I think Hillary's cleavage is best kept at the front line!
Lets have a vote.......
Keep in the front line
or....
Ban them all in polotics

Jen Smith, Marlow, Buckinghamshire

Democrats and Republicans interfering internally and policies over blacks, Asians and women shows 75% loss of opportunities for indigenous UK applicants over last 40yr.
Weak welfare state and lower % for our poor for immigration slags shows false government and a spite in Education policies as Grammars Schools ostracised after bad staff moves and Reds saying they were capitalist but really top Public Schools and Private schools wrong.
The Clintons with their mad black population policies and history of vice and bad degree in Oxford from 1968, when Chrysler Maf. were in UK, and yet given Hon Degree by Jenkins with Hil. in attendance and no help from Bill over flooding catastrophe, are so scandalous it is bad.
Their open ended expansion policy need planned limited resources with lowering trends all over the world not as they give expansion with excitement and ridiculous firsts or is that fails.
Hil. could be helping ruin UK soccer or Philately or just a fell walker.

Dr MI Barton MA. MBA, Oxford, UK

This the first i've heard of it.

Fred , Iselin, NJ ,

Where in the world does the Times get its information? Who said that Hillary's cleavage was "at the forefront of American discourse'?? I read the Post and NY Times everyday, as well as the Drudge, and I barely heard a damn thing about this topic. Also, it says in this article that it was a FASHION writer who reported on this; not a Bob Woodward or Seymour Hersh. This was not at the forefront of anything here in the US (at least not in the Midwest). Get your facts straight, Times. And you question American media?!

Solo, Columbus, USA/OHIO

Her cleavage is the least of the worries of many American's. Maybe the press realise there is not much else to discuss about her.

scared for america, america,

Tell me what's more pathetic: American media discussing Hillary's cleavage; or British media discussing the fact that the American media is discussing Hillary's cleavage?

If you all are sooo much better than us, then stop worrying about what we do here in America! It's almost as if you Brits are obsessed with us.

Andy, Phoenix, USA/Arizona

I love cleavage.

Wan Bhai, KL, Malaysia

I challange the American media to report in a sexually degrading manner about an Israeli/Jewish citizen of the united states.

Binny, Texas, USA

The USA politics is at a head of state level while UK is for PM and HM the Queen is hereditary Head of State. That makes some big differences in seniority and the English speaking world as well as the Empire and Commonwealth which is intended to grow.
The USA has followed more of the Bonaparte French policies designed to conquer the English world and it is weakening our Crown and population genes. Blair , or Tony PLO, has made our socialism as developed into an up market fraud with the economies and dss with NHS destruction. The weak psychology from both is hardly a competitive position in the higher graduate scales which require brains, fitness and experience. Housing and local governments are oppressive and dictate ones interests in an insidious manner.
Examples are on redundancy one, irrelevant job offer and refusals ever after, when trying to get into professional sport the interviewers imposed at place of trial and forced person out of possible good career. Yank/Dem.split.

Dr MI Barton MA. MBA, Oxford, UK

Hey Hilary.
If you've got it, flaunt it !

Jimmy, Nottingham, England

More noteworthy is the fact that for election debates Clinton demands a platform to stand on so that she can be as "tall" and thus one presumes as "masculine" as her male opponents.

Grant, New York, USA

I believe that this is absolutely dispicable.

Once again one can see the unfair standards set for female politicians and the apparent necessity of wearing the latest fashion trends, hair styles etc.

Women in politics are always held to some kind of higher standard in fashion: too much cleavage, her hair isn't perfect, not enough cleavage. You don't see journalists (and in this case I use the term loosely) critiquing male politicians, some of whom look like they just rolled out of bed. Men aren't criticized for their obvious beer guts, their receding hair lines or what have you.

She's running for the Democratic nomination, why aren't journalists focusing on her politics?

Alana Del Greco, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

just wondering does anybody know what she said about education?

orla, limerick, ireland

Just a shadow of a doubtful cleavage, and you're all agog, making a mountain out of the proverbial molehill. What I would consider really worth discussing is how J.K. Rowling, beloved of millions of innocent children, could sometimes wear clothes that reveal a truly ample cleavage, and more, that can give rise to male fantasies so far removed from Harry Potter's virginal wizard world. Rowling may be the envy of all other writers in the world, but her pediatrician husband must be the envy of all men. Has anyone ever called her attention? It's a non-issue in enlightened England, for God's sake.

nariya walyeena, London, United Kingdom

This is typical british journalist spin, trying to patronize american colleagues (envy for their salary, or the better weather is the main cause).
A fashion journalist talks about Hillary's jacket, what;s the problem?
I live in the States and the main political debate is about the war in Irak, health insurance (still lacking) and other serious issues.
Get a life!

Guy Sullam, Denver, USA

The sheer fact that ANY of us are still talking about this is indicative of an appalling American need for sensationalism, especially if it objectifies a woman in the process. Hillary's cleavage or non-cleavage or fashion sense is about as important as what Paris Hilton is up to today--but both will get a disgustingly inordinate amount of media coverage. If you really want to set an example, you'll stop giving any time or energy whatsoever to this story and go inform yourselves about how to fight sexism. Because you aren't fighting it--but are in fact fueling it--by participating in a patriarchy-constructed debate over female presidential candidates and V-neck tops. And it's sickening.

Stacia, Lincoln, NE

I can't for the life of me see how anyone in their right mind (which I suppose is the key statement) could consider that half inch of shadow to be "cleavage". The dictionary defines cleavage as, "the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline". This supposed "cleavage" is clearly above the breasts -- most certainly not between them. To point a finger at Hillary saying that she was knowingly objectifying herself by showing "so much cleavage", clearly shows how insane American politics have become.

Derek, Toronto, Canada

It shows the calibre of the American public. No wonder that they elect lousy leaders.

Navraj Arora, heston, u.k

Mabybe Hilary should also cover her head? That would make her look even more modest, now would'nt it???????

Wake up America. The rest of the world is laughing at you.

Arthur, Toronto,

I think the American press is clearly desperate for something to write about. Who cares if Hillary shows some cleavage. It's not like they're the first "boobs" in politics! Take Bush for example....

April, London, U.K.

I'm an American, and I'd have to agree. The fact that this sort of thing makes the news over here is ridiculous. Sadly, it's nothing new; America's media is more focused on Lindsey Lohan's drug problem than PM Brown's visit, so you can see what their priorities are.

Jason Jacoby, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States

This would be interesting, except the Clintons don't do anything by accident. This look has been suggested by some political consultant, poll tested, then trotted out so that Hillary can complain about how poorly she has been treated. I'm more interested in a woman who says she is going to give every one in the US, including undocumented aliens and their extended families health care, while decreasing the cost of medicine; is going to pull out of Iraq while leaving troops in Iraq; make government "smarter" (at what? getting into our wallets?); going to register women for the draft, but is against a draft; is going to tax big business, but is financed by big business; is going to fire 500,000 government contractors while creating more government agencies; is going to end global warming by taxing big oil while cutting the cost of gasoline.... need I say more? Who cares what this woman wears in public?

Tony Francis, Wichita, KS/USA

Mrs. Clinton was clearly wearing a standard-issue female summer top worn by many women in high-profile professional offices during hot summer months. The fact that it created a stir, in my view, means that Americans have already placed her in another hallowed category , that of president. Should President H. Clinton wear such a top in the Oval Office? Probably not. Should she dress for the Oval Office now? Probably.

Emma H., Ottawa, Canada

So the woman has breasts - is this yet another startling American discovery? No doubt at some stage one of her compatriots will work out that having given birth to Chelsea means that she is no longer a virgin.

Gervas Douglas, Andorra la Vella,

I think the American press is clearly desperate for something to write about. Who cares if Hillary shows some cleavage. It's not like they're the first "boobs" in politics! Take Bush for example....

April, London, U.K.

God! I hope nobody photographs Hildebrand smoking a cigar, or we'll never hear the end of it! ;-)

Lord Justin of Sloane, Chelsea, England

It really disturbs me that my damn country is this childish, I mean, if she hadn't shown cleavage, she would have been called a prude, and since she did, well, here we are.

I honestly get better coverage of America from British sources.

Honestly, my fellow countrymen in what is jokingly called the media, get a life, grow up. Go look at some anatomy books so you can stop snickering about a flash of mammary glands and realize that at least HAVE THE COUNTRY HAS THEM.

Suzanne Hartwick, New York City, New York

Wait until Fred Thompson officially announces his candidacy,and the pictures of his hot,much younger wife start to circulate, then you will see the real mud slinging.

sam , Dallas, USA

Now, now, fellow Americans. We deserve it; after all, we elected Bush TWICE so we must be partial to Boobs in politics. At least Hillary has brains above hers!

We also seemingly have a problem with women. Several years ago, my insurance company denied payment for my annual "well-woman exam," citing a "pre-existing condition." I've never before heard being born female called a "condition." Sigh...

Go Hillary!

Julia , Abilene, TX/USA

The article was in the Fashion Style section, not on the front page or in the News section. Cut the poor author some slack. There is not much style to write about in Washington...it's not NY or LA.

O Vert, Washington, DC

If she didn't have cleavage someone would make a rude comment about that, too. Come on America, let's get over this baloney and talk about issues and stop talking about female body parts.

Victoria, Mableton, Georgia

Mike Chapman

"Anyone who is genuinely shocked or offended by cleavage might be happier in a muslim country with a pile of stones at the ready."

There is always something about Muslims in your posts, however irrelevant.

Deepan, London, U.K

Is that what we're debating? Really?

Other than the talking heads on the radio/tv looking to kill an hour, I don't know of a single person who has given this a second thought.

Lou, KC,

My god and we call the Islamists backwards, not much difference between them and the US Gutter press!

Adrian, London,

After reading this 'news' feature as well as the associated comments all I can add is...

...When is the next ship leaving for Mars.

Elisha Moor, London,

Thank heavens at last we are discussing what's truly important.

Maynard, Oxford, UK

Well what a revelation - - - Wonder what Mr Clinton thinks about his wife's foray into 'sexual politics'?

Judy Viitanen, St Albans, Herts, UK

I would have thought that if an issue was "at the forefront of American politic discourse this past week" it would have perhaps been mentioned by more media outlets than C-Span and the Washington Post? (And the Times of London of course)

Inna Tysoe, Sacramento, USA/CA

Bread and circus. No more; no less.

Vincent Savage, Florence, South Carolina

It's quite scary that the political analysis has reached this low in America, the supposedly most powerful country on earth today. No wonder the country is going down the drain.

It seems like the only way americans can get unbiased news is to read/watch news about america from media in other countries.

If you want the political analysis in America to get to a decent state again, you can start by shutting Fox News down.

Mattias, Norrköping, Sweden

Hi Lizzie,
you are absolutely right! When you are given both brain and beauty by God, you need to use both.
She is a brilliant woman!

Well, when you don't have that kind of intelligence, the focus goes somewhere else, like Homer Simpsons.

Claire, Aberdeen, UK

Apparently this is the level of in-depth commentary the journalists keep themselves occupied with. ? Aren't there more interesting and worthier topics around to discuss or to inform us about?
For us Europeans this is so typical puritan Americanism.. Furthermore it gives the impression that they are using a needle in a haystick in order to find something to get Hillary Clinton out of the presidential race!

ro wiener, amstelveen , holland

Is she supposed to wear a turtleneck then??

Mette, London, UK

As one wag said, "This story is a tempest in a B-cup."

Cypher, Columbus , OH

That debate is pointless and extremely disrespectful towards Senator Clinton. As far as I am concerned, it only is an insult to her intelligence. Mrs Clinton is a terrific woman, her past achievements can only prove this point. She's running for president and does an excellent job bringing new solutions to old problems. America should focus on that rather than on the Senator's décolletage.

Ritter Frances, Paris, France

Who cares? I've heard NOTHING about this, and it is of no importance to the vast majority of Americans. She can wear leotards and a nose ring. Her philosophy and how she will lead is the only matter of importance to me.

James P, Sacramento, California

What? They're making a fuss about this? I would understand if Hillary Clinton had chosen to deliver her speech in a sequined bikini but the amount of cleavage she is showing is barely perceptible and certainly not innapropriate. Surely the woman's politics are more important than her dress sense, and certainly more important than her body. Or are will still in the caveman age?

J, Shelford,

In a country where you can still get arrested for breast-feeding in public I think it is a profound debate that needs to take place. Wake up America. Women can have bodies, brains, and still take care of families and jobs. I hope Hillary can turn this situation into a livelier debate about allowing women to show their bodies in public without fear.

Ray, Boston, MA / USA

I can remember, one time back in 2003, some attention was given to George Bush's "trouser bulge". It was after the horrible "Mission Accomplished" speech on the USS Lincoln where Mr. Bush wore a flight suit that showed off "his package". It got a litte sarcastic media attention for a while (at least in the U.S.) and then was forgotten.

Michael G., Fort Worth, Tx.

The funny thing is, I had to come here to a British newspaper to find out that Senator Clinton's cleavage was even being discussed. By anyone. At all. (And I work in media.)

P Curtis, New York, NY

There's only two groups who should have a problem with this - first caveman men who need to learn to live with it - if you don't control your desires then it's your problem when the object of them controls you. The second is petty little women who are just jealous of another woman's ability to get ahead while in possession of both brains and looks, when they, having only one of the two, like to blame their failures on their lack in the other department. This really is pathetic.

Lizzie, new york,

Oh for God's sake people - she's a woman - they do tend to have breasts you know. What sexist twaddle.

Do you feel that it's necessary to comment on the size of the bulge in a male politician's trousers?

Stick to analysing the politics and let the woman dress the way she wants to.

Damian, London, UK

Funny how we never hear about whether Senator So-and-So's trouser bulge is too obvious or threatening and what that might say about his policies...

Let's be honest - the only embarrassing tit in the US is the one running it.

redheadmavis, Cheltenham, UK

How many American political critics are unbiased & intelligent at the same time? I dont see anything in the photo of Hilary that merits the word provocation unless coming from an uptight saudi cleric.!

s ahmed, Cairo,

In Great Britain we have news readers showing a great deal of cleavage, Do we watch and listen to the news or Ogle at the womens breasts?
Is it not about time the USA caught up with the modern world, this also applies to all in politics US and GB, Substance of what is delivered is what counts, not the fluffy packaging around it.

Thompson, Warwick, UK

Here, here, Jim in New York. I can verify that he's correct in saying nobody gives a rip about the (non)story. It truly is a non-issue. Nobody I talk politics with has mentioned it, and it's really not on anyone's mind. We have bigger issues to think about than Hillary's cleavage--you know, the lack of health care available to over 40 million of us, global warming, that nasty war in Iraq, a president and his henchmen run amok in Washington, and a Congress that seems powerless to do anything about any of it. So get off your high horse about this--we aren't as shallow as you seem to think!

Julie, Winston Salem, USA/North Carolina

sheee's hot...erm sorry.

Dean Butler, Brisbane, Oz

For goodness sake!! When will men stop acting like boys! Hillary Clinton is a brilliant woman and a fantastic politician... Surely this is more important than how much cleveage she may or may not be showing.
I think the issue is with the men who have not yet learn to control themselves. Maybe they would find it more appropriate if she wore robes from head to foot and a full veil. Then she would not be tempting them with her overt sexuality!!!

Sound familiar...!

kelly, london, uk

I thought breasts were supposed to be a nice thing? If the men's magazines and various music channels are anything to go by, men want their women pretty much naked, subservient and dumb. We can't have it both ways!

Also, surely Hilary is being a better role model for attractive, yet intelligent and high flying women by showing that you don't have to be a dowdy spinster to suceed in politics.

Long live the cleavage!

Victoria, London, UK

You present the discussion of Hillary's cleavage as if it's a national issue on the tip of every American's tongue. Wrong. A female reporter for the Washington Post, a paper read mostly by politicians and Washington DC political insider, wrote a tongue-in--cheek column about a recent low cut blouse worn by Hillary, who eschews feminity, never ever wearing a dress. Only the people who work in the media or politics care about this story. There are at least 300 million Americans, so 99.999% don't give a damn about Hillary's cleavage. Second, I read British newspapers regularly on the Internet. You assert that "American political discourse has hit a new low." Well, mates, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Your media is hardly a paradigm of journalistic virtue. And you blokes really need to get over your condescending snobbery regarding America, but if you can't, at least get rid of the Page 3 girl in the Sun before lecturing us about purile journalistic pursuits.

Jim Edwards, New York, New York

Bring back Monica ...all is forgiven

Victor M., Malaga, Spain

Does this mean we will soon see Pamela Anderson running for President?

Farrukh, Woking, UK

wow

wow, wow,

Hillary has cleavage? The Devil you say!

Jim Edwards, New York, New York

Gross!

T. Taylor, Chicago, IL

To call American news coverage merely disgraceful is to be far too kind. It is utterly insulting to anyone of at least average intelligence and some minimal thoughtfulness. It does not in any way provide the reasoned and fairly objective coverage that is provided in countries like England and Canada. It is utterly biased, almost always used to promote a point of view rather than provide unbiased reportage, often strident, and promotes unreasonableness rather than reasoned analysis in its viewers.

Mike, Columbus, Ohio, USA

If you are sickened by this degraded level of political discourse, take a look at an intelligent alternative at RonPaul2008.com

Nicolas Martin, Indianapolis, IN

I am ashamed of the abject childishness displayed by the media in trying to turn Hillary's cleavage into an issue. She has been attacked constantly for not being "feminine enough"
throughout the years. Now when the barest visual hint of her actual faminiinity is on display, she is attacked for that too.

This woman's brilliance, ability, inner poise and confidence has obviously rattled the national male ego to the point that they will stoop to new lows to try to topple her as a front runner.

She deserves to win the presidency more than any other candidate in recent history. When, not if, Hillary arrives at the White House, she is going to get more done in 6 months than any male incumbent did in 6 to 8 years. I can guarantee that.

leigh waters, missoula, mt usa

Tabloid journalism at its finest! The reason that there is such a stink in the media about this (and it is just the media freaking out about this) is becuase this is a very boring campaign and they needed something to write about.

Faye, USA,

Focusing on women's bodies rather than their ideas IS insulting -- the only boobs I find offensive are the ones that would bother even considering Hilary's appearance. A candidate is as good as his or her ideas. Period.

Shannon, New York, NY

Oh, please! We don't have enough problems in this country with dumbo and the devil in the adminstraion now we have to fret about if Hillary Clinton chose to wear a v neck shirt rather than a crew necked shirt. If she came out with her knockers flapping freely it couldn't be any less professional than dunderhearhead stuttering through a speech. Hurray for Hillary!

Kay, Chantilly , VA

Really? This is what people are obsessing about, in the next presidential election? ... It's true, isn't it, that we get the government we deserve.

Jessica Hopper, Los Angeles, CA

I don't give a damn about how much or how little cleavage is shown. At the end of the day, what matters is Senator Clinton's package of policies.

Charles Wagner, Westchester County, New York, USA

We have all seen one of her boobs since 1990.
I believe she named it Bill....

tyler bloom, atlantA, USA

it would appear too many people have too much free time to devote energy on something so trivial as clevage,what about important things...NFL scandals,NBA scandals,White House scandals whew we need some serious adult supervision

Kevin, Scappoose, Oregon

It's obvious Jacqui Smith has better cleavage.

D Sakarya, Dover, New Jersey

The people that are upset over Hillary's " Cleavage " showing certainly need to get a life. It's absolutely absurd that so much precious time as been paid to this matter. My mother has shown more that what Hillary did and I thought nothing of it.

Tom Rose, Chattanooga, TN , USA

This has nothing to do with Hillary Clinton's cleavage, this is a direct attack on women. The outfit she is wearing can be seen in churches, business and how about women reporters and host on television? Are we telling women that they should hide their gender that God has given them? We see this and so much more every day and find it very acceptable. This attack is not on Hillary's attire but a desperate attack on her gender. All women should take offense to this.
I am a 62 year old man who will vote for Hillary. I do not see a candidate's gender, I look for their ability to guide this country into the future securing freedom and opportunity to all people regardless of race religion gender or sexual orientation.

Robert J Schmitz, Pell Lake, Wisconsin

Hillary's clevage?...uuuuuughh. Let's change the subject.

Roger, Bristol, USA/TN

Just as with Jacqui Smith it's totally absurd to make an issue out of the neckline of a woman's blouse in some sort of feigned puritanism (read: nonsense muckraking). Anyone who is genuinely shocked or offended by cleavage might be happier in a muslim country with a pile of stones at the ready. There's no obligation for women in business or politics to wear dowdy victorian highneck blouses to avoid disturbing the odd caveman.

Mike Chapman, Portland, Oregon, USA

Discussions about modesty clothing will never end and are present in many societies-except perhaps the great outbacks of polynesia, africa, and jungles. For a hands-on view and grasp of "private parts" you probably have to consult the works of Jane Goodall and Margaret Mead.

BW, LB, CA

Don't make me sick! Pleeeez people get a life.

mike, salem, ma