I find Obama to be very genuine and caring. He has proven he is calm, strong, and capable. McCain on the other hand has some serious issues that make him someone to turn your vote away from. Age, mentality, V.P candidate

Easy there, I was just clowning around. Life is too short to be so serious all the time!

Awww....give people more credit than 15 min. attention span.

I watched the debates all the way through. And the speech that Obama gave.

I wasn't talking about TV. I was talking about when he talks to foreign leaders. I sure hope they have a longer attention span than 15 minutes. He talks and acts like a President. During the debates, McCain did not.

But it's not cool to mess around with people's quotes.

I think he just might make a decent President. It's some of his worshippers who scare me (not all Obama supporters)

and the same for the other side. He's not a demon determined to destroy America. He's just a guy that's gonna do his best and may or may do a decent job

It's a proven fact. Notice, anytime the President adresses the Nation, it is almost always 15 mins or less.

One of a leaders most important functions is to inspire people.

At times of uncertainty inspiring others to step up to the plate can make a huge difference in the outcome.

Funny that this post appears today. St. Crispin's Day.

Does anyone remember Henry V?

Things were not going well for the English. Morale in the English line as they looked upon the overwhelming force of heavily armoured, highly skilled French knights must have been extremely low. The English were heavily outnumbered. King Henry, rising to the occasion, spoke words of encouragement that rallied the English troops and carried them to a victory.

As a result of the victory the French Princess Catherine was betrothed to Henry V, and France and England were at peace for the remainder of Henry's short life. He perished of dysentery in 1422, but was survived by his son (Henry VI) and was buried at Westminster Abbey, close to the shrine of Edward the Confessor.

Words, the power to keep your head while all around you lose theirs (apologies for borrowing to Kipling) the power to inspire are all essential qualities in a good leader. Perhaps some of you have grown so used to the politics of fear you've forgotten that.

Shakespeare wrote a fictionalized account of the speech Henry gave to his troops that day. A small bit of it is below. Henry's line's in this play are inspiring. By the way I recommend the Kenneth Branagh version.

Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Obama will get my vote this election, however, I do agree with your comment, Quiet.

I personally have never agreed with ALL stances a presidential candidate has made that has won my vote.

As the case is with most presidential elections, either candidate may or may not do a decent job. Most often, we are asked to choose the lesser of two evils.

Some of Obama's followers do appear cult'ish to me at times and it's that mentality that scares me. Not to mention, I fear there will be an assassination attempt if he wins. Much like I fear others will only vote for McCain simply because his running mate is a woman.

The above/below are NOT racial/sexist comments on my part...so, let's not EVEN take it there, please.

The grossest fear I have is that some people will be voting for him simply because he is radically different than past candidates our country has seen and are simply taken with his smooth sense of speech...or worse yet, the simple fact that he is black without fully educating themselves (beyond what they google) on the real issues at hand.

And for Thomas27, each presidential candidate addresses this country with every speech, public appearance, etc. they make. They both make a "statement" to our Nation with every bill they have supported/opposed, their experiences and stances in the government positions they have held and so on.

It goes far beyond their 15 minute "claim to fame"...if only you and others would pay more attention beyond their one-time address to the Nation.

I believe you took it a little out of context there. My post about addressing the Nation was full of sarcasm.

However, I do agree with you about how the Presidential candidates address our Nation with every speech, appearance, and so forth. One of the factors in my decision is, who in my opinion is the best reflection of the American People. I mean, when he's there in the White House making decisions that affect our Country globally, they will not be pointing at Obama or McCain, but at America as a whole. In other words "us".

Are you aware that many other countries already like Obama?

Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King used to get the same reaction.It is nice to listen to a good orator.Obama is a good public speaker and obviously very intelligent.I hope he surrounds himself with equally intelligent well informed people if he is elected.


If he's not,the moon will be full in NH baby.

My father has said that he will never forget Kennedy's speech.
After the first debate he told me that when Obama speaks, he is right up there with Kennedy.

Are we still mooning?

As empires start to fade they lose focus and choose poor leadership. If Obama wins his cult following will get the government they deserve. For a good reference point look up "useful idiots" in wiki. John McCain is a tired old man who will likely be ineffectual at a time when we need wise leadership. It's a doom/doom election that will leave America vulnerable and continuing to decline no matter who wins.

Not voting are you?

I will vote for the lesser of two evils. I slept well under Reagan and Clinton. I did not have that luxury under Bush senior or son. Biden is right, either Obama or McCain will be tested once in office. Neither has the skills to guide us through the tough times ahead.

but charisma does not make a good president. look at clinton. great charisma, but screwed up everything he touched internationally. even his domestic "triumphs" were largely right place at the right time.

voting should be about the candidate's ideals and how that will affect the nation. I personally feel that while obama is much more charismatic and personable, his policies are foolish and are not going to put us in the right direction.

Wow its a shame that people who voted for Bush have to do "research" when it comes to someone who may be inexperienced however is the most professional outta the two choices of presidential candidates not to mention wants to bring our troops home and find Osama Bin Ladin which for the last 8 years.. well u kno the deal.

I wish you guys did some research b4 you selected Bush.

i did... and he was better than kerry.

Clinton screwed up? define screw up

People sure had a lot more money in their pockets when Clinton was President. I don't remember high unemployment either.