I wouldn't wish the Presidency on my worst enemy. From day one the next President will more unpopular every day because of events beyond his control, and unless laws are changed to ensure a second term, he will only serve one term because of his failures. However, given the importance of the job we should be very sure about who we elect. I am not a McCain fan and don't wish to 'smear' Obama but his refusal to come clean is what should raise major concerns. Was he a member of an extreme left wing/communist group several years ago? "Yes". He says "no" but there are documents and photographs that show he's lying. He could say "yes, but I've seen the error of my ways .." or whatever, but he chooses to lie instead. Why? http://obamafarleft.notlong.com He has gone to extraordinary lengths to cover up his past and was careful to keep written opinions to an absolute minimum. http://nopapertrail.notlong.com/ There is proof of his connections to Jihad and the Muslim brotherhood. http://jihadconnection.notlong.com/ The list could go on and on but the above should be more than enough to cause people to demand clarifications, and it is Obama's supporters that should be the first to demand explanations as they are the ones that intend to vote for him. Mike

Now mind your own business!

Ask Israelis in America who they are voting for. We are too busy here to know what's going on in another country. 72% of American Jews support Barak Obama. I'm sure 72% of Israelis in America are doing the same, if not more.

Glad you approve - and by the way - as an American citizen living abroad - like it or not, it IS my business.

what's right for the US?

Surely, the American election will affect Israel. And it is -- perhaps -- understandable that Israelis feel insecure about change. Unfortunately, the fear of change has brought Israel to its present quagmire that threatens the very foundations of the state, in terms of geography, demography and ideology. Some fools still believe that Israel can survive on chauvinism. In a globalized world, that's just not an option. Fundamental change -- and changes -- are needed. In Israel, in the U.S., and in the world. And Obama is the only one that promises to bring that change about. That there are still Americans who want to vote for McCain/Palin after their increasingly vulgar campaign -- based on innuendo, stupid accusations, and allegations -- beats me. Who in their right mind would want nasty people like that to run their government? (The suggested links in talkback #1 are good examples). Luckily, a majority of Americans seems to have arrived at the same conclusion. As Abraham Lincoln (supposedly) said : "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."

Barry Hussein will drop you in a heart beat! Too bad our Socialist co-religionists in Florida, New York, LA are too stupid to realize that. In a way it's a good thing-time for Israel to stop toadying to the US State Department. Once your allowance is cut off, you will have to stand on your own.

I did vote for McCain via absentee ballot because he is the better candidate as far as Israel is concerned.....he has the experience to deal with any military events that might happen and he is more feared by the enemies of Israel and the US than his opponent is! So All Israelis who can vote in the American Elections do so and vote for McCain the better candidate for Israel!

When did Israelis vote for Olmert, exactly?

How exactly do the links in post #1 demonstrate that McCain and Palin are "nasty people"? Are you arguing with facts? If these weren't facts, rest assured Obama would've denied them much more vehemently, perhaps even sued for libel. So is shedding light on hidden facts considered nasty? I consider it the right of people to know. And by the way, just as new, unfattering facts surface about Obama's past, the same goes for McCain and Palin too nowadays.

McCain was/is an associate and friend of Roger Pearson, who was/is an Eugenics theorist. Guess what? recognition and acceptance of that theory would put most Israeli's at the very precarious bottom of the gene pool. Not sure about the actual consequences of that but, there is one historic example you could observe before you decide which candidate is actually better.

Yep! Face it, Everyone will be affected one way or another. Israelis tend to see things in one or two dimensions only: "Bitahon" and "Kisi". Security, and "my pocket" are valid concerns, but it's up to the Americans to vote. We generally don't like others butting in, but why not? Also, who cares? Were I living in Israel right now I'd be worried about changing the form of your government so that religious fanatics had zero influence....how about "Show proof you pay taxes or you don't vote"?

As Hamas gains political ascendancy in Gaza, Iran exports Islamic radicalism throughout the Middle-East, Lebanon faces the possibility of a Syrian-backed Iranian-funded Hizbullah revolution and Iraq explodes into sectarian violence, the least we can say is that American hegemonyin the Middle-East is shaky. A s a result of this reality, the Bush Administration has made a calculated, tactical foreign policy shift back to supporting “moderate” secular dictators and despots over “aggressive” Islamic dictators who represent a greater threat to American interest. In so doing, it has chosen what it considers to be the lesser of the two evils. Non of this will work in Israel favor as noticed at : http://xrl.us/bj5qh

OK then so how many of them are (or will become half wits ) and vote Livni ?

You say butt out? You are reading Israeli news.... See any hypocrisy in your statements?

just one example over the dichotomy between American Jews and Israelis. A large proportion of Israelis in America cannot vote, but every Israeli I know prefers McCain. Sorry to burst your bubble, pal.

Not our business.I could personally care less whether Mccain ,Obama ,Ronald mcDonald or colonel Sanders gets elected.I've got my own worries.

Everybody knows by now that Republicans – officially and unofficially – have turned inventing ludicrous allegations about Obama’s past into an industry. If Obama were to refute all the allegations, he would have time to do nothing else. That McCain calls Obama a “Socialist” because he wants to spread the wealth is perhaps not nasty, merely ludicrous -- that’s what taxes are for, so that each of us won’t have to build our own roads, schools and hospitals. It’s particularly ludicrous at a time when George Bush has nationalized a great part of the American mortgage, banking and insurance industries. Does that make Bush a Socialist? Palin on the other hand is outright nasty. Her specialty is wedge politics -- dividing the electorate into good guys and bad guys, patriots and enemies, ‘us’ and ‘them’ -- appealing to the lowliest mob reactions, like so many demagogues before her. By the way, how America could benefit from her Wasilla experience is a real wonder: Wasilla is a dump, socially as well as environmentally. As far as the links in post #1 are concerned… That something has been claimed in some obscure blog on an obscure website does not make it a fact. In fact, it’s more likely to be false than true. Certainly, you can learn a lot from the Internet. The problem is you have to be very well-informed to differentiate information from disinformation.

If you dont like the way "W" has run things...just wait until Obama gets in...I just get the feeling he will fail all of you hopefuls out there....There's something not right...something wishy-washy about this guy. But if he hammers Iran...I'll be right on board! Forget I mentioned it!

Anyone living in the US more than a month or two cant help to see the sorry state of the US and how the republicans are directly responsible for it. This notion might fly over the heads of those Israelis who live in Israel, but it is painfully obvious here in the US. Another 4 years of republicans and there might not be much Republic left. How can THAT be good for Israel?

or Israel are knee-jerk Democrats without a brain between their ears to look at the issues and not simply vote for the Democratic candidate. Sad reality...

Just as the Europeans are investing their own hopes into Obama, it appears the Israelis are doing the same for McCain. There is one thing that is clear, however, there will be more members of a Congressional majority who are firm supporters of Israel when the votes are counted. And the nations who will test either new president will drive the U.S. to count on its allies such as Israel. It's not just the presidency. Israel's security and well-being will do nothing but benefit from this election.

Who would have thought that this race would end as it is ending in distortions, misleading statements, lies, poor leadership and judgment? Desperate times require desperate tactics. We have had 2 yrs to watch every candidate, and we are ready to pass judgment. I guess they will continue to scrap the bottom to make their case. Imagine what America will look like if they prevail.

Bush hardened and helped to harden the policy in the middle east. Did it help anyhow? Is Israel any better than 8 years ago? When you will learn that the only way is agreement? The other solution is to kill every non jewish person all around, and for this, sorry, you arrived a few centuries late. It is no longer acceptable. PS I'm not saying that official Jews opinion is right so you can start calling me antisemitic :) :)

Israelis: convince American Jews that they DO NOT have to blindly vote Democrat for the rest of time. Obama is no friend, and it doesn't take a huge intellect to detect that.

"Everybody knows by now that Republicans – officially and unofficially – have turned inventing ludicrous allegations about Obama’s past into an industry. If Obama were to refute all the allegations, he would have time to do nothing else" Really hs? And since when have you been appointed spokesperson for everybody? You are a typical know-it-all know-nothing.

Grow up already. The Jews and Israelis have gone further than sanity would allow for the sake of agreements with their worst enemies. Forget what Bush said or did. Clinton himself said about Barak during the Camp David talks, "Not only did he go further than I thought he would. He went further than I thought he SHOULD."

Interesting with all this talk about who is a friend of Israel... Does a friend of Israel support Olmert's policy of separating Jews and Palestinians in two states, or does a friend of Israel support Netanyahu's policy of ruling over 1,5 million Palestinians? Did a friend of Israel support Sharon's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza or was he opposed to the withdrawal? How exactly do you determine if a U.S. presidential candidate is a friend of Israel?

Israelis dont vote in the American elections and there are not enough American olim registered to vote to make a significant contribution to help McCain win the election.