I expect super delegates to make independent, informed decisions. Their votes should not be based on media bias, charisma, race or gender . This is a history making primary with many people casting votes on the basis of race and gender rather than issues. Super delegates are expected to balance the scales not tilt them in the same direction as a biased electorate. Those super delegates who have been coerced by Barack Obama to change their alliances have done a great disservice to the position with which they were entrusted and Obama's desire to emulate the threatening manner of his idol, Malcolm X, should give everyone reason to question the man behind the mask.

J.E.M., Bakersfield, Ca

American people are not too smart. They generally follow the lead of the media. Very few take the time to think for themselves.... they seldom research issues... often vote by instinct... or based on looks or personality... sort of like in high school when cheerleaders are voted on.... People in this country are easily persuaded by a slick talker.

People are afraid of women in power (men and women alike). They use many arguments to keep them out of power. I worry about America with so many uneducated, or barely educated people making decisions based soley on what someone tells them to do. It is just the opposite of what was meant to be. Voting, should be based on your own research; people take the easy way out and succumb to propaganda.... They are so easily swayed.... It is scary really... But then again... our electoral system is set up so that anything could happen..... votes don't really count the way they should.... and most people do not understand any of it. Oh well.......

Jan, Austin,

People, cool it.

Barack Obama would make an excellent Democratic nominee for the Presidency. So would Hillary Clinton. I happen to believe (largely on the basis of her foreign policy platform) that Clinton would make the better President. But I am certainly not going to cry too much if Obama becomes the next PResident of the US, either. They are both much better than McCain, after all.

To those who attack Clinton:
Have you actually listened to any of her speeches before condemning her as "divisive" or "mean-spirited"? I thought not. I have. Wikipedia provides links, under the article Democrat Nomination Contest 2008", to several CNN debate transcripts and videos.

To those who attack Obama:
Hope is better than none. It may not be as good as sound, logical policy, but it's a better place to start than fear.

MJ, Perth, Western Australia., Australia.

On dealing with this momentum Obama has developed. I'm sure that all of the best political analysts are at work here, but I thought I would toss in my two cents, for what it is worth. There has to be a way to overshadow the idea that the outsider equals change, which has pushed Obama’s campaign forward. I noticed the media noted Hilary stating, "talk is cheap," which is an obvious blow at the ideology.
Too bad that the Obama campaign has had the liberty to bring racism into the equation and benefit from it. While the Clinton campaign, on the other hand, would be damaged by such an approach. What to do? I have been thinking that stepping up propaganda emphasizing the fact that the first women to be a presidential candidate is more of a milestone than an African American doing so, for a host of reasons. For one, the women's rights movement is more recent than the civil right movement. Further, women get paid less than their male counterparts (white or black), among other thing

Sean, Slidell, LA

Egu, London you seem confused. You bemoan the emphasis on race & gender in the election, complain that "sexism is center stage", then you urge women to vote based solely on the candidate's gender.

Steve, Reading, Massachusetts, USA

May I laugh? Do I have to write it in spanish? Your team Senator Obama is blogging in every blog around the Country pretending to be latinos to mislead real latinos about Senator Clinton's contributions in her position. How do I know? I challenged mny of them to write in half an hour the same bolg but in spanish...and none of them could. They have attacked her rom evey angle of her personal lie: as a woman, mother, wife, etc.etc.etc. And your team says what?
B.T.W. why is people critizicing Chesea's work for her mother when Senators Obama website opening screen is a picture of him and his family and Mrs Obama does not save words everytime she has the opportunity to talk?.
Tx for your time.

Marlene , Texas,

America needs to wake up! Obama is making promises for change he will never be able to deliver. The man lacks experience and expertise, and I would not place the country in his hands. Wake up people the Emperor has no clothes!

Paul, New York, NY

Lot's of women don't like Hillary and Obama is picking up those and also the youth because many Americans have lost hope for their country. Hillary most realize is already committed to the "status quo" that is thte super rich, the large corporations and the
Jewish lobby. Sad but true

Chuck, Omaha, Nebraska

The candidate who can speak Mandarin fluently would be best placed to tackle change.

Martin Pilcher, Herts, UK

I have watched the US election with some what of an astonishment. The great great democratic election process has now been reduced to an election based on race and sex. Or how else can you describe that blacks in the us are being made to feel like traitors if they support Clinton, and Obama is only picking up white male votes because they dont want a woman to lead them.

Its the democrats that will lose in the end, because even though they may win the white house, they would have lost the cohesion the party electoral process usually fosters.

And when would the women folk realise that they may never get the chance to lead America again if they allow Obama to trump Clinton? Obama can win in 8years but Clinton wont be there by then. Its your choice Ladies of America, you can stand up for the right of a woman to lead a country where sexism is center stage or allow your selves to be rail roaded by the social engineering process of "change" that Obama is.

You choose!

Egu, London,

Jason, the point is that two large states have no say.

Chris, Brussels, Belgium

I think alot of you are discussing race and gender but not really talking about politics.
Does any Obama supporter here know one single law or tax he would immediately introduce or abolish.
I have many Obama supporters amoung my friends but they cant answer my question either.

Thanks!

Flumber, Aachen, Germany

"neither one will win I'm afraid to say because when the voters get into that voting box they will end upvoting for John McCain -- the American people are not ready for either a woman or a mixed race President -" ~Chips in France


You will eat your words Nov 5...the day after Election Day (hopefully all the ballots will have been counted).

You are absolutely wrong on this. Democrats are drawing HUGE crowds to the primaries, (who votes in the primaries!?) The republicans are split and disorganized.

A Dem will be in the White House in January and not a day sooner. I can't wait, it will be like the sun coming up for the first time in 8 years.

Beve, Oakland, California

I'm British and live in Australia and I'm hooked to this race like all the other people commenting here.

Depressingly, I think I might agree with Chips when he says that the Americans aren't ready for a woman or black President. I think when it comes down to it, they won't be able to vote one of them in. What a shame...because both are good, although I think Obama could be the one.

All this bluster about Barack being unproven etc. - I don't buy it. He has already brought change and more will come if he gets in. Bush is just a mouthpiece for his political party...Presidents have that support. Barack will have it too...hopefully though he will use it more effectively than Bush has!

AT, Sydney, Australia

This years US election I'm so hooked. Whoever wins in the Democratic party, I'll be happy. They're both suberb candidates! Either one, I believe will beat John Mccain especially with an Obama-Clinton, Clinton-Obama ticket. Obama has really encouraged so many people to vote and a record Democratic turnout that it hasn't seen for years!
Chips Westwood, Sarlat La Caneda, France-I wouldn't count out having a first woman or first mixed president in the US. If you haven't noticed already , the traditionally non-diverse states are voting for Obama including Kansas, North Dakota, Idaho, Utah. And he's winning in a landslide against HIllary Clinton. Maybe other European countries think it's unheard of having a 'colored' leader, but it's not impossible in the US!

Arlene, LA, CA/USA

As a New Zealander, I am hooked on the US campaign especially the Democratic contest. For those Americans deciding who to vote for and who believe in your oft-stated comment that America is "the finest country in the world", now is your opportunity to elect someone to the Presidency who will back that statement up. George Bush is an embarrassment to you and if you are going to repair the damage to your reputation elect Barak Obama. The man has a gift.

Heather, Wellington, New Zealand

Are people prepared to choose deceit and the lust for power over the possibility of hope and unity? The Clintons history reminds me of the words once muttered by a third world politician when he arrogantly stated that "politics has its own morality"
He now has a case before the courts for failing to declare a bank account in another country.
Need I say more?

Lisa, San Fernando, Trinidad

Mark in Chicago, it is easy to find out where he stands. All his policies are on his website, barackobama.com. Ontheissues.org is another excellent source for information. If those don't satisfy you, then listen to him speak and you will know where he stands. He doesn't outline every single minute detail because those minute details will never happen. Hillary Clinton probably laid out her campaign strategy, but that didn't include the possibility of not wrapping it up on Super Tuesday. Flexibility is a strength, not a weakness. Her plans are not good.

About change, I believe he has already brought about change. He has already changed how a candidate in an election can interact with the electorate. He is running an amazingly well organized and active grassroots campaign that welcomes the involvement of all Americans.

Tom in New York, my husband and I are barely making $60,000 combined and I am for Obama. His economic plans have received far higher ratings than hers.

HM, Chicago,

All this rhetoric about the Democratic contenders for the White House -- neither one will win I'm afraid to say because when the voters get into that voting box they will end upvoting for John McCain -- the American people are not ready for either a woman or a mixed race President -- all those people voting in the primaries, caucases, etc will probably stay at home in November.
Time for us in the UK to start worrying about our serious problems --- let's give the US race a break for now.

Chips Westwood, Sarlat La Caneda, France

The Democratic National Committee penalized Michigan and Florida for moving their primaries to earlier dates in violation of party rules. Both states were stripped of their delegates, and the party's presidential candidates signed a pledge not to campaign in either state. Florida lost all 210 delegates, including its superdelegates; Michigan, 156. Candidates did , in fact, not campaign in the states and Clinton was the only candidate on the ballot in Michigan. How fair is that?

Tom Grayson, Carson City, Nevada, USA

Chris,
Obviously you have NOT been following the election closely. Clinton and Obama pledged to not campaign in Michigan or Florida because of the Democratic National Party's request, in order to punish the states for moving up their primaries without approval.

Clinton broke that promise. Obama's name was not even on the ballot in Michigan. He never campaigned in EITHER state. Clinton broke her pledge because she saw she was getting some real competition. When a candidate can't even keep a pledge to their own party I doubt they will keep their promises to the American People.

If FL and Michigan voters want to be heard then a state caucus should be held. I no way, shape, or form should the results of the primaries in those states count.

Jason, Nashville,, TN

Hillary Clinton "excels" at debates because she's super-intelligent and has made it her life's work to know the political facts. Obama shouldn't have the right to duck out of these confrontations, indeed, if there's any real substance about the man he shouldn't want to.

Annie Roberts, Essex, UK

It's quite sad this long drawn out 'democratic' process as it seems that the so-called super-delegates will decide the Democrat Party nomination. They sound like a bunch of anonymous Eurocrats and hold all the cards.

Clinton is a formidable machine in that party.

If, as indeed pundits suggest, that no outright winner emerges by elected delegates then it's going to be decided behind closed doors in the dreaded corridors of power!

Who holds sway in Washington and amongst the party? Whoever it is will win the nomination.

Mark Durham, London, UK

Let me try to assist some of our European cousins with some of their questions:

The Democrats message is not so much about change as is about change. If one has no audacity to change then there can be no change. Hope in the face of audacity is the catalyst for change unless one has no hope and merely relies on the status quo which no one can change without hope. What Americans want is change, hope, and the belief that audacity will produce both.

All of that bluster and a nickel won’t even get you on the bus in the USA, but that pretty much sums up the American Democratic Party at this point in history. Any questions?

David F. Ruppert, Arlington, Virginia, USA

It is a little like H.C.Andersen and “the Story of the Emperor”. Suddenly exposed and seen clearly and found wanting. It is hard to not enjoy the fall of the queen bee and the ex president. After using their arsenal of dirty tricks on republicans for many years,getting a free pass from the liberal media, now the couple are exposed for what they are when using the same on Obama and fellow democrats. Mr. Clinton loudly complaining of the free pass the media is giving Obama, a privilege that used to belong to the royal Clintons alone. It must be karma…:)

Andy, San Fransisco, California

What about MIchigan and Florida which she won, but which have been disqualified from sending voting delegates. Clinton would be in the lead if this decision were to be reversed. Obama does not yet have a true mandate.

Chris, Brussels, Belgium

Cat, darling... not only it sounds like it but it is a treat and it is from the people of this country. What makes Hillary any different than Bush, should she steel the election through negotiation as opposed to listening to what people are saying? She is a poor human being and I feel sorry for her. If it weren't for her husband's name and connections, she could not have gotten even as far as she did. I am an Obama supporter and I don't care for his fancy speeches. What I care about is his plans and solutions and his honesty. Anyone who wants to know what he is going to change can go to his page and read. What is so hard about it people? And if you fail to get it even after that, than I feel sorry for you too. Take care you guys.

Maurine, Upper Falls, Nedham,

what in the world makes people who make under 60,00 think that Hilliary is going to help them and that she knows their pain....she has lived a priviledged life and never really had to go without...after all she lives in a $10,000 a month mansion which she charges her secret service men to pay...Hilliary is in this only for the power..limelight..she has made nothing but bad choices...don't forget N.A.F.T.A. which she supported with her hubby.

elaine, san jose ca, santa clara co calif

I support Senator Clinton as I believe we should choose our leaders based on a clear understanding of what they stand for and what they are promising to deliver. I honestly don't know what Senator Obama's positions are. However, I do not believe that the superdelegates should be used to thwart the will of the electorate. In the same vein, primaries should now be held in MI and FL, so those Democratic voters have a voice.

Mark, Chicago, USA / IL

If the trend continues some cheeky analyst will quip that the Americans were repulsed by the prospect of turning The White House into Bush - Clinton - Clinton- Bush - Bush-Clinton: (Attorneys For War -Founded 1988)

Charlie, HULL, UK

Whoever wins, Obama Clinton or McCain, must.....in my opinion.....look into closing down the private Federal Reserve bank, as THE remedy to restoring a booming economy. 5 Presidents, including Lincoln and Jackson, have used this remedy with absolute success each time to stop a Depression, pay off the national debt within 2 or 2 years, and in some instances to do away with income tax entirely! This is accomplished by taking away the power to create and distribute our currency, and to set interest rates from the Private Bankers, and giving it back to the Nation so that the Secretary of the Treasury bears this responsibility. This allows the majority of wealth created in America to flow downwards to the general population and stabilize the economy for generations. If none of the candidates will use this remedy, nothing will change.

victor compton, Cherbourg, France

"America wants change" - could someone please tell me what Obama is going to change and how he intends to do it?

What does he stand for?

leila, manchester, uk

the Obama campaign " warned the democratic party establishment not to defy the will of the voters by negotiating a victory for Mrs Clinton in the coming weeks".. This sounds like a threat. If the process accords Senator Clinton additional delegates and superdelegates are convinced she is the "best candidate" as the Obama campaigner manager has implied the superdelegates should do, then who is Obama that he should issue threats through his campaign staff.

Cat, Higganum, Ct.

politics,politics,politics....
Hillary go chill up we need a new FRESH breed,she is just media " GREEDY " what can she do? by voting for iraq war common buddies shent ,OBAMA is the answer.

George Bush
White House

george bush, washigton, usa

to sheep, sheep may appear different.....perhaps that intelligent group known as america can determine the differences between the candidates, whether they be republicans or democrats.....but at present this soap opera of a race for the white house esposes a considerable amount of rhetoric, even from the golden boy Mr Obama.....how many times can these candidates say 'change' without giving specifics? how many times can they talk without saying anything? (sorry, yes I know thats what politicians are born to do)

it matters not who is elected as the next president because as was discovered a while back, it is very hard to turn a steamliner away from an iceberg

Josh, Seoul, Korea

Tom of New York:

This is what I say to voters who make less than $60,000 - if you vote for Hiliary, you are voting for a depression.

Her lack of economic knowledge is astounding - she intends to enforce credit controls for FIVE YEARS. Say goodbye to job creation and economic growth. Say goodbye to new factories and investment in capital goods.

She would turn a 1 year recession into a 5 year depression.

Yes, people will feel pain - that happens in every economic correction. That is the price of capitalism. Those who took on excessive risk will have their investments liquidated by the market - but that is a FAR BETTER option than having the entire economy collapse as government intervention attempts to stop the unstoppable.

Perhaps those voting who earn more than $60k understand that Obama is the better choice.

Phil

PS Hilary voted for the war. Obama did not. Your argument that Obama is to blame for the death of our service men and women is ignorant.

Phil, Reidsville, NC

This is it.there's no turnning back.Obama is simply, "great".He reminds me of the great American leaders.If Americans want a positive change.Obama alone can make that happen.I think Mrs Clinton should follow John Kerry.If we were looking at the past,i would say,Hillary is the one.But,we look into the future,Obama is the one to take USA into a promising future.This is very obvious.

Jude ade, london, UK

Tom you are wrong on two points. First, that Hillary could Recue the impoverished from their unlivable $50,000 annual salarys, America is a society of haves, such as Hillary, who can throw an extra 5 million into the 'help hilliary become president' fund when no one else feels like donating (maybe their just THAT poor!) and havenots like the people Obama was helping as a charity worker while Hillary was working as a lawyer for wall-mart.
Hillary cannot and probably doesn't want to help the impoverished in America, the reason people making nothing vote for Hillary is because their poorly educated enough to think she would make a good leader.
Your second mistake is a general misconception, Marie Antoinette did not say 'let them eat cake', as we disscover from Jaques Rosseau in 'confessions', these words were spoken a decade before Antoinette was born by "a great princess, who, when she was told the peolple had no bread, replied, 'Let them eat cake!"
Propagandists hung it on marie.

Gerard, Belfast, happy land

Poor Tom,

8 years of Bush (Republican) hating and now you're going to have 8 more complaining about Barak (Democrat).

You must hate your existence at the moment.

Maybe Bill can set you up with an intern...

Billy, seattle, Wa.

Nice try, Tom. It's no use defending Hillary. She's of the past and out of touch with voters. Let the Clinton dynasty come to an end so that true democracy can once again prevail. It is also high time that a black candidate of such high calibre occupies an office formerly reserved for whites only. DJ

Delmore Jones, oxford , uk

Having two Bushes has not been a great success. Maybe the thought of having two Clintons is now viewed to be equally a shambles.
Obama could be a breath of fresh air. What it is to dream. Here in U.K. many dreamt when Blair took power. Little to smile at other than the mess he left behind.

Bainbrigge, Exeter, United Kingdom

It is 'fewer' elected delegates, not 'less'. The Times book of Style will confirm!

John Howells, Belgrade, Serbia

How Clinton can win against Mc Cain when Obama is whipping her? She said she can take a heat. She is melting already and this is a party primary. Obama withstood and wrestled both Bill and Hillary together. Bill Clinton 1992 campaign manager endorsed Obama. Obama offers plenty of substance. He answers the questions and he have detailed agenda on the website. And Hillary? Planting questions in Iowa :))) And who do most people support? Why Obama is so strong on the ground? Why the donations from folks keep coming? Why Hillary had to lend 5 million to her campaign? Why republicans and independents are supporting him? Maybe people want to be united again? Feel free to form your conclusions.


Obama 08.

P.S Obama friends in UK pm me, opponents your are welcome too :D

Alex

admin@gxen.com

Alex, London, London

Tom.....have another beer.

paul, prince george,

Obama wins white voters in every income bracket above $60,000 and loses in every income bracket below $60,000. You know why? Because people who make over $60,000 a year don't have to worry about bread and butter issues like:
can I pay the mortgage? Am I going to have to use ketchup instead of spaghetti sauce for my kids dinner tonight? How am I going to pay for gas to get to work and also pay the heating bill? The white voters who make over $60,000
per year want the nice emotional "pat on the back" and “good feeling” they get from voting for Barack Obama. They talk about "change" and a "inspiration" when the children of people who maker under $60,000 per year are dying in Iraq (75% of casualties in Iraq are from white families and they aren't the Rockefellers or Kennedy kids). But, what do the rich white Marie Antoinette Democrats in America say to poor Americans as they project all their fantasies onto the blank canvas that is Barack Obama: "Let Them Eat Cake".

Tom, New York, USA

It doesn't matter who gets in because when they're in they all start lying, that's if they haven't already.

chris houghton, Macclesfield, Cheshire