One of my alltime favorite political quotations was from Shimon Peres after losing a general election that he was forecast to win. He said something to the effect that only in Isreal do people tell the truth to the pollsters and then lie in the polling booth. Should Obama win the nomination I believe you will see the same thing in the US.

Chris, Boca Raton, a,USA

I am so happy that Europeans (and other non-American citizens) cannot vote in the US elections. Obama is an empty suit with so little experience in governing and grasp of policy that it is laughable to think he is qualified to lead the U.S.. He may fool the Aussies/Canadians/Brits but Americans will see through his act. He was exposed badly as a neophyte during the debate. The Democrats have a knack for consistently choosing unelectable candidates (Mondale/Dukakis/Gore/Kerry), and they will do so again this year. They must enjoy losing. Most Americans laugh at them (and at the Europeans who claim to know anything about US politics).

rob, brussels,

Obama, Clinton. McCain, whoever gets to be the next President is unlikely to change those who hold real power, the CIA, FBI,Military, and those who feed off these great institutions. America & the west are not fighing the ideology of an arab seen to ride a donkey, bin laden is a myth, terrorism is a similar myth replacing the communist threat. The real risk placed before us are those who find the injustices created by the west intollerable to bear, extreme creates extreme, every action stimulates an opposite reaction. individuals - like those who bombed the underground - were retaliating against the slaughter of innocents in Iraq and Palestine. allowing these states self determination, to dictate there own destiny, remove the military intimidation displayed by the americans and israel. offer these states justice remove the shackles of oppression and allow normality the chance to breathe

mike, bolton,

It is unfortunate that in these debates ther is damn little debating of the important issues affecting America and the world. I don't care who wears a flag pin. I do care about the war, the economy and America's relations with the rest of the world.

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

Statement from Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago: "There are a lot of reasons that Americans are angry about Washington politics. And one more example is the way Senator Obama’s opponents are playing guilt-by-association, tarring him because he happens to know Bill Ayers.

I also know Bill Ayers. He worked with me in shaping our now nationally-renowned school reform program. He is a nationally-recognized distinguished professor of education at the University of Illinois/Chicago and a valued member of the Chicago community.

I don’t condone what he did 40 years ago but I remember that period well. It was a difficult time, but those days are long over. I believe we have too many challenges in Chicago and our country to keep re-fighting 40 year old battles."

Well said!

Martin , Chicago, illinois, USA

Mark from USA - do your country a favour and keep quiet! You are making it very easy to promote the stereotype of the 'ignorant American', something which is unhelpful and of course I don't agree with, don't get me wrong. Just to educate you, Britain has in fact had decades of bombings and threats from terrorists - Canary Wharf, IRA, London car bombings... And yet we managed to understand this WITHOUT wearing a badge, somehow...

Mary, Bristol,

Barack Obama is a wonderfully charming speaker of hope and change, and an ingratiating symbol of racial harmony. But to believe he will fundamentally change politics is to assume he can change human nature.

robert, West Hollywood, California

We can not afford to screw up this election. Obama is our best choice for a renewed America that can hopefully gain back some of the international respect we have lost over the past 8 years. Personally I couldn't give a toss if he wears a flag on his lapel or not. Wearing a badge says no more about his patriotism than not wearing one. It is all just window-dressing.

Deb, Ithaca, New York

"in defiance to those who would strike mass casualty attacks on our nation and to those who would do harm against our nation. It is likely that you will understand this yourselves, someday, I am sorry to say".

Is this commenter suggesting that people in the UK do not know what it is like for us to suffer mass casualty attacks against our country (IRA? 7/7?) or for others to want to harm our nation (too many to mention).

The US are far from the only ones under attack.

Emma, London, United Kingdom

Mark, you say that we'll understand someday and you're sorry to say that. intimating that someday, the UK will come under attack from terrorists.

You don't seem to be aware of the fact that the UK has been attacked by Terrorists for decades. Irish terrorists continually attacked the UK for years before the Good Friday agreement, many innocents were killed in those attacks. Al-Qaeda performed multiple attacks on the London Transport system on the 7th July 2005 were civilian casualties were numerous, admittedly not to the levels of the attacks on 9/11, but lets not try and get bogged down in "ours was different" arguments.

The UK is perfectly aware of what it is like to be attacked. We don't feel the need to cling to a badge to show that we're patriotic. I'd suggest that maybe Obama is aware of how ridiculous it is to suggest that not wearing the badge shows distinct unpatriotic tendencies and would gladly not do it to prove that point. Sadly, it seems you're too ignorant to realise.

Taff, Newport, South Wales.

What many Brits do not understand is that to the United States at war - the flag pin is not a "badge" - it is a symbol of solidarity with other Americans in defiance to those who would strike mass casualty attacks on our nation and to those who would do harm against our nation. It is likely that you will understand this yourselves, someday, I am sorry to say.

Mark, DC, USA

What scares me most about this debate, is that there is an issue over Obama not wearing a badge. A BADGE for crying out loud.

How does him not wearing a badge make him any less patriotic than somebody who does wear a badge? If that is what America has been reduced to when it decides who it will vote in as President, then it really is in trouble.

Taff, Newport, South Wales.

If Obama can change American politics away from the way politics is done today he will make the Americans respected again.
He has the lobby groups being against him. If ordinary Americans give him a chance for change and he changes politics what a winner, a political World champion!!

Peter, Southampton, Southampton,

"I just said some things that weren't in keeping with what I knew to be the case." oh, is that all?

she may not be dumb, but she's clearly hoping enough americans are.

jem, london, uk

Back in the early 90's, my boss (from Boston) told me Bill Clinton's nick-name was 'slick willie'. It seems that all the slickness has gone and his wife can now don the mantle of 'Sticky Wilhelmina". I always thought the Americans had a great idea about not letting anyone have more than two terms in office - now the Clintons are trying to wriggle round that one.
It is truly time that Obama woke-up America.

Jim Currie, Funchal, Portugal

Given that the USA is historically a racist and misogynistic society, all rationale points to McCain being their next president, unless we see a depression (which I don't think we will), in which case the winner will have the pleasure of presiding over one of the worst economic situations in American history. I'd expect the republicans to sit that one out.

Kevin Sweeney, Edinburgh, UK

I lived until last week in the USA, and everyday more I felt how Senator Obama is able to talk to the heart of the peopl.
Now, you can find in any candidate background something that may be questionable, but what I think the next President of the USA should deliver is a great strenght, determination, trust and hope. And in these issues Obama has something more than both Sen. Clinton and Sen. McCain.
I think that the USA and the entire World, which is anyway connected and affected by the American policy, are ready for a leadership as the one Obama can guarantee. And the time is now, not in the future. It is now that we have to change the vision and the way we think of our future.

Simone, Eastbourne, UK

To my mind, Mrs Clinton is scratching to the last straw. Mr Obama has got a great chance for the presidency as he is young and assertive besides he exercises a more internationally accepted rhetoric than his rivals. It's my personal view that the US citizens are not willing to see another power circle, in which power is handed back and forth between Bushs' and Clintons' families as it was the case during the last couple of years.

Ali Oskuie, Tehran, Iran

Alex, we have had Prime Minister's who gladly devolved sovereignty to organisations that had links to terrorists on both sides of the Irish troubles. We've had PMs who we celebrate who had links to Pinochet, Smith and many more unsavoury leaders. Previous American leaders have 'supported' Osama Bin Laden and still been praised for other governmental achievements. I think Obama's last words encapsulate the absurdity of your worry.

Edward, London,

all these debates do is remind us of how we are not covering issues, At the end of the day, obama will be in White House.

frank seidle, wilmington, north carolina

Having lived and worked in the USA for a couple of years, Obama's background especially with the fiery preacher Wright who has publicly insulted the USA, will not go well with the mass of voters. The average American is very patriotic and will reject anyone who is not.

I forecast McCain will be the next president.

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

All the Clinton and Obama bashing coming from a country that elected Tony Blair and ended up with Gordon Brown! As they say, Go Figure.

John, London, UK

P.S. Those who think there is no problem in Obama's relationship with this pastor - would you want a prime minister of the UK who had links to the IRA in the 70s?

Alex, London,

I agree whole heartedly with Jimmy C. I wish we had a politician like Senator Obama here in Australia instead of the sliced white bread leader we have now. Do not let him slip away as America's image abroad is in dire straights and I think Obama is the right person to restore the US to its rightful place as a respected world leader instead of being perceived as an international thug.

Fred Ferdelberger, Adelaide, Australia

Most of the questions were about the 'loose cannon' pastor, patriotism, etc. The US has lost 3 million manufacturing jobs since Bush took over, the dollar is reaching wallpaper status, the US infrastructure is deteriorating. All this was pretty much ignored by the interrogators.
The key to the election for the Democrats is whether Hillary will sulk off or whether she will enthusiastically support Obama. Her recent praise of McCain suggests she may be angling for a cabinet post in case he wins.

Rolf Westgard, St Paul, Minnesota

STEPHANOPOULOS: Can he win?

CLINTON: Yes, yes, YES WE CAN!!!

Obama 2008.

Derek W., Toronto,

The Democrates have blown their chance of getting into the White House. America will elect warmongerer McCain in November. Basically, Bush with a a few more brain cells.

Samuel, Glasgow,

""I just said some things that weren't in keeping with what I knew to be the case."

Hillary Clinton has lied and now she admits that she has lied. How can she stay in the running? How could anyone with any sense and self respect vote for a liar? What ever Obama may be he isn't a liar.

"I may be a lot of things but I'm not dumb,"

Sure you're not.

Saleem, London,

Barack was born on American soil and has African/American heritage.

Because he has a black African father then he is more likely to be unpatriotic than someone like Hilary who has two white American parents? Isn't that just racist stereotyping? Like a cosh to beat Barack with?

America, you really have no idea what you could lose if you lose Barack. He really is your only hope of getting out of the awful perception that all other countries have of you. He has a compassion and truthfulness about him that the elector in this country can only dream about in their politicians!

I really wish that we had a Barack running for Leader of a Party and then for PM in this country, he seems to give fresh hope where there was none.

kim, london,

Moderators are meant to be impartial to the Candidates. Unfortunately, this was the most bogus debate ever staged on television, where one of the moderators, George Stephanopoulos, happened to be a "former" Clinton advisor! And he ensured that the first hour of the debate was nothing more than Obama bashing!! This was preposterous to say the least.
But despite that, Obama will still be the last man standing - because Clinton will continue to shoot herself in the foot with her Pennsylvanian Grandpa's gun - especially after she's had that shot of whisky!

Jimmy C, Letchworth, UK