Johncee 1945 is on the ball. Money will win, as usual - but, if the availability of that is equal for both Obana and Hilary, then Murdoch will be king (or Queen) maker, as he likes to portray himself.
For myself, I hope Hilary gets there. That would be a tremendous change: countries like Sri Lanka, India, Norway, Germany have been able to facilitate women to the top job; so far, democracy as portrayed by the "Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave" has not been up to it. And it is about time that the half of their society represented by women had a showing.

Personally, I don't think any of the candidates from either party has much to offer. If Hilary gets the nomination we can be expected to be inundated with all sorts of old porn movies where the girl's face has been replaced by Hilary's. The real question here would be whether the cost of editing these films would be a tax-deductible political expense. Although the pool of candidates is very poor, I can't see Obama making it. To really make the contest interesting, you would have to amend the US Constitution and get a few naturalisation bills through congress. The best possible candidate, who on his past performance could pull the US out of the mess it is in, would be Vladimir Putin, who is just ending a term as president of Russia. If he is not available, another possible could be Pervez Musharraf, who could be looking for a new position soon.

It is tremendously easy in Australia to have a jaundiced view of the US and its political processes. What we have though with the Obahma/Clinton race is the very high likliehood that either one will be the next President of the USA. The symbolisim of having a black or woman as President is tremendously important-what is positive for the whole world though is they are both Democrats with similar views on American international policy, climate change, health and education. The Bush Republican administration has been shown for the disaster that it is and middle America will show its true face of sense, decency and courage and throw out these neo-cons that have lead America to a place where it is despised rather than admired.

*and throw out these neo-cons that have lead America to a place where it is despised rather than admired.*

They say that an electorate lands up with the politicians it
deserves and that people need pain to learn. Sadly it seems
that Americans have required alot of pain to learn the hard way.
Unfortunately the rest of the world had to learn too.

I've always supported Clinton in the past, but I really do
think its time for some fresh ideas in the US and some new
blood in politics. Obama certainly has that, I like his
style.He is prepared to think outside the square.
He can always hire Bill as his advisor, they would make
a great team.

So all I can say is "Go Obama go!"

People keep referring to Obama as becoming the first black president. When slavery was abolished, the negroes adopted Anglo-Celtic surnames rather than French so as to expediate their integration. So, a black president would be expected to have an Anglo name. If Obama is elected he will be the first president without an Anglo-Celtic surname.