Barack Obama has inspired millions of Americans to take the power back and have a real stake in the country's future. Barack Obama came from a humble childhood, went on to graduate at the top of his class from Columbia University, and became the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. The opportunities for him were endless! He chose to help poor people in Chicago's South Side. Meanwhile, Hillary was on the board of Walmart! Barack Obama is the REAL DEAL!

Brian Sharma, Verona

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Most small towns are the same in America..hard-hit. If you're an honest person, please listen to the 45 minute tape of Obama in SF (search Mayhill Fowler..bad quality sound, but NO one "laughed" at PA, as someone claimed). There's a LOT there, that should clear up what he was getting at, but we're not supposed to hear THAT part! My husband and I lost our jobs to outsourcing. Hillary co-founded the Senate India Caucus, which works to bring foreign workers here to take American jobs. Bill is paid millions as "advisor" to InfoUSA, which sends U.S. jobs offshore. We're bitter!

Jana and Rod Harley, Stanton, CA

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I hope people will remember which candidate endorsed NAFTA, the bane of this country. Clinton did, not Barack Obama! Obama opposed it. This trade agreement is a major factor as to why so many Americans are unemployed. If people feel a little bitter, it's understandable; but, they are not without hope. That hope is Barack Obama. He doesn't come off as a slick politician (that's Hillary's skill) but the last thing our country needs right now is another slick politician. We need CHANGE. We need a breath of fresh air. Barack Obama will give us that.

Tina James, Round Lake, Illinois

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I live in Nevada, right now number one in foreclosures. I was born in West Virginia and grew up in Ohio. Both states devastated by the loss of industrial jobs. In Cleveland we had the closing of steel mills and auto plants . Similarly, West Virginia has had losses in the steel and coal industries. I support Senator Obama because he recognizes that our problems stem from failed economic policies of the past. He has new ideas for solving these problems and the ability to get others, Republicans, Democrats and independents to help bring about changes to solve these problems.

Carolyn Carrier, Henderson, NV

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Obama's - * history of working FOR people, rather than corporations made me pay attention.

* discussion of a transparent government made me research.

* knowledge of why Unions are good, made me a supporter.

* empowering me to accept ownership of my country, government and his campaign made me an active supporter.

* ability to unite; reminding us that "more unites us than divides" made me a vocal supporter.

Barack Obama, a skinny black man with a funny name, empowered me, ME to be part of the CHANGE THAT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR. Are you ready for Change?

Francine Simmons, Tampa, FL

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I support Obama for President. No matter which candidate is elected "her or his" plans will be scrutinized in public debate, amended by congress and editorialized by pundits.

It's a fact that the policies and changes they are proposing today will have to stand the test of "how we make our national decisions".

I commend each candidate for their public service but 2 of the candidates are still part of our national problem. I don't want more of the same - repackaged.

We need to demonstrate to the whole world that we've made a real change. And more importantly - we need to send this message to Washington.

Jim Harpst, Ben Avon Heights

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I am 21 years old and a college student and having listened to both sides very carefully I realize that Barack Obama is the only candidate from either party to address the issues that will be a problem for our generation both now and in the future. I have only heard empty rhetoric from Sen. Clinton. Senator Obama realizes that the rising costs of a college education is something that has not only a direct impact on the lives of college students today but will in the future as we will be in debt longer. He also has a plan to fix the ever growing problem that is Social Sceurity so that my generation can retire comfortably lilke our grandparents have and our parents will.

Dan Hackett, Mt. Lebanon

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As the father of children with disabilities I support Ms. Clinton -- when the Clinton's were in the White House support systems for children with disabilities were themselves supported by federal funding. We need someone in the White House who supports support for people with disabilities. And, as a Naturalized US citizen who left Northern Ireland to find a country whose Constitution supported equal rights for all, I want the Constitution restored and I believe that Ms. Clinton is committed to so doing as soon as possible. Additionally, it is HER TIME!

Patrick J. Corr, West View

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"Vote Obama: Obama is a new kind of Democrat, he is the like the original republicans. What we need now more than any new policy or miss-spoken politicians is a new personal leader. Only Obama's new perspective can renew a skeptical country towards a more perfect union for this generation. , I still remember being reared in rural Pennsylvania (i.e. Dubois, Johnsonburg, Clearfield, Indiana, etc.). I hope and pray that PA, the state that made this country will now recognize the importance to make this union greater than it already is and support the man from the land of Lincoln.

Jason W. Sanford, Chicago IL

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He is inspirational. He is honest-you can see it in his eyes. He loves his wife-you can see it in their interactions. He is a devoted dad-you can see it in his kids' faces. He is genuine-something that we haven't seen in so long. He makes even the least-interested person interested. They stop, they listen and they feel motivated to take action. There has never been such an incredible opportunity in my lifetime to change the course of history. To make a statement and say, "I want to feel good about my country and my government." He is the real deal. He is who we need. 9/11 united us for a short time. Obama brings that feeling of patriotism and unity back to Americans. He is the right one. He is the one we need. We can make it happen. Yes We Can!

Sami Dawn Carroll, Braddock Hills

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As an Obama supporter, I find it laughable that Clinton, McCain, and their media mouthpieces are bashing Obama for perceived "elitism" when Clinton and McCain are out-of-touch multi-millionaires with decades-long careers of privilege and prestige inside the DC Beltway.

Raised by a single mother in a middle-class household, Obama is a self-made success story who understands genuine bitterness and disappointment. Yet, he's gained fulfillment in hope, hard work, community leadership, and the love of his family and friends--and inspires us to do the same. In this, he is quintessentially American, and will make an exceptional American president.

Michelle Kenoyer, Riverview, FL

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I support Hillary Clinton because she has proven herself to be an undeniably strong leader who has the knowledge, determination and tact to take our country forward in a better way.

Obama has offended at least half the Democrats and a large portion of the Republicans and Independents. I shutter to think what would happen if he and his wife are in the White House and "misspeak" to the leaders of foreign countries. An apology might not be enough and we could find ourselves on a path to change we may not like.

S. DerVanik, Bridgeville

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I am your typical white person clinging bitterly to my guns and religion. I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama because I'm convinced that once he gets familiar with us folks here in Margaret Mead Country he'll realize we're not that much different from those on the south side of Chicago. As for antipathy, it would be directed at a bloated, corrupt bureaucracy that is primarily concerned with maintaining the status quo.

Andy Shubik, Stoystown, PA

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Barack Obama is motivating, energizing and competent at the same time. He has substance. Mrs. Clinton has achieved a lot during her career. Yet, her time has passed. She has proven to be divisive and controversial. Her health care program was dismissed during her husband's presidency. She deserves credit for starting the national debate, on the other hand, she was not able to bring the opposing parties together to find a solution. The people paid the consequences because nothing changed. We need a leader with better judgment. We need Barack Obama. This is his time.

Christine Potthast, Houston, Texas

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Our country is ready for a change. Obama is the first candidate to successfully connect to my kids and I think our youth will play a big role in changing American politics. I believe that Obama can bring us together even as we tackle the difficult issues that have been either swept under the rug or used to divide us. Senator Barack Obama has the intelligence, political courage, charisma, and good judgment to unite and lead our country back to the principles and laws of the U.S. Constitution.

Megan Foster, Tampa, FL (Penn Hills native)

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I am and have voted for Obama because he is the only person who represents CHANGE. Clinton represents what's wrong with Politics. She has lied about NAFTA, S-Chip, Ireland, Bosnia and continually plays politics like a GOP candidate. She is not about Party or principal, she is all about herself which would make the worst kind of leader. Small Town America needs to look closer at the fact that Bill lost both houses of Congress and was Impeached. Is this what America wants??

Tony Morales, New York City

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Inspirational leaders who change the political landscape come along once in a lifetime. Senator Obama is that kind of leader. He is the perfect candidate as we stand at a critical juncture. We need someone who will look for new ways to solve the old problems, to find new partners for solutions, to inspire us to do more to become the change we seek. Hillary and Bill Clinton will seek to fight the old fights that marred the first Clinton presidency. We do not need dynasty. The last 8 years have shown how disastrous voting for a name can be.

Teddy Carroll, Braddock Hills

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I endorse Obama because he has the same experience Abraham Lincoln had, and more than Dwight Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant. Both never held office before being elected President. Lee Hamilton, who served for 35 years in Congress and headed the Iraq study group, recently backed Obama, saying it was not naive to talk to our enemies, but that we clearly should. Clinton and McCain wouldn't though. Also, Obama has taken too many character assaults from Clinton. Yet Obama, unlike Clinton, has taken no money from lobbyists or PAC's, and truly has working class interests at heart.

Neil Schilling, Magalia, Calif.

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I am a Barack Obama supporter, somewhat by default. My candidate was Bill Richardson, until he removed himself from the presidential race. I don't really see much difference in policy statements, between Obama and Hillary, but, i personally can't bear the thought of, Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton presidencies. The thought of individuals from two families dominating American politics for over twenty years, just does not sit right with me, and i can't believe that more people aren't expressing the same feelings.

So, i will be supporting Obama, to the bitter end, versus Hillary, and then hopefully thru the general election versus John McCain.

Robert James, Forest Hills

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I support Barack Obama because I believe the challenges facing America and indeed the world in the 21st century are immense. The innate leadership abilities this man possesses are a gift. My son's generation and my grandson's generation will be greatly affected by decisions made in the next 10 to 20 years. Young people, I think are aware that the time is at hand to start taking charge of their future and they are stepping up to do so. It's a wonderful thing to see. Hope isn't just an illusion, it's an absolute essential.

Robert Clements, Fayetteville, Ar.

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For the first time in many years, in Barack Obama we have a candidate who speaks to us as adults, tells us the hard truth but calls on our better side to work together to solve the many deep problems we currently face. What do we do? We stand by and watch while his opponent in the same party waits like a piranha to tear him to shreds along with the MSM. The hatred that has been displayed in this race is a sad commentary on where we are as a nation. Certainly there is little signs of unity. And we wonder about the likes of the Bush admininstration, the Clinton administration and the rest that have dug us into the hole we're in? By supporting candidates who spew this divisiveness to further their own positions we get exactly what we deserve, more years of lies, deception and stalemate. It is hard to imagine any truly good person that could conceivably want to wade into this cesspool we call politics.

Diane Helland, Fort Worth, TX

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American workers have seen their jobs disappear and be outsourced to other countries that have an abundance of cheap labor. This has been supported by a string of recent administrations from Reagan, George Bush Sr. and Jr., and Bill Clinton.

Senator Obama's trade policies are to negotiate trade agreements in foreign markets that benefit American workers and encourage strong and enforceable labor and environmental standards in those overseas markets.

The time has come to the end sending of American jobs overseas and to end unfair trade practices. We need a president who will stand up for the American worker and our domestic economy. That president will be Senator Barack Obama.

Jack Ewing, Edgewood