A word to Victor Compton in France. Worry about the problems in your own country. No one wants to hear the word "Republicans'? Well, the US is a Republic, not a Democracy. Poor and starving.? Not here, maybe in France. Americans also give more per person to poor and starving in other countries.

Linda, High Point, NC, USA

To Ms. Sims,

Experience. You must believe it is perfectly logical to go to an auth mechanic to take care of your dental problems.

The Constitution is also silent on abortion.

Dave, Omaha, NE, USA

As a Palestinian who lived and studied in USA for 5 yrs I would like americans to know that Bush has given us hell in the M.E. I love americans deeply because i know they're caring humans but your government's foreign policies are making america look as a devil...give Obama a chance its time 4 peace

Said Arafat, Bethlehem, Palestine

"For the record, the guy was not "axed." "

No, he was aksed to quit :)

Stan(expat), USA, USA

If a candidate for President needed experience, the only persons who would qualify would be presidents running for their second term!

I looked for the qualifications for President in the US Constitution. Couldn't find the word "experience" anywhere.

Barbara M. Sims, Buffalo, NY, USA

The last thing we need is a President that is as shady as Obama. He doesn't say anything about issues like this until they are found out! Very non-presidential!!!!! I can't understand why people aren't seeing the big picture with this guy? He is not what we need!!!

Lisa, Alabama, USA

First the Obama talks with Canada about expanding NAFTA at a time when he was stating he was opposed to NAFTA, now talks with HAMAS at the same time he says he supports Israel. Obama will do or say anything. If his lips are moving don't trust what he says.

Allen, Atlanta, USA

Senator Obama is a good man with a good heart and he needs to keep that in the forefront of his mind as the Republican Attack Machine takes aim. We don't want any more from that group. They have taken our country to the brink of disaster and can't wait to push us into the great void. God forbid.

Maddi, Dayton, USA

Larrie, you're attempting to apply the Christ's teachings of interpersonal relations to the realm of international affairs. The dynamics are very different. And there are methods of diplomacy between "let's have a nice chat" and "pure violecne and hatred".

Chris, Memphis, TN, US

What a shame ! America is a christain country but will not talk to their enemies. What can America teach the world then? I guess the answer is pure violence and hatred. The world really want to be like Christ. (Love those that hate you and pray for your enemies.)

Larrie Kay, London, UK

The US considers Hamas a terrorist organization. Obama is on record as saying that he also considers it a terrorist organization. After the NAFTA and Wright fiascoes, the last thing Obama needs is another adviser telling voters that he lied about that.

Inna, Sacramento, CA, USA

Not so Leon, sixty-four percent of Israelis support direct talks with Hamas in order to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the relief of captured soldier Gilad Shalit. I was not referring to final status negotiations.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/958473.html

aldo, aberdeen, u.k

Talking to an elected group that represents a huge portion of Palestinians should not be a firing offense, especially by an independent NGO specializing in conflict resolution. Pandering to AIPAC is. But in this country EVERY politician must kiss the ass off AIPAC. So he still gets my Vote.

Oliver, Los Angeles, USA

Firing Malley as an advisor is purely a political safeguard. In fact, it is the M.E. leaders that need to get together and talk. If Hamas goes into talks, it would be a step forward. You must talk with terrorist organizations in order to negotiate an end. PIRA in Northern Ireland is one e.g.

Tony Gold, London, England

Perhaps because of their inexperience, Pres. Bush and Sen. McCain surround themselves only with advisors who support everything they do. That's what gets them into trouble.

Marc, Boston, MA, USA

Obama has spent years as a politician. You meet all kinds of people with all kinds of viewpoints. It would be more frightening if Obama only associated with people with whom he has the same views.

Laura, Minneapolis, USA

A very revealing statement by a Lebanese politician: We saw Hezbollah training, but we thought they were training to fight Israel. (Apparently, that was either all right or at least non-threatening.) He went on to say that Hezbollah then turned on the Lebanese government. Riding the tiger.

Richard L.A. Schaefer, Dubuque,Iowa, USA

Nobody even wants to hear the word Republican. Americans are living every day in a Republican built world. They have proven that they stand for the Rich having everything with the middle-class being turned into Poor debt slaves, and the Poor into the Destitute, begging and dying on the streets.

victor compton, Cherbourg, France

hmm.
after all, it all about politics.
its about politicial sensitive issue.
its about convincing powerful lobby.

marzuk afgan, Espoo,

Funny how this pattern is developing with Obama. Goodness, based on the constant stream of new information he is starting to look alot like a conventional American academic left-winger. What a surprise.

Jim, Seattle,

Clinton has governed America with her husband and nothing much was done. I believe she still have those old ideas, she can't make any difference. Politics should not ruin America. Americans should give Obama chance. I'm convinced that Obama has alot upstairs to change/revive America to its glory.

Faith, Boston, USA

Hamas commits terrorism in the ME but they have kidnapped and/or killed aid workers, journalists & tourists from about a dozen Western countries. About 4 years ago they attacked a clearly labelled American government convoy in Gaza killing several American reps. Hamas is a threat to all and peace.

Alan, Arlington, VA, USA

"American politics is pretty ridiculous. Mr Malley was acting on behalf of a well respected conflict resolution NGO. Doesn't anyone find it strange that two thirds of Israeli's support negotiations with Hamas, but it is a completely taboo subject in the U.S." Agree with you Aldo.

Eric, Kathmandu, Nepal

What is wrong with talking to percieved enemies. US was constantly in talks with the Russians, who were direct threat to the US. Hamas, Iran and other such entities are no threat to the US. Conflicts can only be resolved by listning to all the participants.

mac qurashi, Leesburg, FL, USA

Connect the dots. The Hamas Manifesto published in the newsletter of Obama's church of 20+ years, Wright's support of Palestine, Obama's desire to meet terrorist leaders without pre-conditions, and Malley a Hamas-connected foreign policy adviser to Barack Obama.

dwilson, Columbia,

Aldo - You missed the pre-conditions of those Isralies wanting the negociation. Which was to admit the right of Israel to exist.

Leon Wolfeson, Oxford, UK

Cindy McCain has $100 million in assets and her own jet. Obviously she understands the plight of the middle class. NOT.

As a journalist who covers the Middle East, I can state categorically that neither Hamas nor Iran are threats to the U.S.

The pro-Israel lobby is the biggest threat to us.

Susan, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

For the record, the guy was not "axed." He resigned when he learned that McCain was trying to create a scandal. It was his own idea to contact the Obama campaign and resign in order not to create a distraction over what was a non-issue. So, there's no double standard here.

Paul, Providence,

People's comments are really amusing. Most are against Obamas decision to fire his assistant. But had he not done so, its likely the same people would be complaining that he had not done it. I suppose its to do with his ethnic background. America is possibly not ready for a non-white president....

A. Khan, London,

Pedro, my point is that no American politician could begin a mature debate on the M.E peace process because Hamas is very much viewed as the "boogeyman." Hamas is not an international terrorist organisation, and as such is not directly related to U.S national security.

aldo, aberdeen, u.k

On the other hand, Israelis are directly affected by Hamas' actions and they have recognised the need to talk to them. Thus when claiming to speak for the interests of Israel, the U.S may actually be holding back a future peace deal. This is not comparable to a domestic issue like gun control.

aldo, aberdeen, u.k

There is always a right place and a right time, under the right circumstances, to talk with folks on the world stage who do not agree with us (USA). However, to even mention direct talks with governments (Iran, N. Korea) that want to destroy us and our way of live, is beyond reality. Obama is naive.

Russ, Orlando, USA

Golly, give the guy a chance. He'll be in the White House soon enough and then you will see some house cleaning!
There is no way to try and bring peace into this world, unity,
if we only talk with people who agree with us. That is just a basic fact. All kinds of people. From everywhere.

Cynthia, Westlake Village, USA

a think this guys have started feeling the Obama weight and
are already panicking.well this guy represents the change that
American needs,with lots of new idea to propell the country to
a new height.Obama go go go go go go!!!!!!!!!!

George, kentucky, America

I am 55 years old and a democrat !!! But if Mr. Obama thinks he is getting my vote he is WRONG !!! My vote and alot of others will be for John McCain!!!! Obama can say what ever he wants but the bottom line he cares nothing about the middle class !!! He will do nothing about the price of gas

David Lambert, Jackson,

If Obama is the nominee, I'll write in Hillary's name in November. She's the best person for the job.

goldenstate, Torrance,

Obama is contradicting himself-fires a guy for meeting with Hamas yet says he will sit down with Iran!!!Who is he kidding!!!!

Herb, Freeport, USA

Obama is just four years away from being a local Chicago pol, so there's very little space between him and the compromises, deals and cronies he made in that political snake pit. He hasn't even won the nomination and he's already knee deep in it. Malley, Wright, Rezko, Khalidi - tip of the iceberg.

Dan Friedman, NYC, USA

If Obama is elected as president, Heaven helps us.
He has not had enough experience to be the leader of the free world.He talks about change like he is somekind of a super hero.
If he is so good why does he not spend time cleaning up what we have in Washington now.

Judy Bierle, Sioux Falls,SD, USA

This is so ludicrous. Sacking people for talking to Hamas. Someone's got to talk to Hamas. Anyone with a brain can see that; and yet to get elected you have to pretend that it won't be you. How's he going to solve the Middle East Problem? Semaphore?

sue, UK,

if he did listen to malley, at least this shows he is not ur conventional us president hopeful-someone that wants to get the whole picture not just what the electorate see's fit. i'm not sure that dismissing this respected adviser was the right thing to do. his only option if he wants to get elected

tom, surrey,

aldo, Hamas is no more a "taboo subject" in the US than gun rights are in the UK. It's simply an unpopular position with the vast majority of voters. That's called democracy and that is why Mr. Obama is moving quickly to distance himself from any association.

Pedro Roman, Miami, Florida, USA

Mr. Obama is in for a very long general election campaign, assuming he finally triumphs over Mrs. Clinton, as the highly questionable associations continue to mount.

What the Republicans want to discover, and may well, is that Obama actually holds very radical views. Game over at that point,

Sam Davis, Annapolis MD, US

I am suprised that such an awesome intellect as Obama could not have got out of this predicament. All he had to say was this man was laying the groundwork for Obama's Victory World Peace Tour. I guess it was not on the TelePromptor. C'est la vie.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

American politics is pretty ridiculous. Mr Malley was acting on behalf of a well respected conflict resolution NGO. Doesn't anyone find it strange that two thirds of Israeli's support negotiations with Hamas, but it is a completely taboo subject in the U.S.

aldo, aberdeen, u.k

In the event he becomes President, I just hope Mr. Obama will have the integrity not to be driven by domestic fear and ignorance when dealing with M.E politics.

aldo, aberdeen, u.k

Randy Scheunemann is President of the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq, child of the Project for the New American Century (PNAC) He is a board member. He was Trent Lott's National Security Aide and advisor to Donald Rumsfeld . He was hire by McCain as foreign policy advisor. I rest my case.

adrian , annapolis,