Obama has a fundamental problem. He has been in politics for 13 years and his personal mantra has always been "Say anything to get what you want." When things go wrong for him he claims that he is misunderstood or that he is being attacked. Americans are growing tired of hearing his complaints.

Mike, Sacramento, USA

Ridiculous! The Republican Convention was nothing but an insult-fest toward Obama, Biden, and Democrats in general, and the Republicans now want to cast the Dems as downright Satanic for any comment that just possibly might be seen as offensive by some extremely overly sensitive right winger.

Sarah T., Philly, USA

To all your Republican readers, are you satisfied with the past eight years of the present administration? Should McCain have to undergo a cognition test? Why? you may ask. He has frequent memory problems and is certainly not up to date with world geography. Sarah for President with a small p!

Derek, Mebane, USA

It's the same every election.The GOP gets your mind off the fact that the country is going to hell in a handbasket till after the election, then it's too late.Then everone cries the blue's for the next 4 years.Then here we go again. When will America wise up?

D. Baggarly, Owensboro Ky.,

Obama is staying focused, as he should, on the mess that the Republicans have made of the USA, and the fact that McCain voted at least 90% of the time with them and Bush. Obama will stay on this, and in a few weeks of repetition, folks will remember that we'll just get more mess with McCain.

Pat, NJ, USA

clinton signed nafta and gave away americas profits, you can't blame that on rep. also, there has hardly been one instance where obama made a statement and didn't change his mind. on cnn the other day that hydrogen power needed river turbines.. honestly? he needs to stop trying to "change" & be him

gene, owensboro, usa

I believe she said "the lipstick is the difference"! Not a lipstick on a pitbull!! O. speaks about change, well change is an everyday phenomenon. The question is, can you handle the changes you enumerated in you speaches?! You do remind me bit of Mr.Marx and Mr.Lenin with your grand visions.

Bosi, New Westminster,

McCain's hasty choice of Sarah Palin as his nominee for Vice President is an insult to the intelligence of most American voters. This person to become the leader of our nation in the event McCain does not complete his term is insane. Her experience in national politics is laughable. God help us.

Ann, Montreal, , Canada

McCain used the same reference about Clinton policy last year so it is highly hypocritical for the Republicans to tarnish Obama in this way. He's right to say that he's not going to engage in this sort of politics. Is the Election going to debate anything important?

Mary, Belfast,

Why isn't anyone demanding McCain/Palin take stands on issues other than reproductive rights and energy? Why are they winning the country with these shock tactics? This is the Presidential election, not Fear Factor. I'm not voting for people who are obviously trying to hide their opinions from me.

Christie, Chicago, United States

Same old Republicans. Anyone with half a brain can see this is just a smear tactic.

I can't believe the polls are so close. Obama is clearly the better candidate and 8 years of Republican policies have brought about economic change of the worst kind - don't let them have another 4!

Jonathan Main, Kuwait City,

Obama's supporters thought he was referring to Palin, They kept chanting Pitbull, Pitbull at the lipstick on pig reference. Bad choice of words so soon after Lipstick on Pitbull, O.
Once you expose a charismatic candidate as vapid, he is finished. Like exposing a tele-evangelsit of adultery.

NM, Kalamazoo,Michigan, USA

I saw the clip of Obama on the news this morning, before I'd heard any other news cast referencing it , or a reaction by McCain. My first gut reaction was to connect it to Sarah Palin's hockey mom reference. I expected a more apologetic attitude from Obama this morning. I'm a Female, age 47.

Lesley , walnut creek, USA

I like Plain but in no way will I vote for a man who is trying to win the election of a popularity contest. Obama Should be mad McCain is just trying to get votes now. If something happens to McCain is a govern of alaska with only 20 months experience ready to take over as the head of the US

Kelly, Brockport, US

It remains to be seen what Palin represents one way or the other. Those who prematurely, without substance, are assuming she was only selected because she was a woman They seem to have a gender problem that likely would not have come to the table if the selection had been a relatively unknown man.

Maggie, Renton, USA

McCain's doing the right thing to get elected: avoiding the key issues affecting the economy, unemplyment, housing, education, healthcare and the wars overseas, and focussing media attention on Palin and irrelevancies. He's lucky that the media are letting him get away with it.

Russell, London, UK

Ms Palin is one scary gal, with or without lipstick. Upon closer scrutiny many of her alleged "accomplishments" contain only
a smattering of truth. She created a lot of "flash" at the RNC,
one wonders what's left when the fire burns out. Mr. McCain best be careful of the back draft.

Carita Fontaine, Worcester, USA

The reaction of the Obamaites in his audience when he told the joke give him away. They laughed it up because they understood the connectiion with Palin. Not even that subtle. The wheels are coming off the Obama campaign and it ain't going to be pretty folks. The fall will be far and fast.

JL Ronish, seattle, usa

let's face it, it was a mistake by Obama to use the "lipstick on a pig" line in the present context, I don't think that he meant it in the way it was interpreted by his followers who cheered wildly in response.It gives ammunition to Palin's working&middle class followers who perceive it as a slight.

Dr Andris Lielmanis, Brampton, Canada

Do the Republicans have anything to offer Americans apart from bankruptcy, debt, wars and self-serving tax cuts?

Not that I the Democrats have all the answers, but the last 8 years has been destroying a great country just when communists and dictators are being emboldened.

Patrick Bateman, London,

Palin is nothing more than a dead cat bounce.

James, Leeds, UK

Obama displays a sober and mature choice for VP. McCain thinks about votes and about appealing to certain parts of the electorate on chosing a VP who he has only met once. Why cant people see thro this?

tim, london,