There are multiple branches contained within an effective means of securing our nation's future energy resources. Knowledge of the Middle East is, as you point out, beneficial. There is no candidate who is more qualified in this respect than Senator Biden. However, there are many other important elements of an effective policy which you somehow seem to have overlooked. Instead of continuing our dependency on foreign oil, we should begin to assess our own resources more seriously and, even better, accelerate the research and development of alternative, more environmentally friendly sources of energy. A knowledge of the Middle East should not be the only consideration in choosing the President of the United States. Rather, we should be looking for someone who can spearhead change in the very policies themselves, someone who can be innovative and effective in leading, someone who understands the needs of the American people as well as the situations across the rest of the world. Senator Biden's experience and proven leadership made him a wonderful candidate and it is unfortunate that he is no longer in the race.

Go G.O.P.!!!

I certainly hope Iowa doesn't set the standard for the nominees....Oh My!!! If our choices are Obama or Huckabee, our country is in trouble!!! Obama is too naive and inexperienced...not to mention, he is WAY to charismatic and draws people to him in a very eerie way if you ask me. Then you have the opposite with Huckabee...going to turn us into a country ruled by the church.

This is going to be a great election cycle! I may not move to Canada after all!

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/ http://facts.hillaryhub.com/
For a little national election snapshot: http://uselectionatlas.org/2008.php

How do you fathom your Candidate of Change is going to bring that change about when they don't have the experience or know how to do so???

You don't walk into a White House as President with virtually no experience, rub your Chrystal Ball, make a wish and watch it turn into reality!

Some of these comments really make me wonder if Americans even know what they want or what, better yet who, is best for America.

For all those that think Hillary Clinton will drop out before the Democratic Convention, you are obviously not politically informed (or inclined) and are simply expressing personal feelings without any concept of how the American political game is played. That's why many Democrats feel "cheated" of the election by Bush in the last two elections. Those who feel cheated were not paying attention to REAL political strategy (as did Karl Rove) and simply making a lot of "noise" based on skewed personal views of "democracy". Suggestion: Go to your local community college and take an "Introduction to Political Science" class to LEARN how elections in America are ACTUALLY CONDUCTED. Or, better yet, go down to your local party HQ and actually PARTICIPATE in a campaign !! Then, perhaps, your views and commentary will make more sense as you attempt to persuade others to give your candidate a chance. That'll stop many of you from seeming to "blow a lot of hot air".

So, Salita inquires where can Obama get 270 E-votes? Good question... How about NY (from Hillary's base – if she does not get the nomination at the Democratic Party Convention), PA, NJ, NH, MA, CA (again from Hillary's base), OH, IL, FL, NC, SC, TN, WI, MI, MN, OK, NB, IA, MD, DE, GA, LA, MS, AL, WA, OR, NM, VT, ME, RI, CT, & HA for a start.

Those who comment against CNN (or other media sources) for "pre-selecting" winners ought to get with the times. Nobody is making you watch ONE media outlet in 2008. Obviously your post on the I/N shows you have the computer and the skills to find websites, so you have the ability to research ANY candidate through their own websites, blogs, other media and other fact-finding sites. Suggest you stop your whining like someone MADE you simply tune into and believe ONE set of "talking heads". There are enough outlets (Blogs, letters to editors, holding signs downtown at the TV stations) where you could've gotten your message out BEFORE any political event or circumstance. Just sounds like more "Move-On.Org" crying. Why not take a look at the scoreboard of success for that (or any other !) organization before you repeat some mindless nonsense. Think for yourself and increase your understanding of politics ! Some poor naive woman got on CNN whining about how she didn't feel the caucus process was "fair" during her FIRST time participating since nobody expressed the things she THOUGHT she ought to have heard on the candidates views. New people to the political process should simply SSLL (show up, shut up, listen & learn) during their first participation. Campaigns and elections are NOT about making one "feel good". They are about using a PROCESS – other than guns, bombs & violence – choose people we want in charge. Want "warm and fuzzy"? Go sit in a bookstore or watch a movie or TV.

"JB – Boston" has a GREAT idea of Obama & McCain. Too bad American politics (and we Americans...) think we MUST vote a "straight ticket" and NOT make the kind of noise that might get us the TWO BEST PEOPLE for the top job. This Hobson's choice (picking an IDIOT and friend) from ONE party is what kills us. (GHW Bush and QUALYE?; Nixon and AGNEW?; GW Bush & CHENEY?; Carter & MONDALE?; Truman & WHO??? – BARKLEY??)

Americans ought to DEMAND the right to split the final ticket and pick the BEST person we feel can fill the respective positions. But, again... that is NOT how the American political game is played...

If Obama gets the nomination, I will vote Republican.

The enthusiasm of these early months will give way to serious thought as the November elections get closer. The economy will be worse, the world situation crazier, more people will have lost their homes. People's fear for the future will cause them to start thinking seriously about how their candidates will actually deal with those problems. That is when the experienced candidate floats to the top.

What options will the people have to choose from in November? Inexperience or religion.

Thanks Democrats and Republicans! Thanks for inbred political parties! Thanks for having primaries instead of having all the candidates names on the November ballot!
And most of all, thank you for supporting the candidates who can bring your "party" the most money.

I hate to say it, but I might just have to support McCain, the only candidate left who has what it takes to be President.

Biden is a plagarizing lout, Dodd a cranky old man.

By the way, Howard, last night Obama won16 delegates to the national convention, Hillary 15, and Edwards 14. Hardly a mandate for Obama. In addition, Hillary trailed Edwards by 1/2 of a percent point , so basically, she tied for second place. This gives a strong finish for all 3 candidates and strong momentum for all of them heading into New Hampshire.

...and 98% of those who won't vote for a black man will be voting in southern already red republican states, and will vote for the republican nominee regardless.

Obama is my 1st choice, McCain 2nd, Biden 3rd...the rest would be republicans

I am an Independent.

Obama is the most electable Democrat of the top 3 (and that is who matters now)...who have the same relative stance on issues

*He appeals to independents AND republicans
*Hillary Clinton has a ceiling of support and she has reached it. 50% of the country will not vote for her....this includes ALMOST ALL republicans, and many independents (including myself)....many democrats will also not vote for her.
*Obama is right to stress working across party lines. The only time massive legislative action in this country occurs is either
A) Thorugh Compromise (Obama)
B) Crisis (9/11, Great Depression) or
C) a Mandate Election (1932, 1964, 1980)-the democrats will not win a mandate with Hillary Clinton or John Edwards-good luck passing Health Care reform in bitter fights with the Republicans

In response to your question about winning states Carter did not in 1980....
I don't know why you chose that year and that election.

Carter lost a landslide to one of the most charismatic candidates of all time (Reagan), and did so after he struggled in his four yrs in office.

Lets compare it with 2004....when I VOTED BUSH
Obama can win Ohio (my home state), and Florida with votes from independents and a solid democratic base. Hillary certainly can't. Edwards has a slightly better chance.

and a note on experience:
Abraham Lincoln 1860-- 2 yrs House of Reps, 8 yrs Ill State Legislature
Obama 2008- 3 yrs U.S. Senate (by election), 8 yrs Ill State Legislature, years a city organizer working for people, and years as a professor

Obama/Biden '08
McCain '08

GO HILLARY!

I'm not kidding; he has the exposure, experience and level-headedness for the job.

After 8 years of the drunken, coke-headed, frat boy lout and his cabal, we need serious people with foresight in Washington!!!

P.S. – Put a fork in the GOP, and you can thank bush for that!

DR

I'm a republican and, depending on the republican candidate, I'd be willing to vote for Joe Biden. I'd never vote for any of the other democratic candidates regardless of who the republican candidate was.

I apologize that you didn't make it, but your still respected by me and my family. Please try not get involved of endoursing anyone cause it will reflect you if you decide to run another term.

The games has just begun.

Last night there was a crazy thing happening in Iowa. If you were able to see the live feed from CNN.com and other media outlets, you would have seen that Richardson supporters were extremely close to getting the 15% needed to be a viable candidate. In many cases, Richardson was missing the viable status by anywhere from 2 – 15 votes. With Biden and Dodd out, the majority of those people should support Richardson. I don't see the lower tier supporters moving on to the higher tier very much. If they do move to Richardson, he very well may shape this elections' outcome. I know that he definately has my vote!