hello everyone — been a while for me.

fun show tonight - a lot of time hearing directly from the candidates — and just 100 days to go. but who’s counting!

Hi Everyone, John and Erica,

HA

I think it’s so funny that Anderson is not on tonight!!! It’s like he is avoiding Kathy Griffin

BTW: I think she does a great job as a host.

Helloooo John, Erica, and best bloggers!!!!
I saw on CNN on website last night and the crew of Qantas Jumbo flew on the way to Australia about 29,000 feet and flew drop around 10,000 feet & It hit a big massive hole right side above engine and tried to land in Manila to safe all the passages on the board. they wore a mask right away. I like to thank you the pilot who landed safety!! They are so miracle!!! (sigh)

John…glad to have you back subbing!!

I hope you all are doing the story about the Qantas jet getting a hole blown in it’s fuselage in flight! That had to be scary!

Cindy…Ga.

happy friday all!!!

Nice to see you in the anchor chair tonight John

Good evening everyone, welcome John

I hate to fly, now I know why.

John, great to see you back on tonight. Looking forward to the program.

Hi John, it has been a while. Senator McCain needs to speak on the issues rather than attacking. That is a huges turnoff.

Obama couldn’t bring the horde of reporters, so he didn’t want to meet with the troops.

Cynthia I agree…I want to know why should I vote for you not why I should vote for the other candiate

Obama has been endorsed by the French. If I didn’t know anything else about him, that’s enough to vote for McCain.

Hello John King! It seems like a long time since we’ve seen you and the Magic Wall! Interesting that Obama canceled visiting troops overseas. Doesn’t make too much sense to me.

I saw Obama and French president talking to all the reporters at new conference in Paris.

Senator McCain is speaking to the issues. He is going around the country holding town hall meetings. The fact is that Obama is changing his positions and Senator McCain needs to point that out. Obama seems to be running around the world acting like he is already President.

I think Barack Obama did a great job representing the U.S during his trip and I think he will hold good as president.

I think that Senator Obama’s trip overseas was a success. The U.S. needs allies and regardless of what you may think of him and Pres. Bush has sorta made a mess of things.

Obama did a wonderful job this week! He hasn’t walked over the line, he was very respectful

@Gary. You’re right. McCain has been adressing issues at town hall meetings. The only sound bites that make the news are when he criticizes Obama.

If Obama had gone to visit the soldiers, he would have been criticized. I don’t understand why the standard is so much higher for Obama than McCain. McCain should be beating the pants off of Obama. Can someone tell me why this isn’t happening?

i can see a lively group here. no D list jokes because i am following of kathy griffin!!

the protocol at 10 downing street is interesting - and they are very strict about it. obama can get a photo op inside - but not greeting at the door from the PM because that is saved for visiting heads of state.

being live from outside that door for the first time was a trip after so many years standing in front of the white house. i was joking with candy that madame prime minister has a ring to it.

Interesting that this trip hasn’t changed the polls….I mean, McCain’s reaction to it should have cost him a few points

Of late on the news all I have heard Senator McCain do is attack Senator Obama. I saw him in a grocery store standing by the cheese, at one of his town hall meetings and on his CNN interview. There are more issues to be discussed other than whether the surge worked or not.

I disagree with the idea that President Bush has made a mess of things. This is nothing but liberal talking points that people pick up on. Senator Obama has no right to be negotiating for this country. We have one President only. I would have more respect for Obama if he went over seas to listen, observe and learn. Instead he is campaigning for “world” support for him.

The base “brawl” as it is being called is simply ludicrous. It’s amazing what a bunch of dudes with bad tempers can do!

Gary, why did McCain challenge Obama to visit these foreign countries and then criticize him for/while doing it?

How can a hole in a plane be considered terrorism if its on the outside and the hole happened while in the air? What happened to just freak accidents?

No matter what he did or did not do in visiting the troops he would have been criticized. I’m glad the French get along with him, where would we have been in WWII without the French?

John, that’s interesting and way more appropriate than the fawning in France and Germany. It is also much more impartial. Leave it to our best allies to get it right. I’ve served with British naval officers, and they are they are great.

Hi John King, Erica, everybody blogging. This is a far flung campaign trip by Sen. Obama. Has the feel of a world tour, even if you wonder about it, it sort of sweeps you up.

TConsidering all the places he has been and all the leaders and reporters he has has to speak to, he has not only had a successful trip he has demonstrated incredible stamina.

One thing McCain forgets about the SURGE it also killed alot of our U.S soldiers.

Hi, John and bloggers — pic looks good, JK!

I am a Democrat. I voted for Obama in the primaries. I hope that all that he is saying he means and is not jut politics. I feel McCain has turned into a pompous, etc. these days. I liked him 2000, but he is so different, arrogant and somewhat nasty. I pray that he does not win.

If John McCain could draw huge crowds he would have done the same thing as Obama. McCain isn’t nearly as talented as Obama. He doesn’t have the same judgement as Obama, that’s why our country is in this mess!

McCain really needs a new speech, or he needs to fire his speech writer.

I don’t know what you guys think but Obama is soooo presidential. MCcain is behaving like a grumpy old man.

I cannot stand the way that John McCain talks about Obama.

It is so condescending and sarcastically rude.

What is the big deal about this trip.. It seems that the mccain camp and followers are running scare. Mcain is boring.

Is there any doubt that McCains position on the presence of US troops is based on conditions? Obama has a timeline regardless of conditions. What is so hard about this?

It made me so proud to see Obama on his trip. He’s shown dignity and character and the world waits for us to have enough sence to elect him President as Mc Cain fumbles making a fool of himself trying to counter Obama’s great reception abroad.

I just heard John McCain say that he knows how to catch Osama Bin Laden and bring him to justice. If he knows how, why hasn’t he shared that information with the government? Doesn’t he have an obligation to do so?

Lani, I hesitate to say this, but the standard seems to be much higher for Barack because of his heritage. He is damned if he does and damned if her doesn’t. I think he represented our country eloquently and I will be pleased with him when he becomes president.

@Carla, I think McCain is running scared because he realizes that everyone is right about needing a change and that he will not win the campaign

I love that McCain is flipping to Obama’s position on 16 months.

If McCain knows the Prime Minster of Iraq so well..then he should know he wants us out. Why is he agruing the point???

Damned if you do and damned if you don’t, thats Obama. If he would have gone out oif the country and fell all over himself McCain and the Right would have jumped all over him. Doing a good job (which he did) he is up staging the president. Where is the line for this man? Why can’t he be measured by the same measure used for Mr. McCain

How refreshing to see a representative of the USA not being the target of protesters, but instead seeming to represent what is the best part of America. I’m glad I am for Obama and will be eagerly awaiting my chance to vote for him. I am white, female and over 80,
something the polls think puts me in a pocket for J. McCain.

McCain sure likes to talk about defeat, but I have yet to hear him define victory. I wish someone would press him on that.

The super-sized arrogance of Obama is just breathtaking. At the Elysee press conference, he takes it on himself to warn “my good friend” President Sarkosy about the questions from US reporters…………. a man he just met less than an hour before. The speech in Berlin was plain embarrassing: “Thank you, Berlin” ? Does this guy think he’s Bono?

I don’t think McCain is criticizing Obama for visiting foreign countries. McCain is probably just frustrated by the media’s obsessive coverage of the trip. Personally, I think Obama is getting a little ahead of himself. He’s negotiating with leaders as though he has already won this election.

I’m confused. So Obama wants more troops in Afghanistan, is that not considered a surge? Is it that Obama doesn’t think surges work in general or just the surge in Iraq did not work?

Failing in Iraq? What a ridiculous statement. Obama ‘failure’ to acknowledge the success of the surge is pure politics. Shame on him.

Obama visited wounded troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. This story has no legs!

Senator McCain can only complain and sound bitter at the fact that they set a trap for Obama to go overseas and it backfired in their face. Now he has crossed the line by claiming that Obama is willing to lose a war for the sake of winning a campaign. Most disrespectful of him and yet Obama has held himself about that kind of criticism

Lori - I’m with you, I definitely second your sentiments.

The other thing that McCain said which is totally disingenuous and totally un-American and un-patriotic is that he says “Sen. Obama would rather loose a war to win a Campaign”. That is the most despicable stance any American could take let alone a sitting Senator and one who is running for Office of the President.

Yes, a nice trip of Obama. But many Europeans see it as a little bit over the top. It was too much show and the speech was a little boring, lacking any contents. They just wanted to see such a show live.

I can’t believe that Hillary Rosen said that the troops didn’t care if Obama visited them. Is she kidding herself!? Has anyone asked them?

Cindy…Ga.

Oh no! I can’t watch brawl to fight each other league major……… I hate that!!!!!! made me so embarrased right now.

I agree, McCain has been hammering away at Obama all week but not gaining ground. The surge has helped it had to, but the question about timetables is falling right into Obama’s lap

Jolene, I think Obama opposed the surge in Iraq because he opposes that war. He sees the Afghanistan war as more valid AND he is responding to the recent violence there, in my opinion

I think it is safe to say that air liner flew on THE WINGS OF AN ANGEL.

Can you believe that guy drank wipe-out??

Drinking White-Out! How gross! Drunks are so stupid.

linda, i agree with you. mr mccain is acting like a grumpy old man. i am sure he is wishing he could generate the crowds obama does and has some of the charisma of mr obama has.

The surge is only part of the equation…of course if you put more troops in the area just the sheer numbers will improve the situation.

there’s a lot of people along the mississippi river that don’t have drinking water, so i hope that gets cleaned quick. and so my beloved mississippi river can get back to normal.

How is possible Obama is not winning in a landslide? That disturbs me! I am so afraid if McCain wins.

i’ve never seen anyone drink white-out before…
how would that help anything?

McCain says how he feels. This is why his campaign is called the “straight talk express”. Some may appreciate this and some may not.

It’s not that I think Obama is against surges but I think he feel that the Iraq war was a bad decision from the beginning. No matter what questions reporters ask McCain he routes every question to the surge. What about the war itself? It was not a good war and its not a favorable war among the American people or the world.

It seems to me that Obama’s trip didn’t help him. John is moving up in the polls!!

Cindy…Ga.

I agree with you bloggers!
I don’t believe my eyes to watch drunk man use white out put his face. ewww!

John, Obama’s numbers have slipped a lot. He led by 8 in the poll of polls two weeks ago. Now it’s only 3. If he stays in Europe another few days, McCain may catch up.

See what I mean, Obama has the lead on the electoral map, but he’s the one with the problem. Go figure?

The white-out drinking was almost too riduculous to believe.

Is the temperament of a president important. Can someone whose temper gets the better of him when he’s down be trusted with running the greatest country in the world?

John King, thanks for that summary of the electoral votes and the map. Very interesting. I live in one of those “toss up” states and I’m still “tossed” as to which candidate to vote for.

I don’t think we can take the polls too serious right now! A lot of people that I know are definitely going to support Obama but are basically not following what is going on right now! I know when the time get’s closer Obama will pull ahead handily!

this is the best part in baseball ,

Jolene, I believe there are a large number of voters also in a “toss up” right now - esp as polls close in and when you take the margin of error into account.

it’s going to be a busy three months!!

Wild ride on Quantas. I’m glad everyone made it back safe.

@ Stacy I think McCain is getting pressed on all fronts about defining victory.

Hillary Rosen is right, right now Obama is right in the sweet spot. John McCain still has a shot though, definitely. Strong candidate.

Erica, I am in a toss-up state too, however I think McCain is just scary!

Erica, I have to say that I totally agree with I can wait to see the VP picks for both parties.

WOW..what a brawl!! I can’t believe that mess! All for what!? That was dumb.

Cindy…Ga.

I’m still grossed out about the guy using white-out in his mouth!

I just don’t think the republican “mantra” is going to work this time…the last eight years have been a nightmare and when voters are fueling their cars to get to the polling places I think reality will hit them…

Erica, you are so right. Very busy 3 months for sure. For me, who the candidates select for VP will most likely be my deciding factor.

kevin and hilary are good sports spending some time on friday night with us — and debating with good vigor but also good humor.

Hockey I can understand, but not baseball. You know the saying: I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out.

Erica, I have to say I totally agree with you and I can’t wait to see the VP picks for both parties.

The look on the other player’s faces when they saw him throw that ball..”oh no, you didn’t!” then just dived on him…pretty funny

I agree with Jeff. he will be deported and suspend his passport too. that is felony that is battery assault against fan!

The ball player should be banned from playing American baseball for life; then deported, and pay monetary compensation. Many ball players can easily dole out money to bail them out of trouble. Luckily, it was an adult who got hit and that the ball didn’t cave-in the head of a child who just wanted to spend a nice day watching his favorite sport with his loved ones. How much worse would it have been of the child was rooting for the rogue player’s team?

We have a long time before November. The polls will continue to rock and roll until Obama finally has the guts to debate McCain in a town hall meeting.

Basebrawl, nothing like seeing grown men throw all principle out the window. I’m surprised they’re not still going at it

Its sad that atheletes cannot pose themselves anymore when they are playing a sport and have to resolve to fighting with each other. What are they sending to kids? What happened to sportsmanship? And what is it about atheletes beating up on their own fans? The sports world needs to start punishing these atheletes more now even if it involves the law

That brawl was crazy! It sad to think that games reach that point. The commentators were showing other altercations in other professional sports and possible results from those fights. The examples these atheletes present are terrible. Do we have a double standard for our professional athletes?

Yes, Will in California…..
I agree with you…….. you have a good point.

It sounds like a great program. Giving hope to the hopelessness! I’m proud of the gentleman for trying to make his life better!

Good for you Khalid! Glad to see him changing his life like he did. He’s a great role model.

Bless that doctor for helping these kids get away from that life. We need more people like that.

I know that we are beyond Obama and McCain, but when McCain states that if we pull out of Iraq we fail and in sum we lose. According to Bush mission is accomplished. What is our goal that we are trying to win? How will our brave troops be defeated? I hear a lot about winning and losing this war. We already won!!! Can someone give me a clear understanding on McCains position on this issue???

Great interview, John King. I’m hoping that man will be enough to inspire others thinking of turning a new leaf

khalid made my night - what a strong message to young people. nice guy and a success story.

Good night John, Erica, and best bloggers!!!!
Have a good night!!!! Sleep tight!!!!
Have a great weekend!!!!
See you on Monday!!!!
My hearts go to Randy Pausch family, wife, 3 children and fans! he inspired me longtime.

Dr. Cooper should be commended because he could have walked away from a problem, but, he choose to reach back and attempt to make a difference and make a change in someone else’s live. Congrats to those who change their lives and become engaged in their families and the community.

WOW…the show went by way too fast! It was great!

Night John and Erica.

Cindy…Ga.

Good caption & good night to all.

good night everyone

Good job tonight John and Erica! Hope everyone has a great weekend! Nite bloggers!

Good job tonight John! Have a good night everyone.

Qantas jet has to make emergency landing, after a big hole becomes in the undeside. Watching people on video camera on inside of the jet, while this was taking place, looked very scary. But everyone was staying calm….you could hear a baby crying. The pilots that landed this plane they said on one news program, they had to be experts in order to land it safely. They say the Qantas jet is one of the safest aircraft at this time.