I have to say that I don’t think Obama’s background comes anywhere near Clinton’s or McCains. He has done absolutely nothing compared to these two! If you go by background then there is no way he could ever win. But honestly I think people this go round are going by their feelings and the hype surrounding him Because as of yet he has done nothing to warrant being president. I can’t believe people want Hillary to just drop out when she is WAY more qualified to run against McCain. I think McCain will chew Obama up and spit him out!

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

Eric:
I think a candidate’s biography does matter. I want to get-to-know the candidate as best as I can. I appreciate 360 focusing on this especially for us undecided voters. Afterall, there is just so much time one can devote to reading all of the books out there on the candidates and their backgrounds. If I can at least learn one thing about the candidate that I didn’t know before, it would be worth it.

Thanks for asking.

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

Hillary Clinton’s bio is very important to many voters. It speaks old politics. IMHO, I think this is the primary reason Obama has done well, and is continuing to do well, despite the relative sameness of position on the issues from both democratic candidates. The Bosnia blunder and what Clinton is doing now is a glaring reminder of the tactics of old.

A candidate’s biography does matter a lot, and I think McCain’s will give him an edge over Obama, but not Clinton. We know McCain and Clinton but we do not know Mr. Obama very well. I believe that Mr. Obama’s 20 years plus membership in a church where the minister preached hatred towards the white race and the United States of America would indeed prevent him from becoming the president of our country. The media has ignored Mr. Obama’s connections to Kenya, has failed to inform the people of Mr. Obama’s support of Odinga who lost in his race for the presidency of Kenya. This is an important part of Obama’s biography which the American people should know.

It matters ALOT! We’ve just suffered through 7 years of an incompetent chimp whose resume was glossed over by the media and Republican spin machine.

Democrats are well on their way to making the same mistake.

Your background matters to a point. More important is you vision. What are you going to do to help the american people going forward with some level of urgency? How much of your background will help you convey to the american people that you have the Gump to get it done?
We are tired of the politics, the rhetoric, the double talk, and quite frankly the lies. This is what has made Obama so refreshing.
Can we get 100% straight talk from our leaders for a change.

I see the McKain ad as a way to appeal to conservative values. I think that is a smart move at this time. It alienates no one. I plan on voting for Hillary in our upcoming Indiana primary because I think she has guts and much more experience than Obama. My choice has nothing to do with race but I may have a gender bias because she has had to defend her statement that she has more experience and no one seems to ask Senator Obama about what experience he brings to the table. I think this is a sexist bias and find myself identifying with her fight to be respected and taken seriously. I am excited that Indiana has a role in choosing a candidate but frustrated about the gender bias. I have not decided who I will vote for in the fall.

Senator Hillary Clinton is receiving calls from Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Chris Dodd and others to drop out of the Presidential Primary even though the difference between the two candidates in both popular vote and pledged delegates is minimal and the fact that neither candidate can win the nomination without the Super Delegates. The question no one is asking is, if the fortunes of the two candidates were reversed, would there be calls for Senator Obama to withdraw? Frankly, I doubt it. The DNC would be afraid of alienating the loyal and highly vocal African American base. More than likely any attempt to push Senator Obama out of the race would be met with charges of racism.
Women comprise fifty-one percent of the population and an even greater percentage of the voting electorate. Yet, women are vastly underrepresented in all three branches of government, from the congress to the cabinet, and there has never been a female President or Vice President. On a personal level, I am reminded daily of the subtle yet significant government sponsored sexism that permeates my life. Not a single piece of paper currency has a picture of a woman on it and the vast majority of pictures on stamps are of men. Pick up any newspaper and compare the number of photos of men vs. women, and you’ll be astonished by the results. From Wall Street to the White House, we are in many ways still a nation of “men and girls.” Women are undoubtedly still the second sex.
Hillary’s candidacy is significant to me as a woman. She knows what it is to be a woman, to be marginalized and sidelined. I want the Obama supporters who are trying to push Hillary out of the race to know to me a woman in the White House is CHANGE, REAL CHANGE and the most significant political event of my lifetime. I want the woman and girls of America to see a woman in the White House. I am a registered democrat, but if Hillary is pushed out of the race, I will not vote and I urge other women to do the same. Why should I be loyal to a party where a group of white men try to shame the first female candidate for the Presidency out of the race?

Hey there Cheri from Michigan and I have a question I hope someone can answer. Did I miss the math lesson that can explain how Hillary campaign is 8.7 million in debt and that she has not been able to provide payment to her vendors and of course the best of all and to define IRONY has not made the payments on her staffs health insurance coverage. Is she not telling the american people that the economy is a priority and everyone deserves health coverage. Who balances her budget and where again are her tax returns

We should as voters, have as much knowledge of the person we are electing president or for that matter anyone who is running for office.

I admire, John McCain, we actually contributed to his campaign against Bush in 2000. However, I can not vote for anyone who voted to for the war with Iraq. All the effort, money and military might should have been used to FIGHT the terrorists like Bin Laden.

I am supporting Sen. Obama, he is new, has fresh ideas and is not, yet, a Washington insider.

John McCain is a fine man, but he was and continues to be wrong on Iraq.

A person’s biography matters…to a point. Even if you had an impeccable record in the past…it’s all in the past….what matters more is how you are behaving in the present and if you can make good decisions for the future. There’s a saying…”You earn your job everyday.” You can’t rest on your laurels on your past alone. (Look at Eliot Spitzer).

Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

Many jobs require prior experience - some a lot of experience. Some blue color jobs have steps you have to take as you gain the skills and experience to do the job - you go from apprentice to journeymen, to master in jobs in plumbing , carpentry, etc. White collar does not have the steps but requires certain levels or years of experience and knowledge before you can be considered for hire.

So for the most important job in the country - President - why would we put someone not experienced in the White House.. We need someone who knows how to get the job done and doesn’t need a training manual. In this race I only see one candidate that has enough experience and that is McCain.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

The only biographical litmus test that matters is one that is negative . . . even if it’a a false negative. Clinton’s baggage is a huge negative . . . Obama’s luggage comes up empty, another huge negative . . . McCain will be the next President of the United States by default.

After the last 7 years, what matters to the american people are the issues. When it comes to election day, people are not going to chose a candidate because he was a POW or because she took sniper fire in Bosnia…wait, that didn’t really happen. The point is, people are going to elect the candidate that they feel is going to make a difference in their everyday lives.

. . . .My mental picture of each biography.
HILLARY CLINTON - Nafta, Bill’s impeachment, whitewater, secrecy. .. . . .

JOHN MCCAIN - Prisoner of war, war hero, war …war….war

BARACK OBAMA - Change from the previous two.

For me it depends on the “sins” of the candidate. EVERY candidate is corrupt to a certain degree. Dishonesty and politics go hand in hand, unfortunately, so for anyone to expect that politicians are going to be “honest” or “not corrupt” is being unrealistic and naive. Like it or not, a certain amount of palm-greasing comes with the territory. No politician will accomplish anything if they don’t “bend” the rules on occasion. Flip-flopping on issues goes on constantly as candidates fine tune their presentations to the public, and not all of it is politically driven. The more information you get about certain issues may cause a candidate to change their opinions on things.

Major crimes like murder and racketeering, racism and ties to terrorist groups, deliberate character assassination used as a way to get rid of one’s enemies, etc….all are deal-breakers for me because they speak directly to a person’s integrity. Yes the candidate may have lied or may have had difficulty keeping his fly zipped or flip flop on an issue or misrepresent their credentials, but that is more “politics as usual” as opposed to engaging in criminal and sociopathic behaviors that indicate the true nature of a person and what direction that person will take this country.

So is a candidate’s background relevent??? Yes….but within reason!!!!

Hey Lynette,why is it some people have to put everyone in some sort of class and imagine in their small world what all African Americans would say? Since you don’t and you really have not really been following the campaign ,you would know most African Americans were not supporting Obama.,until South Carolina. And what Obama supporters are pushing her out ? Do you mean the media and elected officals because it’s not the real people saying that . So save the what you think African Americans would have said or what they think. , and Hillary can handle herself she was after all in war zones ducking ,and served as vice president to her husband.

A candidate’s background is important, but it’s not the defining factor for votes. There is a combination of background, work experience, ethics, personality and natural ability which all comes together to create the best candidate.

And then there are defining issues, sometimes only one issue, which grabs attention. For me, in this election, that issue is the Iraq War. I cannot vote for a candidate who supports this war or a candidate who refuses to admit the war was a mistake.

So, that leaves Barack Obama for my vote.

background matters to a point, listen i like hillary, and i would vote for her if obama wasn,t in the race , but the name clinton is what she is running on , yes she has done some good things but she is a part of washington for 20 years , and i havd read some of the thing that that clintons on done in washington and good, the clintons have been a part of too much scandals if you research the clintons u will see i am not againist her but she has a lot of bages far more then abama, and as for FLA and MICH both hillary and abama agreed that both states wouldn,t count but since she is losing now she wants to changed that to her faver, as a abama supporter is by same chance that he doesn,t win i will VOTE for HILLARY , GO AMERICA

The background that matters the most is Senator Obama.
He has managed to put his relationship with Pastor Wright and all that he stands for under the rug.
There are many other issues about this pastor and Obama’s relationship that should be discussed.
This is not something that should be dropped.
This is about the President of the United States.
It is frightening.
It is serious. Very.

I think it does matter how much experience a person has. Giving solutions to problems that you have never actually solved, is not experience, but hopeful thinking.

I believe that a candidates history is probably the most important factor in choosing or not that person for office. McCain has an enormous edge with his war record and service history, especially among older voters. Hillary has her years of public service, albeit a good majority of it as first lady, BUT as any wife of a service member or wife of public office holders will tell you, they are not just window dressing, they do a lot of charity and public service work. They work too. She did a lot of good in those years. And she has her record as senator. Most of all she has been thoroughly vetted. We know all about her, the good and the bad. Obama is a mystery, he has not held office long anough to determine if he is a good or bad senator. What is his record? Not the hype and retoric but the written, verifiable record? What we have learned in the past few weeks is that he can spin a story again and again to fit his theme, but the fact is on really important issues that matter he has shown extremely poor judgement. Yes he has gotten people out to vote but alot of those people who voted in the primary wished they could change thir vote now. If he is the candidate for the Democrats we will lose to McCain, hands down. McCain’s record will carry the day.

Very concerned American, I agree and wish that we had a lot more info on his history, his life in public service, his tenure in the Senate etc. There is far too much about this guy that we do not know. If what we have found out about by DEFAULT is any indication we SHOULD be VERY concerned.

A candidates background does matter 100%, however the media refuses to air stories such as the accusations by Mr. Larry Sinclair against Obama. I guess we just aren’t supposed to question Obama?

I think a canidate background should always matter, that’s the reason why I admire and respect John McCain, however that doesn’t mean you can’t begin to look towards the future of America, I am only 32 years old and for the first time in the 14 years I have been elgible to vote I think OBAMA!! is the ticket and the path of the future while I admire McCain I want Obama. Obama is only 46 years old which means he has more on the line than Hillary or McCain in terms of retirement, health care, war, education, he has more in common with my family than McCain, or Hillary/Billary.

I’m voting for dream ticket or I’m not voting. I say we should have a voice still and I think our pressure as voters to have the dream team ticket would be our best hope!!!!

I am a 50+ year old white woman, lapsed/cafeteria Catholic, “yellow dog” Democrat Pundits and polls to the contrary, if Hillary steals the Dem nomination, I will not vote for THAT woman. Nor will I vote for McCain. I will write in Barack Obama, and if Hill wants to call that a “throw away” vote, so be it.

Yes, it does matter. McCain has built a life of service decaited to this Country ,scarifed years as a prisoner of War. I’m not for McCain as a President, but would choose him any day over Obama, who hasn’t done much except pull the wool over peoples eyes. Oh, wait He did sit in Rev. Wright church for 20 yrs., with his wife-who’s also not proud of America-& his childern & listen to hate filled sermons about this great Country. Hillary’s not perfect or McCain, but at least they love America!!

I think it is very important to know the candidates. Why wouldn’t it be? First of all, let’s look at Obama. Obama was said to be born in Hawaii, then lived in Indonesia where it was said he became a citizen. Obama is also a citizen of Kenyan. Obama was photographed in a Kenyan ritual in 2006 and Obama was sent to a school that Muslim religion was primary religion taught, in Obama’s own words “But the school did teach the Quran, Islam’s holy book, along with subjects such as math and science”. Obama has attended a church for the last 20 years with a pastor who is anti-America and racial towards whites and Obama said he was inspired by the Pastor. Enough that in Obama’s book he goes on to tell about how he admires MALCOLM X. Not to mention Obama’s pastor had Islam leader FARRAKIN come in and even gave award to FARRAKIN. Obama and his relationship with Tony Resin is a factor. And the fact that Obama put his own grandmother down to justify his dedication to his pastor. Obama lied about his negative stand on Nafta and then sent his Economic advisor to Canada and say NOT REALLY. Obama has campaigned that he will bring the troops home, yet his senior Foreign affairs advisor resigned after she said that would happen only at the best case scenario. So with all those negative facts about Obama, you just don’t hear them like you do with Hillary. Hillary said one comment in jest about Bosnia and snipers and the media took it and ran with it until there was no where else to go. But yet Obama can have all this history and many American’s do not know it. It is just not fair. What is going to happen is we are going to have a President elected and Americans will at some points say, well if I knew that about him, I wouldn’t have voted for him. But the media will not share Obama’s life.

I agree that background is important but it is not everything. We also have to look at what they are doing as well. Are they uniting the country or spewing more and more lies and misrepresentations.

Also, why is CNN not reporting that “Clinton says Obama wants to stop votes?” I have seen this article and I feel that again, there is the misrepresentation that Barack himself is asking her to end it now.

Yes, they all misrepresent each other, but we need to look at the importance of these misrepresentations and how often the candidates are doing it as opposed to talking about the real issues.

This back and forth bickering is just getting silly and I want to see less of it and more on the issues.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Hillary Clinton should stay in the race.And I find it hard to believe the voters of Florida & Michigan are not going to be counted. That’s outrageous! For God Sake, Do it over again! What is Obama & his supporters afraid of .And yes, if Hillary loses and we don’t count Florida & Michigan, I will definitely vote for John McCain.

I do think a candidates biography matters, because it’s so easy to talk the talk but never walk the walk! A few weeks ago on the anniversary of the Iraq War, most of the people standing on the corner protesting were in their 60’s, a sad comment on today’s youth, but as to biography, they probably protested in the 60’s too and are still walking the walk! I became impressed with Obama after reading his first book and learning how he came to believe as he does.

I think the bios matter- but its really hard for the average American to know what the ‘truth’ is. I think its clear that Hillary-has always and will always use everything she can to win- some people don’t care she would bend the rules to accomplish what she wants- the problem with that-is this- whats the biggest thing agianst Bush- he lied to meet his own goals-

Obama doesn’t have a big resume but even us (republicans) feel that he will bring a breath of fresh air- even if he is agianst everything I think is right- I think he is new enough to not be currupted by the system…and I’m willing to take a chance.

And one more thing- if you don’t want your daughter to take hard questions please don’t put her out there…I have a daughter and I wouldn’t ever put her in front of a bunch of college students if I thought they might ask her questions that bring up bad feelings…agian Hillary will even sacrifice her daughter to win- what would she do with my life?

thanks Anderson….and your head tilt about OJ coverage was priceless!

A candidates biography does not matter to me, especially one in which wars are emphasized. The people of the United States have great problems - of which number one is the economy. Soon you will be seeing people either not buying enough of food to put on their table so that they can enough money to buy the medication they need. People in trouble with home forclosures will be homeless and the sick people will die at home because they have no insurance to go into a hospital and get proper care. So ask the people if they care about biographies - I think not……………………

I am well aware of John McCain’s background and I have a great deal of respect for his service to this country. Having said that, I think he uses his service and his horrible experience as a POW as a crutch and for his own advancement. There are serious issues facing this country. His military experiences are in the past. I’m more concerned with the present and the future. He can’t run just on his history. He has to lay out some plans to address more than just military issues.

Although i think America is in love with the idea of breaking race and gender barriers, the truth is they are still just two people and can’t possibly represent such a large group of people. That’s the problem with identity politics. Obama is too liberal & inexperienced and seems to have flubbed even more of his biography than Clinton. Mccain does not represent all of my views either but I think he has the Foreign Policy experience to lead the country through this extremely perilous time and has demonstrated(as opposed to talked about it)and ability and interest in working bipartisanly-so he’s my choice.

As calls for her to step down come forth the Clinton campaign dutifully reminds us that they would like the voters in last 10 democratic primaries ‘ not to be for gotten ‘ and ‘ they should be heard,’ But of course. In the event she should run the table and win the remaining primaries, and yet still lose the total over all vote, and be behind in the
regular and super delegate counts prior to the convention, whose voice has she ‘ for gotten ‘ and who is she ‘ not listening to ‘ but the first 40 primaries and their voters. By stong arming delegates and disregarding the popular vote (should this come to pass), only then is it okay and convienent for her to ‘ forget ‘ and ‘ not hear ‘ those who have voted all over the conuntry. Run baby run, but be gracious in defeat, and know discretion is the better part of valor.

Hi Anderson
I believe that both Hillary and McCain are too OLD to run for president.
They are like the TITANIC. They say the professionals built the TiTANIC. The ARK was built by the Amateurs, The titanic sank, but the ARK made it over. McCain is a vietnam veteran. Til this day a lot of those guys have FLASHBACKS as a result of that war. Furthermore, he does not look strong physically, socially, or mentally. He could be a sociopath because all he wants to talk about is the WAR. No one can fight the world. How can two OLD people interact with the innovative and energetic global world. They are sharp. Even their school systems are better in MATH than Americans. McCain will sink our economy like the TITANIC. What that mean is that the global world will began to scavenge our AMERICAN society. It will never be the same if we elect one of the two OLD PEOPLE!!!!

Background matters a great deal in any endeavor, and it certainly matters for the leader of the free world.
Although I still have time to make up my mind on the Democratic candidates personally, I do know that neither background has been presented well by the campaigns or the media.
On Obama…what do we really know about what he has done on specific issues to make a difference? He presents lofty idealism well and I agree with a lot of the concepts I’ve heard. I just want the cold hard facts on what has been done, when , and about what at his hand.
I do want to defend Senator Clinton on one matter (I also have criticisms.) But, she has been portrayed as a former first lady and I’ve even heard her described as that on CNN rather than as a US Senator. But, one doesn’t hear that she was a Watergate prosecutor before she ever married Bill Cinton, that she was appointed by President Carter to lead the LSC (in charge of ALL legal aid in this nation) decades ago, etc. She was a partner in a high power law firm; I hear daily about Obama being a lawyer but have never heard about her being one from CNN. If Carter could appoint her to an important post decades ago, she deserves notice that her experience is beyong white house teas by a long shot. She does not get her real 35 years experience mentioned at all.
I think I just made up my mind.:) In this dangerous world and bad economy, I think I’d like the experience to bring the change we really need that Senator Clinton has. I think Senator Obama would make an OUTSTANDING candidate when he has things on his resume that have produced results we can see. Thank you.

Hey Anderson. I’m a 76 year old Dem. Have always supported the Dem candidates. This year due to either the state party or the national party my vote along with 11/2 million more that was cast in the primary will not count. I can assure you my vote in Nov will count as I am sure McCain will count it. I know that I am not alone with my feelings as I have friends all over the state that suggest the same sentiments. And for those that think Sen Obama can win Florida they have their head some where other than in the sand. Only Hillary can win Florida over McCain.

It matters when the voting public is considering placing someone in the White House for 4 years. It also matters to know a candidate’s record in regards to honesty and judgement.

Why has CNN not “examined” Sen Obama’s business dealings with Rezco and relationship with William Ayers, the Weatherman…new-age terrorist? I think these deserve at least as much attention as CNN gave 50-Cent’s endorsement. Don’t you, Anderson?

I wish someone would explain how John McCain can equate his time as a POW as experience to be commander in chief?? i respect and admire Sen. McCain as a vietnam war HERO, and a great american, BUT the Senator is way off on his support of the iraq war, on the economic issues he has NO idea..he seems to want to bail out the banks but not americans who need more. Has he had to buy a tank of gasoline or diesel fuel or groceries lately?? He is out of touch! (GW isnt near as bright as Sen McCain but they are the same except for that issue) experieced to be president..dont think so

Hillary Clinton, as a democrat i can honestly say she will do or say anything to get elected,,and her experiece isnt much as a decision maker either. her ad about the 3 am phone call? will she be tired from an all night budget meeting and mis-speak??

Barack Obama is the only candidate that anyone should support. Democrat or a Republican. His ability to reach across the aisle, he believes in compromise in the political arena. He has the strength of good judgement, and believe that america is strong and can be stronger by bringing hope and change to not only the way we think and act politically but the way we can be brought together as a NATION!
Is WASHINGTON experience necessary or is it more important to think that AMERICA IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN POLITICAL GAIN?

Bravo! “Very Concerned American” And Leo, how are you going to vote for Obama when you can’t spell his name.You won’t be able to find his name on the ballot.And Leo, stick to the issues.Everything about Hillary Clinton is out there. There’s alot we don’t know about Obama.

one last thing- I’m a registered Repubulican who if Hillary is on the ballot, I vote for McCain- If Obama gets the nomination I will vote for him.

I don’t think I’m alone…but then agian I also think we are just as responsible for the war as the President- I drive- I don’t walk- I don’t even try to car pool- I’m part of the reason people are dying in the deserts of Iraq.

McCain’s military background, though commendable, is scary. After seeing him singing “Bomb Iran,” I can only view him as “trigger happy.” As for Clinton’s background, her lies overshadow her actual accomplishments; you always get the sense that she has an ulterior motive or hiding something. As for Obama, his experience in Constitutional law and civil rights are appealing. Although he does not have the experience of the other two candidates, we must remember that the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States were written by “rookies,” too. We are in dire straits and we need to project a more positive image to the rest of the world. America needs a brand new face and we need to remember the reasons we became a “government of the people for the people.”

Of course background matters. Mr. Obama has successfully given his race speech and turned the tables on everyone by taking the focus off his association with Rev. Wright. You do not consider someone to be your mentor ,sit in the church pew every week and make twenty-two thousand dollar contributions to something you dont believe in.Now the race card will be played if the superdelegates dont support him.How clever .Look wos playing the race card now.

character..its all about character….2 life long politicains..they are characters alright. 1 new politician with a message of hope..a message of change, real change. and speaking the truth about how “We “can bring it not us against them!!

I think for young voters it’s important for them to know about the candidates. I’ve heard alot about Obama,but what about Hillary Clinton’s background? What about FALN and those pardons, what about her tax returns? Is the media really on Obama’s side or on her side?

Bill Clinton said everthing is fair.(don’t sign up to play football if you don’t want to get hit. But Chelsea can’t get hard question , and if Hillary get hit it’s (everyone teaming up on a woman). so she cry,or I get hard question frist. Is this what USA what. A leader on pity. other country don’t carry about color or gender. SO LET THE MAJORTY RULE

History matters and CNN has a lot of work to do regarding Obama. Who is this guy that can sit in a radical anti American church for 20 years, get busted and still come out smelling like a rose? Don’t his supporters care how he conducts himself? He can’t win the general election but his fans still want him to get the democratic nomination. Go figure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has anyone else thought perhaps the reason all these old koots, in the government, that are throwing super delegates Obama’s way, want him because they believe he will be much easier manipulated than a veteran senator, and politician that’s onto their game? Not to mention they couldn’t stand having two women in charge of things…(Pelosi) and Hillary…I’d love it and thing the Oval Office, could really benifit from no testerone, Their thoughts not being interupted with thoughts of Monica, every 20 seconds. How much better CHANGE could we get than that?!

Obviously their background doesn’t matter much, I mean look at Obama, he doesnt have a background!

HILLARY “08″
I think if mich and fl votes counted for anything, hillary would be in the lead by far. And lets watch and see how many of the upcoming 10 states hillary runs off with! How many people voted for obama, THAT NOW wishes they could take back their vote. We know all about hillary and mccains history. I think obama is unelectable, 20 years of silence in a church pew, I can’t be force feed that. I think the democrat party should be making obama drop out of this race. And make way for hillary. Hillary can stand up to MCcain, obama will run with his tail between his legs. I say to all you obama voters ( WAKE UP-THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WERE TALKING ABOUT). NOT KENYA……

I do think a persons background matters to a point we have all had times in our life that we may not be proud of but the blessing is that we grow and learn and move on. It has botherd me for sometime that the Clinton machine has insulted our intellegence with under tones of EVERYTHING……….I will vote for whom ever is the nominee is, I just don’t want that person to be so wounded that the voters are turned off in November.

Yes, in this country, when someone runs for president, nothing is off limits. Lobbyist ties, affairs, Pastors, Fairytale Bosnia sniper fire, NAFTA, all of it is under a microscope. It may not be fair, but people are still going to dig into your life until the shovel breaks.

Finally a candidate that went for a beer too bad he picked the wrong bar.
I can’t wait until some has the guts to face the real patriots of this country and go have a beer at a biker bar. That’s the place where you will find people who believe in this country and the freedoms that our founding fathers intended for all of us.
They are the men and women that don’t look at what you do for a living or how much money you have their only quest is respect, peace and to pursue the freedom we were promised. I think it would do not only the candidate’s good but some of the news people might learn a little about the respect and honor thing.
There is a lot you could learn for the brotherhood that is a Biker’s life and the code in which they live by. They are the 1st to show up if someone needs help and they remain until the job is done. I am honored that these are my friends and that from them I learned what it really means to be an American. It’s your turn!!!
Carmella

Clinton/Obama together, or McCain!

I am a woman and I will vote for Hillary Clinton not because she is a woman but because she is the best candidate for the presidency. After eight years of President Bush and his politics, our country is in trouble both domestically and internationally. I believe Hillary Clinton will be a strong leader and will be able to help solve the health insurance mess, help fix the economy, and help restore our diplomatic image to the international community.

Why does McCain’s background matter and Obama’s doesn’t? Obama association with Reverend Wright has cost him my vote. I think Obama’s judgement should be questioned. His whole campaign is based on his judgement to make the right decisions, peace, prosperity for all. 17+ years of a very close and personal relationship, spritual guidance and mentor with an anti-American and anti-white radical goes against his entire campaign. I will not vote for Obama if he is the nominee.

What has happened to Obama’s wife? As he banned her from the shows?

Please publicize this concern,.

Thanking you

Please let us know what has happened to Obama’s wife. She

has not been seen since the first week.

Has he banned her from the scene?

I feel like I must post another comment. Please Anderson, please please please let the American people the truth about Rev. Wright. The truth is he has been a positive leader in the public world for over 30 years. Yes, he made some inflammatory and outrageous comments covering a range of issues, but people all over the country are assuming that EVERY sunday, EVERY sermon, EVERY time he talked, he spewed hatred toward whites, USKKKA and the rest of it. That’s simply not true!

It would be like you, Anderson, after being a positive and hard working reporter all these years, have been summed up by a few bad statements you made a few times. Would it be right to say that EVERY time you reported on something, every time you opened your mouth, you spat venom and hatred toward everyone? Think about it.

When will Mccains wife and her drug stealing become part of this election preocess, just like Bill’s impeachment?

Honestly, we pick our spouses just like we choose our preachers!

Dear Anderson,
I am a Team Leader for Senator Obama in Pittsburgh and I can tell you first hand that she is not getting all the women vote. This is just a new hoodwink by the Clintonians. Actually from what I see she may not even win Pennsylvannia. The only big fan she has here is our looser Govenor who thinks the Superdelegates will make the decision. Do the math people!!!!!!!!!!!!! 20,000 people in State College has never happened in American History. I am tired of you guys just wanting news let the race die soon. You guys are egging her on also and it has become nauseating. She has play by the rules. I am tired of her blaming Senator Obama for Michigan and Florida. SENATOR OBAMA WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT IN MICHIGAN> NONE OF THEM WERE ANDERSON, WOULD YOU GUYS JUST TELL THE TRUTH AND STOP LEAVING THINGS OUT WHEN YOU TALK. I AM SO SICK OF THE MEDIA I AM SCREAMING. SENATOR CLINTON IS BOUGHT AND SOLD BY CORPORATE AMERICA. SENATOR OBAMA WILL BE THE ONLY PRESIDENT THAT HAS NEVER BEEN BOUGHT AND SOLD AND ONLY BY US THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THAT IS A REVELATION

When you are hired for a job, your previous work history should count. I have been waiting for you to compare the accomplishments of Clinton vs Obama. I think it would be interesting to see which candidate has done more for African Americans. Instead, all I hear is the same old discussion about how Hillary can’t win.

Of course backgrounds count — especially when it comes to Hillary Clinton. Scenario: She is elected President and it is the first time she sits down at the Presidential Desk in the Oval Office. Do you think her mind will be on U.S. Business Affairs or what Bill and Monica used to do there? Now, ask the question again if backgrounds count!

Obama is like the kid that threw the rock and hid his hand. Sending his bullies to bully Hillary into quiting. This is only done becasue Obama and his bullies think they can get away with it. Obama acts as if everything is Ok, says nice things and he thinks we are all idiots.

Bullies are not acceptable in the White House!

Why are we not waiting for the convention? Why does everyone say that Hillary would be stealing the nominee if she wins? Isn’t it a race? Just like baseball 8th inning 2-3 the vistors hit a home run 4-3, but wait Hillary hits a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth 4-7 Hillary wins!!! All because Obama had an error (rezko) and tried pitching a curve ball. We don’t know what is going to happen. Why can superdelegates vote early but Michigan and Florida couldn’t? Talk about a double standard!

I started out as a Hillary supporter!

After her dirty campaigning and the lying about being under fire in Bosnia…..NO way would I vote for her. Her dirty campaigning and lying is part of her past. This and her husbands impeachement is too much baggage!

Now that Obama needs the working man’s vote he is bowling poorly and petting cows. He has plenty of money to plaster those images all over the airways.

Are the good working people of PA and the other upcoming states gullible enough to buy that? He is an opportunist of the worst kind.

Don’t forget the 8 American flags behind him when he gave the speech to deflect the issue of how he not only followed his hate spewing, GDing America pastor, but made him part of his family.

This guy is so insincere, I cannot even watch him anymore.

Don’t be hoodwinked. Vote for hHLLARY. SHE HAS ALWAYS WORKED FOR THE THE VETS, WORKING CLASS AND THOSE IN NEED. OPEN YOUR EYES AND YOUR BRAINS BEFORE YOU VOTE. PLEASE.

I think we will find that the women who run will be more scrutinized in terms of their credentials than the men. (My gawd- look at how the Bosnia exaggeration was called a major lie!) Why? Because men can run on their charm and personality. Woman need to run on their credentials and diplomacy. If woman ran on their charm and personality it would be called flirting and conniving. For men it is called sexy. Can you imagine a woman running on that? She would not get very far and absolutely NOT be taken seriously. How unfair it is! Go Hillary!

A candidates background means a lot to me. My feeling is that Obama has little experience and nothing to support his words, whereas Clinton and McCain both have strong backgrounds.

I like McCain, even though I want to vote Dem (if the fighting stops). He appeals to my patriotic side. I feel if he was good enough to protect me on the front lines, he is good enough to be the President.

I feel a lot the same about Clinton, her background as a senator and public service as a first lady make me feel as if she has earned it as well.

Obama is a baby. He has no track record. He’s done nothing for the American people. He is all talk. The only thing he really has going for him is race.

IT MATTERS NOW! Does anybody want a racist, inspirational speaker, with no experience to be our next President? I don’t, but that isn’t what the polls, or the media report to be the case. I just don’t understand. Hopefully they are wrong like they have been throughout this campaign.

I’m bi racial, and I just don’t get it! We have two true Americans. It’s obvious the Super Delegates want a Rooky they can manipuate, not a WOMAN, who’s resume includes been there and succesfully brought a 3 trillion dollar defecit, to over a 250 billion dollar surplus, and from no international respect to greatly respected internationally. Of coarse it was a Co Presidency …who cares. Two people who have fixed exactly the same situation we’re in now, successuflly before. Both have worked their entire lives for ALL people, not just one race.

A trist in the white house, doesn’t quit compare to having known radical affiliations, or belonging to a church that profess’s to be Christian, with a willing and knowing Congregation who are inspired by Black Liberation Theology, or a minister, with pride in a Black Islamic Extremist, Lou Farahkan.

Does anybody want Africa, in our laps, like Mexico is now?

Hill and Bill 08!

Yes their backgrounds matter ! So long it is being uncovered and reported on evenly by the media. So far it hasn’t been. Z. Thompson You forgot to put in on Obama ( Judgement to sit in a very controversal pastors church for 20 years, his so called friendship with Ayers, his dealings with Rezko, his lie about the Kennedys helping to get his father into this country and so on and so on. We really don’t know all about Senertor Obama yet cause the media is so afraid they might rile the Afro- American voters they won’t dig very deep. Heck someone in the media should have been questioning the Senators in Michigan (Obama supporters) who killed the Michigan re-vote so that their prescious candidate wouldn’t lose that state. On Fox News I believe they asked on of the Senators if they were glad it didn’t pass and he said yes. CNN should have looked into that. It seems awfully shady to me.

The press and media had better wake up or they are going to lose the big story and that is “Here comes Clinton” as she begins to leave Obama in the dust. The public is not stupid, and sees how the media has gone for Obama and this tells us the media will be the loser in the end. ” A background of our next president is very important. And you the media needs to start informing the public of how weak Obama’s background is. How weak he is as a candiate for the general election. You had better start getting behind the real winner in the end of the Democrate Nominee Hillary Clinton and start showing how she will become the next president, the first woman as president, and the best president this country will ever have. No, I am not a woman but rather a 57 year old gay man who knows his politics and knows when the media is doing a snow job. Get with it or be the losers in the end.

Frank Garoutte
Portland, OR.

Dear Anderson,
Just because you are in a WAR WAR WAR does not make you qualified to be a President. This man knows nothing about economy and he is a serious war monger and dangerous. She is divisive and a liar. Senator Obama, tell Gergen and you and all you need to get on the ground and realize that I am on a team with 4 Republicans who became Democrats to vote for this Great man and if you are blue collar well then voting for Clinton wont get you a job she is bought and sold. I think David Gergen knew not what he was even saying. Senator Obama has created a whole new Democratic party. Nafta and Bill Clinton made the blue collar jobless. Get on the ground with us and I will show you our whole new party behind Senator Obama. The media is clueless. He could probably break away with all of us and run against Clinton and McCain and beat them both by a landslide. His resume makes me scared that he might even win. We have a million SHOCK AND AWES AND ALL SHE WILL TELL ARE LIES

Why has CNN not questioned Obama’s relationsip with pastor Wright and his church. Does the media really belive it when they say he is not to blame for what his pastor says. Unfortunately he is to blame for attending this racist church with his wife and his children for 20 years.
Do we really want this man to lead our country?

I will vote for Hillary and encourage all her supporters to stand solidly together and if she is not the candidate, we WILL vote for MCain. We need to let the DNC know we are serious and mean this. We are not whimsical supporters. Show the DNC your voice.

MCCAIN IS CRAZY AND I WILL LEAVE HERE IF HE WINS

john mccain has done more for america than both the other candidates combined also do we really want to elect a president who voted yes on third trimester abortions i have two children and i find that they are not punishment what ever happened to responsibility in america if you lay down then take responsibility and if you were gready or irresponsible you should have to be on your own isnt that what capitalism is all about let me also mention i make eight dollars an hour and had my first child at 17 and am not religous responsibility is what this nation was founded on self- rsponsibilty not government taking care of everybody responsibility

Hello! I just wanted to find out something about the two Democratic candidates. When the news was released about the two states that moved their perspective voting dates forward, didn’t Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama decided to go with the Democratic Party’s decision to throw out, negate, and reject the results of the two primaries as punishment? If that is indeed the case why isn’t CNN letting their viewers know about Sen. Clinton’s flip - flop time and again every time Sen. Clinton raises the question to Sen. Obama and his advisors about the issue to sponsor a revote or just use the results as is, even though Sen. Obama wasn’t on the ballot of one state? I noticed how Sen. Obama has been getting constant press coverage about different controversial issues by Fox and CNN, more so than Sen. Clinton or Sen. McCain. What’s fair game for one should be fair game for ALL!! I am a Democrat and I’m disillusioned about the Democratic Party right now. You guys report that both candidates are slinging mud when it has been Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain that has shown more restrained from throwing mud. On the other hand Sen. Clinton made it clear that her campaign was throwing the kitchen sink at Sen. Obama, when in fact it was the entire HOUSE! I plan to vote Republican unless the feud and language between the two Democratic candidates change!

Sure it matters, but I guess you can turn everything upside down, the good and the bad: long experience = good! Also long experience = old, and long experience = same politics. Less experience = … you got the point, personally I don’t think it is a real issue. Actually, as Pierre Corneille (17th century French tragedian) wrote in “Le Cid”:

“I am young, it is true, but to highborn souls, worth (or valor maybe) does not await the number of the years”

Well, I think Barack Obama should use this quote for his campaign.

There are also many other Clinton’s points that I really don’t get:

- Experience: well… as the wife of! Please, give us a job description and (real) achievements, then we’ll talk about it. I also heard Chelsea say that people should not vote for or against her mother because of her father… Note to self: work better on Chelsea’s indoctrination..

- Won the big states: OK, some of them, but not ALL of them and by how much?? Despite her home states Arkansas and NY, and Mass and RI, it was never by a large margin! We talked about Texas and Ohio recently, she did 52%! And again, against a FELLOW Democrat! “Chill out” as one would say…

- Michigan and Florida: this one is really low: it didn’t bother her back in January! We talked a lot about it, she shouldn’t even have campaigned there at all, too bad rules exist even for her. Blaming it on Obama is when this becomes really low.

- Electability: so subjective! I don’t want to go there.

What wbout Pennsylvania now? She leads the polls 52 to 38. Wait a minute: that doesn’t make 100! We never talk about the 10% undecided!

How about a 52-48 on April 22nd?…

Go Obama Go!!!

In response to one of the bloggers that wants women not to vote if Hillary doesn’t get the nomination— I am insulted that someone would actually think that all women walk in lock step with each other. My father didn’t risk his life for this country during WWII just to have it thrown away because Hillary doesn’t get her way. Furthermore, I have built my career on what I have done ; I didn’t ride on the coat tails of my husbandto get me my job , or advance my career. It is because of Bill she has been able to leap frog into this position. Other women can do what they want to ,as for me , I will vote, and it will be for one of the other candidates.

Clinton or McCain period.

People screaming God Damn America is not going to work with me.

Hillary is better is November. Obama is a candidate supported by the media.

Yes, I believe background matters. I don’t believe this has been a fair fight. Obama is only ahead because of the caucas instead of primaries where the retired, women with children and the working class could vote. The media has been unfair to Hillary! The super delegates are all running to Obama because they want it over! Michigan should have a redo but Florida should count as is!!! It should be up to the voters who wins not the delegates, and I will not vote for Obama if he wins and I don’t think he can beat McCain and I really hate to see another Reublican President .

With 24 hour news constantly watched by voters allowing old news to get worn out and as new information on a topic ends. People always forget past information, like gossip, as gradually more non-important As seen by, Roger Clemens steroids, Federal Gov. illegal actions, or Brittany Spears.

Republicans definently must worry more with with blue coller Americans figuring out their need to vote Democrate for personnel financial reasons and make up about 70% of the country. With middle class switching for also personnel economic reasons is about 18% of the country. This would leave only the small class of wealthy who still need to support the Republican Party for personnel finances.

Oh yes did you guys here know that bloggers where hired by the Clinton campaign before to manipulate the system?
That Texas Obama delegates are being harassed at home by Clinton supporters?
Why would any of goes deep with the Clintons it is nasty . Up to many lives being destroyed by Hillary to protect Bills’ indescreations. Many..

Well if we look at the history of great men even the greatest , they became great because of their past mistakes in some way , So i dont think so

I agree with the above comments that Obama should have been fully vetted as we bloggers seem to have found plenty of “issues” about him that need to be to proved or disproved. Rezko, Pastor, house deal, Woods Fund of Chicago/Wm Ayers, etc.
Also what did he accomplish as a State Senator/DC Senator, I couldnt tell you one thing because they dont want to report it.
If he gets elected as prez and then some “sandal” comes out then what!!!!
Wouldnt it be better to know sooner then later!!!
PS Where is Michelle, she seems to be in hiding know, I wonder why. She would make a terrible 1st lady..
GO HILLARY..Don’t let them knock you down. Shame on them!!

Now that the news media have decided the candidates, How about letting the rest of the people know what you think makes Oboma the best candidate. Background on Oboma seems to be taboo, How about the 80’s and 90’s when he was with Reverand Wright. At this time is when Wright and Farrikhan went to Libya to a meeting of Militants bent on sending money for the use of causing unrest in the United States. Oboma has called Wright his mentor, with ideas like Wrights and Farrikhans, how can we survive his being in office. His wife has said she never felt like an American, until now, what has changed to make her feel like an American, the same feelings she had back through her child hood are still present, the Church she attended with Wrigt would not have changed her. I do believe we need a good background check on all our candidates and their spouses. I like his speeches,but don’t trust his or her background. They may be sleeper cell leaders using tax payers money to forward their interests.

ON THE SUBJECT OF CHELSEA. HOW COULD ANYONE ASK HER ABOUT HER FATHERS AFFAIR WITH MONICA. WHAT IF SHE WERE YOUR DAUGHTER WOULD YOU EVER EVEN CONSIDER THAT QUESTION FAIR GAME. I DON’T THINK SO . BE HONEST NOW.

Why is no one asking the question to Hillary why she thinks Obama is at fault for not leaving his church. When she still backs her husband who lied to the American population and said he didn’t have sex with Leuwinsky?

Backgrounds do matter, but the only background that the media seems to be concern with is Obama, where is Hilary’s taxes? Where is Hilary earmarks? She keeps complaining that the media ia bullying her, how is that. Obama took a licking and kept on ticking. Hilary straight out lied and she want’s no one to say anything.If she wants to be President then she needs to man up. And stop playing I am just a women. How can she lead if every time the going gets ruff she wanes. This race has been one sided, Obama against Hilary, Bill and the media.And she and her husband both wanes. It’s like the Clintons can’t be touch, Please! I would say that Obama answered the 3:00am call several times. Backgrounds count, of course McCain’s background is extensive he’s 72, Hilary is 60, Obama is 46???????????? I wish you people would really report on real news. These questions and the panel is stupid. This country is in a reccession and all you can talk about is late news.

Please, could you all stop cutting and pasting photos of Hillary Clinton as Wild-Eyed! — thanks. Just how many have you created? Why don’t you just print them all at once and get them off your chests! Your losing credibility and my respect for your “Keeping it Honest” motto daily since you lost your objectivity and only present Obama as the favored “son”, hmmmm. I’m not a feminist, but to see what you are doing to Hillary, tearing down all her and her supporters’ hard work it is so sad and pitiful! It seems that there is nothing for all of you that she can do well, is there. She just might win despite all of you rather than because of all of you!– Bye the way, what is wrong with Obama’s Left ear? or McCain’s Left cheek (I know he has cancer there…) seems like their photos frequently favor their right sides. Just an observation. — just a Mom.

Erica, it seems to me that this election is coming down to the lesser of the evils. No one can take control, the lead, or distinguish themselves from the others. The high turnout can be contributed to the war, the polarization of the electorate is a direct result of the devisiveness in this country, Congress can’t decide what to do on any major issue other than argue about them, and America is losing it’s status and respect throughout the world. I don’t know how old you are but, it seems like 1968 all over again to me. Ask Jack, Larry, and all your other senior correspondents about the 60’s, especially “68″, and the similarities will amaze you.

I am totally afraid for my children and grandchildren. Will we elect a Senator who says if would be possible for our country to be at war for 100 years? McCain’s background being a prisoner of war plays a lot into how he views other countries and his ability to negotiate or engage in war. I am truly grateful for all men and women who serve our country please do not misunderstand. Senator Clinton lied and said she ran for cover under sniper fire when she landed at Bosnia. You know I am just your average 6 pack Joette, but I believe if there was any chance of sniper fire the first lady and first daughter would not have been flying into Bosnia. I also believe if I was ever fired upon and running for my life I would remember it very vividly and would definately have nightmares expecially if my only child were with me. Rev Wright has put the spotlight on Obama only as it should have. I blame the media for a lot of this though. I’ve listened since day one. Imagine if we could praise each candidates strong points instead of trying to tear each one down. Just imagine if the media were to report the good things about each candidate. NO, we have to portray our candidates for the highest office in the land in the worse possible light. Is it any wonder the rest of the world has little respect for our country, we don’t have any respect for ourselves. Yes the background matters, just not the crap the media keeps playing over and over and over again. Some of the candidates don’t have to have much money, because the media does their work for them.

I’m not voting gender NOR skin color! I’m voting for competence, wisdom and Experience! So those ” wild-eyed photos” of a very competent and strong candidate is not appropriate and won’t change my vote. — Just a mom.

Why is no one mentioning the fact that radio republicans told their listeners to register and vote in the upcoming elections and vote for Clinton in order to prolong the Democratic race? I heard yesterday that many new democratic registrants have showed up in recently in Pennsylvania. Isn’t the Republican party the one that boasts the backing of the Christian moral majority. Is this really what Jesus would do?

I wish Mr Obama would leave his racist Church, this will be a HUGE PROBLEM down the road!!! Also he needs to listen to the Generals on the ground about Iraq. Why pull all of our Armed Forces out of Iraq regardless of what happens. Iraq and all the Middle East will not trust us anymore! We will have less respect from the World than we have now. The Middle East extremist love him. I am going to vote for McCain..

Just a question for this post, is there any truth to the Hllary Clinton’s fraud case in California? If there is case, she should drop out of the race.

I think the background of the canaditates do matter but only to a certain extent. I’m not voting for Hilary because I think she’s “more of the same”. I think we need fresh meat in the White House to represent Americans not politicans. With Bush, it seems he doesn’t give a rats crack about what the people of this country want, he is doing whats best for himself and his rich friends. Hillary will be almost the same. She will be a little wiser in covering up her true motives.

This will probably go nowhere, but don’t people read Anderson Cooper’s blog– the majority of comments are pro-Clinton!
ANd those polls — could you consistently state HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE POLLED IN EACH POLL! — sometimes they are 500 or 1000 and that’s miniscule compared to the millions of people who have voted– can’t even trust the polls! — just a Mom
PS — could it just be that the Republicans are really more threatened by Clinton than Obama? — so they push for Obama?
That poll that some Dems will vote Republican if their candidate doesn’t win was a poll based on ONLY 500 people! Give us a break!!

why is it everytime hilery has a lead in a state its always the most important state like all the states obama wins is not important i think every state is important

McCain is a great candidate for the republicans this time around. I wish he would have gotten the presidency in 2000 because I don’t think we would be in this mess right now.

I think a bio is important. Take Obama’s he cleverly ” pads: his story about doing drugs as if it qwas an addiction. All his friends and family says he was never on drugs. Tasted perhaps but not really a problem for him the way he writes it. One critic of his book says Obama writes about this in a ” writerly” way to appeal to readers. This is because he really din’t go through any ” crises’ or difficult times in his life growing up.

I guess if you went to Punahou School and Harvard it is not such a ” difficult life”. Community work is done by countless of bright young students and not all of them are qualified to be President. Some may even be moore qualified than Obama.

Judgment he says is his best character trait to be President. Obama ’s judgment with Rezko connection? Judgment?

Rev Wright mentor , inspired him to run for office, Judgment?

Sitting in those pews for 20 years Obama claims he hasn’t heard Wright speak in those hateful terms? Come on ! The American people have better judgment than Obama’s.

Read Obama’s book again. He quotes jeremiah Wright and the text comes from the same hate sermon of Wright.

I have been reading the blogs, what is amazing to me from all the Hillary supporters, why are they not asking her to defend her child. Why doesn’t she ask the public to refrain from asking Chelsea about her husband’s indiscression, but rather to ask her or Bill. Isn’t he the one who started this mess? Is this the same woman who “found her voice”, has 35 years of experience, took sniper fire in Bosnia (oh I forgot that was a “misspoke x3), who wants to be the leader and protector of the United States. I would have far more respect for Bill and Hilliary if they stood up, showed character, some integrity and took the heat instead of Chelsea. I’m curious with all her experience and campaign ability, did they not think this question would be raised by someone? Oh, surely they did, they would rather throw Chelsea under the bus, then go there themselves. This is who you want for the President of the United States. If she can’t speak out for her child, what is she going to do for us when that 3:00 am call comes in?

As a Canadian…an objective opinion, I hope. Listening to John MacCain re-telling his war experiences (noble as they might be considered), I am struck that it is amounting to bragging! Should he be saying these things?, or perhaps his surrogates? He seems like a nice man, but his constant bragging spoils this impression..

I’ve always been told, “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t!” I know McCain and Clinton… I DO NOT KNOW OBAMA. I know he can give inspirational speeches…but there are too many unknown factors. Anyone that can give a speech that is clouded with pendulum double-talking rug issues does not have my vote. Actions should always speak louder than words.

Background matter! Background is what places discernable footprints
of a persons charecter on a level playing field for comprehensive comparison. Sen. Obama enjoys the teflon coating that has long worn off of others running and national leaders who’ve long been on the political/public radar screen. How many militant’s and militant causes like Bill Ayer’s both within and without his church he has or hasn’t had chummy associations with matter! Is he as squeaky clean as his polished visage seems to be? What truth exist about the Woods foundation, Weather unground cop killing, bomb placing groups and Sen. Obama’s support and or alliegence? Is his image truly an untarnished one or one better illuminated by exposure of unground
subcultures that indeed exist under our noses and beaneath our radar?

Biography, Resume, military service credentials, color, Washington insider experience no longer matters. It is much better that we select a candidate with a greater vision for America. Obama’s humble beginings, his background, demeanor, sincererety, intellect & charm has certainly mesmerized people with hope for America. We need this infusion of a new talent & greatness to fix this zillion problems we are facing in America to day. Barrack is our new hope. Let us bring him in.

i think that a candidates’ bio is very important, especially for one that is new to the national political scene. it worries me that a person with high political hopes would join any organization without investigating it first and then once in, keep on investigating.
if i joined an organization like the kkk and was asked why i would do so, and, i answered that i liked how the grand wizzard spoke and he gave me some piece of mind, then when i was bombarded with questions on, if i was in line with the grand wizzards and the organizations view and my answer after 20 yrs. of membership was that i did not subscribe to his way of thinking entirely and that i did not read or went to any meetings were this type of speeches or ideas have been declared, some if not most of people questioning me, would think i was either not truthfull or was a very complacent individual.
i do not believe that either one of those traits are good for our future president. our president should be a person that goes into any situation after finding out all that there is to know of it before hand then there would be very few if any surprises that could hurt our country.

I must say as a life long Democrat if Obama gets the Democrat nomination I’ll be voting for John McCain. Obama has told to many different stories, skirts the issues and to me just isn’t an honest man.

Biography does matter if it brings something new to the table. While McCain’s biolography may be impressive it’s stale. Both Hillary’s and Obama’s biographies don’t suggest a military background as McCains, theirs are refreshing and rejuvenating.

I posted this before but did not get through the censors. Let me try it again…

It’s ironic that…..

1) Most blacks voted for Obama because he’s black. If you don’t think this is true, then I beg to differ…

Question: If color is the issue, why is Hillary loosing?

2) Look at the news lately, Obama is getting the positive news and Clinton is getting the negative news. “Clinton owes 8.7 million”, “Clinton should drop out”, “Obama get’s another endorsement”, “Obama colleague pledges to him”. Most men in the media, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, twitch when they mention her name…Most women in the media, don’t like her because they are all intimidated by her.

Question: Aren’t there any writers left in the whole media world that can write anything positive about Hillary?

3) Confidence against Eloquence - If you listen to Hillary in all the debates, she exemplifies confidence because she responds to issues quickly and forcefully. With Obama, he stutters as he chooses the right words and makes up beautifully formed sentences because deep inside he knows, that’s the only way he can get away with it. Did you ever take a test and in the essay section you have no idea what the answer was so you fake it by using the beautifully made up sentences hoping you could get some sort of credit? That is what I think when I see Obama.

Question: Why aren’t we voting for Hillary?

4) Experience against Inexperience: Obama knows that this is his weakness so he had to do a cover-up mission. Go search for all the negative things you can find about her experiences and tell the whole world about it. Hopefully, the media will take it even further. I think it’s called “swift boating”?

Question: Why are we letting this happen again. I thought swift boating is a Republican tactic. I know Bush used this against Kerry and McCain will use it again against Obama.

Answer:
I don’t think this country is ready for a woman president yet. Give it another century or so or maybe two centuries. Why? Look, you have a candidate, who is smart, confident and she knows what it take to take this country out of this mess but the only thing that is stopping her is her gender. This would have been a perfect opportunity for all the women in this country. WHAT A WASTE!

Aren’t you tired of being branded as Martyr’s.
Aren’t you tired that if your husband cheats, it’s your fault…
Aren’t you tired of working twice as hard yet don’t get appreciated…
Aren’t you tired of being called the B word when you fight back.

I guess not….

i think it does matter, but all these candidates have padded their resumes…..i dont know what is truth anymore…….i know that i want the war to end and it needs to end now……i have 2 uncles that served in world war ll and the korean war…….this country has always been at war with someone throughout my life time…..bottom line for me is the proposed budget from each candidate,,,,,,what they would hope to accomplish in their term……….the final cost to the tax payer……….

Anderson, please explain to these Clinton-folk that we have this remarkable phenomenon known as the Internet, Google, and Wikipedia. I am tired of hearing people say they don’t know enough about Obama. It is all right there for you to see! From his books and biography, his senate record, community organizer, his website illustrating where he stands on the issues, all there! Clinton-folk don’t understand this and choose to remain blind and deaf, and that is why the media needs to ram things down their throats, because they choose not to go seek the information themselves. We have all the information we need right here in the information age. That said, Barack Obama is our one and only hope for the office of President of the United States of America. God bless this great man!

Correction 24 years of the Bush and Clinton administration has put this country where it is now, Obama is the only logical choice. Elect Hilary and we almost have a dictatorship going on between the Bushes and the Clintons.

I think background can only come into play if we expect to redo history. So what McCain is a war vet, I don’t want to be in a war for the next 4 years because as we have seen — when there is war and terror in the world nothing else matter. That means education, employment, homes, healthcare, etc — are not what is important, no one will discuss that Sally can’t read pass 5th grade even though she is in 12th because we have to stop those darn terrorist. Terrorism wasn’t invent on 9/11 but it seems that McCain wants everyone to believe it was and he is the super antique hero who can stop it because he’s fought in previous wars. I don’t want to relive the past that I read about (I’m only 23) in my history classes.

I’m not saying that either Hilary or Obama background makes them a better but a candidate that focus only on one issue is useless to the American people because they are being hit from everyside and cannot just focus on one thing at a time. We have already experience 8 years of tunnel vision do we really want to throw away a vote for another 4 years of the samething.

I think backgrounds do matter but in a limited view. Considering that we all have made mistakes in our lives at some point, backgrounds are learning experiences and it should not be the basis of judging a person’s character in a present time

Background does matter. Obama has ties to Rezco, Ayers, Rev. Wright, Louis Farrakhan, The New Black Panther Party, and other shady characters. I would not vote for Obama.

Obama was absent from the Illinois Senate
on November 4, 1999. His name was on 2 bills
mentioned during that session.
Does anyone know where Obama was on November 4?

Many things about a person influence what kind of president they would be. I definitely don’t think anyone should vote based on just ONE thing - like the fact someone is a woman or biracial or that 40 years ago they were a POW. Mostly I try to pay attention to what a person has done in their career, how much attention they pay to trying to learn the facts and hear different views- -(after the last 7 years we can seriously use some intellectual curiosity!), how well they have been able to work with both parties and persuade people in getting a bill passed, etc., how much in their career they have chosen service to other over higher pay for themselves etc.

What is very disturbing to me is that, what with people today being so busy and/or having such a short attention span and not bothering to seek out more information, they can be so easily influenced by sensational media reports (including by CNN) that play on peoples strongest emotions and distort the truth. Major example = the Rev. Wright thing. I was shocked at “GD America” too, but it is so sad how these out-of-context clips, edited together and played over and over, with irresponsible commentary have led people to think this sums up this man and this church. How many people know that Rev. Wright is a former Marine, with 6 years of honorable military service? How many people have heard from whites who KNOW him, including church members? Those people do not think he is a racist. How many know that Wright didn’t “blame white people for everything” but often spoke about the importance of responsibility for yourself and your family, education, work, etc?

As a film editor I know well that the choice of clips and how they are edited has a huge influence on how people will react. One could also take Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.’s angriest statements, edit them together and play them over and over with commentary about how horrible and unpatriotic this angry black preacher is - - and get the same reaction. I’m not equating the two but they are closer than is being portrayed.

After the professional way CNN had dealt last year with exposing the lie about Obama’s primary school in Indonesia, it was very disappointing that when confronted with a complex issue and partial truths, CNN just seemed to blindly follow the bad example of another network. It is great that some people are now checking out more for themselves, for example at the truthabouttrinity blog with links to longer sermon clips and letters/articles from people who are actually informed on the subject. But the media should have done the research to start with and approached it in a responsible way instead of going hysterical.

I have visited Trinity multiple times and the main thing I saw and heard was a joyous faith in God, and a call to help those less fortunate. I also saw white people were warmly welcomed. And since I KNEW from personal experience that the truth about this was so different from how it was portrayed, this example has made it more difficult to trust the information we are getting about candidates’ backgrounds.

To MPM,

Obama chooses the right words before he speaks, because this is the intelligent thing to do. Unlike your candidate who miss spoke (lied) about bullets flying and running for cover.

By the way, how could other world leaders trust Hillary after making a comment like that? Would they trust her?

I think not, neither do I.