Dear FRONTLINE,

An excellent program which gave a very strong feel for each candidate's intellectual ability, how they make decisions, their use of intuition, their ability to use all facets of political prowess, their consistency, and their underlying philosophies. We live in an imperfect world, where compromises often help us to navigate through seemingly impossible obstacles. Both men know how to bend and to blend. Here is where motivation becomes important. Which leader will remain true to his underlying principles, as he seeks to lead this country? Thank you.

C. Jean Warren
Quincy, IL

Dear FRONTLINE,

Although I certainly thought this was a program worth watching, it was way too short on details about both men's backgrounds, family life, and earlier careers and service. It's a good starting point, but I was hoping for more in the episode. Which leads me to say, thanks for including the extra material online and making the program itself available in a variety of media.

Rebecca Borah
Covington, KY

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am generally a huge fan of Frontline, but I was very disappointed by this episode. There was a lot of air time with McCain's inner circle, who reinforced the campaign message Maverick and steady hand at the tiller. His recent stands and behavior belie these notion, yet they were left unchallenged. Are we to believe that his recent flip flops on taxes for the wealthy, torture, lobbyists etc. are just political ploys and if elected he will be a moderate. I also wish there had been more time on Barack's relationship with his family. His mother was a remarkable woman who shaped his ideals. Sorry, very superficial program and not up to your usual high standards.

Tina Limer
Berwyn, PA

Dear FRONTLINE,

These comments amaze me . . . there was so much more that could have been raised about Obama's character that were not and I think Obama supporters should be breathing a sign of relief . . . like that he was a drug addict, admitting to using cocaine, admitting to drinking excessively. Yes, he can use the English language to swoon a large following, but you must look into the deep character of a person, his associations are important and, knowing Ayers past, he should have completely separated himself from him, which he did not. His church leaders, he should have walked out when they were being so militant against whites, if he truly wanted a political life representing all the people. He has a hidden agenda that will come out in his policies you can be sure of that. Can you only imagine a white leader saying "White America" . . . there would be a riot. I am so sick of hearing "Black America," we are all Americans . . . white, black, yellow, red, I don't care. I am sick of the double standard, whites treading on pins and needles, blacks holding onto the "Black America" agenda. Look into the soul of the man.

pittsburgh, PA

Dear FRONTLINE,

Thank you frontline for finally bringing some thoughtful, smart abd heartwarming conversation to the often trashed and ugly 2008 presidental dialogue. It was so refreshing to watch a program that talked about the candidates not just as presidential hopefuls, but as human beings who act humanly; make mistakes, shed tears and have true emotion. Even though I myself am an Obama supporter, it was still interesting to learn more about McCain and what he has gone through personally and professionally to get to where he is. It is just unfortunate that in the end he choose to sell out and pander to the party and leave his true values at the door.

Thank you frontline!

April Giancola
Raleigh, NC

Dear FRONTLINE,

I don't beleive I watched the same program as most of the other people who have responded to it. I saw a Barack Obama who ditched what he had called at one point a man that was like family in Rev. Jeremia Wright once it hurt is his political career. Rev. Wright had been his pastor for years and I'm sure he had heard the many sermons against whites before but all of the sudden when it hurts his chances for political goals, he disowns him. What does he trully believe in? I saw a John McCain that has had strong disagreements with George Bush in the past and he did not look to comfortable with him on the steps of White House last night either. No one is perfect and yes the economy is very bad right now, but my main concern is for the safety of my grandchildren. Our soldiers volunteered to fight to keep our country and free and safe and between the 2 candidates I only see 1 who is willing to continue that fight. We need to support our troops, lets not have another Vietnam where our men come home in shame, they have put their lives on the line for us, let's support them and their job and finish the job. I have lost my home but I will survive this economy if I keep my faith and not give up. I don't want to worry about another 9/11 for my grandkids.

Springfield, TN

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am a person for whom the mixed race narrative, absent fathers and the desire to connect with and serve impovershed communities holds great sway, but I found myself loathing Barack Obama by the end of this documentary.

Your portrayal was of a calculating, ambitious young man with no past or soul. Why not tell the story of his relationship with his mother and grandparents the way you so beautifully detailed McCain's relationship to his father and grandfather? Why not dedicate a few minutes after the McCain POW footage to telling of all the struggles Obama had as a child, trying to explain the absence of his father and the lack of anyone to help him make sense of his racial identity? His personal struggles are the very reason he went into politics, not because of some personal or intellectual ambition as your documentary suggests. Your portrayal of the skeletons in both candidate's closets was even, but this documentary gave a sympathetic portrayal only of McCain's personal life and struggles. This is particularly irresponsible of you since the barrier preventing middle American voters from voting for Barack is not his policies, but their difficulty in relating to his life story (partly because many of them haven't heard it and now they may never hear it thanks to you). You also portrayed his political life as one endless campaign. You mentioned only his campaign for the Illinois State senate, but nothing of his 8 years there. Those years provide the greatest insight into Barack's true political identity and style, not to mention the source of most of Barack's biggest political accomplishments. For more on this I would point you to a very nice article recently published in the Washington Post.

You have done a great job of debunking all the greatest myths about John McCain (that he is just like George Bush, that he is an establishment politician) while reinforcing every stereotype of Barack Obama (he is an outsider with no feelings or personal story, he has no experience other than campaigning, he is a poet without substance, etc.). You have done the American people and your viewers a great disservice.

Sharlene Denos
Champaign, Illinois

Dear FRONTLINE,

Thank you for your magnificent program to bring a fundamental insight about McCain and Obama's past and their viewpoints to carry the U.S. in the long run and I deeply appreciated you work because you will help me to decide which candidate will I want to pick.

My concern is our problems in our economy and I want to pick which one will help the economy. Also, I want to pick who is best to handle foreign policy in regarding to the war we face right now. I hope that the chosen candidate will help the U.S. economically, politically, and making our country safe and bring peace to the world.

You provide a strong framework about both candidates. I earnestly love it.

(UC Irvine) irvine, ca

Dear FRONTLINE,

I never thought in the heat of the presidental race I would be comfronted with honest reporting.the reporting reflected to me their both human, not pawns to their political party. As millions of citizens read news papers watch senior analysis disect and probe into body language. I slept peacefully in knowing who ever it may be who become president, the canidates are doing it for the love of the country and a fundamental belief America has not yet reach it's full potential.

Elhanan Yip-Ying
orlando, florida

Dear FRONTLINE,

I was dumbfounded by the impartiality that was shown. It was a campaign video for John McCain. Time allocated for the Obama anti-war speech(that you didn't show)which is commonly known as the defining moment of his political career was a few seconds. He was portrayed as cunning. No such inference was made toward McCain(who you generously aquitted in Keating 5; sure, there were no laws broken, but no point was raised about how it reflected on his character, integrity or values). But Reverend Wrights'9-11 speech was premium air time. And you characterized the Clintons as negligent for not having seized the opportunity to sccop the event. As if it had any more relevance than anecdotal value. No mention of Reverend Hagee, nor his controversial speech about how God sent Katrina to New Orleans to clean out all the homosexuals. And McCain never denounced him. I know that there's been a lot of money granted to PBS under the Bush Administration, and it appears as though you know where your bread is buttered. I'm old enough to remember when you had no agenda. It was like a truth sanctuary. Truth was dealt a blow tonight.

Bob Whiteman
San Jose, CA

Dear FRONTLINE,

Your program has been my absolute favorite on TV for years. This particular one will not be my favorite of your programs however. It could have been titled "McCain, Obama, & Ambition". It really was the only in depth aspect of each of them that you covered. I would have liked to see more of their values, positions, and philosophies. They are both very competitive, and relentless. They have both been winners and for that reason are well matched opponents..but I believe there is more nuance than what you have shown.There is one thing you reminded me however, and that is that McCain is a terrible money manager. Just makes me even more concerned that Obama wins on the fourth!

Albany, Or

Dear FRONTLINE,

Choice 2008 did not deal with how these two people deal with the current issues.The McCain who cannot get over our loss in Viet Nam and tranfers it to the war in Iraq is not a maverick. He is a politician who is better clarified as McBush-quite clearly his 'maverick' status is an old mask in light his compromises with the Right. America needs less of Reagan's beloved voodoo economics, a failing system for a party pushing plutocracy down all our throats. His wealth is not addressed nor is his endorsement by the evangel-fascists. He did not speak out when a GOP woman asked him "are you gonna get the tch ?" regarding Hillary. This is a man who once said he wanted to be the dictator- was he joking, is this what America needs ? His staff of lobbists are not addressed. Barack Obama career and words are enthusiastic and inspiring at this critical time. I watched FDR on PBS and imagine Barack reversing the terrible economic and political damage the GOP has done with it's dismantling of good laws and good government. You can wreck good with incompetence so that we don't trust government. Yes, he is also a politician and like other Democrats must be held accountable for funding the Iraq war and Bush's spying on Americans. His effect on the world was not addressed. Barack offers hope. Although Choice 2008 was quite like Choice 2000 in dealing more positively with the Republican than the Democratic Party candidate I ask is that balanced ? Thank you, the final moments recounting McCain's shift to the far right settled my support for Barack completely.

Bruce Sorensen
Portland, OR

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am normally a big fan of your program, but I felt like I had to say something about this disappointing episode.I do think that this episode was well put together and for the most part enjoyable to watch. However, I really feel that much of the content was superficial.This report failed to highlight any of the major differences between the two candidates and I do not think it will help many people with their choice on November 4th. This is especially disappointing in light of how much is at stake in this election.

Nicholas Murray
Providence , Rhode Island

Dear FRONTLINE,

Excellent program and obvious attempt to present a balanced program - 57 minutes Obama, 55 minutes McCain, and 3 minutes on both.

Both camps will find parts to like and not like and question those parts chosen and thus focused on. Again, excellent program.

Thank you for making the effort and making the presentation in a civil, professional manner.

Santa, CA

Dear FRONTLINE,

As an Arizona Democrat I can confidently say that John McCain has been the only Republican to ever get my vote. But unfortunately for him that run is going to come to an end this November. The John McCain that I voted for twice no longer exists. I was glad to see Frontline chronicle his rapid move to the right in an even handed manner as well as telling Barack Obama's compelling story without fluff or slander.

Sean Bolton
Tucson, AZ