WATCH "The Cafferty File": Mainstream Muslims?.

Why is the interest in the presidential campaign among people under 30 almost twice as high as it was four years ago?
I think that the reason we (the youth) are so eager to vote is because the two previous elections have shown how important each vote is. We also recognize that our reputation and image has been tainted by the current government and it must be restored in the world. -Aaron, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

Young people are becoming increasingly aware that the current administration has been cheerfully selling their future down the river, both financially with the national debt and on the foreign front with policies that are unpopular throughout the world. They realize that there will be very little to look forward to and extremely high taxes if they don't start taking part now. Who can blame them? -Brett, Richmond, California

As an 18-year-old myself, I can say I’m more interested in the '08 election, simply because there are more and better choices of candidates for '08. -T.

They're paying attention because their very lives depend on it and they see their future slipping away. I'm 52, Jack, and I'm paying attention, too. The Washington insiders and the media are totally out of touch; you're missing the real story. -Marie, Adkins, Texas

How much will voters care about Fred Thompson's past as a paid lobbyist?
Republicans love candidates with strong ties to big business. The more harmful the positions are to the environment or lower or middle-class wage earners, the more endeared they are to the Republican Party. -Jim, Glenolden, Pennsylvania

Jack, As a lobbyist, he was paid to do a certain job. As president, he would be paid to do a different job. As long as he knows the difference and can differentiate between the two, I couldn't care less. -Mike, Sebring, Florida

His past as a lobbyist is crucial if Fred Thompson continues to portray himself as a Washington outsider; the depth of his hypocrisy is Grand Canyon-esque. He should own up to it, rather than run from it, and even then it will haunt him throughout the campaign. -Watson, Knoxville, Tennessee

Doesn't that pretty much make him the most qualified person for the job? Depressing, isn't it?
-Michael, Chagrin Falls, Ohio

What does it mean if people in Britain, Germany and Canada trust President Bush less on foreign policy than Russian President Vladimir Putin?
The simple answer is that those other countries know precisely what the majority of the US population knows. -Mark

Jack, Anecdotal evidence in Canada is that our citizens who mistrust the United States and your president are prejudiced without evidence. Perhaps we are too close to you guys for comfort, but given my wager you are the best neighbor we could have. Don't worry about the great north, eh! -David, Ottawa

It means a lot. It means that just a few years ago the world supported America, trusted America, and looked to America for leadership. But not anymore. It is a sad state of affairs when President Bush is trusted less than President Putin. I like to think Britain, Germany, and Canada are still our friends. Maybe they are trying to tell us something. -Barbara, Salt Lake City, Utah

Jack, Just another example of how this entire administration is pulling us down in the eyes of the world. I'm pretty much disgusted with every aspect of government at this point. Will someone please step up to the plate and save the American people from the demise of the greatest country in the world? We are about to be sold out by the very people we elected to represent us. -Dan, North Port, Florida