CNN

What about the FISA renewal? Where is McCain on that issue. Still in lockstep with W? Maybe he won't vote at all, which is what his record clearly shows. As an AZ voter, it's appalling. No vote for John until he resigns his senate seat.

My question is what is McCain's stance on the FISA renewal? Will he vote? As an Arizona constituent, I am appalled at his inability to vote on crucial issues that have come up before the senate . His response when this is asked, "My vote would not have counted." is a con. His vote always counts in Arizona! Until he answers these questions with "straight talk", he won't be getting my vote in the primary in Az, nor will he get my vote when the senate elections come up. come on, John!

I have many idiot Republican friends. They have registered as Democrats just to help Obama win the democratic Nomination. They believe they can easily win the general election against Obama. one quoted to me " There is no way any true blooded american will vote for a Inexperienced Black Muslim named Barack Hussein Obama . He can say he is a Christian but why did he wait til he started his political career to become one."

I heard on TV the reason why Obama is winning is because alot of girls thinks he's cute ,not because he'ssmartor intelligent or what ever looks doesn't get you any where smarts ,and intelligent does and guts .

I've been learning more about Ron Paul recently. I like that he's opposed to continuing the war, opposed to Real ID, and opposed to continued deficit spending that's going to bring our country to bankruptcy.
I will be voting for him when it's my turn.

I wish America would leave Oprah and her opinions out of this race. It is really too ridiculous and quite scary!

President must have his / her master mind ( a rage of experts in different fields). Therefore, our future president Obama, as a dynamic leader, he will work with different experts according to the needs of our country. In short, Obama has enough experience relating to his future presidential job.
Kiziton

Obama can enjoy the ride for a while, but soon enough he will be challenged to answer where he specifically stands on issuses. He's enjoying the spotlight and his supporters think he is squeaky clean. Don't bet it on it. The media is holding him to different standards than Hillary, and many of us know why. She's a woman and it's much easier to go after her than him and thus appear racist. Give me a break. He wouldn't be able to stand the heat in the kitchen if the media starts to chew on him–he'll be sputtering all over the place! I already see Bush in him–inexperienced and he struts when he walks out to face his supporters. Egoisic confidence. Seems to me to be a cover up for what he lacks–experence and real knowledge to lead this country. Good ole boy network and sexism alive and well in America and so many women are too dumb to recognize it! What a shame!

Stephanie G, I visited the website of Obama's church. I didn't get that impression at all. Nowhere in the doctrine does it say that they "only support blacks and Africa." Committing themselves to the African community is one of their ministries.
Did you know that "commitment to God, black community, commitment to the black family, the black work ethic, self-discipline and self-respect are values that the conservative movement in particular has suggested are necessary for black advancement." Obama is not a separatist. If Obama Hussein Barrack' was a Muslim, the rest of the world would tear him down saying that he is a radical Islamic. Stop hating!

blackrepublicansista, I agree with you 100%

Enter Oprah…..She threw the $$$$$$$$ party for Obama, got all the idiotic white women to follow her like a guru, and now supports TWO black men. The fact that Obama is ahead of Clinton shows that Oprah’s arm of $$$$$$$$$ has a LLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOONNNNG reach.
Personally, Edwards is the only canidiate, Dem or Rep that I would feel safe having in the white house. Get a grip America….voting for Obama is an OBAMANATION…and America deserves better......obama ain't it.

I am sorprise how quickly our country forget what happen when George W. Buch
won last election base on being a guy guy who you would love to have a beer with and look what happen to our country . Al Gore was more qualify and yet he lost the election and now he won the Nobel Prize for his contribution for Global Warming.
Do you really want to repeat history by voting for likeble verses experience. I just pray that our country can see beyond likebility and really look to who is the better candidate for this country and there is not doubt tha Hillary Clinton is the one and what a chance it is to have a Woman President now That is change with experience.

Bernt -

You have established a new level of ignorance! Did Obama label himself an African American, or did AMERICA place that label on all people of African heritage living in America, regardless of their background? If America rid itself of labels and we were all truly regarded simply as Americans, we would have a much stronger country. Sadly, this is not the case, and we as Americans love to place labels on each other.

Obama does embrace his White American heritage by referencing his Mother on every occasion that he can. If, however, he were to reference himself as a White American (by virtue of his Mother) rather than an African American, the voting public would think that he was nuts. Instead he is sane and pragmatic, and understands that despite the fact that he is of mixed race, America regards him as a Black man. Thankfully he is proud to wear that moniker.

Sorry that you and your family have abandoned your German heritage. You should not chastise those Americans who choose to embrace the cultures that comprise their individual backgrounds. That is called diversity.

if obama was a white man i would vote for him but he isn't and i am still voting for him. why you may ask "we need a change" and i see what white man has done to this country so i am willing to give this intelligent, kind black man a chance.

Sue in Michigan January 8, 2008 12:12 pm ET

Why are they releasing vote totals before the vote is over? That's like announcing results for President before CA has voted-makes some people stay home, or is that the goal? Let's tell them Obama and McCain are winning and then people will vote our way or stay home?? Is Karl Rove behind this?

KKKarl Rove has nothing to do with this. It's a tradition that the results from those two small towns that vote at midnight are released right away – they've been doing it for 40 years now.

It really doesn't matter, since the choices from these two small towns do not always match the outcome for the entire state.

Go John Edwards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What does "experience" have to do with anything? Why can't "change" be the new way to look at politics?

HRC is getting emotional because she knows its over. Go home, Hilary.

First of all, im not American, I am Lebanese,
For a second i thought its hopeless to find someone to really guide this once known for its great influence on democracy and friendship and the better of humanity. Now everyone wants to make for us our own future and they want to bring us peace.
Second, if i had a vote i'd vote for Obama, WHY? Because we need a president for America that accepts the other and not just force their own points of view and vision of how the whole world should be shaped and done.
I do hope that you give Mr. Obama the chance to prove what he's saying, and that HOPE is not just a slogan for the elections but a true word from the bottom to the top.
H Clinton and Bill Clinton are just power and money addicts who can't get enough, 8 years in the White house and still in the congress, give people a break. If it was true democracy you should give others the chance to represent them selves, the world is not based on the same experience, the first president didn't have all what you are asking for and there is always a future and the future means change, just give other people a chance to be there and prove it, stop using power to control everything and everyone ....

Stephanie G,

I don't know whether Hillary paid you or you did volunteer for this one but what's true is that it will not work.

and for your information, I keep saying that these negative ideas which tend to divide people will not work in America...Can't you see from clear results that nobody wants to marginalize any other person or group.
The church is helping black people and black communities that may so need such assistances. How does that make it racist?

Obama does belong to Trinity Church in Chicago, he attend along with my father-in-law, an aunt and a cousin all on my husbands side of our family. I have attended Trinity and it is a wonderful church. Yes, they are a black church but everyone is welcome. Please see for yourself and attend a service...

Wes Peace

clearly you are sleeping. The Republicans...Romney, Huckable, McCain have all expressed interesting concerns about how tough it would be to go against Obama with the momentum he currently has.

I remember one of them saying Hillary would have been easy because all you'd need to do is raise her negatives high enough. With Obama, you need a whole new approach that's stronger or at least equal to his message of Hope, Change and Courage.

So your claim that Obama will win the Dem nod but collapse at the Republican-Dem face off is outrageous and baseless....go do some more reading before you post here please.

Obama has no name which is why he may be in low numbers in Southern States. One reason is that African American populations in those states WERE AFRAID TO VOTE OBAMA THINKING WHITE FOLKS MAY NOT. But after Iowa with a 95% white population and NH with a 96% white population stand behind Obama, the Southern States will go into a tremendous surge where Obama will get land slide victories..

First they said it was Oprah and once she was gone Obama was going to fall.
Then they said it was Superman..
Then they said he cannot win the nomination.
Now they are saying he will win the nod but will collapse against the Reps..
gimme a brake...this thing is real.

Oh wait after NH...SC and Nevada, we'll start to campaigning for SUPPER DUPPER Tuesday...wait you'll see what I am talking about.

Anita–you've made the smartest comments ever. At last someone else sees that Obama is really saying anything but a bunch of pre-approved responses Frankensteined together by some political advisor.

Am I the only one that found clicking on this story entitled "Obama, McCain win New Hampshire's First Voters" to find to small towns with populations barely amounting to 100 people finishing their voting, not only the biggest waste of time, but a little misleading...

I am praying that Obama makes it all the way to the White House. After I heard his speech at the Democratic Convention in 2004, I knew he was what America needed.

My only fear is that the lies that are following him around – such as him being a Muslim WHICH HE IS NOT – will change the minds of some who are not smart enough to research him on their own and vote on the lies of others.

Just so you know, I am a 58 year old, white, former Republican who lives in the South!

OK people stop the hate. I NOT A HILLARY supporter. I support Obama but if he should happen to not WIN the nomination I will vote for ANY ANY ANY ABSOLUTELY ANY other democrat. Hillary is not my choice, neither is Edwards, but I will vote for any democrat just to keep the presidency from a republican. ANY democrat running would be better than ANY republican running.

So stop the hate people. Vote for your first choice in the primaries and if they dont win the nomination put on your big girl panties or big boy boxer briefs and vote for the nominated democrat. The ultimante goal is not get Bush and his republican cronies out.

Marge Hibbing Mn, your facts are faulty. Bush is not "the one and only candidate to win NH and go on to win the nomination." Kerry won in New Hampshire, Al Gore won in New Hampshire, Ronald Reagan won in New Hampshire, Jimmy Carter won in New Hampshire, even Richard Nixon won in New Hampshire.

Bill Clinton is the only candidate to lose both Iowa and New Hampshire and still become president. Hence the name Come Back Kid.

You also assert that "the Media has been told to push him up and they are." I guess that's why the media mogul Rupert Murdock, owner of Fox News, held a fund raising event for the one and only Hillary Clinton, becauce he wanted to push Barack Obama. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

Here is one aspect you've overlooked, and one that might help you sleep at night. California has already mailed out their absentee ballots. By the time the candidates campaign in California over half of the votes will have already been cast. If voters see that Hillary has lost in New Hampshire it could bode very poorly for her in those larger states.

I don't care about any of this stuff. What really matters is Obama equipped to run the Country! He's a heck of a nice guy and very well educated, but is he equipped to run the Country??? NO!!!!! I'm afraid nominating Obama as the Democratic candidate will be like handing the election over to the Republicans (i.e., John McCain)!!!

re: The ideal race (in my mind): Obama/Richardson takes on McCain/Huckabee

If this happened, then I would have to vote democrat for the first time ever. We need someone as smart and experienced as Richardson in office. He would be the perfect complement to the panache of Obama as a statesman.

I don't care about any of this stuff. What really matters is Obama equipped to run the Country! He's a heck of a nice guy and very well educated, but is he equipped to run the Country??? NO! I'm afraid nominating Obama as the Democratic candidate will be like handing the election over to the Republicans (i.e., John McCain)!!!

Where is Ron Paul CNN?

Huckabee was on Leno, your handlers said "JUMP"!

Ron Paul was on Leno, your handlers said "stand down".

As a citizen of the USA I demand equal coverage of all of the cantidates from all media outlets!

Go RON PAUL!

Whoever wins this election will inherit:

1. The worst economy in history of America.
2. The Quagmire in Iraq.
3. An overstretched Military spending Billions to recruit small numbers.
4. Immigration out of control
5. No plan for health care in the greatest Nation on this planet.

How the Bush administration was elected needs to change. The Electoral College needs to go away!!! My vote and yours should count. Not a paid for electoral vote!! Rich oil man wins twice…look where he has taken this country the last 8 years.

My comments on each candidate:

Obama – Scary he’s the democratic version of George Bush. Spoon fed rich kid, groomed to be a politician.

Edwards – Honest hard working American. To bad he’s carried as being vein.

Clinton – Experience when America’s budget balanced. Can she do it again? Cant do any worse.

Huckabee – Honest hard working American. To bad he’s carried as not having enough money and is truly sincere about taking American back from lobbing cooperation’s.

Romney- Rich owned and operated by cooperate America.

McCain- he is sincere, but too many ties in DC.

YOGI

My problem with casting a vote for Obama is that he is a stranger. We have no track record to base that vote on. What are his motives other than he has always been grooming to be President. Why? I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but there is something going on under his veneer. We have not yet seen the complete Barack Obama, and until I do I have to look elsewhere to cast my vote for the most powerful position in the world.

If Obama is a Democrat, then why in the last debate 1-5-8 did he wear a red tie while Richardson and Edwards wore blue. I believe we had red states(Republican) and blue states (Democrat) in the last election. Is Obama a true Democrat? Is he a Muslim in the closet. He a good talker but whats in his closet?

No, Mary, [January 8, 2008 11:50 am ET] they won't tear Obama apart. He knows the Constitution better than average, taught it ten years at the Univ. of Chicago on Chicago's South Side after winning the vote for the President of the Harvard Law Revies from his classmates; whereas his Republican opponents don't seem to have a lot of respect for the Constitution, not enough so as not to break the Law constant in regard to us the citizens of the US. They are dragging us into another all out war with Iran right this second. Why? Because they still can.

Oh my, are you guys serious. They are reporting on a 50 votes after midnight and calling the results are in???

Pleeeassee – the media is part of the problem; sanitizing and picking up on the smallest detail.

I don't live in the US, but there should be balances in place because people will start to think the results are in and change their vote.

The Republicans are scared of Obama, because he was unknown. They all bought into Hillary early on, as most did believing that she would inevitably be the Democratic nominee. So they crafted their campaign post nomination to "defeat Hillary" mode. Much of their early rhetoric involved explaining how suited they were to taking her on.

But now, Obama is there and they have no idea what to do. They didn't prepare for him, they don't know how far he can go because he draws from two unusual and undocumented bases of support; young voters and independents.

And that is part of why Obama can win.

I think Obama is too inexperienced to be president. We need someone that is experienced enough to handle this broken country. How is Obama going to handle foriegn policies? He hasnt said anything specifically what he is going to do to change the country. I havent been following him or his speeches. I am still unsure who to vote for. i know for a fact that we don't need another Republician in office. I like Edwards because he knows what the middle class people need and was raised in a middle class family. I am tired of the rich getting richer and hard working people like myself scraping by to make a decent living.

i think the young people are voting for Obama because of what he says but is he really going to be able to do what he says. He talks a good talk but can he walk the walk. i dont think so.

Obama was so desperate he needed Oprah to help him out. What kind of publicity stunt was that.

I dont understand how the women of this country cannot be supporting Clinton. Obama is a charmer and that is what he is relying.

I would love to see an Obama/McCain ticket.

Lets set the record straight....Ron Paul is a Libertarian....90% ideas good...10% insane...(ingest the whole message before you support him) – he is a pure Libertarian

in my earlier blog....I should of stated "I would of been the one who voted for Giuliani" – its fairly obvious that living in CT I couldn't vote in the NH primaries – I would like to request that the law that allows anyone 18 and over to vote – be changed to "anyone with some level of common sense and intelligence" – but then Hillary would have no supporters...

All states should have a primary on the same day and let the chips fall where they may. Surely, New Hampshire does not have the same concerns that other states have under the "all politics is local" adage. This is just a media circus and will be forgotten within hours.

Marge Hibbing Mn,

No. You must not have followed the polls. Hillary national poll number dropped overnight across numerous polls. She is now behind Obama in South Carolina more than 20 points. 20 points! Clinton is not out, but she is in trouble and all she can really do is to wait for Obama to make a mistake.

Wes Peace... your comments about Barack are hillarious

What the heck do you think IOWA is – its is the Hearland of Good Ole Boy Country.. This is John Deere, chewing tobacco, coverall jean county. Everyone should wonder how a black man could win in Iowa where the minority population isnt even in double digits yet! ... and you should get the facts on Obama background - now just the hipe and misinformation that is printed on the papers .. actually his background is more non religious – catholic, muslim and a little of chinese philosphy for that matter.. And electibility is just another term dummies use when they want to play down the effectiveness of a candidate..

Now its interesting Mr (so called Muslim Radical) Barack was the only candidate that the Pakistan government went into a tirad of hate statements... because he said lets get in there and find Osama.. Did you hear any of the politically correct candidates jump on the band wagon...

I suggest he is more electible that any of the other candidates.. because he is setting the pace... everyone is singing his platform.. even John Edwards is talking "change" – get for real... and since I am a black republican... I am sitting back laughing my behind off at how this democrat is wiping all of their behinds... and this time..there is a viable black candidate that can pull across race, age, party and gendre and that Sir is scaring the main stream. Bottomline America is ready for change – we have had eight years of dem and 8 years of rep...who have done nothing but sputter rheteric..

Explain this please.....Obama spent all that money to have those students bussed into Iowa to vote for him. They did. He won...ONE ELECTORIAL VOTE MORE THAN HILLARY AND TWO MORE THAN EDWARDS. So what's the big deal. Why is the
MSM maing a big deal out of it. Now if he had won all the votes or most of the votes, OK but ONE DARN VOTE.

Neither Hillary or Edwards bussed in students, and Obama got one more vote. And even if he wins in NH remember bush is the only .....the one and only candidate to win NH and go on to win the nomination, So Edwards or Hillary who are more popular in the southern and midwest, California, New York and Florida than Obama can still leave him in the dust.

But the thing is the Media has been told to push him up and they are. But they won't get the real Americans to vote for him and the American Idol fanatics will hardly vote they can't phone them in. The doodle boppers like to garner attention for themselves but they never follow thru.

WOW, HE SHOULD EMBRACE HIS WHITE HERITAGE ...WHY? IF HE WALKED DOWN THE STREET AND A WHITE PERSON PSSEDD HIM...HE WOULD BE DESCRIBE AS A BLACK MAN...HIS MOM WAS PROBABLY DISOWNED BY HER ALL EMBRACING WHITE FAMILY. BY AMERICAS EYES.....HE'S BLACK !

Obama–has hijacked John Edwards agenda (so has Hillary, Richardson, Hucakbee, and now McCain).

The only one of these folks who has had CHANGE (reform) as a key element of their agenda since day-one is John Edwards. You can trace it back to 2000!!
He has been unfaltering, and is the only one openly dedicated to fending off the very powerbrokers funding the others!!

There's still an opportunity to restore representation by the people!!
John Edwards–the one who got ALL the other candidates to begin making CHANGE a part of their agenda's. He's like Coke–the REAL thing!

Obama is a Catholic ??? Not the last time I looked! He attends Trinity United Church of Christ, a congregational church in the puritan/pilgrim/reformed tradition.

http://saynotoobama.blogspot.com/

The must read blog. Good job whoever posted this. STOP OBAMA

It shows how the guy who talks about change and hope won IOwa using the dirty politics. He is a real fake. REad this blog if you are true american

"My job is to be so persuasive that if there's anybody left out there who is still not sure whether they will vote, or is still not clear who they will vote for, that a light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you, you will experience an epiphany ... and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote for Obama," the Democrat said in Hanover.

The above words by Senator Obama as reported by CNN are troubling as they show Senator Obama believing that he has the power to cause a divine manifestation to the undecided voters of New Hampshire which will show them that he is the chosen one. Alternatively, he is contemptuosly using as political rhetoric the Christian concept of what happened on the Feast of the Epiphany (just celebrated on January 6,) when a divine manifestation (the Star of Bethlehem) announced the birth of the Baby Jesus.

I certainly hope these words only reflect exhaustion of the Senator because if through what is left of the primary I read further troubling stuff that indicates to me that the above words did not reflect exhaustion; and Senator Obama gets the nomination, I will have to vote Republican.

Robert Davila-Loyola

It's funny how Obama has the haters running so scared! A black man that actually is inspiring young people to go vote, they can't stand it! They're shaking in their boots. They'll come up with any b.s. to try and knock him down. Even if he doesn't win in the end, it'll will be such fun to watch the scared, brain dead, gay-fearing, racists morons make idiots of themselves trying to NOT let this man win. The same idiots who voted twice for Bush.

I do not believe Obama will be the President. I wish for change but Obama is very unexperienced. Oprah is not God so quit using her. Is that the only way Obama can win is with Oprah, not on his own? Obama is running for President, not Oprah. It is early and alot of Presidents did not win the first two to four primaries. It is too young but the media will not stop promoting Obama. That is not fair to promote only one candidate.

Stephaine – thanks for bringing that information about Obama's church to my attention. I found it interesting reading.

Ben – you say Obama is "also white" – yet I've never seen him embrace this part of who he is. On his own senate web site, he's listed as "the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review."

As a fourth generation AMERICAN, I take issue with anyone that puts any word before American. You're either American, or you're not. Yes, my forefathers emigrated here legally from Germany to pursue better opportunities for future generations of their family. Once here, they instantly relinquished all ties with the German sovereignty and immersed themselves into the American culture; by learning the language, working hard, and giving back to the community.

But this vote isn’t, or shouldn’t be about race or gender. Instead, we Americans should be voting for the candidate that will do the best job for us. Frankly, I haven’t seen much evidence of Obama being able to properly represent us in foreign affairs and worry that he will get eaten up by the “Washington Machine.” Personally, I love Ron Paul’s message, but his affiliation to the Republican party frightens me.

Clinton has a lot of inside exposure to Washington and a great deal of experience. And I should point out that I campaigned against her when she first ran for the senate here in NY. However, over time, I have come to admire and respect her ability to stand up to the “good ‘ol boys” network. Romney has a good track record, business sense, and did alright for the people in Massachusetts – but again there is that ‘Republican’ thing. So, personally, I think I’m down to Clinton or Edwards.

Good luck to the candidates, and may the best candidate be sworn into office next January!

Stephanie,

Dare I even mention those members of organizations that are supposedly based on Christian priciples who find justification for racial seperatism in the Bible? People who preach that interacial marriage/dating is a sin against God? The point that I am trying to make: If you look hard enough, you can find justification for just about anything. But as intelligent voters, we need to do the research so that we can make intelligent, informed choices.

On another note...I went to the Website. I didnt see anything against white americans. I did see that this is a group that is proud of its religious and ethnic background. And is concerned with the issues that affect the Black community. This being America, that is there choice.
There are many groups, religious and ethnic, that display this kind of pride and activism specific to their cause. Why is it a problem when Africa Americans do it?

And as for Obama being a member of this church....I am a Baptist. My congregation doesnt believe that women should be in the pulpit....let alone in the White House. I personally would have no problem voting Hilary Clinton into the presidency. That doesnt make me a bad Christian. It just means that I dont agree with all of the Doctrines taught in my church. As I am sure that you dont agree with EVERYTHING taught in your church. As I am sure that Obama doesnt ascribe to EVERYTHING taught in his church.

just my 3 cents

If all the republicans and democratic opponents of Obama can say is that 1) he's a secret muslim terrorist plant 2) he is a black radical bent on destroying white America 3) he only puts his hand over his heart 75% of the time he sings the national anthem 4) he's a socialist (democrat)

The republicans will be destroyed by that – they'll get their 5% nut job vote but loose the middle.

The issues the republicans have are

1) he believes cutting taxes on lower incomes but RAISING taxes on higher incomes
2) he has only been in Washington DC for a few years and he has not been a Governor – he doesn't have enough experience to fight terrorism
3) he wants to move toward single payer health care for the country

I don't think that argument is going to win the day for republicans because he has good counterarguments already up on his web site.

Good luck to the US

Ciao Francesco – I am an American and I don't understand Italian politics either. Are we on the 50th prime minister in 60 odd years or is it more now. I have lost count!!

H. Clinton could not change Bill; how is she going to change the Gov't?

I believe that Edwards will do what he says and would accomplish much more then B. O. because most Corp's and other foreign Leaders don't want to change or "play nice" so B. O.'s idealistic message of getting folks to submit to change is a pipe dream... The US is going to have a rough next 10 years and we need someone that will not let the bastards (of the world) grind them down!

I would like to see Edwards run as Pres. with Richardson as his VP...

Stephanie, does HRC pay you or are you a volunteer?

Mary, Enough garbage about the Republican attack machine. The Clinton attack machine went toe to toe with them in the 90's. If Obama can stand up to the Clintons he can stand up to the Republicans. And when it comes to electibility, Obama's potential far supersedes Clinton's Her shrill personality, calculating political history, entrenched ties to special interests, and unbridled ambition gives her the highest unfavorables of any candidate for either party. An Rep. strategist worth his/her salt will tell you all the Reps would need to do to beat HRC is push her negatives up 3-5 points in the crucial states. That is a ceiling imposed by her own actions and nothing else.

Obama on the other hand, polls very well with independents and republicans.

Finally, for everyone who says there is no substance to Obama, all of his policies are laid out on his website. If you can blog, you can find the information. Stop your own ignorance.

The Clinton's think they are so special. They've had their turn. Let somebody "YOUNG & ENTHUSIASTIC" have a chance. Go Obama!

Hillary, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Get a life Why don't you retire?

Jeff,

I am a Romney supporter, and can say that judging a person by his church is personal to me. If I don't like it when they do it to my candidate I will not like when they do it to another. Fair is fair.

Stephanie,

Obama 08" Perfect Love casteth out all fear........

Charles T.
If Obama does not win the nomination he will go Independent.
Is that So?
Who is the selfish guy then?

http://saynotoobama.blogspot.com/

Please be informed!

Obama,Clinton....they speak to change....but, what they thinks about changing ?
A true change in United States there will be only with FREE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ,for everybody ,as the italian system.
A true change there will be when it won't be possible to purchase weapons.
Why don't they speak of this?
Can someone to answer me?

SHAME AMERICA SHAME OBAMA

We are making such a huge mistake by voting for Obama, who is nothing but a smart fake. We dont study geography doesnot mean we have to be ignorance. Change is the cheapest slogan of the worst politician in the world. Has OBAMA EVER SAID HOW HE IS GOING TO CHANGE WASHINGTON. To change washington, you have to know washington from inside out. Have to have enough years in washinton. Let us not ride in dreams and hope for change. Lets come to the real world. lets stop Obama before he makes a mockery of this great country. Do we want to be remember as the ally of terrorist, ally or radicals in the history. That is what going to happen if Obama wins. Stop Obama. Save America

The Trinity United Church of Christ .

Not clear exactly what it is they really are committed to.

The do mention Africa twice in their 10 point vision.

Judgment day is not yet here!
Today we get an insight to what the independent voters of New Hampshire think. This primary may be a better indication of how the general election in November will go rather than how the rest of the primary elections will unfold. As in Georgia, the voters can declare the party they are voting in when they arrive to vote at the primary.

Independents are making the news more often this year because of their inherent potential to change the course of the Democratic and Republican primary races. Sam Nunn (D), Michael Bloomberg (I) and Chuck Hagel (R) met in Norman Oklahoma to discuss the ever growing discontent of the politically centrist voters in this country. They reflect the alarm over out of control spending and a tendency for the current government to accept partisan politics over the good of the people. They also decry the influence of special interest groups in Washington.

Unity 08 is a group of centrists who are openly calling for a third party candidate to oppose the other two party candidates in the November general election. Bloomberg’s name repeatedly comes up as third party candidate for president even though he often quoted as saying “I am not a candidate”. Many feel he will run if the mainstream party’s do not address the concerns of the newly radical and growing segment independent voters in this country.

One thing is clear; the candidate who appeals to this block of independent voters may have the most success in the long term. There are many party loyalists who are sick and tired of the status quo.

Jay Paul “The Seventeen” http://theangeryindependent.blogspot.com/

I am wondering if these people voting for Obama have really though it through? I have nothing against the man, in fact I believe the man will make a wonderful president some day.
The fact is, he does not have the experience to handle the job, right now. There is a big different in being in the senate for a couple years, and leading a very troubled country. There are many things in this country that need to be changed; everyone knows that. The problem is that because of our system of government ( which is idea when it works the way it was intended), change takes time. It also take alot of hard work; breaking through the resistance of those who are afraid of change.
Most of the time, you have to be willing to settle for less than total change inorder to make some progress toward change.
I don't see Obama as a patient person. No one can change this country over night.

Ya stephanie. All those dang churches that support america need to be ditched. I'm tired of all these patriots makin this country exist.

Stephanie Gosen-

I think that you should read the website again. That's not what it says. Learn to review websites before giving all of America a false synopsis.

Unbelievable. Do the votes of those 42 people really justify national exposure? The primary process has become a farse with the media having the last laugh.

All you Obama haters be careful what you wish for. Obama will go independent if you guys steal his nomination with lies and money because he has nothing to lose knowing he is fighting for the average American. And Obama knows he won't run again.

The Independents have a press release that they won't run if Obama wins the democratic election. So picture this, you nominate Clinton and Obama goes independent case closed. Hillary will have no chance in hell coming close to winning and the country might just have its first Indepenent President.

Clinton is so selfish and greedy that she is ready to split the democratic party, and she will because more than half of democrats and all independents will go to Obama.

So either way Clinton will lose, if you want a democratic president then stick with Obama because our time is now for America.

That info about Obama was all made up by a Clinton staffer! Stop spreading hate!

This is the WAVE of CHANGE !!!!!

Wait for the TIDAL WAVE when Oprah becomes the RUNNING MATE !!!!

Then the CHANGE will not be JUST A DREAM !!! ...................................

...................................................................A Change You Can Believe In !!!!

You better believe it !!!!

Ben,

How about I run for president and my church's mission statement say that it considers Europe the cradle of civilization and that we remain true to our homeland. Would you not think that I would be putting European agendas above that of my own country if I follow such a blind and hate ridden organization as Obama does? People are letting their desires for change and stability blind them. Look what is right in front of you, you know the point Stephanie is making is valid. You are the company you keep.

Does any one know when Mike Bloomberg and Chuck Hagel are going to enter the race?

Chris from Middletown

Richardson, cut more taxes than giuliani and believes in tax incentives for business investing in american jobs and technology.

Socially liberal unless you count pro second amendment position.

So yes I can and he doesn't have the baggage of a flock of neocon advisors at his back.

Stephanie, there is nothing racist about Obama's church. From their site:

"We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent... We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community."

There's nothing racist about pride in a cultural heritage. There's a huge Coptic Orthodox Christian church near my parents' house, and everyone who attends the masses (in Arabic) is from Egypt, or descended from immigrants from North Africa. They aren't racist either. They are simply celebrating their faith in God and belief in salvation through Christ withing the framework of their cultural tradition.

I say, thank God for churches that focus on addressing problems within minority communities. Minorities in this country need all the help they can get.

I'm italian and I don't understand your politcs...

Stephanie,

By any chance have you read any of his books?? Let us not also forget that he is also white not just black. If the church takes the stand that it does it is to promote a sense a pride in the black community, no where on the website does it state to hate white people.

Stephanie:

A predominantly black church does not mean racist..that's like saying a church in a suburb is racist for being mostly white.

"I just received an email about OBAMAS church affiliation."

That email is a hoax and has been making its rounds. Probably started by Clinton or one of the other campaigns. Obama is a Catholic, the email is a hoax intended to get people riled up. I'd do a virus check on it, too.

Its amazing Stephanie that you somehow inferred from that website that the Trinity church only supports blacks and Africa. You may want to read again and use some reading comprehension skills. Its disturbing to me that you would accuse a church of racism when it clearly does not say that.

Blind Faith vs. Educated Decision
Submitted by Terri Oberg on January 7, 2008 – 13:40.
Let's face it, rhetoric is part of the political landscape. Every candidate uses it to sway voters. Promises are made, patriotic speeches abound and claims of taking tough stands drop from the lips of all the candidates. It is the responsibility of the voters to hear and see what is beyond the rhetoric.

I have balked at Obama's campaign from the start because in every campaign ad and interview, all I was hearing was how patriotic he is (as though the rest of the candidates are not) and the usual rhetoric of how he'll bring change to our government and American way of life. His ads never talked about how he would do it or described the experience he possesses to bring about this change. My S.O. found himself in a discussion with an Obama supporter awhile ago. Since my S.O., like myself, had not heard what Obama would actually do while in office, my S.O. asked the supporter to explain why we should vote for him. The supporter could only respond that Obama would bring change. My S.O. pressed for an answer, asking how that change would come about. His question only elicited a defensive response berating my S.O. for bad mouthing the candidate. My S.O. left the discussion without getting an answer. It perfectly illustrates how so many voters blindly vote for candidates based solely on the rhetoric they hear and not on what the candidate would actually bring to the office they seek.

I was also thoroughly disgusted by comments made by potential voters who happily told reporters they would vote for Obama based solely on Oprah's support of him. They had no clue why Oprah supports him, only that whatever Oprah thinks and says is as powerful as the word of God. Plenty of candidates look to celebrities to help boost their campaigns but, again, the voters should take a more active role in deciding, no matter what celebrity is holding the hand of a particular candidate.

I've been an undecided throughout the campaign so far. I've taken in the ads and debates, read the articles and opinions of others. I've been doing the research. I'm confident that my decision will not be based on gender, race, celebrity, hair color, age, who has the nicest smile or who has the nicest sounding promises. I hope there are more voters like me, and far less like the Oprah faithful or the supporter who couldn't answer my S.O.'s questions; which, even with all my research, I still have no idea what he will bring to the office or how he plans to fulfill his promises of bipartisanship, health care for everyone and stopping the production of nuclear weapons with little more then his "intuition" as experience and guidance. We heard these same kinds of idealistic promises a long time ago from a peanut farmer governor named Jimmy Carter, undoubtedly a great man, but hardly a great president.

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don't fall for it
Submitted by demo2 on January 8, 2008 – 12:02.
No candidate has ever made promise to change the whole system and actually been able to do it. It is not possible. Good candidates will not promise to overhaul the whole system. Kennedy, contrary to the impression Obama gives with his name dropping, did not PRE-office campaign that he would change the system! He simply got elected on a campaign similar to Hillary Clintons, and did a good job, and managed to play the game the right way to get farther than others did. Same with Dr. King...he never promised he could change the whole system...he was a motivator that changed what people felt in their hearts, and others changed the system. He was an inspiration, but not a lawmaker by any means...no disrespect intended. Obama is naive, and making big promises he can't keep, and the republicans are boosting him in the primaries so that they can win in the election. They can beat

Obama -they have dirty laundry that isn't out yet. They can't do that with HC.

Obama hasn't come out and given any details because he doesn't HAVE them. He does not know what he will be faced with once in office. Mrs. Clinton does! She knows how to play the game, and use the rules in favor of the people, and knows how the system REALLY works once you are President...Obama doesn't have a clue! No other senator has a clue! We actually have real potential for making changes that will count, by getting someone in office that knows the game. Obama will be in a state of "elected shock", and will spend a good two years finding out there IS a game, let alone how to play it, and in the mean time will lose favor with supporters because he can't own up to his promises he made, and when that happens it will make it even harder for him to win support in the house, senate, and congress when he wants to get things done. He's naive.

The only reason why he has the turn out he does (which is extremely misleading, and misreported on by the media) is because people ALREADY KNOW what Mrs. Clinton has to say -they know her, they are familiar with her, and so they are going to see Obama because of all the attention he's gotten from the media to find out what he has to say, AND more importantly, they are going to see him in HOPES OF MEETING OPRAH WINFREY! If people knew when and where Oprah was making her appearances -his turn outs would follow accordingly.

The media is very misleading! Hillary Clinton is the best person for the presidency, and the only one that can win over a republican nominee in the election. And no one wants another Bush in office. If you look at how Huckabee, McCain, and Romney voted on important issues the public is hoping to see change in...ALL 3 OF THESE MEN VOTED THE SAME AS PRESIDENT BUSH!!!!!! If you elect one of those guys =you are getting another Bush!

If I recall, Bill Clinton lost both the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries in 1992 and came back to win the democratic presidential nomination.

The media should get off the Obama wagon and let the chips fall. IMO, there's not one candidate on either the Republican or Democratic side who ought to be President......but then again, George Bush should never have been allowed to hold the office either.

The point? We're just a broken nation with broken people and greedy, power-hungry megalomaniacs are calling the shots. So sad.

Stephanie Gosen-

Um, that's not what it says at all. Try reading it again.

Stephanie,
What about all the churches that only support whites and America?

Now the race goes racist. Kudos Clinton..Kudos America. Way to go! 300 years...onwards to Dark Ages again

Why are they releasing vote totals before the vote is over? That's like announcing results for President before CA has voted-makes some people stay home, or is that the goal? Let's tell them Obama and McCain are winning and then people will vote our way or stay home?? Is Karl Rove behind this?

Why Obama cannot win the general election for President: Gosh, love the Democrats from those early states. Here they go again; picking a candidate who cannot win the presidential election! Yes, Obama can and will win the Democratic nomination, but when it comes to winning the general election, electability just it isn't on the minds of Democratic voters. It's okay to be the voice of change, but if you're never going to get elected in order to make change happen, nice speeches are useless. To win the general election for president, the Democratic nominee has to be able to win Southern states as well as some of the more conservative, main-stream swing states. Obama cannot accomplish this. He is an African-American with a Muslim background. I have no problem voting for him, but how is he going to win over the 'good-ole-boy' network to support him in the general election? He can't. Clinton and Edwards haven't drawn attention to the possibility of Obama being sympathetic to Islamic fundamentalist ideology and his electability for the general election, but you can sure bet the Republicans will go for the jugular when it comes down to that. Does he have some good ideas, represent the younger generation and make stirring speeches? Sure! Is he likeable enough to sway a lot of voters? Of course! But, when it comes down to it Barack Obama, the son of Barack Hussein Obama, cannot win the general election for President of the United States of America.

Stephanie Gosen January 8, 2008 12:04 pm ET

Stephanie G.

I would liken that to a Jewish synagougue supporting Israel, a Catholic church supporting the Vatican, or a Baptist church supporting its missionaries in other countries. In other words, no big deal.

That e-mail you received was intended to stir up anti-Obama hatred. I hope you did not forward it on to anyone else....

The party hegemony must be stopped by the voting public.

First Step: Understand the Constitution: Members of congress are not meant to have a predisposed opinion of their President.

The public must recognize that the parties and this entire caucus round-about is not official government business even in a time when the parties are completely embedded in the federal offices.

Second Step: Without organization is not without order.

Those running independents are the true voices of America as they have not sold out to being dominated by a party label. It is the American peoples duty to ignore these caucus proceeding, which is just a media grab in the early days before an election, and when the time comes for the official Electoral College vote only independent.

–

The Caucuses are a ploy of the parties to include the general public in the Presidential election system, but it is the State Government which is in true control of law and order, and the route to the Federal government for the general public is found through your non-bias district member of Congress.

–

With a party order is lost.

The political machine is getting ready to circle their wagons on Obama for Super Tuesday. First starting with Hillary Clintons' emotional act. To give her image a remake; they will say she has changed and is a new humbled Hillary. All while starting the dirty tricks and divisions. Especially if they get James Carville back. Obama supporters stand strong especially now. Stay Fired UP for Obama '08!!!

The ideal race (in my mind): Obama/Richardson takes on McCain/Huckabee. I would honestly have a hard time deciding. I am a Republican, but like all 4 for various reasons.

Chris...how can you be voting for Giuliani as a fiscal conservative? He’s YES for spending billions and trillions in the "war against terror!" And the continued billions for subsidies for illegal immigrants.

Try Ron Paul for true fiscal conservative!

MR. AMERICA requests that someone hand Hillary a box of tissues...

Chris, Middletown, CT January 8, 2008 11:36 am ET

I would be the (1) who voted for Giuliani….he is the only social liberal/fiscal conservative running….

How does someone in Middletown, CT vote in Dixville Notch, NH????

i'd rather McCain beat flip-flop Romney. The money he spent is obscene. It is almost as if he is buying the presidency. I'm voting Democrat regardless of the outcomes. But McCain is more genuine.

Ron Paul is the quintessential social liberal and fiscal conservative, seemingly the incarnation of Senator Robert Taft who in his lifetime was known as "Mr. Republican."

Sadly in 60 years of war and circle-the-wagons siege mentality - understandable during WWII and the Cold War to be sure - the GOP has lost touch with many of its Old Right roots including non-interventionism.

Non-interventionism has been mocked and inaccurately relabeled by the would-be 'world policemen' on both sides of the aisle as isolationism, although isolationism is another creature entirely with its backward anti-globalist emphasis on what economists term autarky.

Three new polls this morning and three very different margins for Obama. Rasmussen shows it tightening, and Zogby shows it expanding. Full roundup here.

Why are you not reporting what the Republican attack machine is reporting about Obama. They are painting him out ot be a closet radical muslim raised in Indonesia by his stepfather to be a wahabi muslim and attending a madrassa. If he wins the nomination for the democratic party the Republicans will tear him apart . I am afraid he will be another Jimmy Carter. A real nice man and wonderful human being but not equipped to handle the evils of the world that face the nation today. I hope the voters know that this may mean the Republicans will retain the white house !

Can someone help me with this question? Hillary says she has all this experience but the only thing that I know she was a senator. Is she counting the year that her husband was in a office?

I would like to see a match between McCain and Obama. I actually like both for different reasons. McCain is not a "Washington insider", he is a maverick.

I would be the (1) who voted for Giuliani....he is the only social liberal/fiscal conservative running....

In the end...70% of the voters describe themselves as "social liberal/fiscal conservative moderates" – party affiliation aside....can you name any other social liberal/fiscal conservative running....just Giuliani

You should include Harts results which are also out.