The only part of sullivan's article holding a kernel of truth is, sadly, that neither candidate is the answer for America, her economy, or her future. But to say McCain has sold his soul, while simultaneously excusing O'Bama from such accusation, seems foolhardy and infalmmatory at best.

robert, Gilroy, USA

I don't understand what Sillivan's true motive is behind admonishing Bush for 'jettisoning every principle for an increasingly unhinged religous base'?
What does religion have to do with an economic disaster? And isn't the one admonishment US Christians are immune from is having no principles?

Sam Kocsis, Calgary, Canada

Dear British Media and British People,

Please don't believe at all we in America give a flying flip about your insignificant country and least of all your views on our politics. Your country is over run by other cultures due to your liberal immigration and your identity as a nation is lost.

Chad, Atlanta, US A!

So refreshing to see a column like this in a "conservative" paper. We in Europe mustn't get sucked into the ludicrous tribal splits of the States (where, it seems, you're either a gay-loving anti-abortion pro-immigration godless hippie, or you're a religio-nut gun-totin' black-hating oil-driller.)

Miker G, Folkestone, UK

The Alan Greenspan idea that you can spend your way out of recession seems as ludicrous as those 'Eat 10 meals a day and still loose weight' diets advertised every day, yet not only the Bush but many expert economists fell for it too don't forget.

Paul Smith, Teddington,

Your analysis couldn't have been more dead on! My countrymen live in a fantasy world in which they are spoon fed daily lies by Fox News and the Republican Party. They grow dumber and fatter every day while their world is coming apart all around them. Can I seek intelligence asylum in Europe?

Timothy, Birmingham, USA

"Obama is the president wanted by the rest of the world." Is that right? You want the Obamanation? Then by all means, take him off our hands to wreak havoc in YOUR land... Take him with our blessing (you'll need it)! Oh and Andrew, would you be the one McCain supposedly sold his soul to?

Carolyn, Wisconsin, USA

I have news for the Europeans. If our country fails guess which ones are next????? Your countries!!! Imagine the destruction of your export industries with an immense welfare state to support. Your fall would be greater than ours. The fall then would extend to the rest of the world. Think my friends

Dave, Tampa, USA

1. literally people do not have souls, this is a fiction
2. metaphorically people almost never have souls even as a metaphor
3. please do not write anything else unless you have something to say - you may lose your soul!

david, london, uk

The Americans have lived beyond their collective means since Reagan .This type of capitalism is not sustainable in a world of global warming when billions of dollars will have to be committed to energy efficiency. We don't need the rich,it's time for co-operatives and social enterprise capitalism.

John D, Gateshead, England

So Sullivan knows both candidates innermost motivations. He is deep. Look at that pensive look in his photo.
But he betrays his cynicism with the description of Palin as a religious fanatic. Me thinks he protest a bit much. We all have beliefs of that can be call fringe by others. Why, go there?

Steve, Indy, USA

Many falsehoods in here. Are they intentional or do they betray ignorance? "He now pledges not to change a jot or tittle of the Bush tax cuts, even as debt soars." McCain is actually for REDUCTIONS in corporate taxes. Because private companies create jobs. An when they do, they generate tax revenu

Steve, Indy, USA

Palin is a Manchurian candidate? Recently Sullivan was insisting that Palin was a reckless and impetuous pick - but now she's apparently been groomed for years by the Christianists for just this purpose? Sorry, you can't have it both ways. It was either a conniving pick or a naive one, not both.

Mike, Brighton,

"[Obama] blames companies that operated within the rules as dictated by Congress for maximising their profits by irresponsible lending"?? Corporate officers are held to a legal standard of fiduciary responsibility, not just to the standard of "anything they can get away with for short term profit."

Whit, Rockingham, VT, USA

What can a politician do when told that international catastrophe will accompany any action other than immediate government expenditure for rescue? The free market accounting profession, both on your side of the pond and ours, got us into this mess, but can't get us out without government dollars?

Bert Gold, Frederick, MD, USA

The candidates sell their souls to win and have to pay for it when they are elected by doing their masters bidding. The American people are too unrealistic and bloated to knuckle down, they are living in a dream world of big cars, big houses, big guts and small brains, they elected Bush, say no more

Jim, Huntington Beach, USA

To charactorize two canidates for the presidency of an ally as "dumb" or "dumber" is classless. This article shows not only a lack of understanding of the global financial situation, but a writer who is only concerned with pushing his own political views on the reader. How about some objectivity?

Fred , Boise, Idaho, USA

The author may want to look up "surreal". There is nothing of "fantastic imagery and incongruous juxtaposition of subject matter" in this. This is to be expected of a mediocre President.

Phil, Texas

Philip E Tripp, Greenville, TX, USA

They invaded the Peach State?

Hugo, Rome,

You should not have referred to Sarah Palin as "..this sinister and philistine Manchurian candidate..". Now she'll have to scour Alaska trying to find someone to explain to her what that means.

Lewis Winders, Tasmania, Australia

Obama's entitlements will add millions to the national debt. He also recently backpedaled on the tax cuts, saying they may have to stay in place in the future. Obama's reaction, the usual. Inaction.

McCain Bill in 2005, proposed oversight of Fanny Mae but Obama voted No with his co-horts

Janet Dobbs, Philadelphia,

I agree with the analysis and its conclusions.Great outlook ...

Peter, Shelby, MI

PETER A KOVALSZKI, SHELBY TOWNSHIP,

While I have no love for Bush, I think the world has forgotten the billions spent after 9-11, the billions spent after hurricanes Katrina & Rita & to aid the tsunami victims. These disasters were extraordinary. Only Congress can pass laws to regulate the greedy banks and oil cos. who made billions.

Nan, Wassaic, USA

The present mess is a world wide economics disaster undeterred and abetted by all the world's politicians. World class economic AND political minds will solve it. None of our current candidates should claim economic expertise. Bush certainly no expert is doing exactly the right thing - for now.

Bob Hall, New York, United States

Very good article. The last three Republican presidents described themselves as 'fiscal conservatives', and yet recklessly borrowed to fund tax cuts and spending on the military.

John McCain also describes himself as a fiscal conservative, so I think you all know what to expect..

Owen, London, UK

TG you Eurolibs don't vote in OUR election. If BHO wins (by fair means or foul), this world will be a very scary place. There won't be anyone left to save your bacon over there across the pond and as for us here, we'll be burnt to a crisp if the emperor without any clothes is POTUS.

Mary, Los Angeles,

Refreshing straight-talk.

Mike L, Chippenham,

There is always hope that once this election is over the winner will ignore their more ridiculous, populist promises and listen to the clever people that each candidate has advising them. After all politicians have been known to break some of their election promises before.

David Lea-Smith, Edinburgh, U.K.

So I guess we have to look to Europe for candidates who tell the truth and brilliant yet principled bankers then?

John Templeton, Philadelphia, USA

Ralph Nader said it best. The only difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is the speed at which their knees hit the floor when big business walks into the room. We have to figure out a way to do better.

Roy , Guthrie, OK, USA

Anyone who listens and watches McCain can only feel that this old guy is dumber than Bush and far more dangerous because of his apparent lack of general knowledge.
Obama is the President wanted by the rest of the world.

john, colombo, sri lanka

Well, Andrew, if McCain & Obama are so similiar I guess you'll just have to vote for the tall, dark and handsome one to break the tie.

Dan , NYC, NY

US is heading for the cliff - and boy have they worked hard to keep their heads in the sand while it happens. Europeans scratch their heads and wonder where it all went so wrong for them....and remember Bush/Cheney. Thank god they're somewhere else.

Jim Kennedy, London,

Kudos to your well said and well thought out article. The title of the article says it all!

Julienne, Kansas City, USA

There is not much difference between American politicians and British ones. The problem is that the electorate want it all - low taxes, great services, strong military, cheap education, healthcare - guess what - it CAN'T happen!

Andre, Portland, USA