Obama and McCain - your thoughts/opinions on the American presidential candidates

[Earlybird]

Is Obama all charisma and no substance? Or is he a breath of fresh air politically speaking - offering hope for real change? Is he politically experienced enough to be president, or is he largely the X-Factor presidential candidate (huge momentum created by media adoration/hype but at some point the bubble will burst revealing a manufactured candidate?)

Is McCain too old, too conservative and/or too dull? All substance and no charisma - so doomed to fail with the media/public due to importance of image/soundbites? Or a man of experience and integrity who will guide the country with a steady and experienced hand?

As a Mumsnet member based in America, am curious to hear how the candidates appear to those who don't get their news through the US media. Am particularly interested atm as Obama is in the midst of his International tour.

I agree his mixed race heritage should not matter but the reality is that for many Americans it does matter. They see the colour of his skin first, not him as a person in his own right.

Until that changes, him being elected will be pivotal because he is black imo.

Yes, I can see what you mean - here's hoping there is something pivotal to look forward to...

No Bluebutterfly,
I made a mistake in typing. I meant that most of his support would be coming from whites anyway.

Yes, Nader running again. He's just been added to the ballot in my state.

well, the man is a trooper. i wouldn't have the money, guts or the confidence.

not really, spookette.

tbh, i find racial issues to be more prominent here.

let's not forget that the largest 'minority' in the US is now Hispanics.

on the whole, in many regions of the US, i have found racial and ethnic diversity to be far greater there than here (London excepted).

I think ultimately that America will find it easier to vote for a seasoned old white guy, than a young optimistic black guy, which is a shame because another term of Republican government does not help the US in the eyes of the rest of the world.

Some may think this is a shallow POV, but a series like 24 has probably opened more eyes to the idea of the black US president, but that's not enough when it comes to crunch-time this time round.

I think Obama is a undoubtedly a clever chap, however that often doesn't help. The whole 'tour' thing feels like horrifying hubris and very poorly thought through. In fact, reminds me a bit of Neil & Glenys Kinnock-style presumptuousness (and me a Labour voter).

John McCain was helped a lot by the Obama/Clinton in-fighting and remained dignified throughout. He also gave a surprisingly witty self-deprecating performance on Saturday Night Live a couple of months ago, which really surprised me and was somewhat reassuring that it won't necessarily be a third term of Bush lunacy.

So my prediction is one more term of Republican government, then people will eventually decide they've had enough. Hillary probably would have stood a better chance.

I kind of hope I'm wrong.

mrssprat,
yup, i agree.

has anyone noticed that the people who believed kerry would win in the last election are also the same people (mostly) predicting obama will win? or is this something i'm just coming across on my own?

Is anyone else slightly uneasy about Obama's recent activities? It appears he has stopped campaigning, and is acting as if he has already been elected President.

About a month ago, he started to give speeches on a podium with the presidential seal attached - though he was chastised, and that has now stopped.

His schedule for the last few weeks do not seem to be the actions of the Democratic nominee - what with the various International 'head of state' visits, and today's meeting with the Head of the Federal Reserve.

Very presumptuous IMO, and there are some rumblings from the media and public.

Well Earlybird, I think he's trying to show that he can have the foreign connections because he has almost no experience in foreign policy, and I think his campaign is trying to get the American public to see him as the international face of the country. I think it's arrogant. He should be here helping people who's houses are flooded or are burning down.

actually, i haven't read an American newspaper in about two weeks.

Really, he's not up to more campaigning? What are the majority of the newspapers saying about it? or do you think he's slowing down for the final stretch? because sometimes candidates go quiet after the 4th of July and then start up again right at memorial day?

Politically they are almost identical but I think I'd rather sleep with Obama

Did you see the reception he got in Berlin? That was something

For those criticising Obama for his world tour,well McCain did his world tour in April which included visits to Britain, France and Israel. Where were the howling cynics then?

Once again the black guy is criticised for doing something that the white guy has done already but without comment.

Racial hypocrisy reigns supreme, even on Mumsnet.

On a global scale, Obama is more palatable than McCain. Dubya has succeeded in cementing America's reputation as the bully boys of the world. The government struts, pontificates, dictates, meddles, connives, lies, cheats and obsfucates issues all around the world because they think that they are the only ones that matter.

America needs someone with leadership qualities who can reach out, facilitate, negotiate, listen, empathise and instil trust as well as hope. They need someone who can rebuild their global reputation. McCain is not the man for this, imo.

from Earlybird on Obama "what with the various International 'head of state' visits, and today's meeting with the Head of the Federal Reserve."

In April, McCain met with various heads of state including Gordon Brown and Sarkozy?

????????????????????????????

Spokette, before you start branding us as racists, which I personally find deeply offensive tbh; it's the whole media circus/entourage element and mass staged events that trouble me - that's why I mentioned Kinnock too. If this is a sign of genuine support and popularity, that's fine; if this is manipulation and arrogance on a grand scale (and after all this is politics we're talking about), then I don't feel comfortable.

The media can make or break a candidate, and I think that Obama is definitely in danger of being broken if things carry on in the current vein.

spokette,

What Obama did was a planned visit. Was he in the right to do it? YES. Did it up his international credibility? Maybe.

The way his visit is being perceived here in America is that they were Offical State Visits, which they weren't. We are seeing him as being presumptive in his role as a leader because of it. And for me personally it hasn't made me think any better of his foreign policy credentials.

The only pictures we see of John McCain were ones of him sitting in a chair with another leader across from him, not up at a podium in front of a crowd. Please correct me if that is different from you have seen.

Also John McCain has been in politics long enough, and he's done the visits before. This is the first time we in America are seeing Obama on an international visit so of course it's going to be a big deal.

By the way, when I say planned I mean meticulously planned and though out.

Forgive my spelling, I'm fasting.

spokette - I am offended by your post. It is entirely possible to question and discuss Obama/his actions/campaign without it being racist.

Now back to the topic - yes, McCain made a similar International 'tour' in the spring. But it was not handled/reported in the same way. Perhaps that is because he simply doesn't have the same charisma. But personally (as an undecided voter), I am finding the 'Obama as the annointed one' media adoration a bit much.

why is spokette's post racist?

I didn't know that McCain did an international tour, so that Obama is now being criticized for it as a 'victory lap' is so incredibly hypocritical.

I don't think any believes Obama wouldn't be a good President. What he lacks in experience he'll make up for in his ability to choose excellent advisors. He's obviously picked a great team so far.

This election year we have had so many capable people running from the primaries, that we really had our pick of great people. I just think McCain is better than Obama.

any = anyone

God I hate fasting.

mkg, why are you fasting?

I have my first trimester bloods today and they require a 12 hour fast. 2 more hours to go.

So I'm MNing like crazy to pass the time, but staying away from recipes, food, and weaning.

obama is gorgeous

Really? Gorgeous?