
The timing and the ability to set up and stage such a situation is so blatently obvious the world must be foolish to take it seriously.
A man that was no threat all along was manipulated/used to create a scene.
Oh and in such perfect timing when Clinton is being criticised for not being able to handle such a crisis.
Loyal Cops in her home base area, Loyal Clinton friends to rev up the guy who did it, a Big scene, and a scheduled appearance and speech to sound strong sensitive and in control of a crisis.
The criticisims don't hold much water about Hillarys ability But really this little theatre doesn't either.
HaHaHaHAHA
HAhAHahahahaha

Sue, Nagano, Japan

This "hostage crisis" was a sham, a put on, a show. Like the staged questions during the debates, it's all about garnering the spotlight and making HIllary look like something that she is not, a person who is "in control". It's easy to "shine" during a crisis that is mere play acting, with the media as your stage. The "hostage taker" had road flares taped to his chest, started releasing "hostages" almost immediately, and wanted to talk to Clinton about the health care "crisis". No self respecting desperate, mentally impaired hostage taker would do that. Not a REAL one, at any rate. Hillary Clinton is a snake, as is her husband, and she (they) will stop at NOTHING to regain the White House.

J. Evans, Columbus, Ohio, USA

Guess Nate didn't actually read the article, or does he need a list of every person who actually recognized her grace under pressure? For some it is still only men who can strong and
Pesidental. I bet you wouldn't have been so quick to downplay the response of a man. I am one of those OLDER women who hope to see a woman as Commander-in-Chief before I die. After the current administration there is no place to go BUT up. As John Gray has said, "Women don't need to be equal to men, since they are already superior."

Donna, Citrus springs,

Hillary Clinton "did not put a foot wrong" because she did not put a foot outside of her DC manision. She tucked herself in. She canceled the day's plans to participate at a Democratic Party meeting. She stayed inside until the professionals completed their job. She only went outside to take a bow, then went to New Hampshire, via private plane.

Sabato doesn't have any way of knowing whether or not the situation was contrived.

Amy, Alexandria, VA

I've been following the story here in the US and I haven't read one incident of you're so-called "widespread praise." I'm always perplexed by slanted journalism, skewed with little twists of verbiage, and nothing to back up a statement. How about a quote from someone of note, giving this "widespread praise".

Nate, Portland, Oregon