I sincerely hope and believe that he can, for the sake of the US e the rest of the world.
We desperately need someone like Obama as President of the United States, if we want peace in the world and our children to have a chance in future.
I believe the American people can do it.

João Borges, Lisbon, Portugal

The only way for Clinton to win is to have Florida and Michigan delegates counted AND to get at least half the remaining superdelegates. The anger and frustration this would cause, among most Obama supporters, would spell the end of the Democratic Party. It is irrational for her to go on.

Tom Swift, Los Angeles, California, USA

Barack Obama is as naive as George Bush (still is) - and look where the USA is today. McCain is not stable enough to deliver, while Hillary was the best bet for repairing the damage of the last 8 years. God help America.

Richard Stevenson, Charlotte, USA

Clinton is just like Gordon Brown, cherishes the top job, will do absolutely anyhting to get it, and won't have a clue what to do when she gets there. She will then alienate most of the population, who can't get rid of her for years.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

Well it's interesting to see how the Democratic party seems stubbornly determined to elect themselves a candidate who looks like the best chance McCain has ever enjoyed to win the presidency.
This DOES raise some doubt about the US election process... but home-brewed by the Democrats themselves...

c.waldem, hamburg,

Obama has a passion, that if harnessed well, could take the U.S. in a desperately-needed new direction. Just because Hillary Clinton has spent most of her adult life immersed in politics does not mean she's the best person for the job--although she seems to think she deserves it.

Amy, Orillia, Canada

While both Democratic candidates are fighting it out to the death (unfortunately), McCain is sitting back, relaxed, probably with some liberal's blood in a wine glass.

What I cannot understand is why Clinton and Obama continue to direct negativity toward one another and not towards McCain.

Wade, Harrisburg, USA

It is not for Obama to close the deal. The onus is on Hillary to overtake Obama because at the start of the race she had conducted herself as if her nomination was only a matter of formality. How arrogant and how wrong. Time for her to pack up her tent and leave the scene.

salim merali, london, westminister

I stayed up all night to watch the Primeries to see Obama and hearing his speach in North Carolina USA, I would personally like to thank the people of NC, for their insight, their visions. It brought tears to my eyes when I heard his moving speach. His sincerity and love for his country & her people

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

The Democratic Party is purely ' identity ' politics. Therefore blacks vote for blacks, whites and women for women. Their only hope is McCain who is doing his best to annoy the Republican Party. Meeting with La Raza does not help in the Border States.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

America is long living by the history of the past foundation John Kennedy........etc.since 1980 all the presidents have never make any change to keep this great country on history rather they depend on the foundation of the past pioneers ,so if the DREAM FOR CHANGE occour then let it come to reality

KENNETH O, prague, czech Rep

I'm waiting to see if Trevor Phillips writes another article where he expresses his great disdain for the election of Barack Obama.. the last one was too funny for words.

Jenny, Grand Rapids, MI, US

Conservative pundits fail to recognize the fact that Democrats are signing up to vote an overage of 3 to 1 over Republicans. McCain has yet to be tested by the press, and he is infamous for his gaffs and short temper. Obama will roll over him in debates and cruise to a victory.

Chuckles, Seattle, USA

Do the Dems want an eloquent visionary or a dedicated lawmaker? The Republicans have fielded an excellent candidate- maybe this race (along with a damaged economy and never ending war) was the stimulus this country needed to wake from the drooling stupor of the last 8 years... I can only dream.

Brian W., Los Angeles, USA

One should distinguish being a president that unites people from being a president that serves the interests of his/her country. Some here say 'All the great US presidential .... who are regarded very highly', they might be popular with voters but was not quite so in assuring the real power holders.

Sam, London/uk,

Clinton's willingness to use nuclear weapons against Iran, not because of the exigencies that would be produced by an attack on Israel, but in order to win an election confirmed my long held view that she would be a menace to humanity with her finger on the nuclear button.

Never again a Clinton!

Chris Gillibrand, Brussels, Belgium

Who better to follow George Bush than Obama? Britain declined as a world power after the US bankrupted us after the last war. It seems that the US is trying to do that to itself.
The UK should find another "Best friend".

Ian Jones, Reading, UK

One third of Obama/Clinton voters, according to exit polls, will vote for McCain rather than the other candidate if their candidate loses.

Split party and divisive politics - well done, Hilary.

Mark Durham, London, UK

George McGovern, until now inexplicably a Clinton supporter, just announced he's switching to Obama and publicly called for her to quit.

I think this is very significant, and marks the beginning of the end for her.

Millions are sick of her voice and even sicker of her despicable tactics.

JOHN CHUCKMAN, toronto, Canada

A great race is about to end and we have our nominee. Obama!
My wish is for party unity going forward. Hope the Clintons will work hard to stop Bush's yes man McCain getting in. I feel confident and hopeful.

Sharon Wilkes, Wilmington, DE, USA

Gratiously or graciously? Or is there something you're not telling us about Mr Obama?

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

I back Senator Obama for many reasons that fall into the summation that he would truly be a "fresh start" for America.
Perhaps he alone can say no to AIPAC, which would be good both for Israel and the US. No mean feat, that.

tarquinis, Seattle , USA

Cearly the Democrat nomination process is now over- at long last. Obama is almost mathamatically assured victory and if Clinton wants a Democrat in the Oval office come November she should gracefully conceed.
Dan- thingsaintgonnachange.blogspot.com

Daniel Guild, Aberdeen,

If Clinton won't lie down I suggest garlic, a silver bullet or a stake. It's getting more and more like Night of the Living Dead!

phil, Hong kong,

Guess there will be a lot of suprised faces when Obama looses out to senator McCain in November - simply because he appeals to more people then Obama who has the libertine left and perhaps the high abstinentation black vote behind him... and very few else
Four more years for the GOP, methinks ?

c.walden, hamburg, germany

Paul Begala is wrong when he talks about Obama winning only "with egg heads and African Americans." I am neither an egg head nor an African American, and my entire adult family supports Obama. Remember that Obama first took the state of Iowa, and that state is not comprised of black, egg heads.

P Baker, Los Gatos, US

Thomas, since when was the ability to be articulate, and to make speeches that moved people and inspired them a sign of emptiness or shallowness? All the great US presidential speeches that are remembered today were made by presidents who are regarded very highly.Contrast them & their words with GWB

Paul, Tokyo,

Clinton and the remaining superdelegates really have to respect Obama's superiority in the popular vote or they lose all credibility as democratic Democrats. It is sheer egoism that is driving her on, along with a complete inability to reconcile her journey from de facto nominee to runner-up.

Mike Cotgreave, Liverpool,

Thomas clearly hasn't heard any of Obama's speeches or read anything he has written setting out his policies and vision for a united US. clinton has involved herself in a name calling campaign which frankly right thinking voters are tired of and her stance on the gas crisis issue is laughable

david, london, uk

I'll take my chances on being disappointed by Obama should he get elected....I know for sure Clinton would disappoint me and Mc Cain even more....so you see Thomas, it's merely a question of degrees, plus Obama and Sarko have really little in common.

Simone Vest, Williamsburg, VA

Thomas - And Clinton's speeches have substance?! And Clinton is 'ready' for the Presidency?

Udai, London,

Support for Obama says more about American voters than it does about the candidate himself. They are motivated by a recognition that the US has gone wrong - that it might broken - and it needs to change.

Whether Obama can deliver that change is unclear - but McCain and Clinton certainly can't.

Kate, Southampton, UK

It just amazeses me how those Obama supporters are voting for him just for the non-substance speeches made by him. This guy is not ready to handle what you are offering him. He will be just like what Sarkosy has been in France, and that is a COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT.

Thomas, LOndon/UK,

presumably florida and michigan have time to organise a vote for which both candidates could campaign (and both appear on the ballot)? any other way of "counting their votes" would be unfair. no wonder clinton just wants the delegates. or half of them.

jem, london, uk

The only way Clinton can win is if party bosses decide that they know better than the Democrat voters and hand the nomination to her. And that would create the kind of hate-filled rift within the Dem Party that was created in the US by the Supreme Court dubiously handing Bush the presidency in 2000.

Stewart, Beijing,

Obama IS the change that America needs so badly! He is real and hopefully that will stay with him through this race towards presidency. I wish you the very best and pray that he will be true to his commitments and values.

AiFoU, Copenhagen, Denmark

WHOOOOHOOOO!!!! O-ba-mah! O-ba-mah! O-ba-mah!
Yes We Can, Yes We Can, Yes We Can!
Thank You North Carolina - You've sealed the deal!
Thank You Indiana!
Are they still talking about the nuclear option? Well, let's see what Superdelegates have to say about this. The party is bigger than Clinton!

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

My feeling, having watched the Clinton family as Hillary made her premature 'victory' speech in Indiana, is that they know the game is over. I wouldn't be surprised if she conceded this week.
I think Barack Obama is getting stronger, and is moving the electorate in a remarkable way.
A phenomenon.

Bryan Stanion, Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece

If Obama secures the nomination, I think he'll be strengthened significantly by this fight. It should actually help him to defeat McCain. In any event a great exercise in democracy.

David, Amsterdam, Netherlands

this was a grrrrrreat result. Barack Obama is winning in not only
POPULAR votes but also in DELEGATES as well as NUMBER OF
STATES won. Therefore he is the FRONTRUNNER by miles. and no, he is not damaged, as in spite of being hounded by Clintons & republicans for trivial NON issues, he is surging!

vivek shreeshreemal, salisbury, UK

It's not so long ago that Mr Obama expected to win in Indiana - he didn't, and a win is a win, even by a nose. I do not for one moment think "the end is near" - which is unlikely to be before the last week in August. Michigan and Florida still have to be resolved.

David Cunard, Los Angeles, United States

This is a great outcome. The struggle will continue, Obama will get the nomination and will be so badly damaged he will lose the election. Yeah for Senator McCain!

Mark, Chicag, USA