Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Mr. Biden may well win the debate, but just in case he doesn't, let's not put his competition down too low. It would be a shame if Mr. Obama's brilliant selection for VP stumbles a bit and looks bad in comparison.

Jay, Oregon, USA

Michael J, Leicester, UK:
Unfortunately, you're right. Too many Americans (not all but many)haven't set foot outside their own towns or are not aware of the world as they should be. This is the reason why they relate so much to Palin.

Torry, San Diego,

To Colin (NJ, USA)
Britain has been a 'constiutional monarchy' for a few hundred years now and yes there is traditional gear worn by the House of Lords indivisual but make no mistake Britain is far ahead in its world awareness & social maturity of the general population compared to the Americans

Andrew Reid, Aberdeen, Scotland

"...'Professor Obama'? Are you kidding? He 'did' Harvard on a quota scholarship (i.e. preferred to better qualified whites). The man's an intellectual mediocrity to put it kindly...."


Obama graduated Magna Cum Laude from one of America's finest schools. The joke is on you.

Martha Rice, Kenilworth, NJ, USA

Sarah Palin very much reminds me of Barrack Obama's first fumblings when he was beginning his campaign to be the Democrat Presidential candidate. I find it very shallow of the media to now conveniently forget this when they mock Sarah Palin.

The US media wouldn't be pro-Democrat, now would it???

Drew, Nottingham,

Palin might very well be just like "some" of us but thank God not like "all" of us. But I for one, want someone in government to be better than us. Smarter, more diplomatic, more knowlegable, more experienced. This is not a beauty contest or a hunting competition tho some haven't realised it yet.

Su, Dallas, Texas, USA

I can't understand the desire of American voters to elect someone like themselves. I want government to be run by people who are very smart, hard-working, well-informed and competent. I would never vote for someone like me.

archie, Sydney,

The man who claims Mr. Obama got into Harvard on a "quota" system and is not as qualified as other whites who applied to the school is laughably wrong. You certainly do not get to edit the Law Review unless you're flat out brilliant. Period, the end.

Lyn Pearson, Las Cruces, NM, USA

Mark - Nazi scientists helped America develop the Atomic bomb? Really:

Let's hope your understanding of other aspects of life is greater than your grasp of history. The war in Europe ended in May of 1945. The first bomb was tested in July.

You might try reading a book or two about this.

Alfred G. Packer, Seattle, USA

Actually for those who say Obama got into Harvard Law because he was black, he did not designate a race, since he is biracial and didn't want to get in on a racial thing. That has been verified by Harvard.

Brenda , Cypress, TX, United States

Edward, you are mistaken. Obama did not indicate his race on his Harvard Law School application, and therefore he was not a beneficiary of any affirmative action program there. Also, the "professor" designation is because he served as a professor at the excellent University of Chicago Law School.

Jill, Philadelphia, USA

'Professor Obama'? Are you kidding? He 'did' Harvard on a quota scholarship (i.e. preferred to better qualified whites). The man's an intellectual mediocrity to put it kindly.

Edward, Lincoln, England

As Sarah would put it "We have 'The Times' over here and also near to us and to Canada is the 'Telegraph.' And every morning when Alaskans wake up they look around to see if there are any reporters from 'The Mirror' lurking about and if there are we say 'Shoo! Get back over there."

Ron, Dallas, USA

Difficult not to feel sorry for her, but I don't. Anyone who accepts a position of such magnitude must know what it entails. If not, and Mrs Palin clearly does not, then she should be put in front of the mob to see who is cleverest and most able to survive. She should step down now.

Ian, Norfolk, UK

Patricia, her experience to lead exceeds that of Obama? Can Palin run her own nationwide campaign as successfully as Obama has? Does she even know the names of all the states that make up USA? I bet she's visiting many of them for the very first time in her life! Palin is the downfall of McCain!

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

In Nov. 1988 we elected Bush/ Quayle here-
Anybody remember such brilliant Quayle statements as "It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
Republican voters don't look for knowledge of the world or eloquence in a VP candidate

Scott Benowitz, Rye, New York, U.S.A.

Her experience to govern/lead exceeds that of Obama. As Governor, foreign affairs and knowledge of McCain were not needed. She's been a candidate for only 1 month and has been attacked viciously by the media. In spite of a biased moderator (Obama book writer), Palin will excel in the debate!

Patricia, Oklahoma City, United States

All of these witty comments coming from a group of people supporting a monarchy and represented in government by men wearing dresses and wigs.

Colin, Ramsey, NJ, USA

By the bye, McCain's polling numbers are - ahem ! - going UP.

Ganpat Ram , London , UK

That parody of her on Saturday Night Live was just fantastic - google it if you can, the actress looks EXACTLY like Ms Palin and is very funny.

David, London, UK

For me sense of humour is a reliable demonstration of intelligence. For this reason I would not vote for Sarah Palin.

Alexander, London,

Jamie Randell - Wasn't FDR a Democrat? Typical "we saved you" nonsense - the US would never have been a nuclear power without all of those Nazi scientists they liberated and Americans would be speaking German by now.

Mark, Cambridge, UK

Why is it that someone 'deserves' support, or should be given an easy ride just because they have a vagina?

I have heard many women say they support Hillary simply because she is a woman, some even now switching to support Palin!..outragious sexism!

Support someone on policy, not colour or sex

Peter Mechan, Edinburgh, Scotland

Fingers crossed for our US friends- things arent looking too good. We could be in for some real treats over the coming years!

And, we might even get a televised wedding out of it! The whole thing smells like a reality TV stunt - could it be true;

"I'm a presidential candidate get me out of here!"?

Stewart, Harrogate, UK

The world is already suffering from the complete lack of competence in the American financial and banking system. The least you could do is elect a team to the office of President qualified for the job. A gun toting hockey mum who can barely string a sentence together is not going to cut it.

Tober Reilly, London, UK

Jamie Randell - who were the presidents who "rescued Europe" during the wars you cite? WWI: Woodrow Wilson - a Democrat. WWII: Franklin Roosevelt - a Democrat. Balkans: Bill Clinton - a Democrat.

The "middle east war" doesn't count as it was the Americans who started that one.

Kate, Southampton, UK

Jamie Randall, it was not the US that sorted out WWI. US didn't enter the war till 1917 & no troops till 1918 by which time the rest of us had mostly sorted out Axis. It was W. Wilson that made the rise of Nazism possible by not enforcing "you lost" on the Germans in 1919.

Sarah, Ottawa, Canada

errr.... well, nope, nothing to say....

Ron, Beirut,

Say Obama passes away and Biden becomes President?
He doesn't even know that Hoover was Pres in 1929 and television wasn't even in 'vogue' then.

Prudence Eely Bond McGuire BA, LONDON, ENGLAND- UK

Leave Sarah Palen alone.
She is getting the Hillary Clinton treatment by the media.

Prudence Eely Bond McGuire BA, LONDON, ENGLAND- UK

Jamie Randall - typical cheap shot but don't forget the US is either late entering a war or more rcently and more often - starts it in the first place

Liz, London,

Bill Scholz, Greenwich - "Our hockey-mom Sarah is more like everyday Americans than Professor Obama"

You mean she's uneducated, lacking intellectual curiousity, doesn't have a passport and hasn't much of a grip on the issues?

Go ahead Bill, vote for someone because they're 'like you'..

Owen, London, UK

Surley the alarm bells should be ringing? I'm not sure even the Ayatolla's believe that the earth is only 10000 years old.
What next? The earth is flat? The existance of Santa? The Tooth Fairy?
You would think it would be difficult to take a backwards step in ignorance from Dubya.

Kevin, London, UK

This is just one more indication of McCain's impulsive, tunnel-vision. The woman is completely unprepared for the presidency. Go easy on questions of foreign policy? What will we do to make it easy if McCain dies in office?

Lynn Hughes, Bucks County, PA, USA

So a shallow, pro life, Cretinist reactionary is exposed as a vacuous know nothing.

What a surprise. Who would have thought it?

I imagine that she will win lots of votes in a nation that reveres stupidity and see mediocrity as a virtue.

Jason Mead, Bristol, England

I find it frighteneing that the US can seriously choose a partnership of McCain and Palin to be the most powerful people in the world. They are so patently unsuited to the task that one can only hope Obama wins by such a margin that the result won't be reversed again because the Republicans say so.

David, Hemel Hempstead, ENGLAND

It is clear that the office of President (and VP) in the US has become purely symbolic, much like the old European Royal families.
Once they are in office they are only expected to read out prepared statements on television, and certainly not to interfere with government business.
Republicans?

Erwin, London, UK

I fully expect the lumber jack song next. this is Monty Python ight?

Gavrilo Prinzip, Bromley, Uk

Republicans did the same coaching with Bush. Then he proved their coaching was all a façade. I remember thinking that they were counting on Cheney’s experience making up for Bush’s lack of national experience, but they can‘t make coaching take the place of a wise mind, it just won‘t work.

J Rhinehart, SC, USA

Is it just a coincedence that she looks like Geena Davis in Commander in Cheif....

Hollywood takes over Washington.. It must be true I have seen it on TV... Stupid Americans do not fool for this gloss...

jim, oulu, finland

I would have thought that all the Europeans would have preferred a hardline republican versus a wind bag democrat on the basis that its usually the Americans who come and sort out messes in Europe that they cannot sort out themselves... WWI, WWII, Balkans and Middle East to name a few....

Jamie Randell, London,

"Is Hollywood behind this? Sure feels like it.....Very familiar plot line" haralambos, joburg

You're right, it's a tv series called 'commander in chief' starring Geena Davis as a VP to a president who dies while in office.

Lizzie Lewis, Leamington Spa, England

The sad state of all this is how the Democrat support seems to come with analysed opinion on world and national issues. The Republican comes from 'well i'm going to vote for them because everyone is being horrible to them". No doubt this will all end in another super power being run another idiot.

Mike, London, England

"Palin strugges" , "unwelcome spotlight"? You're missing the point. Our hockey-mom Sarah is more like everyday Americans than Professor Obama, perma-Senator Biden or US Navy Captain McCain. "There is no greater disaster than underestimating your enemy" - Sun Tzu.

Bill Scholz, Greenwich, USA

In response to Chris, Come on ! Why are you surprised of the prospect of Mc Cain - Palin ticket to succeed, Americans elected Bush TWICE !!

Faruque Choudhury, Loughborough, UK

So, let's hypothetically say Mr. McCain passes away while occupying the most influencial & powerful job in the world - and as VP Mrs. Palin becomes President of the United States of America.

Could hostile foreign officials be expected to "take it easy" with her at the behest of the Oval Office?

Carl, London, U.K

She makes bush look like Einstein. After watching the interview with Katie Couric, I believe that this must be the stupidest politician I have ever seen.

Naz, London,

To all you people crabbing on about McCain or Obama, get this: THEY ARE BOTH JUST DIFFERENT SIDES TO THE SAME COIN. There is no difference between the parties, you are being suckered.
Look to the Constitution party for straight talkers and people with honour, you do remember what that actually means?

tom, Caernarfon, Wales

As a teacher in Moscow, I've known dozens of bright, highly educated energetic Americans who combined patriotism with expertise and a really broad scope of vision. I know the U.S. has a huge resource of such personalities. So how did it happen that John McCain made a VP choice like this?

Dmitry Nikolin-Dolsky, Moscow,

It is scary enough to find the Republicans nominating Palin for VP (and McCain for Pres. even). But even more so is the realisation that the American electorate might actually elect them! The rest of the world is shaking its head in disbelief that they could be that stupid.

Chris, Ashford, Middx, England

As a 23 year resident of Alaska, and one who has met Sarah Palin up close and personal, I like her as a person,but wished she would have kept her hand down when McCain came calling. She is out of her league.
What I find appalling is talk of "dumbing down" Thursday's debate for her. No breaks I say.

Darryl A. Lewis, Sr., Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S.A.

Again, I say that McCain didn't know anything about this woman prior to choosing her to be back-up for US President. It's obvious this was a poor political move to merely choose a woman, any woman, simply to gain support from the Clinton supporters. Guess he's not feeling so good about it now...

Jeff, Sacramento, California, USA

Now I've heard it all! Sarah Palin's is public ridicule is of her own making. Perhaps she should have thought twice before accepting the nomination. She is totally unqualified and the fact that neither she, nor McCain will admit it is a truly firghtening prospect for this country.

Melissa, Plymouth, USA

Mrs. Sarah is not prepared enough to be Vice presidential nominee.It would be better for McCain to choose Mitt Romney instead!

Louis, Brockton, USA

Joe Biden? Did he tick the 'no publicity' box when was nominated as vice presidential candidate, unlike Palin?

Howard, Nottingham, England

What's worrying is that this is The West Wing again, though this time in the GOPs favour. Can the Democrats make clear that she's unsuitable for the job without appearing bullying and mean? The people of the U.S. voted for Bush twice suggests all she needs to do is show 'faith' and she'll be safe.

Loz Pycock, London, UK

The worrying thing is that the more she looks incompetent and the more the media laugh at her or criticise her, then it is more likely that Bobby-Joe and his friends at the bar will decide to miss out on a morning's fishing or shooting and go and vote in many of the swing states.

odtaa, Richmond, UK

I watched the CBS interview with Palin on youtube and it's very scary to say the least. Scary when you realise that should McCain get sworn in and then die (72 yr old), that Sarah Palin would become President of the most powerful nation on the earth with access to it's full military arsenal

Steve Rodgers, Cheltenham, UK

So she isnt steeply versed in world affairs or domestic politics, and she might need a 'brain trust' to tell help her run the country(if McCain passes on and she becomes President), just like bush. What the worst that can happen she starts a few wars and the economy crashes. Thats democracy.

shola , London, UK

Palin, McCain (as well as Bush) are so pathetically shallow & ignorant, it's amazing they get away it. This deos not reflect well on the American people at large.

Ron Paul was the best presidential candidate - but with the current crop it has to be Obama for the benefit of US and the entire world

Michael J, Leicester, UK

Yes, go 'easy' on her after all she is only running for the second most important position in your country. Of course you must go 'easy' on her. Heaven forbid she actually has to do something, and if she does, I know, lets go 'easy' on her.

Farrukh, Woking,

This is just plain HILARIOUS. Let me get this straight, McCain's people are saying that the debate should not be too hard on Palin, especially on matters of foreign affairs and then turning on journalisms for ''gotcha journalism''? WHAT?! She's going to be one heart-beat away from being president!!!

Colin Bowley, London, UK

Why should they go easy on her. She is a know nothing governor of a bunch of trees and polar bears. She is in way over her head and the media should continue to expose her as totally unfit for national office. Yeah she is being ridiculed and rightly so,

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C. , Washington, D.C.

Last time, the Republicans matched an incompetent president with a competent VP; this time, they're doing the exact opposite...

Quentin, Singapore, UK

It nearly makes me cry thinking that this is where we are in modern politics. After Bush, you think the GOP would have learned something, but no, it''s less intelligence, more fake "showmanship" for political gain. McCain graduated in the bottom 5 out of 900 at the Naval Academy. Worse than Bush.

Pam, Winchestertonfieldville, US

yes...after 8 years of dementia in the white house they should lower the bar even more for the next possible President. Surprised the country is falling apart?

robert, seattle, washington

It IS foreign policy if Russia flies over YOUR STATE's air space. Alaska has their own army (the National Guard) and would be pressed to defend itself. HELLO! Why SHOULDN'T she mention Alaskan Airspace? She is the GOVERNOR of ALASKA! It all pales in comparison to Biden the plagiarist.

royroofer, Columbia River, United States

Does anyone else have a problem with the fact that the Republicans are asking the moderators to dumb down the debate so as not to embarrass Mrs. Palin? She's running for VP of the United States of America, for goodness sake! There shouldn't be a curve on this test.

Rochelle, Paradise, USA

Having seen how the two teams perform under pressure
then by now the US military top brass will have decided who they want to be commander in chief. Of course they're not allowed to say anything but they do know that being cool, calm and collected is usually better than madly rushing about.

John Small, Faversham, UK

Republicans like to vote for politicians who aren't too smart. They voted Bush in, but now try to distance themselves. Why would we think they have good judgment? Sarah Palin seems like a very nice person. Republicans like the fact she's never left the U.S. & knows less than most college students.

Dave, Madison, USA

But I live right outside of Washington, DC. Republicans here are educated and sophisticated. They seem to think that no one will know that Palin is ignorant, if they pretend its not true.

Remember "The Emperor's New Clothes? That's American East Coast Republicans right now.

Robin, Bethesda, USA

So now the real world reflects the school world does it.... We have to go easy on her because she may not be able to keep up with the smarter kids... Why not get her to draw a picture of what she did at the weekend and then give her some nice false positive encouragement..

Jim, london, uk

You all talk as though giving slick, well researched answers is mandatory for high office. Look at the current President - he was ridiculed roundly before and since both of his campaigns.
Remember him trying to explain what a sovereign state is or who the leader of Pakistan is, back then....

Joe, Reading,

To all you 'foreigners on this page', take a good look at your own country first....To those from the U S of A...Nov 4th will tell it all...The 'media',print ,tv and radio have there own agenda...The London/New York Times are bonded...Just vote and if all goes right, the 'sun ' will still rise..

MrTim, san marcos, U S of A

Is Hollywood behind this? Sure feels like it. The clueless but warm and earthy mom with the strong family values and good looks who by a serious of misadventures becomes president. Very familiar plot line.

haralambos, joburg,

I used to think that if the world got McCain as President, at least he would be better than Bush, but what does it say about his judgement?
It's frightening if middle America does really rate Palin as a potential president. God help us all

Mike Browning, Bedford, England

The deck is stacked against Mrs. Palin, just as it was against Mrs. Clinton in the primaries. You could put Bill Clinton in the seat to debate him (the media's previous 'chosen one') and he would look like a fool debating the new 'chosen one' with the media running the show.

Toby, Denver, USA

The near-terminal levels of Republican cognitive dissonance on display in some of these comments would be amusing if it weren't so scary. I'm pretty sure McCain could have chosen Imelda Marcos as a running mate and some of these folks would still be defending her. Yikes.

Mark Peskin, Austin, TX, USA

Amerika is Flatland. In Amerika, you don't have to work hard to get yerself a nice big flatscreen tv and a pickup truck. In Amerika, ignorance is the new erudition. In 2012, the President and Cabinet will be selected by the producers of American Idol, and viewers at home, like you. Then, we vanish.

Erik, Nyack, USA

What is clear is that this is a pure political ploy by the McCain campaign to sway the vote of the disenfranchised Hillary Clinton supporters - older white women - and anyone who falls for it deserves what they get should (and I pray they don't) win. The same goes for the whole debate debacle.

Julie, Springfield, Missouri

Great - just what we need at this critical juncture: A closed minded Stepford Vice President, who has no idea of foreign issues (ink on her passport is still moist), minimal managerial experience and a religous zealot to boot (Evangelicals are our equivalent of Islamic extremists). Wish us luck.

Mario S. Cano, Miami, Florida, USA

Ms. Palin will be the first woman president of the U.S.A.
America needs a tough as nails warrior NOW and not a kumbya appeaser. McCain serves one term. William Ayers catches up with Obama for 2012. History shows the american people back an under-pitbull. They'll easily grow to love and protect her.

Francis, Vancouver, Canada

I initially laughed at these interviews and gaffes, but now I feel sorry for her. McCain and the Republicans spin doctors have not been fair on Palin by asking her to take a role she clearly has no capacity for. I reckon she is just being used by these selfish lots with the hope of political gains

Olu Alao, Stockport, UK

There are a lot of liberals at this site, I guess. All the Republicans are very excited about Palin.

Tom, Eagle River, USA

Depressingly the more she demonstrates that she's not interested/doesn't know international affairs, and has limited knowledge of economic management, the more popular she gets with average America. They actually think having somebody JUST LIKE THEM in power is a good idea!

AT, Sydney,

To her credit, as proof that Palin would be a vast intellectual improvement over a previous, similar, well-uninformed governor (from Texas where he could see Mexico) who was elected President (twice if you can believe that), I understand she can correctly pronounce "nuclear".

Peter, Centerville, MA, USA

I watched the interviews as well, not once did katie get on hher knees and say" howcan you be so honest' as she has done in the past with democratic candidates. nope if the media hates her and people in other countries think she is a bad choice, then she get my vote. And close the UN as well.

Dan Carruthers, Boise, Idaho , USA

Go easy on her? Since when have we lowered our expectations for one of the highest positions in the country, not to mention the world? Scary. Very, very scary.

Megan Wissmueller, MILWAUKEE, USA

I bet she knew who was president in 1929 and that non-president Roosevelt wasn't on TV.

Alvin York, Pall Mall TN, USA

Gov. Palin administers a state with a population less than many counties in the USA, and has absolutely NO foreign policy experience whatsoever. She looks like an old cheerleader, and while she may or may not be a nice person, she is decidely unqualified to serve as President, should the need arise.

EDWARD B RYDER IV, GREENLAWN, USA

"Gotcha" journalism? If she can't field a simple question from a college student buying lunch in a deli, how can she cope with being VP? She barely seems qualified to be a tour guide at the White House, let alone hold the second highest office in the USA.

PV, Toronto, Canada

It seems that she is not qualified for the position that she is trying to get........

John, Serey Sophon, Cambodia

Goodness me, is that best they can come up with? I personally like her, but would not want in her in charge of the world's most powerful nation.

'Fixing' debate questions is an absolute nonsense and makes a mockery of the US electoral system. Which over the last few years has become easy to do.

ipd, Tokyo, Japan

"John McCain’s campaign is putting pressure on the organisers of the vice-presidential debate." Nice set up. Joe Biden has made so many foreign policy gaffes that this should be very interesting.

r.burns, Tampa, USA

I am ...so tired of the media drive by what happened to justice and having an opinion Sarah has so much to offer our country...why do we listen to the liberals in this country..Obama is not under such sucrinty by the liberal press as is the republican parfty...wake up America

Linda Moorhouse, Seymour, usa

I think Mccain's choice for Sara Palin was a sign of desperation. And I agree, if she can't cope with the questions she should pull ot of the race. I just don't like the fact that every time she goes to an interview the questions have been revised....

Mariana , Brisbane, Australia

So many people give Palin chances, like "shes new, dont be hard on her". I wonder if Palin would give you a chance? Anyway, I am tired of this drama about Palin being inexperienced. Many people make it sound like its an excuse. I mean, was she forced into the race for VP?

Stop the drama, vote Obama

George, London,

Joe Biden recently said FDR addressed the American people on TV following 1929 crash. And pseople say Palin is not bright?

John, Austin Texas, USA

I am Republixan but I hope Obama gets elected. He can inherit the debt. We've had our run and set the stage for the Dems. Anyone who has been paying attention to recent events can easily see what Bush has instigated

Let them have the presidency; we can inherit it under better circumstances.

Alex, London ,

The sad thing is the more provincial she acts, the more popular she gets in the middle of the country. A large portion of the US detests the elite, intellectual, wealthy university culture largely, in my opinion, out of jealousy.

Joe, Seoul, Korea

You should see what it's like over here, where you hear about her nearly every day. It's an absolute embarrasment for someone like her to be on any national ticket.
We've looked crazy enough over the last eight years. Many of us believe it'll be the beginning of the end if the two of them get in.

Steven, Ann Arbor, USA

Leave here there; everytime she opens her mouth it's another vote for Senator Obama. How could the Republicans be so stupid as to nominate her in the first place? Oh silly me, they nominated G W Bush and there's only a thin line separating him and Ms Palin

Barry Everingham, Malvern, Victoria, Australia

And it seems as if she believes in "Intelligent Design" !

Stuart , Singapore,

Just watched an interview with her on CBS where she was asked to name specifically what papers/magazines she reads. She avoided the questions by waffling on about how much she knows about the world. At least Bush admits to not being a reader of papers.

Bill, London,

Even the Republican know what the Dems did from the get go. She's a clueless idealogue, who would be the laughing stock in any other country.

Between her and McCain there's not a lot of light on at home. When will the Republican party respect intelligence in a leader again?

S,Hughes, NY,

If she can't cope with the questions she shouldn't be in the race.

Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, UK

McCain's choice of VP was a high risk, nothing-to-lose strategy and nothing short of desparate.

Dave, Solihull, UK