hilary reminds me of the wife played in the movie popular 'American Beauty'.

Without reading the press and even only seeing the pictures I see it seems she is not clever enough to win our hearts.

michael, germany,

The implication that a mixed-race President would have on the rest of the World's minorities, marginalised groups and people with little hope is great. His voice is strong, passionate and genuine. He doesn't use political tactics or jargons and is as true as he appears. I think he would be the best thing the World could have in the climate it is currently in. My view is strengthened by the fact that all of my worldly, ambitious and non-judgemental American friends support him. I believe this is the future.

Best of luck Obama!

Kate Parsley, London, England

I agree with Dave in Fl., Clinton definitely won the debate!
Clinton was the only person on that stage that answered every question completely, and many of her answers were spine tingling. Hilary knows what she is doing and would be a powerful President. She is called negative often, but is she perhaps demonstrating her passion and skills as a debater? I say, definitely. When Edwards speaks *enthusiastically* he is never told to "calm down," yes there is sexism in the 2008 debates. Also, shame on the media for not accurately covering the debates, when Mr. Baldwin calls her frosty he is helping to shape the public’s perception--note that he says Obama "gently chides." Also, Baldwin writes of Hilary, "in a rare public display of emotion..." In a previous debate Hilary responded to the question "Diamonds or Pearls?" by laughingly responding "Why can't I have both?" I recall everyone laughed then, too.

Jada, Minneapolis, MN

Obama is a great orator but more than that, he shows authenticity. He seems to be more honest, inspiring and less of a "politician". Hillary is a "politician" changing her colors. We tried a lot of these people. Maybe it's time for this change over experience. After the Iowa caucus result., Hillary went on to give a prepared victory speech instead of saying that she lost and she will try her best to convince America that she can help it's people. That would have been genuine.

Taniya, Philadelphia, PA

I hereby refuse to watch any of the films of the supposedly renowned film actress Kim Novak, especially the film "Vertigo" by Alfred Hitchcock, or endorse anything - product, service or opinion - with the name "Novak" attached.

"Say NO to NOvak!"

Ovais, London, UK

Go on Obama!!
He's far more genuine that Clinton who is far too ambitious and self-centred for my liking

Phill, The Wirral, England

Clinton def WON the debate!! once again obama fumbled over his words, grefused to answer the questions, kept trying to attck Clinton, but he couldnt get her, she in turn tore both edwards and obama. Obama was extremely uncomfortable and out of his church element. Its a true picture he cannot with stand the heat! he couldnt even keep up with Bill Richardson on issues, He is lost when you put him next to any other person running. Clinton stole the show! Outstanding performance. She is the only one that looked Presidential..Poor John Edwards, he finished… he appeared to try to be obamas best friend and then obama turned on him, ( ha-ha)he and obama were def out of their league. I thought even Richardson blew obama away. Notice Obama would not answer the questions given to him, He kept trying to preach, and its not working anymore. We are looking for a leader a PRESIDENTIAL leader and that was clearly Hillary Clinton. FINALLY showing that obama is nothing more than a new preacher.

Dave , Orlando , FL

What really makes me curious is when I try to envisage a world in which a superpower like the US have president like Obama. It is not so much of his colour that will mark a difference but the policies that he will follow. From his campaign so far, It seems that he won't pursue foreign policies anywhere similar to those being pursued under the Bush administration. Bush has refused to open official talks with countries such as Iran and Syria which are seen to be sponsoring terrorism over the Atlantic . By contrast, Obama claims that the root cause of the problem is the misunderstading of different traditions and cultures and to overcome this problem open-diologue is necassary. The world politics is not only confined to these two countries but there are also other such as China, Russia and Venezuella, which oppose many aspects of US foreign policy. I mean it is just a matter of 'wait and see' really.

Samet , London,

Hello,
in this article you claim that Clinton and Obama have come level in the polls.

However in another Times Online article ( 'Barack Obama races to 10-point lead as Hillary lashes out' ), also from 6th Jan, someone talks about an Obama 10 point lead.

So, what are the right numbers then ?

TOM, Cambridge, UK

United Kingdom, has painfully learned the lesson, of, electing an orator/actor, who, plunged the country into chaos and left for pasture new, when the going got too tough and placed us in the hands, of, a pathetic, unelected, ditherer!
Who knows, whether, JFK would have been, no more, than, a one term, President, as was Jimmy Carter and the elder Bush.
Action and decisiveness speak much louder than words.
What the US and the world needs more than anything right now, is, an honest broker, of great stature and a person, who, can rise or fall, on his own mistakes.
Dare, I say, that Rudy Giuliani, proved his credentials quite profoundly, on September the 11th.

prudence eely bond mcguire, LONDON, ENGA\ND UK.

I think Mrs. Clinton may be for a former American first lady, but she's got a lot to learn about live televised political debates with rival candidates. Her behaviour actually shows that she is not as experienced as she claims to be. Her rival, Mr. Oboma did not attack her when she was ahead in the polls. She needs to learn from history and especially from the last French presidential elections that saw Segolene Royal against Nicholas Sarkozy in a live televised debate [ref: " Sparks fly in fierce Sarkozy, Royal TV debate" @ http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/05/03/france.tvdebate/].

Mrs. Clinton should stick to selling policies that the American people can trust rather than going on personal attacks on Mr. Obama which could actually harm her candidacy. I think John Edwards is displaying the correct behaviour by providing no comfort to Mrs. Clinton and this is going to help his campaign. I think NH next week is going to be a race between Edwards and Obama.

Richard Koudry, Ipswich, suffolk, UK

How can you say Clinton shouted’ That’s just bad journalism because it’s a lie and something I did not expect from the Times. Obama has great rhetoric but little else. He may well make a great President one days but this is not the day. Digging ourselves out of the hole Bush has put us in will need experience, tenacity, action and a heap of luck. Obama only has rhetoric and luck. I only pray that America does not make a mistake.

LLoyd, Las Angeles,

Let me preface by saying that I write all the following as a black, professional american: I simply marvel at the manner in which the press both British and American seem intent on dismantling and brutalizing Sen. Clinton while heaping so much undeserved praise on Obama. Their anoiting of Obama's platitudinal manner is risibly obnoxious. His health care plan is entirely off base yet it his vague thus useless rhetoric of hope and change receives galling comparison to JFK and Dr. King.
Well, it seems as the press won't be happy until they' destroy the next Clinton like they did the last. When they do, all we'll be left with is Obama's fairy tale simplicity. Simpy put, the world requires leadership based on practical, hard thought, hard fought policy and we cannot at all afford to shamelessly elevate him just because "we don't like her..." If my country continues to turn every political contest into a grammar school popularity contest, our eroded power will indeed evaporate.

Jude Antonin, Los Angeles, CA, USA

To those who feel that Hillary's only experience has come from being First Lady, I invite you to examine her record as the junior senator from New York in education, healthcare, jobs, support for Israel, etc. People have short memories. Obama, early in the first round of debates said, while answering a question on how he would respond if an American city was attacked that the would call a meeting and speak to the guilty parties, to pursue diplomacy. In the whole group it was Hillary who said she would ascertain the guilty party and retaliate militarily quickly, assuredly and DECISIVELY! These are tough times and the enemy can NOT be negotiated with. It is not in their vocabulary. These are people who believe that the only good American is a dead American. Wake up people!!! I'm a child of the sixties, too. But the world has changed and if we stick a flower in the barrel of a gun now, we and the flower will be blown to kingdom come. We need strength and wisdom. Hillary gets my vote

Donna, East Northport,

Hillary Clinton claims to have experience from her years in the White House. Certainly being First Lady is a unique experience and one that would give her insight into the presidency. However, insight is not the same as experience. I would be very resentful indeed if I were told that my next surgery will be performed by the surgeon's spouse or that my lawyer's spouse will write up my will. Ms. Clinton seems to want it both ways, to be perceived as an independent political thinker but also to inherit the presidency from her husband.

Ann, Chicago, USA

As a NH voter, I've been extremely lucky enough to see all of the major candidates in person. While their stands on the issues are polar opposites, Clinton and Romney are very similar. Each works well in structured speeches but falters as soon as they have go off script. Their responses are measured and they are very careful not to appear too much against or in favor of anything. Basically, they expect that their money and establishment support will carry them through.

Huckabee is a nice guy but too fundamentalist for the secular voters of NH. Last night was the first time I have seen Edwards where he hasn't seemed very angry and I think he's burning too many bridges to succeed in Washington. Richardson probably offers the best resume and experience, but the media decided long ago that he was not a contender so he has no chance.

That leaves Obama and McCain. While they have many policy differences , they offer the only chance for real change and one of them will get my vote.

Jason, Manchester, NH

Edwards clearly pushed Hillary's buttons when he alluded to her being part of the status quo, and she responded with such anger that it feels like she was shouting. Watch the clip. That is the moment that she lost it. I think the biggest problem that Hillary has is that after George Bush Americans are so tired of being lied to that most can not stand the thought of more hair splitting half truths from another Clinton. I think an Obama/Edwards ticket or an Obama/Webb would be a win for the USA and the world.

Dave, Greenbelt, Maryland

Senator Obama is giving the American people (and others!) hope, and the strength of his convictions can indeed be a heralding call for a world weary of conflict to gather in unity. He offers strategies for resolution that are not first and foremost armies and weapons. How refreshing.
Some seem to be enjoying mocking him for this as if it is a weakness. I am confident the people will respond with their votes to show that there is still time and the will to follow the power of intelligence and compassion over brawn and bluster.

jan pinney, elora, ontario

I would also like to draw attention to the title: "Angry Clinton rounds on Obama in tetchy TV debate". In the several US newspapers that I read after the debate, Edwards and Obama were consistently depicted as aggressively ganging-up on an isolated, but resolute, Clinton. Having watched the debate, I think I prefer those characterizations of what happened. It had the feel, at times, of schoolyard bullying.

Jeff F., Chicago, Illinois

I agree Obama would be a perfect fit for Britain. He is the most pro-choice of all the candidates, even voting against the Born Alive Infants Act, which protected aborted fetuses born alive, an act that even the American pro-choice group NARAL did not oppose. Also, he supports partial-birth abortion, where a fetus is destroyed after being partially born. In addition, he strongly supports using aborted embryos for stem cell research. All this is in totally harmony with British views on these topics.

Tom, Oshawa, Canada

We are all anxious for the real change that Obama promises.

Let's hear it for the first black president of the USA.

The most exciting political guy on the block is without doubt Obama.

Georgina Moles, Norwich, Norfolk UK

With every respect to Clinton, her sell-by date is 2007. Is she magnanimous, throw in the sponge and give Barack the chance of his life to heal America and give the world a better future?

San Ying, Montreal, Canada QC

Intriguing title and tone to the article: I note a distinctive difference in the characterization of each candidates responses: Hilary's responses are characterized as "angry" "frosty" vs Edwards "dramatic" vs Obama "effectively" "gently chided" .
One can cite other moments when the male candidates perhaps "gloated" about their respective victories in Iowa- but this is not as juicy as characterizing the female passion and witty intellectual responses as "angry".
Perhaps the media has swooned for Obama, perhaps rightfully so , but there is a distinct imbalance in coverage of the debates and the campaign in general- after all, the catchy title enticed me to read on !

LGalli, Nassau, Bahamas

Hillary is just money and power hungry. She put up with womanizing Bill because it was advancing her power hungry goals. She is part of the establishment and part of the culture of corruption. She loooooves lobbyists and their money. 20 years of the Clintons and Bushes were enough for 10 life times.

When I heard her say that she is an "agent of change" I almost threw up right there in front of the TV. Hillary is part of the establishment. Part of the status quo. Clinton will divide our country not unite it. Both her and her husband are very divisive figures amongst Republicans and independents. And we need someone who can win the independents to win the election. Democrats alone will not do it. We need the independents. And Hillary Clinton is not it. She is a divisive figure.

It's about time for REAL change and unity for our country. And there is only one candidate that fits that bill and who has been attracting record numbers of independents and republicans and new youg voters.

Paul Cooper, Houston, Texas

Silly Hilly, we do not need more Kennedy /Clinton Dienasties - they are all Bores from Boreston.

Kennedy almost started WW3 by appearing weak before Kruschev. Would Silly Hilly do any better againsgt Putin?

John McCain is old but might make a good one term President.. Guiliani has too much baggage.

We Brits wouldbe uneasy with either the Huckster or the Mormon. Obama would not be a bad deal however, for us.

John Prendergast, Stafford, Great Britain

Obama is likeable, but Clinton gets my vote!

she has the know-how, experience and the understanding of many issues with what is happening in the world today.

i kinda liken this whole thing to a job interview, you have a young up and coming graduate and a more senior, experienced candidate.

Mrs Clinton is the one i'd pick, because the experience for me would always count more than the academic credentials for instance.

I cant see how Americans especially those in Iowa have taken akin to Obama, he has little experience in the political field, little international knowledge or influence in current affairs to me he is little more than a smooth talking window glazing salesman!

Adam, Blackburn, UK

I believe Mrs. Clintion is being labeled unfairly as a representative of status quo. She is genuine reformist with clear agenda of sound economic center-right policy at home and very limited interventionism abroad.

She might enhance America's image in Europe and elsewhere, as well as make America's voice heard loudly on the matters of democracy and human rights around the world.

The economic collapse is almost sure thing if another democrat or republican is elected as the next US president. No one can stand up and speak out against and curtail the power of corrupt oil cartel OPEC except for Hillary. Who will organize the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq in an orderly manner? Who will stop rising China? Obama? Edwards? It’s hard to believe that they are able to do that.

If Obama is nominated as a Presidential candidate from the Democratic Party, then that’s a paradise for Republicans, because despite the level of fascination of Democratic or independent electorate in the US, the country is not ready yet to elect a black president. Therefore, the race for US White House will become an issue of color.

Arthur, Prague,

Clinton is a tiresome figure. Even at her best, there is an undercurrent of bitterness and dishonesty in her speech.

Experience? The bald truth is she has almost none, and what she does have, as a Senator, is offputting. She voted for war and votes for every aggressive measure, whether its more wasted resources for the wars or support for Israel's strocities in Southern Lebanon.

And if what Clinton does have can be characterized as experience, then experience is not what the world needs.

Obama doesn't so much offer hope as he does freshness. Clinton is like a two-day old loaf sitting on the baker's shelf labelled as "fresh."

All astute observers know that no individual can dramatically change today's bloated, imperial America - and this is where Edwards is such a phony - but a fresh tone combined with intelligence and human decency would be welcomed by most of humanity.

JOHN CHUCKMAN, toronto, Canada

And if a woman thought she'd shouted too, would that be on account of an insecure male neurosis hungover from early childhood or rather folk-psychology?

Shauna K., London, England

Eric, it does not appear that you are an Edwards supporter at all. It seems that you are also 'shouting' very loudly on an intellectual level. I am not an American, but I like to follow the news, and I think you should not pretend to be something else when you are making a valid point. If you are a Clinton supporter what is wrong with it? I like her too. What are you scared of?

ashutosh, Bangalore, India

It will be a great happening if American voters elected either a woman or African descendant. It will mean that the American voter child is finally growing and waking up to the fact that there is an intricate world outside of their front door. American voters must, must I say, accept change.

Mr. G, Timinns, USA

She did get angry and almost shouted.

THIS ARTICLE IS ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT I HAVE SEEN!!! Thank you!
Many others just flately reprinted the series of accusations angry Hillary unleashed at Obama, sometimes without quoting his answers, and never tried to even check facts.

Eric , Katmandu, Nepal

The former Arkansas governor earned his Huckster nickname as well as a great YouTube moment of shame when he challenged Romney’s support of the troop surge during ABC’s New Hampshire debate.

The YouTube clip shows exactly how dishonest Huckabee is. Two weeks after Romney issued a January 2007 press release supporting the surge; the Huckster does an interview deliberately distinguishing himself from other candidates by withholding support.

In the Jan. 24, 2007 interview on MSNBC’s “Live,” Norah O’Donnell asks:

“We have a Rudy Giuliani, who supports the president’s plan on Iraq. We have Governor Mitt Romney, who also supports a troop surge. How are you different from any of those candidates?”

Huckabee: “Well, I’m not sure that I support the troop surge, if that surge has to come from our Guard and Reserve troops, which have really been overly stretched.”

WakeWashington, Fort Wayne,

I watched the debates and am an Edwards supporter.

To say that Senator Clinton "shouted" is a falsehood. Her voice never got near the level of a shout. This characterization is unfair and biased.

The complete power of the mother over the infant gives rise to a neurosis where any disagreement by a female figure is interpreted as anger by the insecure male, it''s a hangover from early childhood.

If you are going to criticize Candidate Clinton, do it fairly. Do not project your own neurosis on her.

Eric Greene, Seattle, WA