"Why is that Faizel? Nothing to do with the fact that he is afro-american I am sure...."

Well, actually James, his Father was from Kenya and his mother from Kansas. He was born in Hawaii and grew up in Indonesia too. As if any of that really matters... I guess you're just suggesting that Faizel likes him because he is of mixed race. A bit presumptious, no? Faizel may be an old school white South African...

Rick, Dubai, UAE

It's hard for anyone to slow a bandwagon with punches... a moving (albeit slow) target!

James Stevens, St Paul, US

In response to A. Hawthorne Ottawa:
Do you not understand that women in this country don't want Hillary Clinton to represent them--a woman who stayed with a man, perhaps even for political reasons, who embarrassed her and himself in front of the world, who calls on a man to save her when the going gets tough, a woman who changes her position and her personality according to what she thinks we want to hear? Is that truly the hallmark of a strong woman that we want to represent us? I'll wait for the next female candidate for president, thank you very much. She'd set us back a hundred years!

Karen, Indianapolis , IN

Hillary Clinton clearly won the debate. She will win in Ohio, Texas, and Rhode Island. She is the only one who is qualified to be president. Obama can't even find time to meet his Senate committee on Afghanistan while our troops are dying over there. He is not fit to be president. Go Hillary 2008! There is no substance to Obama and his radical connections are scary.

Marie, Cincinnati, OH

Why is that Faizel? Nothing to do with the fact that he is afro-american I am sure....

James, London, UK

I want to thank Senator Clinton for a well fought campaign and ask her to step aside for the good of the Democratic Party. It seems clear to everyone but the Senator that her firewall states will not provide the margin of victory that she previously hoped for and therefore her chance to receive the nomination by conventional means has evaporated. The only remaining way she can possibly secure her party's nomination is by the seating of illegitimate Michigan and Florida delegates or by party super-delegates overturning the will of the primary voters. These strategies will effectively divide the party for several election cycles and alienate the young and minority voters who have finally taken action and appeared at the polls after years of supporting the party in spirit only.
Senator Clinton still has a leading role to play in Democratic politics as she returns to the Senate to lead the party in crafting the sort of legislation necessary to enact the reforms she has advocated.

Andrew Benjamin, San Diego, U.S.A. /CA

Clinton is suffering from a delusional view of a special entitlement to be president. She makes it sound like she is the only one who can deliver this country from certain perdition that it will be plunged into.It’s a hard sell for Hillary to say that she is the only one capable of leading this country in a war when she helped in leading the country into that war.
It seems that whereever she goes and actively campaign,she hemorrhages votes.... Just by looking at the style, successes and dynamism of the campaigns, i conclude that HRc has been completely blown out of the water, which questions her 'experience' claim. If she was so good, she would be ahead by now and would have spotted the many amateurish mistakes her campaign have committed.
Good luck and enjoy a long career in the senate, cos she will not even be on the list of vice president.

Tsatsu, geneva,

I think the US public is bored with these Democratic debates. They truly serve no purpose other than to appease Mrs Clinton. The longer the two of the stay in the race, the stronger the Republican Mr McCain will become. I must impress that it's in the US's interest and the world's interest to have a Democrat as the President, whover between the two candidates. The world is looking for leadership. At the moment the Bush Administration has failed to lead the world, other than to create tensions. When America is liked by the world, threats of terrorism will reduce 10 fold across the world because the new policies will have the buy-in of the rest of the world. That is what Americans need to think about, a safer world leades to safer options in trading, and more cash flow within the US, which affects the world markets positively, and creates higher living standards across; and the evil killers who bomb embassies and trading markets across the world are exposed because they can't hide.

Sipho, Johannesburg, South Africa

Right on the money Tom, couldn't have put it better.

AT, Sydney, Australia

I support Obama!

Conan, shenyang, China

Let democracy win. And it's time the USA played a less cynical role in world affairs. The Iraq war has been a crippling interlude, now for the rebuilding!

Chester, Clonway, Ohio

Mrs. Clinton has run a bumpy campaign that gained nothing from last night's debate. I think she would make a fine president but she would be bombarded with all of the baggage from the past, including her husband's miscues. The Bill Clinton administration was constantly having to explain itself and usually caused more problems while doing so. Unfortunately, little in the campaign of Hillary Clinton has shown any ability to do a better job. Mr. Obama appears to have much of the Reagan teflon on him. That may not prove that he will be a great leader but it certainly does portend the potential to get things done. The effectiveness of his campaign may display a great ability to gather around him efficacious people who will run a quality administration.

Tom, MADISON , USA/CT

I carefully watched the debate and it was clear to me that the candidate that I have chosen has fought a sucessful campaign with dignity and a lot of wit. He respect his rivals even though he does not agree with them in a lot of issues. He proposes change from the situation we are now: war, our unpopularity in the world, recession,etc. I trust he can deliver! Obama08!

AC, seattle, usa

Hillary did marvellously well, especially considering that throughout the debate she was asked each question first,, with Obama nodding in agreement before he was then given 30% more time than she had. If this lop-sided debate doesn't make American women see that if they do not stand up now they will be walked on, one wonders what will.

A. Hawthorne, Ottawa,

Firstly, congratulations to Obama, who I thought held his position well in the face of a clawing Clinton.

Secondly, I am concerned with the amount of debate from locations within the UK about this traditional dress fiasco. Since when did religion (or accused) religion become a factor to take seriously in a political debate? I understand that in the States this is unfortunately an issue, but let us please take the high ground here.

I sincerely doubt that Barack, or many of these politicians, see religion as anything but a passport required to remain in American politics.

Mat, Berlin,

Simon of York, learn to spell (it's 'heel') before you start trotting out tired old misogynist cliches about 'a woman' and humour (it may have escaped your notice but we are not some homogenous mass with identical habits) and capitalising 'MRS' just to make sure we get it that she's just an adjunct of a man.

I don't even support Clinton but this kind of infantile remark emphasises just how scared some men are of the idea of a woman getting even a sniff of real power...

Mary, UK,

I am on holiday in Arizona and watched the whole debate on TV last night. In my opinion Obama won the debate hands-down. When asked a question about what would she do if, having withdrawn from Iraq, Al Quaeda again became a threat, Clinton floundered, muttering that this was a hypothetical question, whilst Obama was quick to state that he would re-enter the country, with or without the agreement of the Iranian government, in order to protect America's security. Clinton is a bully and has no class

Tony Pike, Betchworth, UK/Surrey

I saw some of the Clinton-Obama debate on MSNBC last night. I missed the first part of the debate, and I missed the part where Hillary had an issue of getting the first question all the time. When I turned on the tv, it was already the 2nd part of the debate. I also noticed that Hillary again took the 1st question. But I could understand her argument. We've all taken debate classes in college, and usually the opponent who answers second can better clarify their oponent's statements , usually to their own favor. During the debate, I have noticed that Hillary keepgs getting frustrated esp that this election hasn't really worked to her favor. As I said previously, I still like Hillary and whoever wins the nomination, I'm satisfied as they're both outstanding candidates.

Arlene, LA , CA

Like all politicians around the world they are big on words.
Something like the retailers with huge posters shouting 60% OFF. Sixty per cent off what ? Mr Obama is big on change. Change from what to what ? Well, er, just change, that's all. Everybbody wants a change, don't they ?

Phil de Buquet, Newport, England

Look, it is all over. Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee and, barring some major scandal, he will be elected in November as the 44th President of the United States. Enough people want "change" to support him to the end. These people have convinced themselves that a totally inexperienced person - with no experience as a mayor or governor, can run the United States in a time of growing economic crisis.

Unfortunately for Mr. Obama, he is essentially is competing to become the Herbert Hoover of the 21st Century. The fundementals of the American economy are atrocious and there will be little that Mr. Obama (or any other president for that matter), can do to stop a major dose of recession, inflation and unemployment. If he's lucky he will have about 18 months to repair the economy - assuming that he can hold the Democratic Party together and fend off the inevitable disappointment that millions of his supporters will have when they finally realize that he is no miracleworker ...

Andre, Machias, USA

I'm tired at old people calling all the shots. bring in the new blood.

Debbie, Los Angeles, US

J.. he is talking abt change by being ruled by wealthy. we dont need career politicians let alone families ruling a country Let alone the lobbyist. Change for the Foreign policy. Why is everyone scared of talking to the enemies. Bullets wont solve everything. People whether in the Middle East, America, Africa everyone is all the same. why wars by the wealthy? Thats the question we are all asking. The world should live in harmony and friendship btn all countries.

Does it matter whether Obama was in a Moslem outfit? thats rubbish it does not matter. If u discriminate some one coz he is a muslim then the Middle East or the Muslim countries should close the tap on Oil and u see what happens. All people are all the same irespective of religion. Look at what the so called Christians did. They brought slavery to the World. Though like everybody i condemn terrorism i dont think we ourselves are any good. America needs to loose that unnecessary ego esp. on foreign policy.

Thomas Ddumba, LIVERPOOL, UK

John, I don't think you are right. From a cnn article "The USA Today-Gallup poll asked Republicans which Democrat would McCain have a better chance of beating. The answer: Clinton 66 percent, Obama 18 percent."

The republicans are through in this election.

And "common sense" used in the context of the past 8 years is laughable.

Mark, NY,

Lets not be naive here Dominic, clearly a large number of the American public are prejudice towards the Muslim faith.
The Clinton campaign is aware of this and that is why these images are surfacing at this vital moment.

Also he doesn't seem to care as much as Clinton does regarding this words on her health care policy even though this image stunt is far more below the belt and a disgusting attempt to discredit a candidate for embracing culture!

Clinton is cluthing at straws and its not going to work!

Jason, London, UK

"Why does he care so much that people have seen this photo of him in African (Islamic) dress? He must have something to hide."

..because of knee-jerk reactions from people like yourself, Dominic?

Owen, London, UK

Well done Dominic for publicly showing your scant grasp of what's at stake here!!

Obama doesn't care about being shown in the garb but as an ex military sort that was on the trip said.........''it was a gift that one often get on trips abroad'' and he wore it to not be dismissive of his hosts.

What Hillary tried to sneakily suggests to people is that here is Obama (Osama)the muslim even though he isn't one!!

Lambert Ajasa, Luton, England

During the first part of the debate , it was actually painful to my ears to listen to the hectoring tone from Senator Clinton. She gets to scolding us when we don't follow her program. Not a pleasant prospect for the next four years.

Rick, Boston, USA

A magnificant leader? please . . .
Obama talks of CHANGE. What CHANGE is he talking about? As the Senator of Illinois he has done absolutely nothing for the people of that state. Most of his senate votes on important issues are logged as PRESENT. He doesn't have the courage or conviction to even vote YES or NO. Is that the kind of change we want for a leader? The liberal media in the US is afraid to question his campaign because they are afraid to be branded as racists and the young generation, like mindless zombies, brainwashed in the US educational system controlled by radical, left wing professors have fallen for Obama's message of CHANGE. CHANGE to what?

J., CLEVELAND, USA/OH

He doesn't care about being seen in his African dress. The media does

Dome, Bath,

Clearly Senator Clinton has stepped away from the delusional zone and is now deeply mired in the "Twilight Zone." Her irrational rants and lack of anger management during the debate demonstrated to all viewers that a person with such character cannot be allowed anywhere near the nuclear codes.

The lame attempt at a joke fell flat. Her attacks were meanspirited and inaccurate. Her demeanor did not rise to the level of a U.S. Senator. In other words, she is not a person I would want in any elected office. Not even municipal dog-catcher.

Perhaps her Chief Strategist, Mr. Mark Penn, can do something right for once, and politely inform Sen. Clinton that it is over and she should go home to sulk.

Cuban Pete, Washington, DC, U.S.A.

Obama was quiet and confident; Clinton was shrill, peevish and desperate. She had to land a decisive victory in this final debate before Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania but she couldn't lift her game out of the pettiness to which it has descended.
Her sly attack on Obama over anti-semitism and Louis Farrakhan truly stunk and she proved herself poorly equipped in english grammar in not knowing that Obama's word "denounce" had a stronger contextual meaning than "reject".

Good going by Tim Russert in this 20th debate to finally drag a mea culpa out of her for helping facilitate Bush and his illegal war. All in all a good night for Obama. Onwards and upwards!

Rob M., Mobile, Alabama

Issues in support of Obama:

Obama's ethnic background gives him more foreign policy credentials than Hillary could ever hope for.

Growing up in an ethnic home in the US, myself, I can tell you that you have a different worldview of understanding that you can't get through travel or by degree. That inborn knowledge can more easily take down barriers and create a mutuality of respect better than any knowledge or experience Hillary can claim to have.

In conversation, I have found that most Americans have no idea why we're hated by the rest of the world. Listening to Hillary, I believe she is one of them. Obama’s ethnic background gives him savvy to understand and face foreign policy challenges. With that, alone, he has an advantage to turn things around.

Why does personality matter??

Hillary, I'm sorry, but you have so many mood swings that you wear me out trying to keep up with them. As with any business, managers who create a stressful environment for their employees don't even have to step a foot in the door of the business for the attitude and stress to trickle down to the customers.

If you’re elected, we will metaphorically be the customers. I just could not look forward to all of the stress you cause everyone around you trickling down to stress the rest of us.

Karen, Indianapolis , IN

If Hillary Clinton cannot manage her own finances in her presidential campaign, how is she going to manage national finances of the country?
If Hillary Clinton (with her decades of 'experience')cannot tackle Obama, how is she going to tackle Ahmadinejad?
And, Hillary Clinton woefully displays her lack of intuition, common sense and ignorance of psychology when she attacks an idol of the American and international public as Obama is increasiisy and is irresistibly proving himself to be?
So, how does this ill-equipped woman (prone to tears) think she is going to fit into the chair and desk of the world's most powerful person?

San Ying, Montreal, Canada QC

Election! What election?"a minor software glitch at the Diebold corporation today caused thousend of elecrtronic voting machines to accidentally release the results of the 2008 presidental election months before schedule".Oh my dear leaders of "democratic and free world". who won?

marko, london, england

There is nothing wrong with Minister Farrakhan endorsing Obama. He does, after all, have a vote and leads a constituency of Muslims. Not all Muslims are bad people. Just as not all Christians are good people. But I sincerely believe that Barack Obama will unite us all, Christians and Muslims, and bring us a well desired change.

Abdul Hassan, London, UK

Clinton would do a nice vice president for all that and together they would make a formidable machine providing they stick to pledges on health care and not invading other countries by manipulating or ignoring the UN or both.

Nicholas Xenakis, Borough, Southark, London, England

John Tanner - four MORE years of common sense? It's been eight since the White House knew what common sense was!

And you people wonder why your country is running out of friends!

Hillary is obviously not up to the job, and to re-elect the Republicans after the farce of the last two terms is unspeakable. To me, that leaves only the one possible candidate. Bring on an Obama to draw the US out into the wider world in a respectable sense.

Mike Rogerson, Plymouth, UK,

The achillies heal of feminism, a woman's inability to understand the delivery of humour. Strange that it may be the downfall of a feminist, MRS Clinton.

Simon, York, England

The SNL satire shot from Hillary was about as lame well-delivered as the Xerox/plagairism charges she made during the last debate.

Obama has nothing to hide, and I'm sure he would normally have no objection to American voters seeing him dressed in local African garb over his polo shirt and khakis (which was presented to him during an official visit to Kenya).

But the photo surfaced on a right-wing newsite which said it received the picture from the Clinton campaign (a claim which was *not* rejected by the campaign in its two reactions to the controversy) .

And you have to rember the context: Sen. Obama is facing a virulent smear campaign claiming that he is a closet-Muslim (he is a Christian) and that he attended an Islamic fundamentalist school (it was a secular state school).

The idea, though, that Obama's negative reaction to this smear campaign suggests he has something to hide is ridiculous. What do you expect him to do? Applaud the lies?

Eric, New York, New York

ah, dominic, the tiger that is the answer is caged in the question. you note that he is wearing islamic dress, whereas he is merely wearing regional dress. he cares because people will link him to islam and therefore to the evils of extremism. he cares because, to put it bluntly, people are stupid.

jem, london, uk

Dominic from teddington. Grow up. A turban is not unique to Islam as a form of clothing. In most Saharan and sub-Saharan countries turbans have been worn since the beginning of time since they offer the best defence against sand and dust and heat. Obama's mob are angry at the usage of this particular picture because there has been a negative whispering campaign throughout the primaries that Obama is a muslim who is going to destroy America and all it holds dear. This picture was taken during a visit to his grandparents village in kenya and all he was doing was showing respect to local culture by adopting their dress (something I have done whilst travelling in these parts of the world). It's a shame that because a man has a funny (to us) sounding name and slightly different colour skin, these baseless allegations can be used against him by those with nothing better to offer. I'm no rabid Obama supporter by the way. inexperience could be a problem. But at least he's a breath of fresh air

Ben, Manchester,

Whoever comes first—after the anti democratic primary system the Democrat Party uses to elect its candidate, id est, super delegates— will be very easily defeated by John McCain, thank the Universe, four more years of common sense at the White House!

John Tanner, HALIFAX, VA, US

Dominic, what he has to hide is inside that dress and nothing more. Obama is a shining star and legend. Nonetheless, his uneasiness will start when he becomes president. He wil do a lot not to disappoint his supporters.

Paul OHIA, Lagos, Nigeria

Why does he care so much that people have seen this photo of him in African (Islamic) dress? He must have something to hide.

dominic, Teddington, London,

No third term. The Clintons screwed up enough already and let in Bush.

Phil, Hong Kong,

Clinton is losing her self-confidence. Her aggression is not welcomed by the public. Honestly, i think that she has lost the plot all together. She has no class

Obama is the man for the job, we all know it that but scared to admit that the US will have a chance at finally having a magnificant leader whos could possibly change the world as we see it today, esp fix the ruins left by Bush!!

Faizel, Johannesburg, South Africa