Forum Topic

Can Obama win the White House?

Disappointed that Hillary couldn't get the nomination but is the U.S.A. ready for Obama? Or have the Democrats just given McCain the presidency? I sincerely hope not, but then they did elect George Dubya.

Vanessa Smith ● 6250d25 Comments

EXCELLENT

Steve Taylor ● 6242d

Peter Wright ● 6242d

Neil, I realize that those are the rules, but I still think it is unfair and the rules should be changed. I did not know that the same applies in the rest of the world.  As you can tell I am not a very political person, have'nt been for the most of my life, but now that I am older it just seemed to me that it was inportant for America to finally elect a woman to President. Hilary Clinton seemed to me to be strong enough and experienced enough to do the job.  She is a tough woman, had to be to run a campaign for sixteen months, traveling across this country. I think the press have been unkind to her.     I think that Obama has the black vote but whether that will be enough is another question.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6247d

Doris,Just wondering why an Independent should be allowed to vote in a contest to find a parties candidate in a election. Doesn't happen in other countries.Obama seems to be the weakest of the three, Clinton, McCain and Obama. His political career hasn't had that many highs with him only sponsoring one Bill. Add racist views and he might have a problem. Can he get the black vote out to counter the racists?

Neil Chippendale ● 6247d

Vanessa, yes that is what I am most concerned about is McCain winning over Obama. Unfortunately there are still racists who would never vote for a black man, no matter how well he is qualified for the job.  As to your opinion that Americans are more involved in the process. I think you are right but there are many things that are unfair in the process.  For instance I happen to be a Independent. In the Primary Election in the state of Oregon where we reside, only registered Democrats can cast their vote for the Presidential candidate. So we had the situation in our family where my husband could vote for Hilary and I could not!    Then there are the Delegates and Super Delegates! I had better not get started on that subject!!    Hilary Clinton is by far the most experienced, she tried her best to bring universal health care years ago during her huband's first term in office. Unfortunately the Republicans had other ideas and effectively put an end to her efforts. So she has the experience to do it successfully in the future especially if she was the President.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6247d

"People shouldn't vote based on the candidate's age, race, gender, religion or attractiveness"why not?

Steve Taylor ● 6248d

People shouldn't vote based on the candidate's age, race, gender, religion or attractiveness but inevitably we do....we are only human after all!

James de Vivenot ● 6248d

Don't you think though, that sick as you probably are, that your system engages people more at the grass roots level? I think Hillary would have been a great President - she is very intelligent, and ambitious. I hate the way the press here as well as there have vilified her for her ambition -  - why? She'd be no damn good without it, yet they never criticise men for political ambition, let's face it she's been around politics for a long time to be tough enough to cope with the demands of the job. I think Obama is too inexperienced and from what I've seen is more style than substance,sometimes it's better the devil you know, promising change is one thing, delivering may well be another. We can only hope that he doesn't deliver McCain.

Vanessa Smith ● 6248d

Agreed -  Youth alone is qualification enough NOT to be in high office

Steve Taylor ● 6248d

As a resident of the USA I can tell you that I personally am heartily sick of political speeches with the candidates promising to get us out of the Pandora's Box which is Iraq, universal health care etc. etc.    The primary campaign in my humble opinion ran about a year too long. Could all have been accomplished in about three months, with a lot less money spent.       I am very disappointed that Mrs Clinton has failed in her bid to become the first woman candidate for President.  Mr. Obama has not very much experience to be President although he is very popular with the young.     Mr. McCain on the other hand has experience but promises more of the same policies that our current occupant of the White House has imposed on us. I do not think that this country can stand four more years of his policies.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6248d

I not pro McCain at all, but it just goes to show how there is more respect and appreciation of the elderly in the USA and other countries than here. Remember the way Ming Campbell was almost vilified by the press for being 66?In many countries being elderly carries with it the gravitas of wisdom,experience and calmness and is worthy of respect,not ridicule.Youth alone is no qualification for high office.

Keith Iddon ● 6248d

"Like it or not we are European and its European news that gets shoved off the screen if anything happens in America, that's what I object to."Yes, but its because the European news is so boooorrrring.  The American primary has at least been funny - its Hollywood entertainment at its best. What have we got in Europe?  The Italians having fisticuffs in parliament occasionally or the French Dock Workers protesting in LeHavre?  Or for some real entertaining and ever so interesting stuff we have Gordon has-been  Brown,  Alistair yawn Darling, The David boy Milliband, Jacqui buffoon Smith, David out of touch Cameron  or whatever-his-name-is Lib Dem chap, all  boring us to near death. Well,  to be fair we have got Boris now to liven up our news but I say - bring on the Yanks - its great to see them make idiots of themselves, to listen to the lies, rubbish and rhetoric..  And...........anything's got to be better than Big Brother or Celebrity idiot or Britains got no talent or X-Factor etc. Some light at the end of the tunnel (hopefully) will be the Despatches program on  'Where did Gordon go wrong'  to be televised on Monday night.

Steve Taylor ● 6249d

Obama could win provided Hillary doesn't shoot him first.Personlly I think it is great news that an African-American will be selected to run for the Presidency.It is also great news that his opponent will be John McCain, a true American hero and a role model for  people under and over 72 worldwide.

David Giles ● 6249d

James is right - this is the most powerful nation on earth and the President of the USA the most powerful politician, the world is too small a place now to take the view you express unfortunately. Regarding the coverage I'd say it was a damn more exciting than the saturation coverage of the bloody Euro 2008 matches when we're not even in it, and have schedules disrupted as well.

Vanessa Smith ● 6249d

Exactly.

Vanessa Smith ● 6249d

Yes it will have an impact on a lot of the world but I still say, as I did in an earlier post, a negligible impact on Brentford. Regardless of the size of impact, why do we have to have coverage morning, noon and night on our TV? We don't matter to the Americans, we don't influence their voting. Our special relationship is the same as a company chairmans relationship with the company mascot.Like it or not we are European and its European news that gets shoved off the screen if anything happens in America, that's what I object to.

Peter Wright ● 6249d

The USA is still the most powerful country in the world, meaning that the outcome of the presidential election does indeed have an impact on the lives of residents of Brentford (and even Hanwell!) as well as those in Baghdad, Afghanistan and the rest of the world.Who knows what would have happened if Al Gore had won the electoral vote in 2000 (remember the dimpled, pregnant and hanging chads?).

James de Vivenot ● 6249d

What impact will it have on our lives in the Brentford/Hanwell area as to who sits behind the desk in the White House, or is it just being watched like a soap-opera?

Peter Wright ● 6249d

I'm delighted that Obama stopped Clinton. I just hope that he has the sense not to have her as his running mate.

James de Vivenot ● 6249d

Don't think Obama can win. He takes to much baggage with him. He is also to left-wing for most AmericansIf he makes Clinton his VP he just may stand a chance she brings 18 million votes with her.McCain I believe can win if the right get behind him as he also appeals to non-partizan.

Neil Chippendale ● 6250d

I too am disappointed that Hillary didn't get the nomination. I think the USA was ready for a woman president and it is a great pity she has made so many enemies. Unfortunately I think the distrust and dislike of her has given the presidency to the old boy albeit probably only for one term

Steve Taylor ● 6250d

I agree with your friend but I do find it very sad, I am a great respecter of people having a lot to offer when they are more 'mature'. However, that job when you're 72? - I just can't see it, with the best will in the world McCain could only be a one termer, if he lives that long.

Vanessa Smith ● 6250d

According to an American friend of mine, the USA is not yet ready for a black/coloured or woman president. I would like one of them to succeed, though don't mind which.I do however object to so much time being given on TV to just one foreign presidential election when there is so much other stuff going on in the world. We can't vote, we can't influence the voting, the vote will have negligible effect to our lives, so why have so much coverage from the states?Peter Wright

Linda F Wright ● 6250d

He could be, if Hilary runs with him.

Sarah Felstead ● 6250d

I doubt if he will be elected.

Keith Iddon ● 6250d