Oscar - It's funny to you & it's funny to me. But remember, we are trying to help bring this country out of it's puritanical, conservative xenophobic mindset. It's SLOWLY starting to happen. constant America-bashing, though, only serves to delay that progress. These people have NO sense of humor.

Patrick, Philadelphia, USA

As an American living in the UK, I am delighted that I DO have the opportunity to vote in this election - it will affect us in this country and in many others. Although I have been sceptical about Obama's experience, it is clear to me now that if experience equals McCain - give me Obama's naivete!

Doug Connor, High Wycombe, England

patrick - peter c's comment wasn't cheap - it was funny. you need to lighten up... dude...

0scar, auckland, nz,

Enough negative sniping for me. McCain offers nothing useful.

As a longtime republican, I will be voting for Obama next month. The reason? I can't even listen to Sarah Palin. She represents everything that is wrong with our country and is better suited for SNL clips than anything serious.

Don Phillips, Austin, US.

Obama can handle the economic issues better than McCain because Obama listens to the right people. Obama lists Warren Buffet as a supporter. His priority of 1. lessen foreign oil 2. fix health care 3. improve education is right on! Fixing any one of the three would be great.

Joe B., Irvine, CA, USA

I take claims that Mr Obama is unqualified with a grain of salt. Most people who've said that have also supported GW Bush. They thought he was qualified in 2000 & again in 2004 - look how that turned out.

I don't know which candidate is best, but I do know that 'qualified' is a very relative term

Ted Tyro, Canberra, Australia

Obama says nothing but he says it very well. That is enough for the Obama cult. It doesn't matter that Obama is stunningly unqualified to hold the office. It doesn't matter that he has spent his adult life with the likes of Wright, Rezko, and Ayers. At least he looks good and sounds good.

Don, Dalton, USA

I, as an American, am so ready for this campaign to be over. I have supported Obama since our Washington State primary last February. He has shown calm, intellect, an ability to learn and grow unlike Mr. McCain. I just hope the Americans do not fall for the negative tactics of the Republicans.

Diane, Vancouver, WA, USA

GO Obama! after listening to the last debate i am convinced that Mr Obama is the next president of the great U.Sof A

Leontiena Jones, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

I felt ill watching John McCain in the debate. His rambling, incoherent speech focused mainly on his passion for WAR.That's just what this economy needs - more military spending. Who cares that he's a veteran, so's my Grandpa - doesn't mean he's qualified to run a country either.

Helena, Boston, USA

I listened to the debate on my trusty radio from the depths of my bed in the middle of the night aghast at the constant resort by McCain to two repetitive blusterings.

He anchored himself by saying "my friends..." and betrayed childlike posturing confusion when he blustered "I know what to do!"

Tallulah, Hove, UK

We in Britain have no say in the matter of choosing the most suitable man as president, but watching and hearing portions of the debate it is more than obvious to me that Mr Barak has the gravity, depth of character and knowledge of what is needed for the good of the USA. He will do well for the US

Phil de Buquet, Newport,

Chris - Wright wasn't wrong, but he did himself no favors expressing it the way he did in an over-nationalist country.

Peter C- Nice, dude. That's how you inspire Americans to globalize & accept - put us down. That always works. I'm as critical of our behavior as anyone, but that was cheap.

Patrick, Philadelphia, USA

I am sad to say that, as a former McCain supporter, I will now not be able to vote for him. He seems to have no ideas on the economy. I felt that he was "flailing" at Senator Obama - clearly contemptous of him but having few ideas of his own.

Is Senator Obama trustworthy enough to vote for?

André, Machias, USA

obama won this debate and mccain once more was the abusive, angry, old, ugly , scrappy man.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ECONOMY,REPUBLICANS LIKE ME WHO LOVE AMERICA WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA.
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT.

WESLEY CLINTON, washington, us

I thought the format of the debate favoured Mr McCain. All I saw on stage last night night was a lame, angry, agitated and penguin-like Senator struggling to keep up with a young, dynamic and articulate opponent. The magnitude of the economic challenge requires at least two terms. McCain: no way.

Richard Francis, Mississauga, Canada

McCain picking Sarah Palin for his vice presidential running mate points up his decision making abilities. He looked exhausted last night, he and Governor Palin seem to be grasping at straws. I will be voting for Obama and hope all my fellow Americans will join me.

Janet, Forest Hills, N.Y. , USA

What really hurts McCain is that few ppl think he would be the better leader if some such crisis arose. He is impulsive and diluted his persona during this campaign.

I'll remind you that there are plenty of crises facing the USA right now. No need to wait for another.

Mike, Pittsburgh,

"Caribou Barbie" is serving the purpose for which she was asked to join the ticket. She is McCain's pit bull. As much as Senator McCain wants to be President, I am afraid that his best chance is gone. It should have been McCain rather than W. Now, we need Obama.

Monica, Atlanta, USA

How many time did Senator McMain say, "My friends", last night? I felt as if I were in church. No way will I listen to that for the next four years.

Judith Shimkus, St Louis, MO, USA

I'm amazed how even after Sarah Palin said that it was time to stop living in the past, she made a point to dig up figures from Obama's PAST to attempt to discredit him. I look forward to voting for Obama in November.

Yet another contradiction from the astoundingly terrible McCain campaign.

Dan , Ringwood, United States

No President of the United States has had anything but "on the job training", so it is disingenuous of Senator McCain to suggest that he has any advantage over Senator Obama in this regard. The president who had the most on-the-job training, as Vice President, was Richard Nixon.
Norman, Boston, USA

Norman Hammond, Boston, USA

I am voting for Obama and thought he seemed strong, knowledgeable, resolute and calm during last night's debate. I do think America has reaped what it has sowed in many ways. We made a lot of our own troubles, particularly in our credit and mortgage problems. Time to get real.

Susan, Atlanta, GA, USA

Why whinge around the perimeters - who cares about some remote connections of Obama's - hello - he was eight years old????
We need to focus now on how to deal with the financial crisis that affects everyone around the world.
John McCain, Sarah Palin - what are your answers to this situation?

Jan ,Geelong, Australia, Geelong, Australia

"I cry to see America crumble into socialism and racial hate". Or are you just another complainer who will live OK but just want something to compain about?

Then kindly leave.

John, London,

Like most Indians, for me too election and politics is addictive esp when it becomes a soap opera as the american election has. cConfused dypshasic geri vs young energetic man with the gift of the gab. As for the VP contest-we have a gun toting sexy cowgal-LOL! Pres Obama& VP Palin-my dream pairing!

Alex, Wolverhampton,

If Obama is so unscathed and unstoppable why do his cohorts find it necessary to. pull so many dubious tricks just to make sure?
Examples of which are- getting aliens and homeless to register?
Sending e.mails to schools encouraging teachers to get students to vote for Obama?
Dishonest, yes!

Prudence Eely Bond McGuire BA, LONDON, ENGLAND- UK

Obama was the clear winner. He was confident, organized and knew what he was talking about. "That one" should be the next President. Mc Cain just looked like "Robbie the robot" running around the stage saying "danger! danger!

Edward, Lafayette, CA.,

Always interesting to see the Times writeup, given Rupert Murdoch's unashamed closeness to, & declared support of, the Bush dynasty, and the Republican and neocon cause in general. It must be a struggle for this once great newspaper to remain impartial, when the boss has already made his allegiance.

Alex Kerr, London, UK

McCain? Old man shouts at cloud.

Dave, Edinburgh, Uk

Obama, like his VP choice does not understand what his powers, or lack of are. The Prersident does not have line item veto . McCain should have been all that. However that would mean attacking a fellow Democrat. So bland and anodyne, like blancmange.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA,TX

I never thought the day would come when America would vote a radical socialist into office, but apparently it shall happen.
Obama has an amazing grasp of the financial crisis? Of course! The Messiah is perfect!

I cry to see America crumble into socialism and racial hate.

Emma, Canondale, Connecticut, USA

McCain referred contemptuously to Obama as "that one." That reflects on McCain, not Obama. Obama was presidential; McCain was pathetic.

Eric, Homestead, Florida, US

i am not surprised Sen John is in a class of jokers.If Hillary was in Republican party she would have won presidential candidacy instead of Mc.John.America listen and listen carefully Obama is your guy unless you want to go down economically and leave room for communist to rule the world again.

Joe, Mombasa, Kenya

Two men.

One, young, dynamic, who knew his issues, the other, old, frail, and looking and sounding somewhat unsound.

S.Kelsey, N.H,

Rev Wright wasn't wrong, he was telling it the way it is. He was criticising what America had become and blatantly pointing out that what goes around comes around, after all we were always taught in school that positive criticism is part of learning.

Gabriel, Dublin, Ireland

I thought Obama was the clear winner of the debate and if I were unfortunate enough to be an American I would vote for him

peter c, Devizes, Wessex

McCain came across as a tired, broken, and angry old man. I cannot imagine him leading us out of the various crises we face, both internally and internationally.

Obama08!!!

Michael, Nashville, TN, USA

If "it's the economy stupid", Obama should have this one in the bag. It's starting to seem like a 2nd great depression is not off the table... does this require another "New Deal"? Unknown.

I appreciated the lack of personal attacks too. Times are too rough to waste time on that kinda bunk.

Chris Butler, Stamford, CT, USA

I've always been utterly astonished that the debate about Wright has always been 'how can Obama distance himself best' rather than an analysis of what Wright was actually saying.Wasn't he just basically saying that the people of the US were finally reaping what the govt sowed?Was he wrong?

Chris, Worthing, England

All this article seems to point out is ways in which the Republicans have and plan to attack Obama. While Obama talks about the real issues the Republicans are wasting thier breath on putting Obama down.

The world is relying on the US peopls to vote for right person this time round.

Jamal Ali, Rochdale, UK

McCain has demonstrated once again that, after over 20 years in politics, he is bereft of any ideas. A true dinosaur, he would clearly perform as President as he did as a Navy pilot - beyond mediocre, with a tendency to crash and get shot down.

John, Clifden, Ireland

Senator Obama was on his game last night! This was meant to be McCain's back yard where he would deliver his technical knockout. It never came, because Barack was floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee! McCain and his "this one" and "you telegraph" comments showed how out of touch he is!

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

John McCain's new plan to buy up all the mortgaged houses in America really smirks of Desperation! How will the U.S. Government afford this? It is an utterly ridiculous plan that is clearly angled at populism and stinks of Communism (which McCain claims to be against)! It's time to move over McCain!

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

Trying to resurrect the Jeremiah Wright saga and attempting to link Sen. Obama with Ayers is not going to work! Hillary tried it and failed! And Americans are tired of such attacks and simply want a leader who will lead them out of this economic crisis - not one who keeps living in the past!

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

The fact that McCain didn't have the guts or the evidence to attack Obama directly on the Ayers issue means that he's lost that particular point. If he or Palin slip it in on the sly later, Obama will be justified in saying that McCain had his chance to confront him directly with the allegations.

Bob, London,

I agree that the winner in this debate is Barack Obama. He is evidently in control.

Sabrina , Coventry, UK

I wish we could vote today. Obama wins. Game over.

Chantey, Minneapolis, United States

Two men were over-heard remarking on Obama's amazing grasp of the financial crisis in all its economic complexities. Paul Volker, a financial whiz in Clinton's administration was one; the other was Scty Paulson, sponsor of the rescue package. If he is that knowledgeable, we need him as president.

Lee in FL, Port Richey, USA

Obama is the clear winner in this debate. Sorry John. You've been schooled.

Jeff, Sacramento, CA, USA