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Added: Saturday, 13 June, 2009, 09:18 GMT 10:18 UK

First time reader finds your colorful and witty writeing entertaining and enlightening. I like your views and viewpoints, and look forward to reading more.

Mel Pickett, Riverside, California, USA

Added: Friday, 12 June, 2009, 22:22 GMT 23:22 UK

"the conservative values of the Republican Party - faith, family, flag, low taxation and small government"- I had forgotten this- they seem to be the party of hate now.

cp, Charlotte

Added: Friday, 12 June, 2009, 10:41 GMT 11:41 UK

The GOP has marginalized and demonized most centrists. It's not their values, but their rhetoric, extremist, and hard-line that is offensive. Politics is ideas, and there's no room in the GOP if you don't follow the hard-right line. It's sad because we need at least 2 viable strong parties, but the Republicans are shrinking due to their stubborn leadership.

Katerina Andreou, Daly City, CA, USA

Added: Friday, 12 June, 2009, 10:20 GMT 11:20 UK

"The Republicans took on the dirty, thankless job of defending our Country from an enemy with no rules, who gleefully kill women and kids. And kept us safe. Obama wants to surrender."

How is Obama 'surrendering' while ramping up forces and changing strategy in Afghanistan? Obama is focusing on the root of the problems facing us. The proof?... he is the FIRST US president to persuade Pakistan to take serious action against their terrorists. Sounds like leadership to me.

Lawrence Porterly, Cary, United States

Added: Friday, 12 June, 2009, 09:45 GMT 10:45 UK

Matt, if I were British I'd say your insight about the US is 'spot on'. Many loyal conservatives like me feel the Republicans deserved to lose power because they all abandoned the most important thing they have stood for for decades: fiscal responsibility. Cheney was the 'brains' behind W's biggest missteps, so it seems bizarre that he's showing his face now, though he's still in character...like an evil grinch praying for the apocalypse.

Blanka Smenkilla

Added: Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 20:34 GMT 21:34 UK

' Faith, family, flag, low taxation and small government are still the valiues of Middle America'. Possibly, but what Cheney did was contradictinbg these values: the deficit left was hughe, it was'nt exactly small government he and Bush left, and as for faith - who would have faith in a man who made lying his trademark and no-bid contracts for his former company the standard practice?
He made GOP stand for Greedy Old Party.

Drew

Added: Wednesday, 10 June, 2009, 16:49 GMT 17:49 UK

The mistakes and social agenda of the Democates and Oboma
will backfire. The conservatists will come out of the woodwork in
2010. The Christians and family oriented voters will realize their
mistake electing Oboma. There will be many Democrates and
middle of the roaders or moderates who will see the power
grabbing of the Big Government, advocating social programs
which will be to hard to pay through taxation. Most people I know
had rather have freedom, capitalism, and gun rights.

CLYDE SEAMAN, MINERAL WELLS, TX 76067

Added: Monday, 8 June, 2009, 15:56 GMT 16:56 UK

I believe what Obama said was ¨try NOT to lose his cool¨ in the next 100 days. i.e. try not to get upset in public. Read it, or listen to it, again

Monte Becker, Coyhaique Chile

Added: Friday, 5 June, 2009, 18:17 GMT 19:17 UK

The Obama's product placement genius will go the way of Billy Beer from the 1970's, a brand developed in honor of Jimmy Carter's redneck brother.

The beer was as dreadful as Carter's presidency. Both are embarrassing episodes.

[OldSouth], Tennessee, United States

Added: Friday, 5 June, 2009, 14:32 GMT 15:32 UK

Those criticizing Obama's travels ignore the enormous cost of Bush's record number of vacations -- even higher than Ronnie Reagan's. How much money did taxpayers waste so that Bush could clear brush at his ranch? (which, incidentally, was apparently his only real job skill). As president, Mr. Obama is entitled to travel as he sees fit. The rightwing's criticisms only show how desperate they are to tear him down for ANY issue.

And Dick Cheney isn't helping his own party. He's still a joke.

Greg, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Added: Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 21:09 GMT 22:09 UK

"GWB-avid reader " is an oxymoron.No wonder his' product placement' did'nt give a positive spin-off.

Brand 'Obama' works, primarily because it's an aspirational brand.

arun mehta, mumbai, India

Added: Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 03:40 GMT 04:40 UK

Regarding whether or not there was a flap over the Obama's trips to NYC - dude, do you even WATCH American TV or check out our internet sites? I rarely watch TV news anymore, preferring the internet, and even I couldn't avoid the flap. The Republicans grabbed on to this like a drowning man on a life preserver and are milking it for all its worth.

Anna, rochester, mn

Added: Wednesday, 3 June, 2009, 23:15 GMT 00:15 UK

@MattF who wrote: "By the way, Mr Obama's date, which involved a small army of secret service agents, a motorcade and a smaller version of Air Force One, cost the tax payer $24,000"

Wrong.
The cost was north of $250K.
When POTUS travels anywhere by airplane, his plane is preceded by a C-17 carrying numerous vehicles.
When POTUS travels by helicopter, there are multiple in the air so the bad guys won't know which one to target.
When POTUS travels by car/truck, every manhole in the path is

Dave Barnes, Denver, CO USA

Added: Wednesday, 3 June, 2009, 21:20 GMT 22:20 UK

Where did Matt get the Idea that obama's night did not cause a flap , it did in all the papers I read including the NY Post ..
Tell the truth and not a libral agenda . Im British by the way.

Milly, FtWorth

Added: Wednesday, 3 June, 2009, 20:35 GMT 21:35 UK

A well written and witty article that makes pleasant reading in this difficult times.

I really liked it because personalities at times attract attention for the wrong reasons.

The Obamas are really attractive and topical!

Ruthuku, Copenhagen