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.

McCain is not a social liberal, no more than Obama is a Muslim, anyway.

you see Slick Willy was adopted as the "first black president" by black america. When he had Monica troubles they hugged him tight and said you are ours and we feel your pain and persecution.

And they voted for him faithfully like never before.

So you see these "little slights" were bound to have a big impact

Just curious - can anyone tell me - was Obama's father Muslim? Just wondering how he came to be named Barack Hussein - not a name a woman (his mother) from middle America would come up with on her own.

And Mrs Clinton was one of the first ones who started talking about whether BO was a Muslim. She did in a clever way by saying- by the way he is no Muslim- or something like that.

Dittany- don't rake me literally. I am saying that the Clintons could have played it "above the fray". I am a BO supporter and he is no boy. Just saying that they could have played their experience and been more dignified. Can fish out the Clinton quotes if you like. ALso, bear in mind there is often a difference between what you say and what the impact is.

Clinton actually apologised for the JFK assntn thing, didn't she?

I believe it is Fox News ( doncha just love Murdoch) which routinely refers to Obama as Barack Hussein. It has become their nickname for him and it is crystal clear why: they are trading on the anti-Muslim/Islamic sentiment they hope the Republicans will factor into their voting tactics. This sentiment has been burgeoning ever since Bush invaded Iraq and Afghanistan.

The irony is that Obama is a Christian.

We love the media.

Her refernce to Bobby Kennedy's assntn

donnie - you're right, they may have an unsavoury motive for always referring to him as Barack Hussein.

But, how did he come by the name? What is the background?

"as far as I know" is what she said. You should also look at it on video for context and intonation.

I think it is widely acknowledged that she fought a hard, personal campaign which cost her the nomination? many of us SPECULATE that had she and Bill played it with more dignity they would have won.

anyone else think john mccain's arms are very too short..it's disturbing to watch him
like gug broons breathing thing..

sadly obama will not get in, 'united' states is a misnomer to me, certain parts of the country would not / could not tolerate mixed race president i fear

obama should be miles ahead in the polls considering his opponent mccain is 72 and represents four more years of republicanism, the general state of economy and unpopular overseas wars
astute move to get woman running mate but if anything happens to him i would think is she ready for the 3am phone call as they now call it?

the democrats have had their battle divided their party and have handed the presidency to the republicans imho

I am not saying that I don't have regard/respect for the Clintons. I am not saying that BO is perfect. I am just saying that the Clintons played the wrong wrong wrong game and it cost them. Very surprising that they did so from my point of view. How else did they let BO muscle in?

Don't worry Dittany; BO WILL NOT WIN, i don't think. He is very intelligent, appealing and hitting the right notes. Yet he is trailing his party. Why? And the Republican attack machine hasn't really started on him.

Dittany- why do you have the impression that US elections are perfect? You should ask Al Gore. And you should she how much and how quickly Jeb Bush was able to offer aid after hurricane in Florida cf New Orleans. It is slightly funny that you think Obabma will win the presidency by cheating.

did anyone watch them both being interviewed by the pastor? I was not a big fan of obama but he came over very well. There was nothing liberal about mccain. He came over as a smug, bigoted, unpleasant man.

Dittany- I remember that long debate you had with Xenia so I will let you have last word on much. You stamina was admirable!

I don't think that Obama will get away with any significant cheating. Many of his supporters are still intimidated from voting by dubious means. One of the reasons why it is funny that you accuse him of cheating. The democrats don't have a brilliant record on out-foxing the Republicans (save JFK maybe)

Dittany- And what do you think of the Kennedy's influence re: JFK's election? Mafia included (allegedly)?

Did I call it yesterday or what?