Here in the States voters have been flooded with ambitious advertising and expensive and very nasty election campaigns by candidates from both the Republicans and the Democrats. This election will determine the balance of power in Washington for the next two years, leading up to the next presidential elections. Analysts predict a stronger than usual showing from Democrats during this election.
As an outsider I was startled to see what transpires when democracy evolves like it has in the land of the free = The amount of mudslinging, accusations and negative advertising has surely made the American public very hesitant to vote for any candidate. During an episode of CSI, we saw at least 5 political ads last night - Not one of them spurring the public on to vote for a certain candidate, but all asking voters NOT to vote for the opposition. "They are worse then us", is the basic message. Politicians!
In South Africa we have a young democracy, but at least with youth comes (and excuse the pun here), clearcut black and white issues. Voters have a clear idea where candidates stand on issues (definitely NOT referring to Cape Town politicians, who are worse than their American counterparts!). Apart form the huge debate about the war in Iraq, the elections has hinged on scandals and other negativities.
In Florida, Charlie Christ, the Republican candidate for governor, reclined to appear at a large rally in Pensacola with president G.W. Bush. This underscored the reluctance of some of Bush's own candidates to be closely linked with him in public.
(Picture: NYTimes/Reuters)
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