Stop BLINDLY following a man who has done nothing that could possibly prepare him to be the President of our country. When will he say something that has any substance and stop parading around like a rockstar. Hope and Change, these are the most common reasons people support Obama, does anyone know what that means. Wake up people before you elect an unexperienced, unproven, and uncapable man to lead our country.

Jeff , FW, Us

Just remember it was Mr. Clinton who, with his wife at his side, gutted the armed forces of our nation, cut into this nation's welfare funds, held back on doing anything about Iraq because he was afraid of Iran, and essentially began the mess we are in today. He balanced the budget on the backs of the workers of this nation, and we are all still paying for it. I am voting for Mr. Obama, and I am a registered Republican.
Cris

Cris, The Villages, Fl

Just remember folks, in the end its all about rhetoric and persuasion - who can convince you the most, who has the most charisma. In democracy a leader is only a reflection of what the masses have become. If you want change, its because you don't like what you already were (or what you already did). The next leader is going to have to do a lot more than just spout of the words "unity" and "change"...

Remember also, the true reason we're in Iraq is because, you don't want to stop driving your car. The only reason why Americans ate up Bush's lies in the first place was because of an addiction to oil. So tomorrow morning as your warming up the car to drive the kiddies to school and go to work, have fun trying to convince yourself that you didn't want it to happen.
We're a corrective culture, not preventative one (unfortunately).

Let's just hope whoever is next at pretending to be in charge can fake the fixit better than the last.

Matt, San Rafael, CA

i watched the mudsling goin on this morning and i want obama to know this. when are you going to bring up the whitwater case where both clinton/s were involved. it was about quite a bit of property. i think america need to know about this. i thought hillary was out of line she claims that obama never took any responsibility about any votes. there were some people sent to prison and killed as the outcome of the whitewater incident. the clintons cme out on top and made a big profit. americia does not want anther clinton campaign and i don't either; my vote is for you obama, and i hope you get this message

patricia strautman, dubuque, us

I guess two comments are in order.

First, the definition of swiftboating is not complete: not only should it refer to attacking an opponent's perceived area of strength, but the definition should make clear that it does so by mendacity and insinuation rather than a factual argument.

As to the charge that it was the "racist Republicans" who supported the Civil Rights Act of 1964, while the Democratcs oppoed, this is shoddy history.

Two facts help explain why. First, the Democrats, nor the Republicans, are monoliths. There were Democrats who supported the Civil Rights Act just as there were Republicans who opposed. So, that is a straw man that only serves to simplify the issue.

Secondly, we should ask which Democrats opposed that act. When we do so, we find that this group was made up of Southern white Democrats....who would end up leaving the party over this bill and become, yes, Republicans. In deed, the most hard core Republicans around.

Josh, Chicago, USA

To all my democrat friends: leave us Republicans out of your racist party squabbles.

George Bush, Karl Rove nor any Republicans are involved - this is all of the democrats.......enjoy it and take credit for it.

To our British cousins: it was the racist Republicans that supported the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The democrats were the majority against. Haven't heard that history - have you?

Hotspur, ATL, USA

“Swiftboating” does not mean "attacking a candidate’s strengths head-on, instead of their weaknesses." After all, there is nothing wrong with such a tactic. What "swiftboating" actually means is lying about an important aspect of the candidate in order to discredit him or her.

The term came from the name of a group called "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth", a group of Vietnam was veterans who claimed in the months leading up to the 2004 presidential election that John Kerry had lied about his record of military service, even though his service is well-documented and even though he had many eyewitnesses to back up his accounts.

Ed, Los Angeles, CA

I think it would be great if the Republican attack dogs went for Obama. He isn't Kerry, who didn't do the obvious and ask where the hell Bush was while he was dodging bullets on the Mekong, and would give much better than he got. He's not only an excellent speaker but quick on his feet and not, I think, inclined to take it lying down. I am sure it would work to his favour.

Hugh
Germany

Hugh, Solin, Germany

Let us suppose that Obama Muslim or any other unfamiliar religion to us, though we are looking to what he is promising to deliver and not what his background of religion is? He is proming unity, we, indeed, lack unity. Lack of unity is more futhering danger for our future as a great nation? We see it every day, now it is not as usual decade ago, many people with many different background are complaining of of some of us white irrogance and nonaffordable supremacy over the rest of America's factions? Let us make some change this time? In fact, we are sick and tired of those traditional politicians, who brought us to the brink of devided America?? Let us get out of Bush-Clinton-Bush yokes and set America free of their monotonous very narrow realism and their profound racism .
We can afford a president for one term if he doesn't filfull his promises, in which I beleive he will, or two terms if he does to bring America together than continuing the devided America to widen the gap?

Mike , chicago, IL

I'm concerned that the attack dogs at the RNC are just lying in wait to eviscerate Obama should he get the Dem nomination. Let's be fair - the Republicans are the masters of negative campaigning and attack ads damaging Democrat candidates on often fairly irrelevant issues. Certainly every Democrat nominee from Dukakis onwards has been sunk by relentless negative campaigning - the only one they couldn’t get at (despite him giving them more ammunition than all the others put together) was Clinton.

So I think the Republicans aren't sure who they'd rather face - Obama obviously has a wider appeal and Clinton is more divisive and liable to energise the conservative vote, but what can they attack Hillary with that they haven't already thrown at Bill and failed to kill him off? I get the feeling that some people in the Republican machine will be licking their lips about getting to work on Obama’s racial identity and weak Islamic links.

Al, London,

I would not vote for a candidate who can't take the presuure, who shed tear for losing single primary?? I think she will be confused to take decissions in any chiotic situation, and become tensed and disturbed??

Mike , chicago, IL

This is not only about electing the first black president. It is about electing someone who is the most qualified presidential candidate. His educational background in political science and international relations, his constitutional law teaching experience, his public service record, and his Senate experience all show that Obama is the most seasoned candidate who can bring about much needed change in American politics.

Obama has succeeded in bringing to the voting booths what has been said to be the largest group of young first-time voters in history. His optimistic speeches have washed away the paralysis, cynicism, and apathy of voters and his clear stance on the issues: better education, universal health care, environmental friendly energy bills, ending the war in Iraq, closing down Guantanamo, and building a better foreign policy face to the world all show that in this defining moment we are the ones who have to step up to the challenges of the 21st century by voting for those who best represent the interests of our generation. We are generation hope. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for!

“Yes We Can!”
“Si Se Puede!”
“Enchilalen”

and ofcourse he reminds us of MLK’s words still relevant today: “The time is always right to do right”

LI, New York, NY

The problem with Obama is that the majority of his supporters are playing the race card. They would vote for a donkey as long as the donkey is African American. They don't question anything about Obama's past or his policies, the color of his skin is enough for them. (In the same way as O.J. Simpson was obviously innocent because he was black.) When the whole of the country realizes it they will defect in drove to other candidates more ready to represent the whole of the American people and it could well be another republican win.

Mikey, Barcelona, Spain

If Obama is a unifier, what exactly will he offer to those who are more conservative than he is? At the very least a substantial minority of the US is conservative, what will he do to make those people feel they are not being left out? Will he, for example, consider appointing at least some conservative judges?

Mark, Albany, NY

This is just another illustration of why the process to choose a nominee is deeply flawed. After the primaries are over and a candidate is chosen he or she will be battered and bruised and will be lucky to win in the general election. We need a better system to chose candidates for each political party.

rick, Smithtown, New York

Why does the old white goat in South Carolina think Obama is a Muslim? Because he wants to, he needs to. He represents the white vote in the south, a vote based on racism. He will grab onto anything to rationalize his racism. Politics here in the south is very racist, always has been, and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. And this idiot sums it up nicely.

As for Obama's church being "unabashedly black," how many blacks or Mexicans attend this guy's church?

George, Tampa, FL USA

Have you read the website for the Trinity United Church of Christ? If you are concerned about Mitt Romney being a Morman then you should be very concerned about Obama's affiliation. Relgion should not a deciding factor but whether you can work with and embrace all cultures is. A church that only mentions Africa, not America, and only welcomes one race cannot be preaching that all races/cultures are important and should be treated fairly. The church can preach whatever it wishes but for Obama to be a member means he affiliates himself with their beliefs as there are many other churches accepting of all races and cultures. What he says on the campaign trail is very different to what he hears/believes with his church. Don't just believe the press - find the facts for yourself.

Undecided, Atlanta, GA

The vilification of Obama continues. So what if the pastor at the church he frequents visited Libya years ago ? What matters is whether or not a candidate is ethical, upright and has a vision. The truly great U.S.A. needs a great leader at this time. Someone who has the ability to heal and unite., not one with a family history of "Crying on demand."

People find sanctuary in good leadeership.

Adam Neira, Melbourne, Australia

WHAT CHANGE? HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET Part I

All of the candidates were claiming they were for change after Obama’s stunning victory in the Iowa caucus. Hillary claimed she was the one with the most experience and was best qualified of all the Democrat candidates to initiate that change. Since she is running on her husband’s presidency it is only fair to reexamine the Clinton record and legacy.
On the positive side there was the budget surplus and the fact that we were not involved in any large military engagement during the Clinton presidency. These are no small accomplishments. Clinton was also responsible for setting aside 58 million acres of our National Forest as roadless area. On the negative side, however, there is the terrible foreign policy record and the Clinton scandals. There was the sale of missile technology and parts to China. On the domestic front there was Whitewater, the Lewinsky scandal, perjury and obstruction of justice, Filegate and Watergate.

Eliduc, Klamath Falls , Oregon

The media and political classes forget that the world is full of people who will at the end of the day notice little difference to their lives whoever is in charge. Even of their own country. Therefore it makes not a lot of difference who wins. Except that (as a Times columnist argued very well a while back) Obama presents the most acceptable face of America and their ideology. Shame I can't vote, fingers crossed.

mount, dorset, gb

" A WARNING TO HILLARY CLINTON CAMPAIGN"
As an independent voter i have said that i would vote for which-
ever candidate win's the democraticd nomination, However if
hillary endorse the rhetoric and try to smear Barack Obama's
religion and play dirty politics i along with the support of many
other black's throughout the this country will boycott the general election should she be nominated.

Dirty politic must go, And if a chang is going to come i
believe that Obama is the answer to the problem he is a person who do not look at race or religion as a stepping stone
to get elected, Open minded people who know him knows that
he will equally fair to the human family.

Lepolin Duncan, Panama City, Florida

I'm actually quite heartened by this article. So some old southern cracker believes Barack Obama's a "secret muslim"? So what? I'd be surprised if some of the older southerners don't believe he's a secret martian. Next, one of Obama's campaign backers is under indictment. Not yet tried, not yet found guilty, just under indictment. So what? I'd be surprised if there's a candidate - Republican or Democrat - who doesn't have a backer with a little smudge on his or her reputation.

It's high time America had a president who did what the president needs to do - to provide goals to aim for, principles to stand by and an image to respect - as opposed to 'deciders', warmongers, torturers and defilers of the Constitution.

John Blackley, Austin, TX, USA

Re Obama's defeat in New Hampshire there will be a full hand recount. Clinton did better in precincts which used optical readers than where the ballots were hand counted. Clinton's victory surprised me because Ladbroke's and Iowa Electronic Markets (http://www.biz.uiowa.edu/iem/) odds favored an Obama landslide. Punters usually get election outcomes right.

MARK KLEIN, M.D., OAKLAND, CA

I'm a democract, but if Hillary get's in, then I'm hoping Bloomberg get's in. Barack Obama will win. Make no mistake. Are you listening to the people, media people?

Alvin, Irvine, CA, USA

Disclosure: I don't prefer Hillary over Obama. I do agree with her that Obama's slim record and penchant for dodging controversial votes make him a tabula rasa such that voters see what they want.

This article gave but a cursory overview of the issues embroiling Obama. From the comments section, it is clear readers couldn't "read between the lines." That was the intention of the author: give a limp description of ethical concerns about Obama but make it appear to be innocuous; when readers encounter these concerns in the future, they will tune out a more detailed explanation because they think they already understand the issues.

Ethical concerns about Obama are twofold:
1) He benefited financially from a supporter selling him land at below market price, which Obama then sold at a high price. Obama in turn gave him political favors. This is illegal.
2) Obama's minister is a racist; Obama has repeatedly refused to disavow the vitriol and hateful remarks of this minister.

Reader, Danbury, CT, USA

When Cassius Clay changed his name to Mohammed Ali did he cease to be less of an American than he was as Cassius Clay? When Joe Frazier and others got in the ring to face Mohammed Ali's music, did the American public reuse to see the fight against that giant of American decency because of his Islam? Is every Moslem in America a Louis Farakhan or a meber of Al-Qaeda?

E N BISAMUNYU, London, England

I find Hillary superficial, bereft of any real warmth and elitist. Those who incessantly speak of her as a policy wonk, as if it were a badge of honor, are missing the point. Americans want leaders, visionaries and optimists leading them, not some policy wonk. If we want policy wonks, we know where to find them in droves – our think tanks and academia. Her attack of Obama is no surprise – she is exactly what she calls her Republican detractors – an attack machine.

America is a democracy not a monarchy. Other Americans, not just the Bushes and the Clintons have the right to run for president. Hillary’s sense of entitlement to be president is objectionable. Hillary is no more entitled to run this country than I or several millions of Americans.

Obama is real, intelligent, a man of integrity, a visionary surrounded by hundreds of intelligent Americans – senators, governors and other blue blooded Americans. Bill - please stop lowering your towering heights by attacking Obama

Larry Powers, Denver, CO

Hillary Clinton,,,is all dried up....according to her husband. Not exactly a glowing testimonial.

Excalibur, Glasgow, Scotland

Could we all at least agree that America is now running one of the greatest election campaigns in the history of the world? And this is just the primary season, where in the Democratic party there isn't enough substantive difference among the candidates to slip a sheet of paper between them. Imagine what the general campaign (post-nominations) will be. I say bring it on!

Rodger Lodger, Staten Island, NYC, USA NY

Mia:
The right to vote for a candidate based on his religious persuasion is fair and legitimate. To demand a positive review of someone else's politics, ideolgy, or religion is not. To childishly insist that people betray how they've come to interpret their world is more Nazi-like than having an opinion of someone else's religion, politics, lifestyle.
This is what they've called "Political- correctness" for a while now. Didn't ever really know what it meant, did you?

BTW, Tony:
I'm using my vote for my conscience. I couldn't give a rat's ass how it affects your opinion of me. Reread the above paragraph.

Patrick, Ocala, Florida

Senator Obama goes to his church to worship Jesus Christ. He is not responsible for what the pastor says or does. Obama 's acquaintance with a developer in Chicago related to getting housing for Seniors and years later purchasing a piece of land owned by the developer. Obama is not responsible for the developer being investigated.

The Clintons live in a glass house and should not be throwing stones.

Toto, San Francisco, CA

Wouldn't Clinton/Obama be a dream ticket for the Democrats. Her experience coupled with his youthfulness and energy together with their diverse bacgrounds would have a broad appeal.

S. Mac Seoin, Cill Mhantáin, Éire

We need a clear break from the divisive politics of the past 16 years. If there is one thing that I know now for sure it is that there are a substantial number of democratic and independent voters who will vote for the nominee of the Republican party if Hillary Clinton were to become the nominee of the Democratic party.

Bob, Denver, CO

My friends and I question why he is running. The pockets of isolationism, all types, exist and he is a potential target for assissination. However, the greatest tragedy in the United States elections is the cost which tends to mean that no one elected to the White House does not have to "repay" his/her financil backer s. This could only happen if the United States had ther courage to break with "tradition" on a syst m that is based on the horse and buggy days of the 18th century, rather than even the arrival of the train. I have friends in Massachusetts who believe that three months would be more than adequate and would encourage more people to vote.

maggie blleach, Kanata, ON

Sad to see the Clinton campaign stoop to the level of Karl Rove in their power grab. Independent voters and forward-thinking Democrats are drawn to Obama because he builds consensus around progressive issues. Hillary seems to be rehearsing the old tactics which have netted Democrats exactly how many presidencies in the past two elections?

Eric , Columbia, SC

IMPORTANT IF YOU CARE ABOUT OUR COUNTRY:
Please look through the following website:

http://tucc.org/about.htm

The website is the site of Trinity United Church of Christ, the one that our Presidential candidate Barack Obama belongs to, attends and states is the very core of his beliefs and spirituality. He states that the Pastor there is his personal friend and religious mentor. He was married in this church, and his children were baptized there as well. Having said that, and realizing that this is an important campaign for many reasons, I decided to research what makes up the core of Obama.

After you have read the site, please watch the you-tube video that the church provides. If you have any question whether this is truly his church, look for him in the video. He is one of the men sitting at the table shaking hands. I also suggest you "google" Barack Obama's church and see what comes up.

Linda, Wilmington, DE

Obama will 'free us of white guilt'? I don't have any.

abbey, springfield, vt

The right hates Hilary more than any other Democrat.

But the reality is that Obama is actually quite to the left of Hilary.

So an Obama victory would hurt the right more and this is something they need to consider.

Mike Duffy, New York, NY

Thanks to all of the British concern on an AMERICAN election process. You should spend your time learning to live under sharia law instead. The once great British empire has allowed itself to become a starting point for a EU caliphate. This is not what the majority of the american people want.

Scott Moses, Charlotte , USA NC

The call for unity through Obamas democratic politics is a veiled call for first ever increasing socialism then a quick transition to liberal facism. Our countries long history of political stability rests on a major division in political thinking.

Liberal unificationers, I mean facists in disguise, want this country for themselves.

Would a call for unity around a conservative platform interest liberals at all?

A good example of this kind of creeping liberal facism is the monitoring and control of all private home thermostats in California. What could be bad about controlling everybodies thermostat in emergency situations? It might save a few lives. What could be wrong about political unity under a facist liberal regime? At least you have avoided "death" in the first and "dis"unity in the second. Simple solutions for simple minds.

Joe Anderson, San Francisco, USA

In all actuallity Mr. Obama does have a weekness in his armor. Choosing to vote "not present" rather than "no" on several issues is where his leadership is questioned. This is not swiftboating, this is fact:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22335739/

Daleesp, Clearfield, UT

Haven't we seen this episode a million times before? Karl Rove is bored with pulling the wings off flies and setting kittens on fire. The Neo Cons so want to run against Hillary and have begun their "swift-boating" assualt. They're also afraid by Ron Paul's growing popularity. Why he's calling for the end of the Federal Reserve; you know the private bankers that have been engineering this economy that offers a free ride for the elites, paid for by the dying American Middle Class. The train is about to hit a brick wall at a million miles an hour. So their efforts are wasted.

Annie O'Meara, Albany,

Once again more slavish adoration from the media from this reporter on Obama. His connections, those around him, about his church and/or his friends, are legitimate subjects of inquiry. He doesnt get a free pass because he is 1/2 african american.

It is interesting how Obama downplays his mixed race background and identifies with the african american community, to the extent he stopped dating a white woman to date blacks (including that "strong woman" (i.e. Michelle Obama who he obsessively talks about, like parents who can't shut up about their kids).

Hilary is expereinced and has had to endure the slings and arrows from the press and the indescretions of her husband for decades. She also has a knowledge of foreign affairs bar none. If you sign on to the Obama "crusade", remember, crusades are great while they last, but always end in defeat.

Greg, Philadelphia , PA

Hillary et al's attempt to defame a person by hinting at their religious background is many many times the proof I need to dismiss her entirely. You cannot take a leaf out of Hitler's books to try and win the position of president of a democracy. She is a walking paradox. US, for everybody's sake, please get it right this time!

Mia Chaz, London,

it is quite unfurtunate that people in america have no idea of their tanished image in the outside world. not even britain is ready to play along the american tune like it did before. that makes obama the definate front-runner who has the image and ability to put america into the the limelight of favour from must countries in the world. clinton may brag about having 35years of experience. i would very much want to know exactly want field of experience she she seems to brag so much about. if it is 35years of experience as the bill's wife, then it is unquestionably true, but if she speaks about good governance then she lies to the people of the world at large and america specifically. one other field she may have experience is being a great actoress. she explixitly showed this to all who would watch during her new hamshire campaign. this is not a contest of who has the must socially accepted friends or who bought what house. it is about the best choice of president and it is OBAMA.

Tony sails, london, england

I loved Hilary's last-minute scrambling comments in Iowa about it all not just being about 'change' but the necessity of having a plan. Tell us about your plan, Hilary, is it anything like when you fired everyone in the White House travel office? or maybe it is similar to your wonderful health care plan - how well did that work out for you? Seem to recall that was your project; can we expect more of the same arrogance and incompetence?

Robin, GA, US

This is the best the Clinton campaign can come up with? They should get Karl Rove on board!

(JOKE)

Owen, London, UK

So the worst thing they can say about him is that one of his supporters owns the plot of land next door to him?

No, that one of his supporters, for whom he would later make legistlative moves that would greatly benefit and offer defense when their criminal connections came out, handed him an expensive piece of property.

And there are black people at his church?
No, that he attends a church that views blacks as better than whites and that uses 'middle class' as a slur.

As a less than one term senator who got his seat because a beloved congressman retired and a sex scandal emerged surrounding his successor, and a state legislator who voted 'present' rather than 'yea' or 'nay' on virtually every bill of any controversy, he doesn't have the substance nor the experience to lead the country. He may fool primary voters and be able to skate the issues with a nifty slogan, but with 6 months of general election campaigning, he won't be able to hide behind optimism forever.

HH, Fort Worth, TX, USA

This article has a good point about Obama. His background suggests he is highly intelligent and should have well formulated ideas about how to deal with problems the country faces. However, those speeches of his I have heard are incredibly vacuous, non-specific, and devoid of ideas defining what he would do if in office. I am beginning to worry that either he has no such clear ideas or he realizes the plans he has are so unacceptable to most of us that he is keeping them under wraps until he gets into office.

groweg, Grand Rapids, MI

Will Hillary put on her tears for Osama Bin Laden?? Or simply ignor the threat, like Bill did as our Forigen Embacys were blown up 1 by 1, the bombing of the USS Cole and lets not forget the first bombing of the World Trade Center. What the Hill-Ary Thinking. Clinton is not change. Obama you GO!!!! 2008 .

Patrick Ferrll, Westminster, CA

In the political arena, Ms. Clinton evokes a propensity for equivocation while Mr. Obama relies on veneered rhetoric. Their respective tendencies area illustrative of governance in America. Support is built through pandering and assailing, while the needs of the mases are forgotten, lost somewhere in the battle. In all likelihood neither candidate will be the savior of Capital Hill.

jon, Champaign, U.S.A.

Barack seems a lot less tainted and cynical by his shorter time in politics, that's actually a strength, not a weakness. He will be able to make better decisions because of this.

Justin, Nr Lincoln, UK

So the worst thing they can say about him is that one of his supporters owns the plot of land next door to him? And there are black people at his church?

Elmore Peters, cambridge,

It is time for unification not division for the United States and Obama is ready to give us this. America has lost its most credibility in the outside world. Let nobody try fool you there. Time has come for change, we are tired hearing the same old 35 years experience that Clinton is claiming. Doing the same wrong things over and over. 35 years experience doing what???? Wake up America!! This is right time to take our country into the right direction. BARAK OBAMA is the best candidate.

Zemo, Charlestown, South Carolina

"Yes We Can" was also the slogan used by the California Angels baseball team and chanted routinely at the games by the fans as the team tried to win the championship in the 1979 season!

Yes, we can find race in anything but this political race is about character and leadership, and Obama is a person of character, a leader, and filled with a great vision of what we can do.

We can vote for the pessimists of the past, or the optimists of the future.

Isn't time to say Yes We Can instead of No We Can't?

Jonathan, San Clemente, California, USA

Barack Obama for President of the UNITED States of America.

PulSamsara, usa, usa

Ann I agree!

Alex, London, UK

Clinton has far, far more dirt than Obama. But she is willing to put down Obama by talking of Obama's comparatively less dirt. She had Whitewater, she had Bill's affairs (which must be associated with her if Obama's pastor is associated with him), many corporate lobbyists including the indicted Hsu etc..

Harrison, Boston, U.S.

Thats funny! There is no one I'd rather see win the Presidency in 2008 than Hillary Clinton. I trust her to restore America to a Country we can be proud of and the rest of the world will welcome as a friend.

Jason, Sausalito, CA

Ditto that. I am a democrat and if hillay get the nomination, I will vote for a republican.

But, I will also campain for BArack to change to independant if he losses to hillary and VOTE for him as an independent.

GO OBAMA' 08!!!

Daniel Amde, DESMOINES, IOWA

I think the amount of clout we give to a bunch of farmers in Iowa is ridiculous. A caucus is not even a real election. After watching the media bury Clinton all day and then win in New Hampshire I had a good laugh. Why should an election be over after two states the size of a real city have voted? I think every state should have a primary on the same day and calling a winner on TV after 7% of the voting has been counted should be banned.

Greg, Los Angeles, CA

"Swiftboating" has become a metaphor for attacking a candidate's strengths head-on, instead of their weaknesses. In Obama's case, it means calling into question his multilayered racial and religious background and his reputation for scrupulous integrity. The smear that Obama is secretly a Muslim, or too close for comfort to that religion, has already taken hold among some voters"

When a person can have his character questioned by the mere mention of Muslim or Islam in too close proximity to a person's name (or hint of name) then we are close to a time when Muslims or those seen to be sympathisers will be allowed persecution. That time is as bad as the Nazis persecution of Jews, Romanies, homosexuals and other dissenters and non-desirables. For me, the moral character of the implicator is more questionable.

There are other reasons that may suggest Obama should not be president of a democratic nation. "Muslim" should not be one of them.

BTW, I'm not Muslim nor any other faith.

Lee, Spilsby, England

I was once an avid fan and supporter of the Clintons. But because of their negative attitudes and campaigning against Obama, I am repulsed by them. I feel as though I am about to vomit at the mention of the name, "Clinton".

Jerry Mikel, Claxton, Ga.

why must usa politics be so negative?

dr. mike heit, buffalo ny,

I think I would vote republican before I would vote for that slime, Hillary. She is hated by people on both sides and the republicans will come out in droves to vote against her. At the caucus, a lot of people said they would sit out the election if she made it, and if mccain made it, they'd vote for him before they'd vote for her. And I see their point. I'd be hard pressed to vote for such an unethical woman.

Ann, Dubuque, IA

my question is, which Hillary will show up during wartime? She appears confused or at the least indicisive

flyhoneybee, oak park, mi