Who are you rooting for?
I have to admit not keeping up with that much of the news, but from what I have seen I think I would prefer Obama to win.
Whoever it is can't do much of a worse job than the current president though which is a bit of comfort...
Not altogether sure that I can trust an electorate that can vote someone like George W in for a second term.
I must admit to a fair amount of ignorance when it comes to US elections but, despite what they would have us believe, I don't think that there's a lot to choose between them all (much the same as over here). I'd probably go for Obama, but having seen the 'brainwashing' of his supporters, it would be a reluctant vote.
I do however think that this is going to be the 'poison chalice' presidency as whoever wins will have to deal with a disasterous foreign policy, the emergence of China as a rival super-power, climate change and the potential of a slide into economic depression. Not a job for the feint-hearted.
No one - I will be more interested in the English elections...
Not altogether sure that I can trust an electorate that can vote someone like George W in for a second term.
It was very strange that he managed to get back in, but I think his second term has been much more disastrous than the first which may be one reason.
I'm not sure who I would go for, I do look forward to seeing the result though.
Well, as someone who will be voting in the Presidential election, I will be voting for Mr. Obama, and so will my husband.
TimberWolf is right, whoever wins will be faced with a horrifying legacy from the current administration.
Kingfisher
Well, as someone who will be voting in the Presidential election, I will be voting for Mr. Obama, and so will my husband.
Is there a general feeling over there that the tide of opinion has turned against the Republican party (am I correct in thinking that the Democrats have a majority in both houses)? And if so, will it make a difference whether Obama or Clinton leads the Democrats?
Well, as someone who will be voting in the Presidential election, I will be voting for Mr. Obama, and so will my husband.
Is there a general feeling over there that the tide of opinion has turned against the Republican party (am I correct in thinking that the Democrats have a majority in both houses)? And if so, will it make a difference whether Obama or Clinton leads the Democrats?
Yes, the general opinion is that the Republicans have led the country into some grievously bad situations. The war in Iraq which threatens to never end, the looming credit crisis tied in with sub-prime lending practices, the start of a recession, if not outright depression, the contempt for allies (such as the UK), the belligerent threats against Iran. I think there is a growing fear that the United States is about to be pushed aside by increasingly powerful nations, such as China, and it is most disturbing to the American pysche. Americans have long considered the US to be the biggest and best place in the world. It's frightening for many of them to realise that this may no longer be true.
The Republicans tend to be controlled by right wing religious factions, who are very concerned with morality, but not much else. The religious conservatives don't like any of the current remaining candidates--not even Mr. McCain.
Yes, the Democrats have a majority in both houses. It's not a large majority, and generally not enough of a majority to overturn a veto by Mr. Bush. However, Mr. Bush rarely vetoes bills, he simply 'signs statements' which indicate that he will not follow the law passed if he disagrees with a portion of it. All very underhanded.
Will it matter which candidate will be in the White House? I think that Mr. Obama will probably do better, at least in the short run. Possibly the long term as well.
My feeling is that the public here are tired of Bush/Clinton/Bush/Bush and simply will not vote for another Clinton. It's been almost 20 years of one or the other.
To most people, "Time for a change".
Kingfisher
That's really interesting to hear what's actually going on out in America and what people think. I'm glad Mr Obama looks like he is going to win.
A big worry is getting a president who believes in creationism being taught in schools, it would be disastrous and such a backward step.
It's looking rather likely that Mr. Obama will be matched against Mr. McCain in the presidential election.
Now the next question--who will be selected as vice president for each?
Remember, the vice president would become president in the event of the death or other event which renders the president unfit or unable to fulfill his duties (which is why it has been so frightening to have Dick Cheney as vice president).
Kingfisher
That's really interesting to hear what's actually going on out in America and what people think. I'm glad Mr Obama looks like he is going to win.
A big worry is getting a president who believes in creationism being taught in schools, it would be disastrous and such a backward step.
According to Wikipedia 40% of Americans believe in creation, if that is true, then however backward it may seem to us in Britain, it is inevitable that there will be a creationist President from time-to-time.
40%!! That is very worrying.
Kingfisher, sorry for such a simple question but how is the vice president picked? Are they voted or just selected by the candidates themselves?
why is there never this much hype in the UK when we change Prime ministers? I think we should have an election when the PM stands down, not just hand over to the next in line! I wont be voting labour while Brown is at the helm.
As for the US elections, i think Arnie should rule!
40%!! That is very worrying.
Kingfisher, sorry for such a simple question but how is the vice president picked? Are they voted or just selected by the candidates themselves?
Actually, the current president, Mr. Bush is a creationist. I would expand more, but I don't want Xeract booting me out for being disrespectful 
.
The possible vice president is selected by the presidential candidate as a running mate. Constitutionally, the two candidates may not be from the same state, and the president and vice president must both be able to serve as president (there's an ongoing debate as to whether or not Mr. McCain is a 'natural born citizen').
Although the presidential candidate selects a running mate (or has one selected for him or her), the two offices are voted upon separately. There was at least one instance, in 1800, when the electoral college failed to elect a president outright. At that time, the candidate receiving the most electoral college votes became president, and the candidate receiving the second most votes became vice president. It took 35 casting of ballots to elect a president. After that, the Constitution was amended in the 12th Amendment, to provide that the electoral college voted separately for president and vice president.
Please don't force me to tell you about how the electoral college works!
Paul, Arnie is in the same boat as I am! He is not a natural born citizen of the US, and therefore cannot become president, or vice president.
The Constitution would have to be amended for that to happen, and I do not think that is likely.
Kingfisher