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Kerry is a liberal on social issues with a military record in Vietnam but he has been accused of being inconsistent, particularly on the Iraq war.

At the moment the race for the Presidency looks undecided with neither candidate showing a strong lead.

Bush's approval rating is stuck below 50% which is historically very low for a president seeking re-election and in another poll 40% of those questioned said they have no opinion about Kerry.

Who's winning the race for President? What do you think of the candidates? Will Iraq be a deciding factor? What will the main issues of this election be?

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received:

I think minority voters do not vote in high numbers because they feel ignored and are marginalized by our government officials and public servants Jillyenne, Buffalo

I think minority voters do not vote in high numbers because they feel ignored and are marginalized by our government officials and public servants. If politicians would use their power to help disenfranchised people, like minorities instead of using them as pawns in their election campaigns, and then forgetting all of their promises when they are elected, there would be a bigger turnout.
Jillyenne, Buffalo, USA

I think the Dems and Republicans are both worthless... the two party system is failing us all because this election is like choosing the lesser of two evils. Will we get universal health care? No. Will homelessness be eradicated? No. Will public schooling be significantly improved, so as to provide inner-city students with adequate education and therefore upward mobility? No. Will basketball hoops in the hood have nets? No. What is the government, both Democrats and Republicans, doing for us, the poor inner city people of colour? Not much. I actually like Ralph Nader. His socialist platform benefits the masses and encourages the government to take responsibility for the situation in the United States instead of blaming it on the oppressed.
Bali, Harlem, USA

I certainly don't trust any elected official with acting in my interests, or even in the best interests of this country Eric Hanson, Littleton

There have been so many media reports lately about energizing young voters. This will be my first presidential election and I must say that I can't stand either of the candidates. American youths grow up in a culture with no reverence for anyone, particularly our politicians. I certainly don't trust any elected official with acting in my interests, or even in the best interests of this country. To see them now pandering for my vote when I know that Bush needs more troops for the army and Kerry views me only as a demographic leaves me saddened and pessimistic about democracy. On the other hand, my disillusion with our government is shared by almost everyone I know, and it might turn out to be our saving grace if people begin to change. Until then, though, I will certainly be voting in November, but not because P Diddy or some other hack who needs media attention told me to.
Eric Hanson, Littleton, CO, USA

I am of Indian origin. I see this year's election as being one of induced fear in order to make a selling point. In the 2000 election I voted for Mr Bush, this time around there is no way I will vote for him. Since taking office this president didn't have to disgrace himself with adultery but rather take this great country and turn it into the most hated country on the planet. Which saddens me. I am a first generation American and I consider this my home. Mr Bush and his cabinet have disgraced the office of the president, and lead our brothers and sisters into a war that was unjustified and immoral.
Junaid Malik, Detroit, USA

Since neither candidate is other than a puppet of the military and large corporations which together run the country, it doesn't really matter. If Kerry really had any radical policies the corporate-controlled media would not have let him get this far. Of course Bush needs to go but until America develops into a proper democracy it will never have a president who represents the interests of the people.
Sally Amis, Prague, Czech Republic

He has managed to alienate many of our allies Shannon Thomas, Texas

I didn't vote for Bush, but I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He has managed to alienate many of our allies. We are not better off for having him in office. Many in our country sneer down their noses at Bill Clinton's immoral behaviour and dishonesty about his affair. I can't imagine anything more immoral than lying about our reasons for going to war. It has been very enlightening reading the comments from all over the world. Thanks!
Shannon Thomas, Temple, Texas

I am an expat American but I still keep up my voter registration. I plan to travel to my hometown to cast my vote. Many in the Arab world feel that Senator Kerry has already courted the Jewish vote as much as President Bush. Considering that the Arab American vote is very important, can either candidate reassure these voters that they will address the many issues concerning the Middle East?
Alma Lou Annab, Amman, Jordan

I hope Bush wins, I really do!
Ali Ahmad, Tel Afar, Iraq

I would say that this is the one chance the American people have to resurrect themselves in the eyes of the world. The general opinion is that they are ignorant, arrogant and only care about their own short-term self-interests. They are creating havoc in this world with their extreme negligence and thoughtlessness. Let's see if they have the common sense to vote GWB out of office.
Leo Figa, Roma, Italy

Although John Kerry's poll ratings haven't been that bad, I still think Bush will win comfortably. Just like the French, the Americans hardly ever elect left-leaning presidents unless they are exceptionally charismatic or if the economy or the Republicans are in a complete mess, which they aren't.
Matt, London, UK

The money spent in the campaign will be the determining factor in this election Diego Centurión, Trujillo

The run for presidency in the US is pretty much a matter of attitude towards what the media displays and the outside world. Both candidates, Kerry and Bush are overwhelmingly alike and agree on the main topics. They would both spend more and increase the government deficit. With no significant difference between these two candidates, it seems that unless something happen, the money spent in the campaign will be the determining factor in this election.
Diego Centurión, Trujillo, Peru

In my opinion, Kerry will lose in this fall's election. Our country cannot and will not stand another Clinton Clone in the White House for four long years. We do not need another amoral fool wandering, clueless, around the Oval Office. Again, this is my opinion, but it is well based by personal observation of Kerry's performance in the Senate.
Fred Fuhrer, Tallassee, USA

Not wishing to devalue the capabilities of John Kerry, I would have thought that even Bart Simpson stood a better chance than JWB in the next election given the mess that the current (mal)administration has created in domestic and foreign policy.
Alan Skyrme, Curitiba, Brazil

It's Bush vs. Not-Bush Nicholas Cotta, Royal Oak, MI, USA

No one's winning right now. The candidates aren't the best, but I like tax cuts and Bush's approach to the war on terror. Iraq will only be a deciding factor to morons. The main issues will be if you like Bush's politics or not. It's Bush vs. Not-Bush.
Nicholas Cotta, Royal Oak, MI, USA

Despite all the spin from Bush and Greenspan, the US economy is not firing on all cylinders and is unlikely to with Bush at the helm. The reason? One third of the US economy is trade with the rest of the world and a look at the worsening record trade deficit caused by poor export sales compared to growing imports is a sign of Bush's unpopularity in the world. Upsetting your customers is not a good way to build business!
John Farmer, Henley-on-Thames, UK

Until the US changes to popular vote elections, no third party candidate will have a chance. The technology exists to hold popular vote elections and get rid of the outdated and unfair electoral college system. The question remains, why are we still using it? Because there isn't a Congressman or Senator in the country who will lift a finger to change it!
Jack, Memphis, USA

I hope the U.S. Supreme Court will not be involved in making the final decision Eck Spahich, Texas

The race for President will be won by the individual perceived by the public as the most trustworthy, most caring, and less concerned with personal gain(s). In the heat of this campaign, both sides are attempting to demonize each other. The incumbent is got to show he deserves a second four-year term. This time around, I hope the U.S. Supreme Court will not be involved in making the final decision for the voters.
Eck Spahich, Fritch-at-Lake Meredith, Texas

By all accounts the race is very tight. The war in Iraq and its aftermath have already been shown in the polls to have a negative impact for Bush. It's hard to say how the Iraq factor will impact Kerry. Without doubt the continued US presence in Iraq and the economy will be high on the list of main issues with some secondary issues such as healthcare coming some way behind. From a personal viewpoint, I hope the American people think seriously about what their choice means regarding foreign policy. The unilateralist approach may achieve some results in the short term however the consequences for the longer term have not yet been felt. If we want to build a civil international community then perhaps starting with constructive engagement rather than unilateral opportunistic approach may be the right way to go
Eric , Madrid Spain

As far as it concerns Arabs, especially the Palestinians, it seems that John Kerry's policy regarding the Middle East will not be different from Bush. Both show unlimited support to Israel.
May, Aleppo - Syria

The most important factor in the US election will be who can make the US feel good about itself.
Robert Blais, Cornwall, ON, Canada

A terrorist attack before the elections could swing the vote either way George, Brussels, Belgium

God forbid, a terrorist attack before the elections could swing the vote either way. Sadly, its timing might be a factor: The closer to the elections, the more likely it would be that emotive voters, with not enough time before the polls to do some cool thinking, would fall behind the president as a sign of patriotism. That aside, it's hard to imagine that many voting for the Democrats in 2000 would be switching over. Quite a few voting for Bush in 2000, on the other hand, will have had a long list of reasons to not do it again.
George, Brussels, Belgium

It is not easy to dethrone an incumbent, especially when he has no 'real' bad record.- my own words.
Olawale Olagundoye, Lagos , Nigeria

I still hope George Bush's going to make it. He faced one of the most dangerous attacks to the Nation, so many people seems to forget it. He decided to act. He did right in Afghanistan and (maybe) made some mistake in Iraq, but what President was never wrong on something. I believe that the Iraq crisis could be solved for the better too anyway. Kerry looks to me with just a few ideas, but confused. Americans, hold on to George! That's my advice.
Stefano Angeli, Cesena, Italy

The Kerry propaganda machine is clearly winning the hearts of hate-mongers and the minds of idiots. Let's face it: he's clearly pandering to angry Hollywood millionaires and disaffected Dean supporters. He's depending on the votes of young, ignorant Americans who think he's cool because they saw him on TRL on MTV, or maybe the Daily Show on Comedy Central. Fine news sources those are! The bottom line is close-minded, lazy liberals believe everything John Kerry has to say, because that's exactly what they wanted to hear. Wake up, leftist lemmings! John Kerry is another Yale failure who can get outfoxed by broccoli and cheese sauce. He's no more of a leader than George Bush. Vote Libertarian!
Drew, San Fernando, Trinidad

Voting for either of the candidates is like choosing between the plague and cholera Emil Sørensen, Holstebro, Denmark

A friend of mine used about the US election campaigns a phrase that I took to heart: Voting for either of the candidates is like choosing between the plague and cholera. In Denmark we enjoy relatively great health care, a good social security system, high unemployment subsidies; these things make our country safe - We have low crime rates (Virtually the only people committing crimes are troubled youth...) and we do not have to worry as much about money and health care as the Americans do. And that, my American friends, is freedom for you. Freedom to go to school, and freedom to walk the streets. The problem with America, in my opinion, and in most Danes' opinion, is that America does not have a strong party of the Socialist ideology, like we Danes do - I do not know why a country with as many poor people and crime issues as America do not have a strong Socialistic party to solve some of the poverty issues or at least help balance them out. It makes no sense that the country has only Liberal and Conservative candidates when a that huge part of the populace ought to be Socialists, historically speaking. Maybe the 'commoners' in the States just have very low political consciousness...but I want everyone to see that America has to decrease crime rates and poverty before they should even have a foreign policy.
Emil Sørensen, Holstebro, Denmark

I have never seen a more politically myopic, ignorant, condescending, or arrogant comment on this board than that of Emil Sorenson, Holstebro, Denmark. Yet, I'm sure he has many sympathizers. And isn't it interesting that a forum ostensibly about the U.S. Presidential election is allowed to turn into a broad critique of American culture? Let me share with you a secret: America is flawed and imperfect, but not uniquely so. What so many fail on all sides to realize is that our society was founded as a bold experiment not in individual rights, but in individual responsibility...a value so lacking in our world today.
Guy, USA

Neither candidate is good for the country. The two party system has hijacked American freedom and presents the voters with soap opera. Once again, I am presented with the "who do you like least?" question.
Phil Butler, West Linn, Oregon

I don't think that Iraq has or will help Bush. A lot of Americans like his swashbuckler Texas style but the cost in money and most importantly lives may be the deciding factor. The large undecided middle is beginning to see Bush as extreme. Domestically, the middle class is shrinking and bearing a proportionately greater share of the tax burden thanks to Bush's tax cuts. Secondly, Bush has not encountered a corporate agenda that he did not promote fully. All said, it is a very long time till the election and I expect an October surprise.
John Lehman, Bethlehem, PA, USA

I desperately hope that Kerry wins. President Bush has lied to us, dragged us into Iraq for no reason, deliberately caused an enormous transfer of wealth from the poor and middle class to the rich, destroyed our economy, sent millions of jobs overseas, and shredded the Bill of Rights. I find it hard to believe that Bush could win but knowing the way he stole the election in 2000, I find it hard to believe he will lose.
Lisa Starrfield, Gregory, USA

Can't we have a civil political discourse without talking about the other side's motives or agendas? B. Montgomery, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

What really bothers me about the current state of what passes for political discourse in the US is the "demonisation" of the other side. Both the Republicans and the Democrats do it. It's not enough to disagree with your opponent, they must also be imbued with sinister motives and agendas. I am a Republican but I never bought into all the conspiracy theories the right threw at Bill Clinton. Can't we have a civil political discourse without talking about the other side's motives or agendas?
B. Montgomery, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

I am moving with my wife to Japan. I have had it with American politics and Western politics in general. I worked my whole life and paid taxes and got nothing for it. AT least we have healthcare in Tokyo! Vote for who you want to, I am outta here!
Jim, Hoboken, NJ