CNN

I was in the spirit and praying for Guidance for this country. A calm peace that came over me.
Then I saw why:

I was at an Inauguration.For the next president. People were cheering and Shouting.I look to be hold. America voted for their first Black President.

the point to this:

The American people Will Decide who the next president will be not the Washington Insiders and Political establishment.

WATCH THIS- Hillary Clinton WILL NOT get a free pass from GOP and Democratic voters need Barack as the viable contender to bring out the shortcomings of Hillary’s candidacy because if he doesn’t and she’s nominated, she’ll just go on to blow an election that Democrats absolutely want to win. So, Obama is actually doing the Democratic Party a huge favor.

Hillary Clinton WILL NOT be coronated. If she wants to be President, she’s going to have to work extremely hard for it. I know that there’s nothing worse to the Clinton camp than exposing Hillary’s shortcomings. They’re scratching their heads now and just wait and see how her real colors will come out.

They’re going to have to come up with real answers better than those stupid memos challenging his politics of hope, because they’ve already been caught on that. Wait a minute Hillary, you thought you had it all wrapped up because Obama couldn’t pack a punch? Well, you thought wrong. Now let’s have a conversation Hillary. Shall we?

I have immense respect for both Clinton and Obama. But I believe that Clinton has the edge on experience. Plain and simple! Given more time and experience, I think Obama can do the job as well in the next 4 to 8 years. Although either is an improvement over the fiasco we have now!

wow, I might be young but I'm not stupid. Honestly, people for some reason are obsessed with Obama and people believe everything that comes out of his mouth. This guy has nothing "different" to offer. He takes no initiative of his own. He does realize that the fact that there's a lot of the leadership/experience skills that Hillary has, he needs!
If Obama becomes president, this is what I see: someone telling him what to do because he has no idea on how to run a country. He hasn't even finish a term in the federal congress! All I know is that I don't want some one to run the country on "hope"....if I sound mean, it's because I'm a political science mayor and if there's one thing that makes me upset, is that politicians lie and then people stop believing in government and it's purpose. Obama is a hypocrite, and he'll be told what to do, just like Chenney does Bush...

Dave, Atlanta, GA:

Hear, hear.

you wont win over hillary,you'll be putting people in misery, like the book you wrote was all misquotes.you haven't laid out a plan, but in hillary land,she is the one who will have all the votes.

after her 2 terms,2016 you'll try again, you might win, but can we eliminate,Chelsa Clint{a}n..Haha,she would have the 2 biggest admirers on her side.

Coach Haughton:

Every other senator running for President somehow figured out when the vote was going to be held and a way to be there to weigh in. Yes, of course Senators miss votes when they are running for President. Unimportant ones. Not votes on resolutions they later claim are handing the President a "blank check" to get the country into a war they passionately oppose.

He has months and months to talk to the American people and he's been talking to them for months and months. If he thought Kyl-Lieberman's effect would be as momentous as he now claims, then he should have stayed in Washington to talk to his fellow senators to convince them to vote against the resolution.

He ran away from the vote because he didn't want to be seen opposing a measure that might do him political damage. Now, he's lying about the effect the vote might have to damage a political rival who WAS brave enough to take a stand. Very sleazy.

I like New York, I LOVE NEW YORKER.
Thomas, NY, I agree with you. Thanks.
Alice, CA, you are smart, and you gave us the point. Obama's judgement is failed, so he has no experience, no right judgement either. He said about new, but never show us anything new, no new political view, no new idea, no new platform. You lost my vote.

For those of you who think that taking notice of Obama will automatically make us fall in love with him, you'd better call off that wedding and get your money back. I have personally heard him speak and while yes he is very good with words, many people are. If you have a vision but no plan then what do you end up with? Personally the more I learn about Senator Clinton the more I admire and respect her for who she is and what she does.

There is very little difference between the whole bunch, republicans/democrats,,,they're politicians. They'll tell you what you want to hear, get into office and start their own agenda. Look at what we have in office now. GWB doesn't care or monitor polls "Of, For or By the People of America. He has his own agenda.

GO – Lou Dobbs

You want Obama to be president and he can't even do his current job of being a Senator. He's paid to vote and make decisions. He's not doing it. He should resign from the Senate if he can't juggle being eith Senator AND running for president. All the other candidates managed to make it to the vote.

Who is Senator Obama working for? Himself on the campaign, or the voters who pay his senatorial salary. We the people pay him to be in Washington to vote on all...yes, all legislative matters. We do not pay him to stay out on his campaign trail. He's raised enough money to hire a private jet to get back to Washington to vote.

Mark my words–If Hillary Clinton wins the Dem nom, there will be another Republican redecorating the white house in January '09. Not sure which one, but it won't matter.

The general election will become a vote against rather than a vote for the next president of our United States. Much as we'd like to deny it, the presidency is a popularity contest, and frankly, polls have proven Mrs. Clinton is not particularly well-liked.

The amendment was on the floor when Barack was present and then put on idefinate hold.

Instead of sitting in washington waiting to vote in protest to things Barack went out to talk to americans in his undying effort to bring change.

Senator Reid announced that the vote was going to be held and ordered that the senators who were not present be notified. The senate...already knowing they had the votes...voted an hour later. Barack immediately issued a statement of his oppinion on the bill.

The spin about "hiding" or "escaping" the vote is not going to work.

Senators always miss votes during a presidential campaign for similar reasons.

Get the facts straight.

It appears that the 2nd and 3rd place democrats and front runners from republicans are trying to discredit Hillary rather than giving americans new policies of their own. Republican hoefuls one and all except Ron Paul are still following Bush's disasterous policies. All of these men are desperate to get into the race and catch up with Hillary.

Obama, you da man! Show Hillary that experience and sacrifice is more than being First Lady while Billy is sleeping with another woman in the Oval Office!

Obama '08

I can't seem to understand why it is that Barack Obama feels he should be President of the United States simply because he wasn't in the Senate to vote on the resolution to use force against Iraq. I simply don't see how this one issue allows him to bypass the fact that he has no other agenda to run on. I have been watching the Obama campaign closely and I haven't seen any new fresh innovative ideas. He only speaks of hope and change and how America is tired of the same old politics but he has not explained to the American people what he will do for them.

It's fascinating in a land of intelligent people like the USA no one else can see this point. How is he any different than Sen. Clinton? The only thing that he constantly hammers home is his alledged opposition to the Iraq war. I use the word alledged simply because he has publicly stated in many interviews that he is unsure IF he would have voted use force against Iraq if he were in the US Senate at time the resolution was passed. It is very easy to criticize someone for their actions if you weren't in the same situation. John Edwards frequently uses this tactic with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. He is not a sitting Senator, yet he has many ideas on how to end the war. Ideas are easy to come by when you are in no position to implement them.

Personally I wish Americans would shoulder some of the responsibilty for the Iraq war as well. We all know that after 9/11 and before the invasion and even nine months into the invasion, support for the war and President Bush was very high. When the war started going badly Americans support started going south and they started demanding answers. I compare this behavior to your favorite baseball team is the team the wins the World Series. I believe if there was a more positive outlook on the war, Senator Clinton would not be villified for her vote. I believe her vote to use force in Iraq was not politically motivated and she honestly believed she was making the right decision.

In the land of Hillary haters even if she didn't vote for the war it would be another reason why they can't support her. Democrats need to wise and realize that they are still being played by the Republicans. They don't want Hillary and a Democratic majority in Congress because they know major changes will happen. They know she has the will and political power to make this happen, that's why they are doing everything possible to try to speak negatively of her.

If America really wants change vote Hillary 2008. I don't see what everyone is so afraid of.

Yes, Hillary has experience, but unfortuanatley for us, it's the wrong kind.

It's the kind that has created and strengthened the current 'government' in DC. Big business gets access through their lobbyists and we 'the people' do not. Hillary is a part and parcel to this garbage – She has been since 1992.

Didn't most of us just vote against this very THING? That's 16 years of the same experience we just kicked out of Washington! C'mon!

It's more of the same BS, more of the same run around, more of the same Washington that no one but Washington wants.

What has she ever done or decision she ever made has ever worked out in our favor? (Her being a PUBLIC servant and all)

That's right...nothing. Heath Care. Nope. Marital Fidelity. Nope. IRAQ. Big, Big, Nope. Name one thing. Nothing.

Elect someone who COULD pass the BAR Exam. We are a country of laws after all.

Elect someone who inspires the country and hopefully the world.

Elect someone who can make a difficult, unpopular decision and come out on top in the end.

Elect someone who beieves that the people, not interest groups, get the government we deserve.

Go Obama.

You inspire us and make us realize we can make this country right again one vote at a time.

I like Clinton. I believe she would make a decent president. But making Clinton the Democratic nominee was be a catastrophe. Her polarizing effect will cause the Democrats to lose both the Senate and the HOR. No bills will be passed. The Iraq war will continue, forget about universal health insurance, not to mention any education or economic legislation. That's why I'll be voting for either Obama or Edwards. This country needs to unite and stop fighting internally if we are to ever make any progress and be respected by the rest of the world.

Posted By Joanne, Des Moines, Iowa : October 11, 2007 2:19 pm

^^^^^AMEN TO THAT AAAAMMMEEN TO THAT!

Keep this up Obama and you won't be Vice President either! Hillary will be the next president of the U.S., and this is one middle-American Democrat that is looking forward to it!

Posted By Dave, Alpharetta GA : October 11, 2007 1:11 pm

Who wants to be Vice President to Hillbill? Bill Clinton will be the real Vice President and Some smuck will just have the title and be a puppet for there agenda. Republicans will rally against Hillary and like it or not She needs Obama more then Obama needs her. Stop denying the fact that she is not as electable as CNN wants her to be.

Yes, go for the Change, go for the Unity, Go for Obama. Enough with issues that trickeled down from eight years of the Clinton Administration into the Bush Administration. Enough with the Soap Opera. Go for Change!

If you watched Cspan you would see how things played out with that ammendment. Reid did pull the ammendment off the floor the day Obama was present saying that it was on idenfinate hold. 24 hours later Reid put the ammend on the floor for the vote, he clearly told staff to inform senators who were not present. An hour later the vote happen. Obama was already gone after the senate session the day before. Obama released his position as soon as he was informed on that a vote would happen. So, the Obama bashers get your facts straight. It makes no sense for Obama to not vote against the ammendment.

If Obama continues to refuse to take the gloves off and criticize Hillary he will lose, and she does not need him to win the Black vote. The Black vote, the female vote, as well as California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New England are going to vote for her no matter who she picks as her running mate. If she's as calculating and smart as she appears to be she will pick someone from the midwest or south who's a Democratic moderate, not a liberal like Obama. He doesn't bring any voters to the table who were not going to vote for her anyway. The far left self absorbed bloggers can criticize her all all they want but the absolute truth is that America is not left wing nor is it right wing and the overwhelming majority of the voting public is moderate and will vote for a middle of the road candidate in 2008. They don't want a Hollywood Liberal or Daily Kos candidate and they also don't want someone from the religious right or a candidate who appears intolerant of others which both the left wing and right wing most definitely are. Hillary definitely does not need Obama to win.

THOMAS..I enjoy reading what you write. You are one of the smarter people who make comments.

Obama is becoming desperate, like Edwards- poor showing in the latest polls, poor fund raising in the 3rd quarter- So now he embraces mud sling-shame, shame, shame... And he says he is a "fresh breath." Pathetic.

Easy to be different, just be honest.

the more I hear Obama talk the more I think he out of his mind. He should focus on the republicans and not try to tear the dem party apart. I think he's working for Bush

This is going to be great! I can not wait to see Obama take on the Clinton machine. Hillary has been riding the Clinton name for years and it's only her name that keeps her ahead in the polls. When Obama makes waves people will start noticing him and when they do they will like him. That will be the first difference he can point to. When people look at Obama they like him when people actually pay attention to HRC they don't like her. Boy, am I looking forward to this.

Obama '08

I think it's a very good idea to show the differences between you and Senator Clinton. For one, she has never stated that she will always look at the world through the lens of a white woman. Whereas you Mr. Obama stated int he Audacity of hope that you would look through the lens of a black man. You also admitted to former drug use in your first book published right after you graduated law school. As well as attending a Church that only supports the rise of the African American. Did not Jesus die for all? You can find the above information on his home Church in the Century Christian May 2007 edition. I know who I will be voting for.

Barack is NOT running for second place or vying for a VP slot. So the differences need to come out AND at a time when voters in early states will be most influenced. History shows that some caucus/primary voters don't make voting decisions until as late as a week before the polls open. So you want to make those strong impressions gradually. Why push to rally after the opening kickoff when you can gain strong momentum during the 4th quarter?

I like Clinton. I believe she would make a decent president. But making Clinton the Democratic nominee was be a catastrophe. Her polarizing effect will cause the Democrats to lose both the Senate and the HOR. No bills will be passed. The Iraq war will continue, forget about universal health insurance, not to mention any education or economic legislation. That's why I'll be voting for either Obama or Edwards. This country needs to unite and stop fighting internally if we are to ever make any progress and be respected by the rest of the world.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE achieve your goal, Senator Obama, and make sure you're the nominee and she is still the senator from New York.

It's time for Obama to rachet up the differences between him and Hillary! I think more Democrats are excited about getting Bill Clinton back in the White House in some form or fashion than about Hillary being "the Commander-in-Chief". Bill was a popular president but what he accomplished was due to his democratic Presidency and a Republican Congress. When it comes to Hillary, I simply don't trust her. She's very calculating, robotic, and uninspiring. I believe her last minute run to become a NY Senator in 2000 was based on her future decision to run for President. Her judgement is very much at question, from remaining with a man who's been publicly accused of infidelity at least three times to authorizing Bush to wage war in Iraq (and perhaps the Middle East...see Iran Revolutionary Guard vote). I like Obama (or Edwards as second choice) for the Democratic Presidential Nominee.

Obama...

Clearly America likes Hillary more. Get over it. You will make a great president after two terms of HILLARY.

GO HILLARY!!!

Originally, I was hoping Hillary would select Obama as her running mate. I was even hoping that he would succeed Hillary as President in 2016. But in light of his constant criticisms and snide remarks and digs at Senator Clinton, my new attitude is . . .

NOBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"and surrounds herself with experieced election and political people"
A. Thomas

Yeah, people like Sandy Berger, who should be in prison right now rather than an "unpaid political consultant"

The man corrupted the history of this nation, not to mention covering up for Clinton.

Yep Mati, it is all about her being a woman.

That is why everyone who dislikes her does, you got us, we are all sexists.

Differences?

He got to where he is on his own merits. She got to where she is because of who she is married to.

He took a political risk in opposing George Bush's war in Iraq in 2002. She went with her political "gut" and voted for it.

He rakes in a lot of campaign money without taking from special interests. She does take money from special interests, yet still didn't raise as much for the primaries as he did.

His campaign emphasizes a substantive issue debate. Her campaign brags about her national poll numbers in almost every press statement.

He's the challenger. She is the quasi-incumbent.

Mati...GWB doesn't hide when he has to make a decision either.

Simply making a decision if its wrong is no good answer

You should be the nominee .. because? Oh yes, you are THE MAN! so Hillary can still be the senator from New York. Many thanks for allowing it.

If Obama has slight chances in Iowa is because that state is one of the most traditional in the country when it comes to gender. Hopefully, other states are more gender neutral.

What are the differences? Obama keeps reminding us about his judgement on Irak like Giuliani talking about 9/11. If the latest vote on Iranian Rev Guard was so important for this country, why hasn't he interrupted campaigning for one day and go to Washingotn to vote? If he had this premonition about a 'blanck check', he had to be there!

I admire Hillary, at least she doesn't hide when she has to make decissions.

Keep this up Obama and you won't be Vice President either! Hillary will be the next president of the U.S., and this is one middle-American Democrat that is looking forward to it!

Go "comparative" on her by all means, Senator, but you and she remain unelectable for all the good and bad reasons which have been given. But I think you lack the courage to lay bare what this woman is all about, because in doing so, you also expose what you're about, and people don't buy either.

TO ALL OBAMA SUPPORTERS: Isnt this the same exact line that EDWARDS brought up in the last debate and has been saying for the past 2 weeks!! If Obama was so much against this resolution (I oppose it as well) HE SOULD HAVE HAD THE BALLS TO VOTE AGAINST IT..instead he didnt SHOW UP FOR THE VOTE..WHAT A HYPOCRITE!!!

Hilary has peaked and now the one person she didn't want taking shots at her now has her in his sights. Now it is going to be a tag team handicapp match Obama and Edwards versus
Billary Clinton. Im not voting for her either way so it makes no difference. It's either Obama or the GOP for me.

What Obama is now doing is good.

If only he had the experience needed to run the country. I expect more candidates to lash out at Hillary but they need substance. Everyone should try looking into Richardson a little. His eperience is unmatched and experience is what we really need now.

More unrealistic promises, more government, more taxes.
More unrealistic promises, more government, more taxes.

Difference??

I can tell you the difference between the two...one's male, one's female, one's black, one's white, one'll be president, one wont, Hillary will be president, Obama will not.

Go Obama!!!!!!!! Yes, the country is ready to hear those differences.

Sen. Clinton has worked hard to blur those differences in an attempt to deceive the American people, and cover-up her many failures.

We're ready to hear the TRUTH.

I think that Obama needs to stop talking about how he offers something new, and start specifying exactly what sort of new things he is offering. We get it, you are new to Washington, so you aren't part of the establishment. Now answer the question: What do you plan to do that you believe Hillary won't.

Your future in this race depends on that answer.

Somebody...PLEASE...FREE THE PARTY FROM HILLARYLAND!

Obama 2008!
(Gore if he would be so gracious)
(Edwars a not so bad third choice.)

it is about time, OBAMA!! this inevitability of Hilary is frightening!! and you know Bill soon or later will misbehave and everything he did on the blue dress of you-know-who will come back to haunt all of us again!

Differences? Well, one is a white woman, and one is a black man. Oh, and they have different names. Thats about it.

Inside, they are both the same Democrabot 5000.

Clinton substance over style? What substance? Obama has laid out more detailed plans on every issue than Clinton has, and his views are far more mature than hers. Go look at their proposals on the issues on their campaign web sites and compare them yourself. Read their speeches.

You report, you decide. Don't let these fools tell you who to vote for, find out the real views of the candidates for yourself.

What a sellout. Hillary offered him the VP ticket and now he does what the master tells him. Can you say crash and burn?

About time Obama, let's discuss issues. Make her discuss ALL of her stances, instead of being allowed to simply offer 401K's, Baby bonds and instate tuition for ILEGAL immigrants.

Let the real campaign begin.

It is very complimentary to hillary that these other candidates (obama, edwards, giuliani, romney, etc) compare themselves to her. It shows she is leading to these candidates, and the one to beat.

The bottom line that these candidates have to convince the dem and american voters that their differences are better, and do-able per their personal characters, experiences and abilities.

As of today, hillary is till the favorite among the dem and american voters. Here are my reaons why she will win the dem nomination and will become the next president:

a) Hillary has a effective (high poll standing in state polls) and efficient (least % money spent for $ raised) campaign machine, and surrounds herself with experieced election and political people including bill clinton (best strategist ever);

b) Hillary has raised most funds (firing power), and most left over,to get her messages across;

c) This is the clintons' 3rd bid for president, winning the previous two;

d) The other dem and rep candidates are light weights and few have foreign political experience, and their inexperience may cause them to fumble under republican attacks (see john kerry);

e) The clintons were successful in countering republican attacks during the clinton admin and came out as one of the best popular president ever. Bill Clinton left office with a job-approval rating of 66%. Three-quarters of Democrats, and 53% of voters in general, would like him to play an active role in a future Clinton administration. Nearly nine in ten Democratic voters (88%) express a positive view of Hillary's candidacy; 38% express a very positive view.

f) Hillary does not need to paint the whole america blue, and all she needs to do is to win one more state than john kerry.

g) Hillary is leading in all state primaries (except Illinois) over Obama and Edwards by a big margin.

h) Hillary has experience to make responsible and realistic changes, and has heart and passion for public service.

I really hope that, whichever way it goes, they run together on the democratic ticket. I think that would be an unbeatable combo for the democrats

There is wisdom in Obama's strategy to campaign through phases. The idea he should go on the attack like a rabid dog like Edwards would only undermine his own gravitas. So long as he exhibits differences in a well-calibrated way, he will overtake Clinton with the assistance of Edwards’s Clinton-bashing strategy.

Differences? Who can spend the most taxpayer money making it easier for Americans to survive without working hard. Also each candidate will have a different plan to discourage self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship, free enterpise by increasing taxes on successful people and increasing welfare and free health care at the expense of those who create wealth.
There's nothing the democrats look down on more and want to financially punish than successful business people who creat wealth and jobs.

It's about time Obama! Expect attacks from the Clinton campaign that ignore the issue and instead say you're suppose to lay down as she marches over everybody and her ideas reign supreme. There is -nothing- wrong with addressing bad policy choices people make. Actually, it's vitally important to ANY political process. Anyone who says otherwise is playing games with the American people.

It's going to be very tough to take down a former first lady in a country that calls itself a democracy but seems to envy monarchies.

But, if anybody can pull it off at the end, it's Barack Obama. I can't think of any politician in recent memory who can fire people up like Barack does. He's raised more money than Mrs. Clinton has for the primaries and he's doing a better job of motivating younger voters.