A Brief SA Perspective on the US Election:
The 2008 race for the White House has been nothing short of breathtaking, a political drama of extraordinary proportions that not Hollywood's best screenwriters could have improved upon.
In fact, the build-up has started in early 2007, and the players of this drama has left the American public on the edge of their seats. It is the nation's longest, most expensive presidential election ever, and there are more records that will be broken, come the post-election celebration.
John McCain, if elected, will become the oldest first-time US president in history. Running mate Sarah Palin, the self-proclaimed steely hockey mom/pit bull with lipstick will become the first women elected to office.
On the other side, Barack Obama could become the first black man elected to the Oval Office. And the polls are favoring the man raised by his single mom. After the initial lead of the McCain camp following a successful Republican Convention, it's been all Obama, aided greatly by a US media with an unbridled love for the Democratic candidate, elevating him to near rock star-status.
However, not for a second do I say Obama's lead is solely due to the media. The man is a great orator, with talent abounding in the speech department. In addition, a honorary mention must go to his media and marketing team. Not for no reason does the polls "predict" that Obama will be the choice of the mayority of young voters - the Obama-team has used the online social media networking tools to incredible effect, creating hype, gathering momentum for his cause, even fundraising online with success.
Sadly for McCain, this is propably the hardest election in decades for a Republican to win. Before him went George W. Bush, arguably one of the most unpopular US Presidents ever. The people are tired of war, and the economy is in a mayor slump. Obama is promising "change", and that is what a tired citizenry really wants to hear - even turning a deaf ear to some of Obama's proposed policies, and ignoring his lack of answers as to how he intend on creating change. As long as there is change - the people want change!
Additionally, there is the question of race. However much every living American will argue furiously that race has nothing to do with it, I beg to differ.
In South Africa, we try to focus on our similarities to unite us, due to our recent political history. In South-florida, there is an unhealthy focus on our differences, on what makes everyone unique.
In a poll last week 93% of all black Americans in Florida stated they will vote for Obama. Uhu? Race has nothing to do with it...? McCain looks like the long line of old, stif, conservative, and undeniably white politicians that have stood against "change" for so long. The media did not point out that McCain has been described in his own party as one of the most liberal Republicans ever to run for president.
Then, the last point of interest - there is a lot of anti-American sentiment against the traditional American - just visit me in the great immigrant city of Miami. Ask any Miamian who they are and the answer will be Puerto Rican, Cuban, Nicaraguan... Anything but American. At my office the talk is always about "those Americans". We have a saying in South Africa: "Moenie die boer met jou mond vol pap kritiseer nie" - Don't critize the landowner with your mouth full of food.
McCain represents traditional America, he underlines (sort of) old American values - country first. I can see many down here in Florida not voting for him because of that.
Whomever you think has my support is not really important. Tomorrow history will be made when Barack Obama wins the election and it is an exciting time in American history.
Vroeg November ruk ons vier Suid-Afrikaanse gesinne en die' se klein snotneusies toe op Weskus toe op 'n kamp-ekspedisie - in trotse SA styl. Die voorrade boerebeskuit, kaneelsuiker-poedings, moerkoffie, Amarula, braaihout (let op: nie Florida se kruidenierswinkel-kooltjies nie), volgelaaide Toyota-bakkies, en rugbytruie was ingepak en reg vir die naweek.
