The problem with choosing our next leader (IMHO) is not who the "face" or "mask" or perhaps I should say "puppet" is, but we should research who or what the "machinery" or "puppet-master" behind the front really is. In this situation, I would submit to you, gentle readers, "Follow The Money!" (not very original, but yet seemingly appropriate!).

Imagine that you are betting on a two-horse race, and you aren't concerned with winning money, but on "bragging-rights" as to being able to choose winning horses instead. Therefore if you bet on both horses, you are assured of bragging-rights.

If the same puppet-masters that have helped elect the past administration(s) are now supporting certain candidates, and you vote for those, please do not be surprised if you get more of the same, whether "lite" or not, or perhaps you might prefer the term "W-in-a-dress".

What I think we need is alternative candidates, how their campaigns will be funded, I honestly cannot answer. To level the field, however, some form of effective campaign reform must occur, although I do not foresee such character or sense of fair play occuring during my lifetime.

I would be the first to suggest Colin Powell, or Ron Paul as a way out of this morass that we are in.

"Don't re-elect anybody!"

Hillary what a joke!! Experience? Yeah, Who wants that kind of same old "EXPERIENCE" of never getting anything done in Washington with the partisan bickering, croynism,nepotism and back room politics. Experience yeah that's just what this country needs! More of the same.

In reading through this it amazes me that there is no mention of amongst all this of the candidate who not only has the experience, (Congressman, UN Ambassador, Dept. of Energy Sec.,successful businessman, & Governor) and a history of success in meeting with precisely the types foreign leaders this question revolves around. I know the mainstream media and back room pols would like to dismiss him because he is Hispanic and those types are not yet ready to embrace the real direction the country is headed towards. The real deal is: BILL RICHARDSON. Help this man get elected, and help the country.

I'm of the opinion that anyone that needs to resort to petty name calling is insecure about their own arguement. I believe a changing of the old guard is needed, but knee-jerk reaction to the extreme opposite is not always the answer. I think Obama needs to stick to the issues and not get so sucked up into the petty stuff. Their will be plenty of time for that in the next phase of the race...

I agree concernedAmerican, Colin Powell has proven himself to be a great man.

StephenO:

I submit to you that Colin Powell, although not a Hispanic, has adequate experience to perform admirably well if his hands were not to be tied as in the past.

Could not a grass-roots level of nomination be instituted as to your candidate and mine and also others, independent of PAC money?

Obviously, you and I are participants of the internet, with political leanings, and I believe that you want the best for our country as I do, also.

Neither Bill or Colin are of my ethnicity, nor do I care about such trivial facts when our great nation is under attack "from within".

No offense intended to anybody, just speaking my mind.

"I want my America back!"

concernedamerican: FYI: Obama has asked Colin Powell to advise him on foreign policy-and Colin accepted. I have no doubt Obama has the wisdom to surround himself with the best and brightest in the country as his advisors when he is president.

well people voted for bush ~ not me ~ so maybe the problem is not the candidates but the voters ~ someone asked if he were the only one here not associated with a campaign ~ i am a musician ~ i am voting for hillary ~ she can and will win ~ anyone strong enough to take so much hate and abuse and not crumble has intrinsic worth in my opinion

Bottom line: People do not vote for FLIP FLOPPING WAFFLERS like Kerry, and Hillary Clinton is a Flip Flopping Waffler. She tries to out-think the Opposition which is not her strong point. She will lose, but that does not mean that Obama will win. He must continue to stand firm on his principles no matter who tries to fault him for lack of experience. If I'm going to go down, I'm going down fighting for what I truly believe in, because that is what people will remember.

brightquiet, I want to know why Hillary refuses to be held accountable for her vote to go to Iraq. I'm not a campaign worker, I'm a librarian, and my two sentators in Minnesota at the time, Mark Dayton and Paul Wellstone, had the wisdom and courage to vote against the authorization. Wellstone would be the front-runner today were he not killed with his wife and daughter in a plane crash days before his 2002 election. He, unlike Hillary showed his wisdom and courage by voting no. I just want to know why, if she wants to be presidential nominee for DEMS, she needs to admit she made a mistake in the vote for the war? Doesn't want to admit she made a bad judgement call? Or does she believe she made the right call in sending our troops into Iraq?

Cat:

I honestly did not know that. Thanks for the info. That would be a major "coup-de-grace" against the competition, in my opinion. Who does Hillary say is going to advise her? She will certainly need some. I hope that it is not A.E.I or Brookings or AIPAC or other traitors of that ilk.

As the younger generation sometimes says, "Doooooo".

This should be trumpeted about more than it has been, since this is the first that I hear of it. I recall all the talk concerning the defraying of Bush's(43) inexperience with the bringing in of Cheney and "all of his experience" as his running partner. That worked well back then it would seem. Now, I wish that he had been less "experienced".

I will pay more attention to Obama in the future, I can assure you!

Although I cannot speak for the man, I feel that we would not be in the morass that we are in if Colin's advice/intent as Secretary of State would have not been dismissed by those that found it inconvenient.

"I still want my America back!"

If Obama is too inexperienced, tell me how Bush qualified - Texas Ranger President, Clinton qualified - AG of a Southern State, Reagan qualified - Govoner of a Western State, Kennedy qualified - newer Senator of a New England state. The only qualifications that I see Hillary has is that she was in the white house doing something, but we do not know what. For sure, Monica was doing, pardon the usage, all the heavy lifting.

Looking at the bright side: who can do a worst job than Bush? Hillary is the wrong being spiteful toward ditto heads. Democrats should show they are better than that. The entertainment factor favors Obama. He is a good talker. Politics shows us talk is cheap. Who can do the least amount of damage?

Gizmo:

Hillary's qualifications are that she will obey the will of AIPAC, the present, and I do unfortunately suspect, future puppet-master.

"Can I have my America back now. please?"

Ok Obama! Unfortunately, Obama may have the dazzle, but not the OAK required for the "Tit for Tat/Piddle-Paddle required for all the lies of Asia put together. Is not our nation tired of the DAZZLE?

concernedamerican-Colin revealed early June in a Meet the Press interview that he had been meeting with Obama because Obama had solicited his advice on foreign policy. It ran in the other news for about a day. Colin has not officially joined the campaign and said did not want an elected office, but would not rule out service. Obama's supporters have started a small movement to draft Colin into the campaign. We'll see what happens-Colin has served republicans in the past.

America cannot afford to elect an inexperience candidat to become the next President of the United State of America. For the new President will have a lot of cleaning up to do. I believe Senator Hillary Clinton is to most qualified among the candidates.
We need to Reclaim back America. God Bless America!!!

Cat:

Do not let that bother you, I believe that Colin would assist either side, (Dem/Rep) whichever he believed had the moral high-ground, and sincerely cared about America. The fact that he is "collaborating" with a DEM proves that,after having served for a REP, and also a DEM, if I remember correctly. (In my opinion only, I, unfortunately do not know him on a personal basis, but he is welcome at my place for barbeque and beers.) Obama must be doing something right is what I take away from this. Why can't there be more people such as this, who care less about party-affiliation and re-election/agrandizement than the welfare of America? Do they all take an oath and immediately (through their actions) renounce it? Good to communicate with you. Have to go for tonight.

"I might just take my America back, regardless of you!"

Barack Obama is a strong leader and is exactly what our country needs in a President. I have read both of his books and have heard him speak at least 5 times and listen to the speeches Ive missed online. He truely cares about everyone and has the inteligence and the leadership abilities to lead our country where it needs to go. He understands that 10% of the people own 90% of the money and he will do everything he can to help make this country a better place for all of us. He has the ability to bring people together for the good of the people. He wont give in unless he truely believes it is the right decision for all of us. Listen to his speeches. Go to a rally. Get to know him. I guarantee you , you wont be sorry. He has so much to offer our country and the world. He is a genuine good person. This country cannot afford to let him go. Experience is great, but it also takes brains, common sense , and great leadership abilities. Please get to know Barrack Obama. He is truely one of a kind.
Kay

I wouldn't vote for either one of them if they ran for city dogcatcher.

ok, its time to get real here.

I'm happy everyone is 'ohh obama is so right we need to talk to these nations!'

Hillary has said in her answer that she will engage in intensive diplomancy with these nations and have many lower-level meetings to 'test the waters'.

Everyone here that took the side of Obama is victim of Obama's spin.

Obama's committed and is willing to meet with the worst dictators in the world, within the first year with NO PRECONDITIONS!

DID ANYONE ELSE HEAR THIS?!

NO president would never and never will meet with those dictators in that type of situation! THEY WONT!
.... unless the president is someone like Barack Obama, who is inexperienced and doesnt understand the correct ways to conduct foreign policy.

Hillary CLinton will conduct SMART diplomancy. Diplomancy that WONT undermine the power of our president!