This is almost an exact repeat of the 1976 election, except we now have Obama instead of Carter and McCain instead of Ford. If Obama wins (which he may, as the script is faithfully replaying itself), he will prove himself to be the same vapid, embarrassing bag of wind that Carter was and is.

RandalH, Knoxville, TN, USA

Stephen, in the most simplest terms let me tell you what Barack Obama will do: He will not be anything like Bush. He will serve with humility and heart; he will listen to our allies as respectfully and carefully as he listens to us. That alone is enough to celebrate. But oh there is so much more!

Marie, California, U.S.

What some non-Americans here are missing is that this is what Obama NEEDED to say. If you're not American, you can't really understand this fully. It's not just about charisma, it's about grapsing the mood here in the US.

And Obama/Biden will make mincemeat out of McCain/Palin in debates...

Julie, NY, NY, USA

Um, Laura, what "dubious past associations" are you referring to? And you better be ready to back it up with material evidence! That kind of baseless and incendiary hyperbole is exactly what the Republicans are tossing around right now in the heartland and it’s sad that the stench had reached London.

Greg Weinman, Washington DC, USA

What will he actually do? Tony Blair promised more spending not from more taxes but less waste. Bill Clinton promised health care for all. The US should address its huge govt and consumer debt and debt to other countries such as China rather than going on another spending spree.

Stephen Billing, London,

What amazes me is the doltish cynicism masquerading as world weary wisdom that some people spout on the internet... The person that America elects as president matters and it matters to more than just the citizens of AMERICA. No one is perfect but some a less imperfect than others. Politics matters!

john, london, GB

So far, too much emphasis has been put on his background and colour, when the real emphasis should have been on his policies and record in the first place. Now that he has to talk about the real issues, and be 'another politician', he will be eaten alive by the Republicans. Hillary 2012!!

Jennifer , London,

The euphoria now taking place in the US reminds me too much of that which preceded Tony Blair's victory in May 1997.

I only hope Obama is sincere and that the American people are not destined for similar feelings of disappointment, bitterness and cynicism now pervading the UK electorate.

Shirley Bowen, Blackpool, UK

What foreign readers miss, is the amount of discontent there is in the States. People are restless. I don't expect Europeans to understand, but there is a fatigue with not only Bush policies, but politics of division. Besides, tonight was a profoundly historical night..

Petra, Cottonwood Falls, USA

I assume the filling for Obama's oratory sandwich comes after he has been elected.

Paul Gibbons, Milton Keynes, UK

I noticed he handed the Republicans a gift.
He spoke of the failures of Congress "in the the last 30 years and John McCain has been there for 26 of them".
The argument can easily be made that John McCain worked within the parameters that Joe Biden helped create as HE has been in the Senate for 35

Kate, Maryland, USA

Gerard,
You ought to read the comment in the new York times today from a lady who says she is a 'genetic republican' ,64, unemployed,uninsured, and scared. After listening to Obama she says she is going to vote for him and may her republican ancestors rest in peace! What say you?

LAKSHMAN PARDHANANI, Goa, INDIA

Once this election is over, the US economy will resume its path to economic metldown. The US is so indebted, it is to all intents and purposes bankrupt & its debts virtually unpayable because the debt spiral outpaces growth exponentially. this election is a good one to lose.

Brian Roberts, auxonne, France

Yes the promises are similar but America isn't great because the leaders failed, clearly some worked.

America is lucky that they have a new man that can inspire the people. That's what democracy is about, the people. Its too bad we, the English don't see this and blindly do as we are told.

Mr C, London,

"He repeated the now familiar Republican claim that Sen McCain was campaigning for George Bush’s third term."

Is that a typo perhaps? I think you mean Democrat.

Lewis, Oxford, UK

H.L.Mencken said (a paraphrase) the fuel that keeps political processes going is the continuing belief in the fantasy that one politician is different from another.

Carson, Leatherhead,

Bish, bosh. Gerald Baker is as talented a politcal writer as any out there, but he keeps repeating the tired old criticisms.
If Obama is too lofty and addresses the concerns of "real voters" as he did in his speech, he is accused of being just another politician. What does the guy have to do?

Peter, Tokyo,

It wouldn't seem so cynical perhaps if he actually gets it done.

JBC, NYC,

That's why you live in the U.K. and we live in the USA.

dennis, New York, USA

Don't be scared, change can come!!! I was a republican (making over $500,000 per yr.), but now I'm not scared to hope again. Sen. McCain 26 years of what the same OLD thing!!!!!

ALEX, Dallas, usa

I actually heard the speech. I think you are reacting to something from Babington of AP who did not. Listen to a tape of it and make up your own mind. All the pundits are puzzled by his reaction. He even got the length wrong.

Sharon, Detroit, Michigan, USA

My goodness, this article could have been taken directly from a Fox News broadcast. John McCain claims to be a "maverick". However, his voting record shows a politician closely linked to the failed policies of the Bush/Cheney administration. Obama gives us a hope that change can come to America!

John Bales, Dallas, TX, USA

The only time Obama pulls out his "white" heratige is aroung veterans day and forth of July or when he is challenged on his patriotism. Grandfather and Uncles who fought for freedom in WWII.
Otherwise he erupts with applause in the Rev.Wright church when he "again" hears about the "evil whiteman".

Ed, Atlanta, US

Obama will replace the clown currently residing in the White House with a leader who will restore the USA as a true partner to the UK and the world, not a bully who gestures and threatens.

Richard, Bakersfield, USA

O's speech was the same class warfare and anti-business liberal junk we've heard for decades. The problem with raising taxes "on the rich" is that the Congress defines rich, and whoever is taxed hides their money. When taxes increase the gov't takes in less revenue, the burden falls on the middle.

Jill , Cleveland, GA, USA

Same old tired political commentary from Gerard, who wishes his republican guys had Obama's intellect ,and ability to speak. Where have we been for 8 years? With a man who makes the US the laughing stock of the world. No more lightweight, ignorant republican fools please, we need change!

K.Kelly, NY,

We heard Obama talk (for the umpteenth time) about the struggles of his single mother, grandmoter, etc. This doesn't help people "get to know him". People will only get to know him by his actions, not his words. His "dubious" past associations and lack of track record are the stumbling block.

Laura, London,

No, during the past 8 years the Republicans have not spoken of diplomacy or reducing corporate influence. I hope that Obama really will try to replace bullying with diplomacy, limit corporate influence and change any other policies antithetical to US Constitutional goals & common decency.

Alice, South Pasadena, USA

Laura, London - "Oh yes, he will raise taxes"

On the super-rich, yes. What's the problem with that? He's pledged to reduce the tax burden on everyone else.

Besides, withdrawing from Iraq would save $12 billion a week. That could easily pay for a universal healthcare system

Owen, London, UK

Mark, Berkhamsted - Would you rather have the Democrats spending a bit more on social welfare, or the republicans continuing to spend billions every week on war?

Owen, London, UK

Forward, not backward. Upward, not downward. Hope rather than fear. Yes, we've heard it all before. But why are you journos turning on Obama now? When he was fighting Clinton in the primaries he could do no wrong...

Sean Hunter, Glasgow,

Barack Obama loves the future because that’s where all his accomplishments are.

Ed, Vermont, USA

I listened to Obama's speech. It was superbly delivered and contained policies that he wanted to pursue which bring changes. Wait for McCain's peroration crafted by his Rove gang to attract the neocons and religious nutters who ran rampage in Ohio to give Bush the second term.

gary smith, lONDON, UK

When I listen to Obama, I hear Carter and I hear Blair. Telling the electorate what it wants to hear and incapable of delivering on their promises. Flim flam and snake oil come to mind.

Mike, Ely, UK

Call me an old cynic but centre left 'saviours' are all the same. Glowing promises of 'change' and warm cuddles - when elected they retreat to the 60s and 70s - welfare spending, a torrent of legislation and agencies to tell people what to do.

Obama is just another Blair (UK) or Rudd (Australia)

Mark, Berkhamsted,

Barack & Blair share the attribute of charismatic oratory.

In the long run it did not prevent Blair's critics from destroying him.

All politicians share the same risk, but the film-star build up to BO means that he will need to operate on a higher precipice.

The economy is the only issue.

Richard, Bucharest,

Obama didn't specify how he plans to pay for all his grand schemes. He mentioned something about closely scrutinizing existing programs which aren't working and re-allocating those funds. This suggests he doesn't really have any idea where the $ will come from, as yet.

Oh yes, he will raise taxes

Laura, London,

I am amazed people in any country still trust politicians at all... running out the same old promises, which rarely if ever get addressed once they get power... politicos may change but the vested interests and lobby groups don't; democracy is the worst system ever - apart from all the others!

Steve, London,

The danger for the Obama campaign is that the ticket is way to Liberal for America. Comparing himself to Kennedy and rattling on about Martin Luthers Kings speech is nauseating and is sentimental rubbish. The Race card has yet to be played in this election.

Michael Riley, London, England

I thought there was plenty of beef to that speech. He laid out plans for universal healthcare, tax cuts for the working and middle classes, and more help for working families.

He also stated, quite reasonably, that John McCain's primary motivation is to help the super rich.

Owen, London, UK

The fact is, both McCain and Obama are excellent, candidates, better than the US has produced in decades. What Obama brings to the table is enormous - a cross-cultural background, Harvard legal training, Chicago political savvy, his family, his youth, his values. Go Obama!

David, Amsterdam, Netherlands