A succinct editorial from Jonathan Freedland of the British newspaper "The
Guardian" on the upcoming US election.

"If Sarah Palin defies the conventional wisdom that says elections are
determined by the top of the ticket, and somehow wins this for McCain,
what will be the reaction? Yes, blue - state America will go into mourning
once again, feeling estranged in its own country.

A generation of young Americans who back Obama in big numbers will turn
cynical, concluding that politics doesn't work after all. And, most
depressing, many African - Americans will decide that if even Barack Obama
with all his conspicuous gifts could not win, then no black man can ever
be elected president.

"But what of the rest of the world? …. This is the reaction I fear most.

For Obama has stirred an excitement around the globe unmatched by any
American politician in living memory. Polling in Germany, France, Britain
and Russia shows that Obama would win by whopping majorities, with the
pattern repeated in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America . If
November 4 were a global ballot, Obama would win it handsomely. If the
free world could choose its leader, it would be Barack Obama.

"If Americans choose McCain, they will be turning their back on the rest
of the world, choosing to show us four more years of the Bush-Cheney
finger. And I predict a deeply unpleasant shift.

"Until now, anti-Americanism has been exaggerated and much misunderstood;
outside a leftist hardcore, it has mostly been anti-Bushism, opposition to
this specific administration. But if McCain wins in November, that might
well change. Suddenly Europeans and others will conclude that their
dispute is with not only one ruling clique, but Americans themselves. For
it will have been the American people, not the politicians, who will have
passed up a once-in-a-generation chance for a fresh start - a fresh start
the world is yearning for.

"And the manner of that decision will matter, too. If it is deemed to have
been about race - that Obama was rejected because of his colour - the
world's verdict will be harsh. In that circumstance, Slate's Jacob
Weisberg wrote recently, international opinion would conclude that "the
United States had its day, but in the end couldn't put its own self -
interest ahead of its crazy irrationality over race".

"Even if it's not ethnic prejudice, but some other aspect of the culture
wars, that proves decisive, the point still holds. For America to make a
decision as grave as this one - while the planet boils and with the US
fighting two wars - on the trivial basis that a hockey mom is likable and
seems down to earth, would be to convey a lack of seriousness, a fleeing
from reality, that does indeed suggest a nation in, to quote Weisberg,
"historical decline".
Let's not forget, McCain's campaign manager boasts that this election is
"not about the issues."

If Americans reject Obama, they will
be sending the clearest possible message to the rest of us - and, make no
mistake, we shall hear it."

I will say first that Palin is a joke and she does not belong in or near the white house. With Mcain we have exactly what we have been going through with bush the same stuff. Our econimy is in the worst shape that it has been in for yearsand we need help and a change not more if the same. We have lost more jobs under the president than any other president. Fox news is a joke and nothing but a republician network. No matter how bad and stupid the repulicians are Fox news always find the republicians to be the good guy. If the repulicians were the good guys we wouldnt be in the shape we are. Republicians failed this country and it is time for a change.

I was appalled, once more, when at the end of the debate there we have this "Middle" American mom, the woman like the one down the block, having her infant son once more being prominently held for all the viewers to see.

We have 15 grandchildren, the one year was in bed at 7:00,3 two year olds were in bed, and many more were not up at 10:30 and being an old hand at it I am surprised that the child never appears to cry or stir, even with all the noise and lights. It reminds me of the women begging in many countries who carry infants in their arms all day....drugged so as not to move.

Is there anyone out there who dare not comment on this it certainly shows lack of good judgement. And not the caring mother I would want for my child......Lets take a poll on whether it is right for her to have her young daughter prance around with an infant who should be in its crib!

And has anyone just stopped to see how many times she winks, or says "gonna"....doesn't anyone have respect for how our country will be presented in the World theatre....if God forbid she had to step in for the President is this who you want?

It is an embarassment that she should be "used" and the props they use to influence the vote.....this isn't about being folksy this is serious stuff the election of the President of the United States and what kind of person is she to allow them to do that, where is her pride.