Barack Obama taught constitutional law for ten years at the University of Chicago. I'm very much looking forward to having a US President who understands 'checks and balances' as opposed to 'cheques and balances'.

JP said: "You don't see Hillary's husband speaking out for her"

Clearly JP is not in Menphis, TN, but on another planet. Bill's been doing little BUT campaigning for his wife.

Tom J, Liverpool, expatriate

"ON the eve of a campaign visit to Britain,"

So let me get this straight, candidates for the American presidency include the UK in their campaign tours as if it were one of the 50 US states?

That's... fairly disturbing.

erik, the Hague, Netherlands

Like a reporter said on MSNBC about Edwards and Obama: "The whiff of despair is in the air".

Hillary Clinton has held a solid double digit lead amongst the Democrats in the national polls since the beginning of the year. She also just broke the 50% + mark of ALL likely voters and she's ahead of the Republicans, including Giuliani. She grows stronger by the week and that's the reason why she has become the favorite target of both the Democrat and Republican candidates. In the last Republican debate her name was brought up 11 times (7 by Giuliani and 4 by Romney). Hillary will win the nomination and possibly the presidency in 2008.

Obama is still too inexperienced. He needs to wait a few more years, his time will come.

Bea, Hoboken, NJ, United States

Hilary and Obama-a real Hobson's choice-I would sooner see Bush re-elected and he is awful!

Ian Mack, Edinburgh,

What's this new deal with having candidates' mommy-type wives speak out for them? You don't see Hillary's husband speaking out for her or any of the Republican candidates wives speaking for them. Obama is too inexperienced to be President and, just as happened with John Kerry, the Republicans will define him in the race for President. Clinton has a solid reputation, for good or ill, while Obama could easily be designated a flip-flopper, or some other derogatory term, because Americans don't have a concrete view of his personality.

JP, Memphis, TN

Provided the next President of the United States can read, write and has a basic grasp of human speech they are already at the winning post in my book.

Paul S. Webb, Alicante, Spain

"Decent" people support Hillary Clinton because she is a leader and a doer with the passion and experience necessary to be the President. The notion that she is not a uniter is ridiculous. Those who hate Hillary do so because they are threatened by her competence. Hillary voted for the war like almost every other person in Congress did, based on the lies told by the Administration.

To call a vote to name Iran a terrorist country as authorization to go to war there, is absurd. They are a terrorist nation and sanctions must be tougher on them to PREVEVT war.

Hooray Hillary, Boo Obama.

Bryna and Joe Weiss, Santa Clarita, CA, USA

Give me a break! Republicans, especially the radio talk show hosts, (the likes of Janet Parshall), touted Bush as the uniter during the 2000 campaign, but Bush is by far the worst divider this country has ever seen. Action speaks louder than words. Go Hillary!

NNBKK, Warrenton, VA

Never overestimate the intelligence of the average American voter. While the cognoscenti on the two Coasts may debate the intriguing possibility of having a woman or a black man as the next President, the vast majority in the Mid-west will drive their pick-ups to the polls to vote for anyone OTHER than those two choices. And once again, America will get the President it deserves i.e. the lesser of two evils, the man with the most money, the person that bullshits the best on TV etc.
God save us all, because no-one else will!

John, Los Angeles,

I think what America needs is a fresh face. Hilary to me is a good candidate but i cannot help but wander if she will be able to unite America to undo what Bush has done to their integrity,trust and respect worldwide.

Obama to me has what it takes to unite America and make them a power house in this increasing hostile and unpredictable world wherein China and Russia are increasingly asserting themselves not as forces for good but revenge. Its as if they have a vendetta against the US and Britain.

My fear is that Americans cannot be trusted to start the change that is necessary for the next decade simply because they voted in Bush not once but twice. Bush to me is the most incompetent President America has had for a longtime and Americans should have only themselves to blame for their misfortune and eventual downfall as a respected powerhouse for years to come.

Ade Nsoh, Birmingham-UK, UK

I canvassed for Senator Obama yesterday in Brooklyn, New York (Brooklyn is part of New York City - for the UK readers) . It was a beautiful fall day, and I could have spent it in the Pocono mountains, 80 miles away, but chose to be Brooklyn, where I grew up, to help Senator Obama become the next President of the United States.

America and the world needs this man!

Jim Lyons, East Stroudsburg, PA

I am getting a little tired of Barack chastising Hillary for her votes - he has no room to speak considering he did not vote. During the first vote, he was not a senator, and it is easy for him now to say that he "knew better" at that time (while he was not being misfed "intelligence" information). This second vote of Hillary's is now Barack's main weapon, but where was he for the vote this time? Now he's a senator - but where was he for this key vote? It's easy for him to claim responsibility without actually taking responsibility.

V, Tempe, AZ

“If Barack becomes the next president of the United States, I’ll be in Britain often!”

What is that supose to mean?

Fabio C, London, UK

I would not vote for Hillary for one key reason: she advocates nationalization of health care in America. In my humble opinion, that would be one of the worst, costliest domestic decisions in recent times.

Bill Clinton himself (in an interview with Jon Stewart) said that his non governmental organizations got drugs cheaper and distributed healthcare more effectively that any comparable government organization. So her own husband appears to be saying that goverment based healthcare is ineffective.

With the current useless, partisan House and Senate do you really think America should be asking them to pass meaningful healthcare legistlation?

Obama does not support this nationalization and I think that's an item that the Obama team (inc Michelle) needs to focus on - it's going to be key in the primaries. Hillary has Bill doing the campaign rounds for her, so it's only fair that Michelle has a say too and there was nothing overtly rude in her comments.

Catherine, Atlanta, GA, USA

Don't mess with her man or she will get into the fray and you don't want that. IMO Obama will not win the nomination for this election. The novelty of him running and then loosing will "inevitably" affect his ability to win if/when he runs again. The US is NOT ready for a black, half American with a name similar to a dangerous terrorist and a deposed dictator. We have ENOUGH racial and cultural divide in this country and he could exacerbate these issues. Mrs. Obama should adhere to her wifely duties and keep her nose out of this election as meddling only serves to show WHO wears the pants in the family. We don't need another rebel in the WH.

linda, cincinnati, USA

Obama has a chance to win. Just like any other president before him, they have issues past and present. Back in the days of JFK they questioned him too. Now please... think about that before spouting how he doesn't have a chance. Never been a better time to root for the underdog in my humble opinion.

Chris, Columbia City, USA, Indiana

Totally agree with the comments on Obama uniting not only the American people but the world. Those of you who are against him are either you really don't care of your country, your standing in the world especially with enemy countries or you just jeolous of how good Obama is and that you cannot match up to his expectations on where America should be heading in leading the world at large.

pana, sydney, australia

I sure hate to see Mrs. Obama take this low road. She is not running, her husband is. Excuse me but as far as "5' 11" and "model looks" ?? what is Sarah Baxter, Washington smokin?

edh, new york, new york

All very fine, I'm sure. All very Guardianish. But wouldn't they have done better as a sort of semi-intellectual rap duo?

Marco Borg , London, UK

Go Michelle and Barack! This country sorely needs you and your insight, judgement and respect for all. I have contributed to your campaign three times now (the first political campaign I have ever contributed to) and I desperately hope that you get the democratic nomination. Some of us in this country need to see your name on the ticket before we will fully turn our attention to you. Others of us have read your book , Barack, and are familiar with your vision. Only from this knowledgeable perspective, not that of the sometimes twisted media, have I given you my support. I wish others in this country would seek more knowledge about you...if they would, I think you would most certainly get the presidency.

Obama '08

LK, Mill Valley, CA,

Mrs. Obama don't hate on Mrs. Clinton she is the best, it does not matter if they are known are not she is the winner LOL

Miss Fine, hartford, ct

I really like Obama and Clinton, and I think Ms. Obama's comments were right on. I didn't think she sounded mean at all; she's making a valid point. Obama's views and approaches are a bit of a change, and it is kind of scary, but he makes sense (as does Hillary)

I still don't know who to vote for because (how nice) we have some really great Democratic candidates.

Marilyn, Windsor, California

America needs a fresh approach and not more of the same. The real question is whether America is mature enough to elect an African- American.
shahid - London

shahid khan, singapore, singapore

The Clinton campaign machine and their cronies in the "mainstream media" have been pillorying Obama for saying the right things about the Iraq War and even use of nuclear weapons, and now some are trying to tar him and his refreshingly outspoken wife. The Democrat establishment want another coronation for their chosen royal family, and they'll stack the deck against outsiders like Obama.

jay, ny, ny

Both Clinton and Obama are qualified candidates. The question is do we want to continue drinking the same"wine" again or are we willing to empty our glasses and try a new fresh "wine"? If we want change, we must be willing to embrace the new and not run away from it. Clintons have had a lot of years in politics and have had plenty of time to make changes. Hillary, I dont dislke you but it is time to let someone else with fresh energy take the lead.

Dover PA

LIZ, Dover, usa/pa

Of course Osama (Obhama) Barack will be against the war in Iraq. He doesn't want the Americans to support their oil interests. He wants all the oil interests be be firmly in the hands of his Islamic brothers.

Ivan, Edmond, OK

The Republicans dearly hope HRC gets the Democratic nomination. They know disaffected Reagancrats and independents are negatively polarized by her and would probably vote for Rudy or Mitt instead.

If elected, expect more of the same deviseness in Congress her husband's administration had to endure. We can do better.

Chris, Chicago, IL

Gil:

You are sadly mis-informed. Barack Obama was raised as a Christian and still is. His father came from Africa but was not a Muslim. Check things out before you start labeling people.

Joseph Fields, San Antonio, TX

I am a democrate and I have a lot of friends who happen to be republican. We consider ourselves good people who care about our country and each other. We respect each others opinions even when they differ. The one thing we agree on is the nasty back stabbing that goes on in both parties in the primaries is just too much to bear. It keeps good people from running for office and turns the stomachs of the voters. A spouse is expected to be protective of the other, but in politics it just comes off as vicious. Attacking another candidate just takes the attention off the positive of the candidate's campaign. I think voters of both parties are disgusted and hate to see the what is coming. Could we just have a little civility?

Betty, Roswell, NM

"Creatures of habit"? Huh? Name one woman president this country, the "greatest" democracy on earth, has ever had. Women have always been more than .. get this... 50% of all Americans yet never have been represented in the White House! This is the REAL taxation without representation.

aj, new york, usa

Michelle Obama, while rightly supporting her husband, has unfortunately taken the low road in her approach and tragically sounds like a bit of a harpy. Sad!

Damian, Los Angeles, CA

i am registered as an independant voter so i owe nothing to either party. but i would never vote for the spouse or the person who would tell a country or it's people i was sorry for using any means at my disposal to end a war and save american lives as bill clinton did with the japaneese. to my way of thinking this was slap in the face of our troops who served in ww2.

bobby morgan, anderson, mo

Obama shoud withdraw, he doesn't have a chance. Just because he made the Senate from one state hardly means he can swing the whole country. Everybody is afraid he's a real life Manchurian candidate, with his muslim upbringing. Then his name Obama rhymes with Osama, people remember things that way and it will cost him votes.

Gil, Daytona, USA/Florida

Obama was not in the Senate for the vote for war and we know what it would have been..Who is he kidding, who cares what michelle or eliz. have to say we want the candidates to speajk for themselves. go Hilliary.

connie taglianetti, newington, conn.usa

Michelle Obama is merely reinforcing what a great many Americans believe. Hillary is divider, not a uniter. A great many independents and fence sitting Democrats will either stay home of vote for a palatable Republican rather than Hillary Clinton.

Christopher London, New York City, NY, USA

Michelle Obama in shooting from the hip is actually very accurately making the case against the alleged "inevitability" of Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton's campaign while having widespread support in the Corporate Media in the United States which is pushing the notion of her inevitability, is under valuing the widespread grassroots support for Obama as well as the Anti-Hillary vote. The Clintons, one of the slickest political clans to come on the political scene in a long time, are playing a smart chess game but the simple reality is that Hillary support is like a house of cards. Personal ambition in and of itself is an insufficient basis for the Presidency. She has accomplished NOTHING as a Senator from NYC and her political experience in turning a blind eye to President Clinton is hardly the stuff of dreams. Hillary is simply the stealth Neo-Con in this race.

Christopher London, New York City, NY, USA

If the Americans really believe that the iraq war was a useless war,then they should have no time for the consistently inconsistent Hilary Clinton!The flip flopper!interesting times lie ahead, with Hilary in washington.
Ronnie Mutaka,Manchester,UK

Ronnie, manchester, uk

I don't understand why you say that Obama is so honest. His political handlers (as well as himself) have never pulled into the arena his still living grandmother -- as a matter of fact -- she doesn't politically exist. Everything that he is is based on his FATHER. The grandparents who ACTUALLY RAISED him are ignored.

Gary, Beech, South Carolina

It appears as if Michelle Obama is looking for a cat fight.She'll get one.

ron, toronto,

Obama never was a serious contender. His candidacy was purely a media creation.

Doug, Columbus, USA

One thing is inevitable. For one, very wrong, reason Obama will not get the nomination. The people of the United States are not ready to vote in a black president and the Democrats do not want to nominate someone who cannot win. I only wish that it were not so - but it is!

Whether Americans are ready to vote in a woman will have to be seen.

Marc, St. Barthelemy,

I have no great confidence in the American voting public. A public that can vote Bush for a second term, after starting a war, denying global warming, calling Australia for Austria and so on and so forth. My advice for all it is worth:- throw out the old and welcome the new.

Torun Chakrabarty, Hong Kong, China

For all Obama's personal qualities, he just doesn't have the experience to guide America through the difficult and dangerous years ahead. I'm by no means enamoured of the Clintons, but they do have a familiarity with the way that things work politically, diplomatically, and covertly.

David Russell, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Here's what I call fresh: No to the war in Iraq; no to sanctions on Iran; and "Yes, I'd agree to meet with Ahmadinejad... or Chavez, or Kim Jong-il." WHEN (not if) he gets the chance, he'll probably invite Castro to the White House, handing him a Cohiba over the Oval Office desk. Point is, we don't need to wonder where Obama stands on missile defense systems or global warming, because we've already seen that he walks all the way 'round difficult issues before drawing conclusions. He also has this thing about communicating "with four eyes," as they say aroud here. No trouble looking Hillary right square and saying, "I disagree with you on [this or that], Senator Clinton." Or, "Vladimir, I want you to relax. The world already respects you." What makes Obama fresh and different is that he knows what it's like to be sitting on the other side of a divide. And in this divided world, I'd call that the difference between choosing the right side or... yet another wrong one.

Rob Gulick, Pristina, Kosovo/UNMIK

Michelle,

America loves you !!!!

Carol, STL-MO, USA

The more Michelle Obama speaks, the more I like Hillary Clinton. And I know many voters who agree with me.

Linda, New york City, USA

Obama would be a great leader for the United States and for the world. I can't say this enough. I believe in him. Hillary is not the answer.

Obama is the One.

Mike, New York, NY

Whoever candidate has voted for the war ...this candidate will NOT get my vote....pure et simple....Whoever candidate will meet ( what YOU call enemy ) this candidate will get my vote....
and Barack will get my vote....

Dominique, San Francisco, ca

Greetings from California!

What the polls have not picked up on, and is crucial to this campaign, is the fact that Obama is attracting new voters (that are not represented in these lame polls). How many young voters without landlines are being missed?

DG, Santa Cruz, CA

So now Obama can't fight his own fights because he is the "politics of hope"? Apparently, his wife doesn't follow the same hopes.


The politiics of hope will elect the most prepared candidate to get the ball rolling on day one. This candidate is not Obama.

Ryan, Oak Hill, WV

You two just keep plugging away and the Clintons will be surprised to lern just where they stand and where they don't One Clinton regime was enough. Consistency is something whic is fleeting in Hilary's methodology. It's kinda like watching clouds pass ovr head.

Sam, Rock Springs, WY, Roc Springs, WY

The quality I am looking for in a President is "good Judgment". I saw it in President John F. Kennedy, and I see this quality in your husband. Your husband genuinely listens to people and their concerns, he has intelligence and the experience of uniting people. I have istened to the arguments he has only spent so little time in political office. There was a President named Lincoln and look at the magnitude his presidency has had to this day. His experence and the good judgment and being able to unite his political rivals to help this nation are still apparent today. My prayers are with you, but most important my vote.

Amelia Daunis, San Diego, California

As president of the United States,Barack Obama will bring back trust of the US by the foreign countries. Many countries do not trust our country ;and believe we are dishonest and warmongers. Our friends and enemies will perhaps begin to believe that we can keep our WORD .

I do not believe that H. Clinton could bring such trust to us from countries who have dealt with her husband before. Some baggage is just difficult to carry. It is too heavy and the cost is too great for our country to pay.

Barack Obama is an honest, intelligent and caring American. He is a humanatarian who will make decisions for this country here and abroad . He will listen to the "pulse" of the people. He will never be the rugged individualist type that we Americans have and have not needed.

I actually like B. Obama and the fact that he has a young family and lovely knowledgeable wife is a big plus from me.

Barbara, Chicago, US

Don't be surprised to see Bill Clinton as the next Vice-President. Richard in Bangkok Hello Nancy

richard myers, Charlotte , No. Carolina

I'm a John Edwards supporter but I greatly admire Barack Obama. Either Edwards or Obama would do the Democratic Party proud.

Let's not forget that in 1984, Gary Hart trailed Walter Mondale by 50 points in the CBS news national poll. The NEXT DAY, Hart beat Mondale in the New Hamshire primary. Hart and Mondale battled it out for months, even though it was supposed to be a cakewalk for Mondale.

Hillary will take a beating early on and either Edwards or Obama will win the Democratic nomination.

Marsha, Richmond, Virginia

Marsha , Richmond , Virginia, USA

v.l., i'm afraid that's how things get won around here. If anyone can do it in a way that is most civil it's Barack.

dave, fw, tx,

"they absolutely must not # 1 SMOKE or use tobacco. To me, this shows stupidity. Since if they're unable to master themselves, they can't form policy for for this country's people. #2 cotton to Hollywood liberals. #3 raise taxes. That goes for either rich or middle class. #4 Show partiality to race. I'll be watching all cabdidates. I wish Barack well."

You see people, this is the type of electorate we have to deal with. Now you see how someone like Bush gets elected.

dave, fw, tx,

Nothing is inevitable indeed Mrs. Obama. With all due respect to you and your Young, Smart and Handsome husband, You just entered the national scene less then a year ago. On he other hand , Hillary and Bill has been active in politics since their Yale years in the 60's.

My advise to you now is to Bless Hillary . Wait your turn. You are still young. If you behave, Hillary might choose Barak as VP. Although, My feelings she will chose Bill Richardson. I already have a bet on that with my wife.
Thank you .

Thabet Swaiss, Oklahoma City, USA

Barack Hussein Obama....... no chance.

Joe, Lake Ridge , VA

While Barack Obama certainly deserves the Democratic nomination on his own merit, one cannot deny how fantastic it would be to have Michelle Obama as first lady. I have read the transcripts to several of her appearances; she is a great example for women and men alike.

Christopher, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Good on you, Michelle. Turn up the heat on the pathetic Hillary Clinton. Remind the world that Barack Obama by his honesty and intelligence is like pure fresh air in the putrid swamp that American politics have become. How about doing some fund raising in Canada?

Joe, Toronto, Canada

If Mr.Obama has the vision of "what we want to be", that vision is not achieved by talking bad of your opponents.That is not a sign of strength:it's a sign of weakness.

v.l.narayan, Mumbai, India.

I would vote for Obama over Clinton any day! Although I am a Republican, I am at this point undecided just who to vote for. One thing I am watching closely, if I go for the democratic candidate, they absolutely must not # 1 SMOKE or use tobacco. To me, this shows stupidity. Since if they're unable to master themselves, they can't form policy for for this country's people. #2 cotton to Hollywood liberals. #3 raise taxes. That goes for either rich or middle class. #4 Show partiality to race. I'll be watching all cabdidates. I wish Barack well.

Paul Tooley, Sr., Rohrersville, USA, MD

Go for it! The whole world needs you.

Roger, Curepe, Trinidad and Tobago

Way to go Michell!

GO OBAMA, '08

Daniel, Desmoines IA

Daniel, DESMOINES, IOWA