2008 American Candidates Discussion

[rimplton]

maggie achieved her goals as prime minister better than any male leader has.where else in the world has 1 leader totally crushed the unions and the working class?before her a union could strike for better pay and other unions would strike in support of it. now the strike leader gets called "unpatriotic" and sells out his whole union (see the FBU strike for more info).seriously. anyone who doubts she was the most successful leader we have ever had (in terms of HER manifesto) is blind. we live in thatchers britain right now.p.s. don't get it twisted. if i could kill 1 person in the world it'd be her.

[Black Ant]

lol@ woman running a country succesfullyno sexist

germany have a woman prime minister/presidenti think...

[Mr Q]

lol@ woman running a country succesfullyno sexist

germany have a woman prime minister/presidenti think...

Chancellor

[VENOM]

lol@ woman running a country succesfullyno sexist

germany have a woman prime minister/presidenti think...

Chancellor

lol@ calling that viking a woman

[Lofa]

It's time for a black president.

[Mr Q]

It's time for a black president.

Nah, its time for a good one. Black or white.

[Mr Q]

Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton defied pundits and pollsters by winning New Hampshire's primary, beating rival Barack Obama.John McCain made his own remarkable political comeback with a comfortable win in the Republican contest.In a night of high political drama, turnout was nearly half a million - more than double the number in 2004.Candidates are aiming to build momentum before more than 20 states hold polls on 5 February, known as Super Tuesday.New York Senator Clinton, 60, told a cheering crowd of supporters: "Over the last week I listened to you and in the process I found my own voice. I felt like we all spoke from our hearts and I am so gratified that you responded."ResurrectionShe echoed her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who in New Hampshire's primary in 1992 called himself the "comeback kid" when his own White House bid was resurrected by a strong, second place finish in the state. Results in New Hampshire graphCore voters win it for ClintonTale of two comebacksPolling station interviews suggested female voters, who deserted Mrs Clinton last week in Iowa, and registered Democrats helped sweep her to victory, overcoming Senator Obama's advantage among New Hampshire's independent voters.Mr Obama, a 46-year-old first-term senator from Illinois, said: "I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on a hard fought victory here in New Hampshire. She did an outstanding job."He had gone into the vote with leads of up to 13 points in opinion polls following his impressive win in Thursday's Iowa caucuses, after trailing Mrs Clinton for much of the campaign.BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the stage is now set for a remarkable toe-to-toe fight for the Democratic nomination.The contest will pit the experience and financial muscle of the Clinton campaign against the Obama camp's transformational message, says our correspondent.Clinton aides said her win may be down to an extraordinary moment on Monday when she appeared close to tears as she talked about how much public service meant to her.John Edwards, who came third in the Democrat contest, reminded supporters in Manchester, New Hampshire, that there were "48 states left to go".Resurgent RepublicanIn the Republican race, Arizona Senator McCain rode to victory, taking 37% of the vote to defeat his higher spending rival Mitt Romney into second place with 32%.The triumph by the 71-year-old former Vietnam prisoner of war - who has promised voters to "follow Osama Bin Laden to the gates of hell" - put him firmly back in contention for the White House, said correspondents. John McCainMcCain supporters chanted "Mac is back, Mac is back".McCain victory speechAnalysis: Clinton's surprise?In pictures: N Hampshire voteMr McCain used to be the front-runner but his campaign crumbled last year when his funds and support evaporated, analysts said, down to his unflinching support for the Iraq war.At his campaign headquarters, Mr McCain thanked his supporters, saying: "My friends, you know I'm passed the age where I can claim the noun 'kid', no matter what adjective precedes it. But tonight we sure showed 'em what a comeback looks like."Former Massachusetts governor Mr Romney congratulated Mr McCain and said: "Well another silver... I'd rather have a gold, but I got another silver.Ex-Arkansas governor and Baptist minister Mike Huckabee and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani came in with 11% and 9% of the vote for the Republicans. KEY DATES AHEAD15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: Nevada caucuses; South Carolina primary (Rep)26 Jan: South Carolina primary (Dem)29 Jan: Florida primary5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New JerseyNew Hampshire: Key quotesQ&A: US primariesMr Giuliani - who analysts say has yet to fully enter the fray - said he planned to stay in the race and was looking forward to Florida's 29 January primary.The BBC's James Coomarasamy in New Hampshire says a wounded Mr Romney must now bounce back from his Iowa and New Hampshire defeats, states where he far outspent his opponents.Mr Huckabee, by contrast, will take heart from his third place finish in a state where he was never expected to do well, our correspondent says.The election battle now gathers pace, with Michigan holding its primary next Tuesday and Nevada its caucuses on 19 January.And the next big contests are set for South Carolina, where Republicans hold their primary on 19 January with the Democrats in the state making their choice a week later on 26 January.Analysts say South Carolina's large bloc of black Democratic voters is likely to go for Mr Obama, who aims to become the first black US president.

[Mr Q]

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, two of the Democratic Party candidates for the US presidency, have clashed in a debate before South Carolina's primary.Mr Obama accused Mrs Clinton of saying anything to get elected. On Sunday he had accused her husband Bill Clinton of making false statements about him.But Mrs Clinton said it was hard to debate with someone who never took responsibility for any vote he cast.A third candidate, John Edwards, accused them of squabbling.The three candidates also debated the economy and racial justice, with attacks on President George W Bush's plan to stave off recession.Mr Obama needs to win Saturday's South Carolina primary to re-invigorate his campaign after successive defeats to the former first lady in New Hampshire, Michigan and Nevada.The debate marked a significant gear-shift with just two weeks before "Super Tuesday", when 22 states vote in a potentially decisive day for the party's nomination contest.Heated exchangesMonday's often acrimonious debate saw heated exchanges in which the Illinois senator told Mrs Clinton that he was helping unemployed workers on the streets of Chicago when "you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart". Senator John Edwards during Monday's debateAre there three people in this debate, not two?John EdwardsElection at-a-glance: 21 JanThe New York senator retorted that she was fighting against misguided Republican policies "when you were practising law and representing your contributor ... in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago", a reference to Antoin Tony Rezko, who is facing charges for fraud.Mr Obama's campaign has given to charity the funds which it has received from donors linked to Mr Rezko.With Monday marking a national holiday to honour the slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, and more than half of South Carolina's voters being black, racial equality was also addressed.Trailing the two front-runners by a wide margin, Mr Edwards attempted to rise above the acrimony while pleading for an equal hearing."Are there three people in this debate, not two?" asked the former North Carolina senator."We have got to understand, this is not about us personally. It's about what we are trying to do for this country."The Republican presidential contenders, meanwhile, were focusing their attention on Florida ahead of the state's primary on 29 January.

LOL @ Edwards just being any guy at the side, man should just give up now. Obama really needs to win in SC!...

[Anderson]

Allow a female president.No red neck would vote for a woman over a black.

They would vote for Osama over a black man.

[LemonGuy]

It's time for a black president.

It's never that time.

[JLovely]

lol@ woman running a country succesfullyno sexist

germany have a woman prime minister/presidenti think...

Chancellor

lol@ calling that viking a woman

LOL

[Ashman.]

Alot of us won't know too much about U.S politics or what the candidates stand for but I came across this chart which sums it up nicely.Obama does look the most fair candidate. Lol @ the republicans wanting the war in Iraq, torture, wire tapping, no background checks selling guns and all that sh*t. What person in their right mind would vote republican. It makes me wonder about all this 9/11 conspiracy sh*t because they have gotten the nation shook so people will vote republican thinking they will be safer. How can you oppose withdrawing from Iraq when they have no WMDs, war done. Opposing the Kyoto treaty If Republicans win...smh

Not really. What are his views on education? (it is a key element)

[BLACK VICTIM]

Alot of us won't know too much about U.S politics or what the candidates stand for but I came across this chart which sums it up nicely.Obama does look the most fair candidate. Lol @ the republicans wanting the war in Iraq, torture, wire tapping, no background checks selling guns and all that sh*t. What person in their right mind would vote republican. It makes me wonder about all this 9/11 conspiracy sh*t because they have gotten the nation shook so people will vote republican thinking they will be safer. How can you oppose withdrawing from Iraq when they have no WMDs, war done. Opposing the Kyoto treaty If Republicans win...smh

Not really. What are his views on education? (it is a key element)

[Ashman.]

Alot of us won't know too much about U.S politics or what the candidates stand for but I came across this chart which sums it up nicely.Obama does look the most fair candidate. Lol @ the republicans wanting the war in Iraq, torture, wire tapping, no background checks selling guns and all that sh*t. What person in their right mind would vote republican. It makes me wonder about all this 9/11 conspiracy sh*t because they have gotten the nation shook so people will vote republican thinking they will be safer. How can you oppose withdrawing from Iraq when they have no WMDs, war done. Opposing the Kyoto treaty If Republicans win...smh

Not really. What are his views on education? (it is a key element)

Lowering standards... well, we know what that is like over here in England.

[Scorpzz]

It's time for a black president.

It's never that time.

[sean89]

in order for obama 2 win he needs south carolina and defiently californiai dnt tink he is the best candidate because he sayin he will implement change but nt reli sayin wot the change ishes lucky as ppl seem 2 fall 4 iti wud bac him if i reli knew wt he stood for coz he seems like a decent candiate

[Mr Q]

Looks like Obama may win South Carolina still..

EBONY/JET POLL SHOWS OBAMA WELL AHEAD IN SOUTH CAROLINABlack voters call Obama most 'honest and trustworthy,' but say Clinton has 'best experience'In one of the last polls before the stateâs Democratic primary Jan. 26, EBONY and JET Magazines found that potential voters in South Carolina have a strong, 10-point preference for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama to be the next president, and the gap widens to more than 30 points among Black voters.The Ebony/Jet poll of 600 Black and White respondents spotlights the interests and preferences of Black voters, who are expected to account for as much as 55 percent of the Democratic vote on primary day in South Carolina. It was conducted in conjunction with veteran DC-based pollster Ron Lester & Associates, and was taken over the four-day period of Jan. 19-22. The Ebony/Jet poll has a margin of error of +- 2.9 percent. A key finding among all poll respondents was that 37 percent pick Obama over Clinton, who had 27 percent, and John Edwards, with 15 percent, in South Carolina. When Blacks were asked, 53 percent said they would vote for Obama, 21 percent for Clinton and 3 percent for Edwards. At least 22 percent of voters overall and 24 percent of Black voters said they didnât know who they would vote for or had not yet made up their mind.However, Whites support Clinton more than 2-to-1 over Obama, and White women widen that gap to 38 percent for Clinton, 15 percent for Obama and 28 percent for Edwards.Overall, Obamaâs support may run deeper than Clintonâs. Of those who support Obama, 29 percent say they do so enthusiastically, while only 20 percent say the same for Clinton.Younger voters, the heart of Obamaâs campaign, are still a source of his support in South Carolina. For instance, among Black men under 45, 75 percent of the respondents supported Obama, with only 15 percent supporting Clinton and 3 percent backing Edwards. Those results fall in line with months of interviews by EBONY and JET Magazines in which many Black men see themselves in Obama and feel a connection with him.Black women, who make up the bulk of the Black vote in South Carolina, support Obama more than 2-to-1 over Clinton. However, among single Black mothers, the gap is much narrower, with Obama getting top rating with 35 percent of the respondents to Clintonâs 32 percent.Obama had strong support among Black churchgoers, with 52 percent of regular churchgoers (those who attend 2 or more times a week) supporting Obama, and 61 percent of Blacks who attend church occasionally (once a week or less) supporting his candidacy.While a greater percentage (49 percent) said Clinton had the best experience, more respondents (39 percent) said Obama had a better vision for the country than the other Democratic candidates. Nearly twice the respondents thought that Obama was also more honest and trustworthy.A greater number of potential voters questioned (39 percent) said that they think that setting the right tone and vision is important, but it is more important to have the experience to manage (51 percent) and run the bureaucracy in Washington, D.C.When asked which key issues concern them the most, 37 percent of the voters polled ranked the economy at the top, while 23 percent said the situation in Iraq was important, and 18 percent cited health care as the most important.When asked about their opinions of the major players and surrogates in the Democratic race, former President Bill Clinton had a higher favorable rating than candidate Edwards and talk show host Oprah Winfrey, but lower than Hillary Clinton and Obama. Hillary Clinton was seen as favorable to 78 percent of respondents, compared to Obamaâs 76 percent and Bill Clintonâs 75 percent. Edwards, who was born in South Carolina, had a 70 percent favorable rating. At least 67 percent of respondents had a favorable opinion of Winfrey, a public supporter of Obamaâs.

[Mr Q]

Edwards Pulls out...

Edwards abandons White House race John Edwards campaigning on 28 January 2008John Edwards turned to politics after a career as a lawyerEdwards speaksDemocrat John Edwards has left the race for the White House after failing to win any of the party nomination contests held so far.Mr Edwards, 54, publicly announced the end to his second White House bid on a visit to New Orleans.He lost Iowa's caucuses, came third in New Hampshire, admitted getting his "butt kicked" in Nevada, and came third in his native South Carolina.In the Republican field, Rudy Giuliani is also expected to drop out later.The ex-New York Mayor, who came a distant third in Florida's primary on Tuesday, is expected to back John McCain, said two of his allies, New York congressman Peter King and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.Wife's cancerThe remaining Republican candidates will go head-to-head on Wednesday at a televised debate in Simi Valley, California.Correspondents say the Democratic and Republican races will now be left with a pair of realistic contenders apiece.On the Republican side, the two front-runners are Arizona Senator McCain, who won in Florida, and ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. JOHN EDWARDSJohn Edwards campaigning on 28 January 2008Born 1953 in Seneca, South Carolina; mill worker's sonPersonal-injury lawyer 1977-1998US senator for North Carolina 1999-2005First ran for White House 2004 - wanted to reform healthcare and scrap Bush tax cuts for richLost nomination to John Kerry; became his running mateMarried to Elizabeth Edwards with three surviving childrenProfile: John EdwardsMr Edwards told supporters in New Orleans, where he launched his latest White House bid in 2006: "It's time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path."We do not know who will take the final steps to [the White House] but what we do know is that the Democratic Party will make history."He did not endorse either of the two current Democratic front-runners: New York Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton or Illinois Senator Barack Obama.But he said he had spoken to both of them by telephone and had received their assurances that they would place the fight against poverty at the centre of their campaigns.Mr Edwards's wife Elizabeth announced last year her breast cancer had returned, but an Edwards aide told CNN television his reasons for dropping out had nothing to do with her health.The BBC's Vincent Dowd in Washington says if Mr Edwards urges his supporters towards either of the two main Democrat contenders, that could be an important influence in the race.Mr Edwards received 14% of the Democratic vote in the Florida primary - although that contest was largely symbolic after an internal party row.He also fought for his party's nomination in 2004, losing out to John Kerry, but ran a strong enough second in the race to stand on the vice-presidential ticket.The remaining candidates are focused on Super Tuesday next week, when 24 states hold nominating contests.