I found myself explaining the US election process to a couple of people who work with me, today.
I found myself going on like some people drone on about football, and about like, I imagine, trainspotters may drone on about their favourite engines. And it took loads of discipline to stay focused on what was in front of me rather than scanning the web for the latest election info...
Even if my guy doesn't win the nomination, the drama of the whole thing makes it worth following; there are so many surprises so far. Also, whoever becomes POTUS next will be pivotal to the rest of the world for the rest of the century. No matter who the Democratic nominee may be and no matter who the Republican nominee will be, there will be a very clear choice for the American people at the general election. There are so many BIG things going on both domestically and throughout the world, and they will be handled in very different ways by the different candidates.
Just wish I could stay up all night listening to the radio and reading articles and then go to work tomorrow.
As the great Captain once said, though...
Once a liftetime, twice a day,
If you don't work you get no pay...
Oh why oh why must I be in a contract and in university courses through such an interesting political season?
The process is very interesting and protracted which i hadn't really appreciated before. But really none of these people seem like Statesmen (or women) with anything exciting to offer or a persona that inspires any kind of fear or respect at the moment. Which the world kind of needs. It's a bit worrying. I think it will be Hilary myself. Def a Dem whatever happens.
Posted by: aDM | 12 January 2008 at 15:45
The problem with Hilary is that 49% of the electorate would actually show up to vote against her.
And I also think Obama still has a lot of negatives yet to come out about him; the ex-Muslim thing and the connections to Raila are just two things. Anything can happen in the next 10 months.
Once the Republicans actually have a candidate don't be surprised to see a surge for them. The Democratic Congress has even lower approval ratings than George Bush.
I can guarantee, though, if the next pres is a Dem, the mid-term Congress will swing Republican and there will be gridlock. Which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Posted by: James G | 12 January 2008 at 17:09
But what about actual policies though. I hear a lot about the names but other than that nothing on policy. Isn't that what matters? I still cannot see a statesman in any of them. I'd be quite pleased if Hilary or Obama won - maybe the US needs a change.
Posted by: aDM | 14 January 2008 at 11:01
You don't hear about the policies because the press only knows how to deal with personalities and presentation. There is a lot more beef in any of the Republicans and what they put forward policy-wise than Obama has yet to announce. Each one of them have put forward very specific policies on taxation, the economy, defense, immigration, healthcare, foreign affairs, etc. There is a lot more depth to their policies than what any of the three Democratic front-runners have thus far presented (other than proposed huge tax hikes).
Obama's only platform is to "unify" people. Beware of anyone who calls for "unity"; it actually means they want you to drop your own beliefs and be like them. He also belongs to Soros and his lot.
If it did come down to a Democrat, I'd rather it be Hillary than Obama any day. She is, at least, an adult, and has a better understanding of her limitations than Obama has of his own.
Posted by: James G | 14 January 2008 at 17:35