No where is politics more negative than in the US media. The non-partisan Pew Research Center reports 29% of stories about Obama are negative; 57% of stories about McCain are negative. How is America supposed to have fair elections?

Lois, Farmington, United States

To Marnie,
We Americans aren't voting for Obama because of the color of his skin but because of the strength of his character. I am a 61 yr. old white middle class woman. John McCain has shown erratic behavior and chose Sarah Palin, a former member of an anti-American party in Alaska.

Nancy, Bradenton, FL, U.S.A.

Jas, you' ve written: '... making a decision and making it happen. He has never done that. Palin as Governor has."

Indeed, she has but the quality of those decisions are open to discussion, IMNSHO.

Maria, CLEVELAND, USA

Marnie - Some of us are smart enough to know that we all bleed red regardless of complexion. I voted for Obama because he is a breath of fresh air in a political environment that reeks of corruption and decay. He is wise and good, and I look forward to following him in a new direction.

Cia, Loveland, United States

The Republican party is going down because the people of the US are sick of the fear and smear tactics of the GOP. McCain is a disgrace!!! Obama has shown nothing but class as he has had one false attack against his character after another. He is a true inspiration and will be our next President.

Whitney Hamrick, Jacksonville, FL , USA

Henry of Warrington-Canadians are used to being exploited by the US, you cough we catch a cold, c'est la vie.

Bear in mind however, Canada feeds you much of your water and electricity (remember 2003?) and petroleum. Play nice: Diplomatic negotiation is what works, not Republican scare mongering.

Joanna, Toronto, Canada

Maybe initially "Joe" the plumber asked one innocent sounding question, but I think he became fair game when he appears on Fox News and calls Obama anti-american.

Mick, Ashland, USA

Obama did not write "Dreams Of My Father" just look at this work and his other writings...see for yourself. The Republicans get smeared by this Times article and still they did not get the completed analysis they considered. 4 other scientific analyses show a strong correlation Ayers was involved.

Donald, California, USA

Personally, I think Senator Obama should pay the gentleman the fee the Republican goons offered. I have no doubt Senator Obama would not hesitate to make the results, as well as the source of the question, public knowledge.

Rick Murray, Fort Lauderdale, U.S.A.

Never posted comment on net b4, but feel compelled to. Think John McCain has some desirable qualities showing he will go with his gut & morals i.e selecting a "long shot" mum of 5 kids as a running mate.
Seems that a lot of people are suppporting obama because of colour of skin-is that not racist?

Marnie, QLD, Australia

I hope the Europeans understand the danger that we in the US are facing. There is a very real, albeit seemingly paranoid, chance that this election will be stolen. If this happens we may need help from across the pond. I hope people here are willing to stand up for our will but it may not happen.

Robin Lipton, San Diego, US

If you want the story behind this story go to: http://www.cashill.com/

Susan, Village of Oak Creek, USA

Why don't people the news media leave "Joe the Plumber" alone. All he did was ask Senator Obama a question, and for that, he has been vetted, embarrassed and made fun of to no end. His salary, finances, employment and other personal history has been made public, nation wide by the Obama campaign.

Mary Dawn, USA, USA

To Henry of Missiouri: if you know ANYTHING about Canada you would know that the majority of Canadians always support the Democrat candidate. Also Canadians control more of US businesses than US businesses control Canadians we just
don't noise it around.

Catherine, Victoria BC, Canada

Surely most of the media has engaged in a concerted smear campaign against Palin for the past 2 months. Sarah is calling the kettle black!

Paul UK, Craigavon, NI

It is usual in France to claim we have the dumbest right wing in the world.

I guess that after that pathetic show from the republicans, we will have to send them the award.

JLP, Dieppe, France

Jan of Toronto, the Bush years have kept you Canadians busy making products for us Americans to consume.When Obama takes away the tax credits of the American companies which are operating in Canada, then many of you will be out of work, right? You better hope that McCain wins, and wins big!

Henry, Warrenton, Missouri

Henry of Warren, Missouri - what have your comments got to do with MINE?? I bet most of us Canadians can't trace their roots in Canada back to 1900 let alone the Revolution - we are a nation if immigrants - myself included. Also Henry DO tell us what's been so good about the Bush years!!!

Jan, Toronto, Canada

Disgusting! The biggest terrorism was 911, which was a direct result of the terrorist recriting policies followed by the US in Afghansitan.

G. M. Dhavan, Oslo, Norway

I love the anti-Obama outgassing from europeans, esp. people from the UK. Alex from London: Puppet? What the hell are you talking about? The history of the US conservatives is going to get Obama elected because they stunk so bad, not to mention that he is nowhere NEAR the puppet that Bush was.

Dennis Paul Hastings, Olympia, United States

The Republican tactic for this electoral campaign has been to discredit the opponent. This is usual, except that the tactics have been underhand. Unexpected for them, the US public wanted to know what their goverment would do for them and not what Obama couldn't. Add the Palin disaster! nuff said!

julian , Kent, England

The Republicans disgust me. Their hypocritical veneer of religiousity hides desperate depths of dishonesty. Their party should have a snake, not an elephant, as their symbol.

ruskee, London,

A smear against Republicans....It was Republicans who offered to pay for the study.

As for the result....read the article. THey backed off when the Oxford don required that the results would be public even if it showed that Ayers didn't write the book.

Pat, Channahon, USA,

I agree with "Sam" from Atlanta in that we elect our government officials, but he is wrong on everything else. Engaging in the guilt by association trick is a contest the GOP will lose. What about McCain's Keating relationship? His wife's drug abuse? His runningmate's family problems?

Shan, Atlanta,

Henry of Warrenton-I hate to break it to you but Canadians feel no bitterness towards those the other side of the border, we are (like so many others in the international community) only incredulous that people like you still bang on with claims that Bush, McCain and the GOP know what they're doing.

Joanna, Toronto, Canada

Through shameless fear-mongering, the Republicans have succeeded in getting many Americans to vote against their own self-interests. But this desperate Ayers-ghosting ploy is like science fiction. What next? Coming up with evidence that Obama was on the grassy knoll in Dallas when JFK got shot?

mishi, San Francisco, USA

A smear or an academic search for the truth? This pro-Obama bias is way out of control. I've even seen one British broadsheet journalist writing that Obama is a typical generation-xer, the journalist claiming that it meant hard-working and responsible - when generation x means exactly the opposite.

Adam, Nottingham,

Frank, Plymouth
YOU are wrong.Babies were left to, including being left alone to die in utility closets. Bill was passed after Obama left state senate because law DID NOT protect certain instances.

Mary Catherine, Elmhurst, USA

Henry of Warrenton, Missouri:

I'm no Candian but I admire that country. Just take account of how the great Montreal jazz movement was contributed by African-Americans fleeing the US to avoid mistreatment and discrimination.

The conservative smearing machine is working overtime, what a shame!

Julio, Mendoza, Argentina

Why is it "the Republicans" when a private citizen (w/Phd.) investigates this (persuasively too)? That would mean "THE DEMOCRATS' SMEAR MCCAIN" when some individuals said his POW story is a lie (I could apply endless examples of private Democrat citizens/dirty tricks). More like SMEAR REPORTING!

Mary Catherine, Elmhurst, USA

Quote
"I see a lot of comments, but most of them is not even from this country . . .

hays, Thornton, U.S."

That's because you are on the web site of The Times. Of London. England. Europe.

Learn some geography.

Arundel, South Coast, UK

Dear Colin from McLean VA: I am amazed at the clarity and potency of your wisdom. Whereas the pro-life movement have 'beliefs' which they 'impose', I suppose that your side has somehow drilled into the mother-lode of absolute, incontrovertible truth that is not so much imposed as freely bestowed.

Seth, Belfast, UK

@ James Johnson of Waukesha:
I grieve for your family's loss. My prayers are with you. It is of note, however, that the political language has changed significantly since the War of Northern Aggression. What they called "Republicans", we would now call "Democrats".

Joe, Waukesha, USA

When Frederick Douglass published his first autobiography in 1845, many white men and women--including Abolitionists--questioned whether it was actually "written by himself," because it was too literate.

Surprise, surprise . . .Obama can write in complete sentences.

Ronald, Neptune, USA

I don't trust Socialists, Obama is going to worsen the economy and change the Costitution, US shall face a terrible recession, worst than the one of the30s. Russia and China are going to take over the world policy, while arabs will buy Europe. bye bye America.
Just wait and see.

francesca grandi, Rome,

To David McLarty, Tennessee, USA. Dont apologize mate, nothing to apologize for... Ive a lot of american friends who are pure brilliant, as Im sure the majority are. There is dirty politics and people plying dirty tricks in every country. For the record Im hoping the polls are right and Obama wins

Josh, London,

I believe there was only one stated republican endorsing Obama. But with that endorsment it shows he was only Playing The roll of a republican for the job. He new found democratic veiws show it for a continued job in the white house.

Redd, Philadelphia, USA

Just another attempt by republicans to smear Obama..it is sad when you can't think of anything new to attack him on. Saying he paled around with someone who has ties to terrorism means nothing to me. That would be like saying that because I know someone who went to jail..I'm some how a bad person.

megan, caldwell, usa

Jan of Canada,Canadians have been sore at us since many of your ancestors were on the wrong side of the Revolution as Tories,thusly being deported north of the border.Get over this bitterness and watch the republicans pull out a victory for four more Bush-like years which have been very good indeed.

Henry, Warrenton, Missouri

It is interesting how everyone misses the point.

If you're interested in the truth, have the courage to look at the evidence.
The Oxford don's statistical approach cannot "prove" anything, only support or detract from Mr. Cashill's thesis.

The surprise is how compelling Cashill's case is.

Robert, New York, USA

What angers neocon Republicans is that the facts about the economy, Iraq, Iran etc support Obama's positions. McCain and Palin constantly make claims that turn out to be false when they are fact-checked.

Why else are so many prominent, life-long Republicans now publicly supporting Obama?

E Carpenter, New York, USA

Is this how republicans think they can win elections? How stupid do they think the average voter is??? Republicans have no credible stand on real issues; they butchered supply-side economics and waged class warfare on the middle-class for 8 years. Joe the Plumber is a lie, as is the Ayers pitch.

Paul, Portland, USA

James,
You had family die in the Civil War? Im sorry for your loss. I can relate, I myself lost family in the Punic Wars.

Matthew Daly, Duxbury, USA

Someone stated that if elected that Obama would not be accepted around the globe..what world does he live in???? On a global scale they are hopeful of an Obama Presidency by an 80% margin! This has been reported on time and time again.
Perhaps HE will be unwilling to accept an Obama Presidency...

Deanna, Katy, USA

Pathetic. They can't steal the election this time because the support for Obama is so overwhelming, so they try to smear him with these contrived slurs against his character. Guess what - someone who headed the Harvard Law Review doesn't need a ghostwriter. What will they do on Nov 5th?

Anita Oswald, Boulder, CO

Definitely, the article is a smear campaign against Republicans and McCain. Nevertheless, what is the result of investigation?

Mark Bernadiner, Pearland,

McCain's opinions on abortion should NOT be part of his political agenda. The issue has already been settled and this is a personal thing. The pro life movement are entitled to their beliefs but imposing it on others is unacceptable. McCain apparently wants to criminalize abortion no matter what.

Colin, McLean, Va, USA

This is an interesting article but I would suggest that your headline is ambiguous enough to smear the Republican party. Nowhere in your article do you substantiate that direction was given by the official party to two individuals who happen to be Republicans.

John, Alexandria, USA

Annie B, do you homework. What you allege is wrong. That protection was already in the law in IL, and the bill would have done nothing to change that.

Frank, Plymouth, USA

I see a lot of comments, but most of them is not even from this country.....Obama will not be accepted... wait, you will see... it is only a matter of time...

hays, Thornton, U.S.

Unlucky republicans.
Your politics of fear and division have left you the sad and lonely place you know find yourselves in, through no fault but your own.
I have been enjoying watching fox news of late and having a good old laugh at your expense.
Roll on tuesday - Popcorn ready. Hope is alive.

Mike Can, Boston,

I have watched SO much coverage of this campaign, and the debates with an open mind and honestly I can't think of ANYTHING constructive that the Republicans have said they will do if elected. All they do is slam the Democrats it really IS pathetic. John McCain has lost his credibility!

Jan, Toronto, Canada

What you see in the large McCain numbers can be explained by several factors: the influence of the Religious Right on churchgoers' voting, the diminution of education in the U.S., and media's approach to politics as entertainment, offering no more depth than American Idol and wrestling matches.

Frank, Plymouth, USA

Both books use the same 26 letters of the alphabet. I wouldn't be surprised if Republicans seize on that as "proof" they were written by the same person.

Desperate, rather pathetic, and raises further doubts about the Republican's character and suitability to run a bath, let alone a country.

Chris K, Cheltenham, UK

In case you all "over the pond" were unaware, our political leaders do not "ascend" to office. We elect them. We also want to know everything about them before we vote. Obama's associations with 60's era radicals and other anti-capitalists disturb many in America.

Sam, Atlanta, USA

Members of my family died in the american civil war to end slavery, under a republican president, a slavery supported by the democratic party thru most of it's history.
This election has little to do with color, it rather is a contest between people that wish to give to the country or take from it.

james johnson, Waukesha, usa

Obama voted against that bill because it did not provide for the health of the Mother. Check your facts Annie B.

Shayla, Providence,

As a patriotic citizen of the republic I can assure you that most americans abhorr this selling of fear that has been used by Carl Rove and his ilk. I call it additon by subtraction. If I don't have anything more to offer then let me tear down my opponent.

rick robertson, North Olmsted, Ohio, USA

Perhaps Republicans might consider replacing their stale ideas and piss-poor policies with some fresh thinking and policies that benefit the majority of Americans...

Then they wouldn't have to resort to negative campaigns, smears, and embarrassing stunts like this.

Try good policy, not good PR.

Neil, Boston , USA

In my college and Political Science Dept. they use a similar peice of software to check our papers. It is very fast and efficent. About once or twice a year someone tries to plagarize and gets caught, they get expelled from school for life. Will Obama get caught and will anyone hold him accountable?

Thomas Lorincz, wagoner, usa

Jas,

If running a such a successful campaign does not show Obama's executive abilities, I do not know what does: an unknown African American decides to become the President, makes a plan and executes it to perfection...

At this stage the "lack of experience" argument is just laughable.

A Sanchez, London, UK

Barack Obama voted against a bill that would give medical assistance to infants born alive after an attempted abortion.

What kind of human being is he?

Annie B., New York, NY

US politics is disappointing me. No real political discussion, just some artificial opinion blurring. It is noise and substance. Cannot see this kind of politics as an example for the rest of the world. It is a shame for democracy.

Johan, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Come on please.

C Young, London,

There are some of us in the United States that have not had a sip of the magic Kool-Aid that the masses seemed to have partaken of. There is no concrete evidence, nor has it been volunteered, of where this person has come from. A smear campaign? No. It's called searching for the facts.

William Bojangles, Lafayette, LA,

What a shameful joke.

Farrukh, Woking,

I'd like to second David from Tennessee's comment ... the US has 20 times the population of Australia, so sure it has 20 times as many idiots but also 20 times as many wonderful people! Remember "children overboard" and our Liberal party ... a fabricated story that got them in ...

Tim, Sydney, Australia

When you have no substantiated policies then all you are left with to fight is slander, smear and inuendo - the Republican campaign is the epitomy of this very policy.
Tuesday night the Republican Party will not be decimated - it will be much worse than that!

William Roy, Milnthorpe, UK

Wake up, Jas. Are you saying this 'coz Obama is black and you need some other alibi. Palin has executive experience and she soaked up 150,000 USD for a wardrobe, of course, to be given to charity!! Now coming up with an excuse like that is exec experience, I suppose.

Tom Peter, Bangalore, India

Yes, Obama is a great statesman, and will make a fine world leader...please take him.

alexb, Norfolk, Virginia, usa

I'm sick of Obama. Had anough of him already and he hasn't even been elected yet!!!!

Fabio C, London, UK

Jas, even if your figures are correct, they don't alter the fact that Obama - an eloquent, intelligent candidate - is far more fitted to be President
than someone proud to have been "commander-in-chief" of the Alaskan militia (!) and who thinks that dinosaurs, humans + the earth are 6000 years old.

alan, gemany,

Obama has had virtually no Executive experience and voted present 140 times. If you dont know what executive experience is, it means making a decision and making it happen. He has never done that. Palin as Governor has.

Jas, Alders, UK

The GOP just cannot abide losing power. All power currupts - absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The GOP was blind to the abiss that its policies created; Let history show the disasterous global results.

Maccain is quite likeable; courageous but impetuous and reactionary - and no President.

james, shaftesbury, UK

Have the Republicans never heard of the little boy who cried wolf? They just sound silly now, I'm past caring if there were any truth to this.
As for smearing Palin - publishing unpleasant FACTS about an incompetent, ignorant politician is not smearing, it is proper journalism.

S.C. Huldig, London,

Mr. Warran, I think you know the answer to that one. Many Americans couldn't even explain how a parliamentary system works.
As for our election: "Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing...after they have exhausted all other possibilities." Finally, a leader we can be proud of-Obama.

Michael Fallai, Phoenix, USA

Sounds like the Times is uncritically accepting Millican's side of the story. If the claims were "laughably unsubstantiated", then why would he agree to take $10K for more "detailed research"? Wouldn't further research be unnecessary to assess a "laughable" claim? I don't buy Millican's story.

Atan, East Hanover,

if the election gets stolen from Obama I will be physically sick. the whole world is willing him to win, please God he will

peter c, Devizes, Wessex

I don't understand how voters can not see the brazen Republican tactics of smearing and attempting to instil fear about Obama are simply intended as decoys to hide the fact that they don't actually have any ideas about the way forward. Only Obama is showing statesmanlike behaviour s far as I can see

Morag, Maidstone,

Mr. Warran, as an Amerian I would be happy to be "inflicted" with details of your next General Election. I would find it refreshing to see how sane people go about the process.

Kenneth, Somewhere, USA

"Why don't the Republicans end the smear-tactics of the last 25 years and try to come up with some actual relevant policy suggestions that will improve the country and the world?"

They have none.

FDR: "All we have to fear, is fear itself." Today's GOP: "All we have to sell, is fear itself."

Michael Fallai, Phoenix, USA

Just another reason NOT to vote for John McCain and his Rethuglican party.

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

Alex, where does your opinion that Obama is blatantly a puppet come from??! If anyone's the puppet, I'd say it is McCain, a man with an honourable past who has been forced into very dishonourable election behaviour. You reckon Palin was his choice? I don't.

UK reader, Maidstone,

Some of us in the United States would truly like to apologize for the actions of our politicians and to remind the world that many of us are actually sane, educated and moral people. Please remember that many of us are not simply Ugly Americans, just temporarily trapped here.

David McLarty, Rockwood, Tennessee, USA

I am beginning to think the modern Republican Party is deserving of the same comment which Aneurin Bevan once directed at the British Conservatives ; 'As far as I am concerned they are lower than vermin'.

Brian Fargher, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Republicans have once again proven they will say anything to win an election -- anything except the truth. They seem to need to make Americans believe this election is about Obama when it's about the position this Republican government has put us in. We cannot afford to fall for this... again.

derek jacobs, south bend indiana, usa

Repubes doing whatever it takes to get into the White House. Is this what they mean by country first?

Jeff, Sacramento, CA, USA

Thats right Robert from Ca - the whole world out side of america (look it up, its pretty big) DOES want Obama to win

Could be something to do with what the republican party has done to the world over the last eight years perhaps....?

DaveK, Llandudno, N Wales

Your article alludes to Republicans smearing O'Bama. What is there to smear? He is a very secretive person, telling nothing and denying everything. Talk about smearing, what about how the press on both sides of the Pond smear Palen and McCain.Admit the truth,the press is against the Republicans.

Robert Craciun, Walnut Creek, Ca, U S A

This is getting absolutely ridiculous.

David Mudkips, Reading, UK

Obama is a puppet, it's blatant.

Alex, London,

More smearing! That goes to show you that Republicans will do anything to get to the white house.

Stewart O' Riordan, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Given prolonged incessant media coverage of the US presidential campaign, might we be assured American citizens will be similarly inflicted immediately our next General Election is in prospect?

John Warran, Horsham, UK

As Arnold Schwarznegger about Obama, "He spent all those millions on his campaign when he could have used it on paying off your mortgages". Well, here's another example of Republican wasteful spending compared to Democratic efficacy.

Kazuki, Tokyo, Japan

Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic...

Why don't the Republicans end the smear-tactics of the last 25 years and try to come up with some actual relevant policy suggestions that will improve the country and the world? It's sad they only think of the negatives instead of the positives, like Obama does.

MB, Edinburgh ,