Alas the republican attack dog machine gears up for a 'high tech lynching of the uppity black man' to quote Clarence Thomas (first black supreme court judge). Surely a greater threat to US national security is not Iran or Iraq its the 45 million US citizens without adequate health insurance.

Big Ken , BRISTOL, UK

We're already talking to Iran, right now, under the Bush Administration. Obama is deceiveing so many people saying we NEED to talk to our enemies, that Bush isnt doing this, what a joke, weve been talking to Iran for months and months, to NO avail....wake up people, Obamas a joke...without a doubt..

Chris, Dallas, Texas, USA, United States

All these comments are banal. Nothing will change except for the rhetoric. Israel is a state of the US, end of story. Obama, Clinton, McCain will all succumb to the various lobbies that actually run the US and the rest of the world will continue to hate them for their ineptitude.

Steve Payne, Valencia, Spain

Let me have a guess, Desmond works for FOX NEWS, most of their headlines is garbage none NEWS, Basically RUBBISH. I am greatful that some one tries to get young Black youths off the streets and encouraged to get a job and a education, I don't care if its Louis Farrakahn who tells them avoid prison.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

McCain comes over as a xenophobic madman. He should be a perfect match for Iran!

The trouble is, he stopped listening years ago and can see only the bad in one side, the good in the other. Perfect war material.

Ian Tinn, Slough, England

Obama is not going to be President so why worry about his policies.

Scamp, Aberdeenshire,

Once again, how on earth could Obama's policy be worse than the Republican position?? So it's bad to talk to Iran, as opposed to allowing the situation to fester and suspicion on both sides to grow..?

Dialogue is certainly the more mature option.

Owen, London, UK

The question is,would Obama be an Israel supporter if the jewish people had no lobby or were not so affluent, or would any campaigner for that matter be a supporter of Israel?
I am Jewish and my answer is no,I wonder what other readers think?

David Nigel Braham, Milan, Italy

By opening up talks with the more radical leaders of fundamentalist Islamic states, Obama would render pointless the desperate anti-American/anti Israeli rhetoric, and open the path towards some sort of dialogue in the Middle East.

Martin, Bristol,

Empathy and understanding on both sides is the only path to a solution in the region. Military interventionism and sanctions have proven fruitless for 50 years.

Martin, Bristol,

Those poor American white folks have done it again: letting the media brainwash them into focusing on a man's religion and/or color of his skin rather than his policies. Even if Obama's policies are a bit foggy, you can't deny that he is the most honest candidate to lead this country.

Brent, Fort Meyers, USA

Hillary you are hillarious !
Time to go pal !
Hongera Obama

Ngowi, kibosho, Tanzania

Obama complains that "The tradition of the Jewish people is to judge me by what I say and what I’ve done.”

What exactly should he be judged by, if not for what he says & does?

Amanda , London, UK

Talking to ones enemy or potential enemy is not appeasement, those who use the word for political purposes against Obama just show up their total ignorance of not only the word itself but history as well. Did it stop America talking to the Vietcong!!..

Ian Hendry, Boston, MA

Ghazaleh, your memory fails you as did your instructors in European history, which by the way should not include any history of Israel or Palestine, except for that part played by the British in the management of the Palestinian Mandate as given to them by the U.N and/or League of Nations.

John Russell, Houston, US

Is Israel even recognised by the UN as a state? I seem to remember from my European history that they declared war on Palestine and took the country over by force, something which is not recognised by the UN, so why are we all so eager to protect a so-called "country" that doesn't technically exist?

Ghazaleh Rezaie, London,

Please talk to Iran but remember, one can only negotiate from a position of strength. The threat of force must be perceived as real. To show ones hand without any negatiation is just plain crazy. Obama will sell the US down the drain for short term politcal gain. Appeasment by any other name.

craig, Brisbane,

America is too backwards and primitive for Obama and therefore [unfortunately] not ready for him.

"War on terror" obviously did not work and the States should realise that dialogue could be more fruitful.

Tornike, London, UK

I agree with Sarah. But the real challenge, of course, is not taking Israel over to Islam, but over to Christianity.

Howard, Suusex, UK

Why do we have to accept what the Jews want us to do. Everything does not revolve around them and the holocaust. Are not allowed to speak to any Iranian people?

emily, lancaster, uk

I wonder when a potential US president will "“always denounce the abhorrent anti-Arab views of fervant Israel supporters”.

Russell Harris, London, US

Yet again Obama is being slaughtered, and having to defend himself, about quotes that would appear perfectly reasonable and legitimate coming from anyone else. Most terrorist groups do have legitimate aims at their heart, it's the violent way they go about expressing them that's the problem.

chris, Worthing, England

Some of these comments are despicable. Obama is leading "the charge to slaughter the Jewish state" simply by opening up talks with Iran? If only some readers were as balanced and sensible in their outlooks as Obama appears to be.

Sarah Hill, Tunbridge Wells, UK

"the Jewish vote in America is relatively small," A Jewish survey says about 1.8% of the population. Older and more motivated, maybe 4% of the electorate, easily able to "swing" many elections. But campaign contributions and personal lobbying are their greatest strengths.

Arik Silverman, Milwaukee, USA

Once in power, Obama will lead the charge to slaughter the Jewish State which will certainly provide "hope and change" to the Arabs and hate-filled masses in Europe!

Joe Dozer, Bakersfield, CA, USA

Obama is a Trojan Horse

Amad Shaff, Beverly Hills, USA

Obama's father was a Muslim. By Muslim law Muslim. The Church he belongs to has awarded Louis Farrakhan its big annual award. Farrakhan is the leader of the ' Nation of Islam '. Of course the Jewish people in America will forget about this and embrace him. Don't hold your breathe

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

What is the problem now, doubt that BLACK people know how evil white europeans can be, Black people have been a victim of white supremacist, in America now want to accuse a Black man of white mans crimes, HELLO!.

Daphne Kenward, cambridge, uk