Most politicans are from rich families who would not have the first clue about the lives of ordinary people. And the only people they are interested in is other rich people. They don't understand what it means to lose a home, a job, because it could not happen to them, money feathers their nests.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

Latest polls show Palin is more popular than any of the other three, and Obama and McCain are neck to neck. "We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us." Yeah, that's how I see it too. We need McCain and Palin for change the way we want it done!

lawhite, Idaho, USA

Why is Mccain called a 'War Hero'. This was not WW2, fighting the hun. He was bombing villages in Laos, killing innocent children and poisoning SE Asia and then crashed. He spent 5 years as a POW and did not escape.
The war was illegal, he did badly and the US lost! In which way is that heroic?

Barry Bunn, romford, essex

David D. is correct. Obama talked Alice Palmer into giving up her IL Senate seat , thinking she would get elected to fill Mel Reynolds' seat in Congress. She did not get elected (due to Jesse Jr.) and tried to run. He used court challenges to remove her and the other opponent from the ballot.

Marc, also in Chicago, Chicago, USA

Obama therefore was elected to his first office unopposed. He was basically unopposed when elected to the US Senate against Alan Keyes, a last-minute substitute candidate who's an eccentric radio talk show host with no politicial experience, and not even from Illinois.

Marc, also in Chicago, Chicago, USA

Alice Palmer, Obama's former mentor and the others that got out of the ballot may not agree with Martin from Chicago. I am a Hillary Clinton supporter, and I admire McCain. He is not Bush, and he puts people first. McCain 2008, Clinton 2012

Anne, LA, USA

There's a lot of fear mongering here. McCain/Palin could not outlaw abortion. Maybe in many years enough supreme court justices could be appointed who might overturn Roe v. Wade, but that just leaves it up to the individual states to decide the issue. Even without Roe it would be legal in most.

Josiah, dallas, usa

David D., I am also from Chicago and you do not know what the heck you are talking about. The "opponents" who you claim Obama had "thrown off the ballot"? False. A republican who was running against him in one race removed himself from the ballot as a result of his own scandal. Nice try.

Martin , Chicago, USA

Mc Cain's best hope ( given the narrow Obama lead) is the scandalously unfair Electoral College system which gave the White House to Bush in 2000 despite his popular vote being less than Gore's.This happened before in the 1880s.The USA's democratic credentials remain suspect until you rectify this.

Johnny Walker, London , UK

Imagine, your daughter, wife or friend has been raped.

She becomes pregnant.

Under the McCain Palin administration, it will be ILLEGAL for her to have an abortion. The rape victim has no say in the matter.

Stem cell research will be thrown out the preverbial window as well.

Dicko, New York,

The American people are the only ones who can elect their president but his election affects us all. As an Englishman, I would rather John McCain look me in the eye and shake my hand than Barrack Obama tap his fist against mine with Lady Macbeth looking over his shoulder.

Bernard Lawson, London, England

What is it with Obamas sycophantic followers and all this change. Change from what to what is the real question I want answering and one he won't answer. Beware what you pray for folks it may not be quite what you expected from Barack Hussein Obama if he gets into power and shows his true colors.

Mike, Alicante, Spain

I am glad to know that you Brits would like a Chicago machine politician to run my country. Or should I say ruin my country?
Did you know how Obama got elected into his first public office? He got all his opponents thrown off the ballot. Its true. And he has been running for President ever since

David D, Chicago,

The "Maverick" is gone. McCain has chosen to become just another sneer and smear republican in his attempt to get elected. This election is over. The democrats will win the White House and increase their majorities in both houses of congress.

Jim, Reno, USA

McCain wants tax cuts permenant for the RICH, well I'm not surprised. He has a wife worth over 100 Million pounds, and McCain has over 40 Million in his own right. He is running for a 3rd term of G W Bush for monetary reasons. Rich people don't marry poor people, they stick togeather.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

Americans who are complaining about people in Europe commenting on the election in America, we are directly affected by American foreign policies. And it has ruined our economy too. The world knows too well what that idiotic leader has done to the worlds economy even if Americans is not aware of it.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

Vanessa, London - How can you say McCain is nothing like Bush when he voted with the Bush administration 90% of the time?

Owen, London, UK

"Get the bums out," said McCain, his war cry for reform . Lest anyone need reminding, the bums McCain is referring to are members of his political party, the GOP. A task he will no doubt leave to his running mate, Sarah Palin, a self-described "pitbull with lipstick," as Dana Milbank described her.

Brian K. Doan , Washington, USA

Vanessa from London: This is one [very] average American for whom McCain holds absolutely no appeal. The addition of Palin neither adds or subtracts. She is the wildcard, with "wild" being the operative term.

Change . . . vision for world citizenship . . . Obama!

Michael, Nashville, TN, USA

I'm glad to see the rest of the world & their media want Obama to be my president. Last time I checked America is supposed to be a laissez faire rewarding country to those that work hard & follow the rules. Why be punished for your success? Mr. McCain please be my next president & God bless America!

Jeff, Dallas, Texas, The United States of America

McCain is nothing like bush and has more appeal to average americans then Obama could ever hope for. Obama ooozes arrogancy and this does not play well in the states. McCain gave a good speech last (considering speeches arent his thing) so i think he and Palin are now in the race (to win!!)

Vanessa, London,

What schmultz, I wanted to throw up.

james, london, uk

I can't bear hearing the word 'maverick' used ad nauseum to describe McCain. Did you note the song from Top Gun ('Highway to the Danger Zone') serenading the crowd last night? Such manipulative nonsense. And those photo ops of Sarah Palin with massive rifles -- only in (small town) America...

Boris Charly, London,

Saying that Palin overshadowed Obama is pure media spin. Her speech was mean-spirited, petty and on a par with a parochial city councillor, not a potential VP. Obama's on the other hand was statesmanlike and gracious dealing with real policy issues, not personal attacks. Overshadow? I don't think so

MB, Edinburgh,

McCain is not serious!! Stand up and fight for another 4 more years of gross governmental abuse, constitutional abuse, economic abuse, foreign relations abuse, home foreclosures, tax breaks to big oil, lobbyists running Washington!! Republicans, the party of change? They've got another think coming!

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK