Hate to say it but, he's right. McCain can't counter Obama. Hilliary yes, with her unlikeables but Obama, no. McCain's experience is undercutted by his support for the two current wars, plus Iran. His knowledge of the economy is laughable, and since campaign fiance passed, he has shown little more to offer America than more sacrifice, and more war. I don't think the majority of Americans can get behind the banner of more death and more debt. Even Hilliary looks more reasonable by comparison. As is stands today, Obama comes across as the most "likeable" and "reasonable" alternative; next to Hilliary and McCain. I much rather have his campaign that Hilliary's or John's right now. That's for sure.

Sen. Obama is a co-sponsor of the Fair Pay Act, which would provide employees a cause of action if they were not paid equal pay for "equivalent work" in the private sector. Our government would decide what work was equivalent (truck driver/secretary, so forth), and thus set compensation levels throught the country. This law would serve as a considerable dislocation in the labor market, and constitute a massive intrusion by the federal bureaucracy into private decision making.
If economics is Obama's strong suit, he should fold now.

When is this man going to ever say exactly what his policies are and what exactly is he going to do if he gets to be President. He always drops short on offering anything, how in heavens name can anyone vote for him if they have no idea what he is brining to the table.

Obama's criticism is two-dimensional...and an age-old, tried-and-true (oh MY...that's not consistent with CHANGE...although Hitler promised "change" too...and delivered, unfortunately...).

McCain and his policies ARE NOT - repeat, are NOT - those of Bush's. The only commonality is that they are both Republicans...and both half-Republi/Democans.

It would be as cheap a shot as to criticize Obama...were he to win...to claim that he AS PRESIDENT is ony perpetuating Bush's policies, because he is also president.

McCain is a fear monger just like Bush. People are tired of hate. McCain is a 'hater' and a small thinker like Bush, who will continue to drive people/nations apart. Some people in this world need to demonize others in order to feel good about themselves (i.e., reference 'axis of evil' - and then murder 1M+ innocent Iraqis and then call yourself a man of God).

"More of the same, McCain". That's enough to have him come in second. Obama=optimism

As a moderate, I have always been a McCain fan. But his comments about staying in Iraq for 100 years is insane. Do the math: $265 million per day X 365 days per year X 100 years. Obama or Clinton will make mincemeat pie out of dear old John on this and a host of other issues where he wants to be "Bush" McCain and maintain the status quo.

All the way Obama, great speach, exactly right about McCain.

I would have considered voting for McCain back when he had a backbone, but his sellout to Bush has been quite disturbing, and shallow.

I keep hearing the knock on Obama that he is not specific enough about the issues and his policies in his talks. He is very specific about all of his policies regarding, health care, homeland security energy,environment,immigration, faith and all of the prudent topics on his website. It would be redundant to continue to go over the same things in his stump speeches. Obama's greatest assets are his leadership qualities and his ability to organize and motivate people to take action. His campaign is a great demonstration of that. He is exactly what the United States need. We haven't had a real leader in a long time. Probably since JFK.

How can Obama lead us out of Iraq safely when he has NEVER been there? I hope someone asks him that in the debate.

Who understands the economy? Check out the candidates spending proposal projections!

$286.999 BILLION
Projected annual spending for Obama’s proposals
$218 BILLION
Projected annual spending for Clinton’s proposals
$7 BILLION
Projected annual spending for McCain’s proposals
$54 BILLION
Projected annual spending for Huckabee’s proposals

Senator Obama's energy policy plan calls for a bigger push for nuclear power which I strongly disagree with largely because the nuclear energy industry has not adequately developed methods to dispose of nuclear waste in a way that would not be completely safe or at risk to the environment and public with a longer view of a maturing industry.

In the longer view of more nuclear waste disposal being produced, the nuclear energy industry has always positioned disposal with a rosy and forward-looking statements without costs estimates and technological developments to back up their claims of future environmental and human safety.

More future production of nuclear waste would incur more cost to the taxpayer through government oversight through DOE.

I would encourage all to re-examine Senator Obama's energy plan with respect to nuclear energy for America for the obvious long term environmental risks and long term cost of disposal.

It would be wise to check all the candidate's position on nuclear energy and disposal of hazardous waste policies.

Obama is a Socialist. Not a Communist, a Socialist. A Communist pushes his agenda onto the people whether they like it or not. A Socialist gets you on the hook with tasty morsels. Either way, you become a victim of the Communist Manifesto. Read Karl Marx and his Manifesto, it is about 80% complete. I believe many people have been duped into supporting communism and don't even realize it.
I like Obama's speeches, he is definitely a better person than Hillary and McCain put together. I'm sure many would agree. I will not be voting for him though, voting for the lesser of two evils is still a vote for evil.
I wonder if Obama would be so fair as to ask his supporters who once supported another candidate to vote according to their principles? I mean, if they originally supported someone else based soley on principle, then changed because they were convinced their original pick was "unelectable", wouldn't they have traded their principles to vote for a "winner"?

JFK A REAL LEADER? WHERE DID HE LEAD THE U.S.? BESIDE DIFFERENT TIME AND ERA...MOSTLY THE WHITE MALE WHERE THE REGISTERED VOTERS, WOMAN HAD NO VOTING RIGHTS UNTIL THE 70'S...WHERE DID JFK LEAD US? BAY OF PIGS, THE SOVIET EMBARRASSING THE U.S. WITH THE U2 PILOT BEING SHOT DOWN, INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM AND ETC ETC ETC...JUST LOOK AT HIS BROTHERS TEDDY AND EDWARD KENNEDY THEY ARE NOTHING BUT A DRUNK....

So much for the politics of hope and staying positive...

Looks like its on. I thought they'd give it a little time, but its on.

cba - I agree. Obama has the upper hand right now. There's a lot of time obviously, and dynamics which switch back and forth at least a couple times. But if these two are trying talking points on for size, it sure seems like Obama's fit better at the moment.

Regarding Clinton supporters who criticize Obama for abandoning hope - had he not responded to McCain's talking points, wouldn't you also have criticized that? And besides, there is a world of difference is the talking points Obama and McCain have used against one another, and the type of stuff the Clintons do. Those who don't see that perhaps never will. Many of us do see the difference, however.

cb, don't quote george soros #s. It's funny how those such as you develop a conscience about the iraqi people all of the sudden, but seemed to be glaringly silent during what saddam did to them...

Obama says he would bomb pakistan. That's optimism if I've ever heard it.

I have seen people have their heads pulled out of their rears and complain that the scent of blooming flowers is overwhelming. What do you think happens next?

McCain has basically used his POW status, apparently highly regarded by those who never quite understood what a debacle the Vietnam war was for this country, to slurp at the public trough for the rest of his life. POliticians don't do anything constructive - at best they keep out of the way, so that intelligent and creative people can do things. Anyone who supports the Iraq war is both immoral and deeply anti-American. This nation was not founded to murderously meddle in others' affairs - just the opposite. McCain's a bum. Sadly, it seems that I never have the option of voting for someone I really would like to be in office, but only for a lesser bum of a pack of bums. Why, I wonder, do we never have intelligent candidates with strong educational backgrounds who might even have a chance of understanding science, technology, economics, and other important areas? Instead, it's always dopes and bums.

So much for bringing people together! Obama is not ready, and he reveals that by copying Hillary's plans: Gulf Coast Recovery, Energy, Education, etc., and he lies on the stump that his health insurance plan covers everyone. We need someone who is educated about the issues, and he is not it.

Geo