Wednesday, November 05, 2008 Limlingan: US Elections By DP Limlingan The Advocate
MONDAY (Tuesday in America) is the conduct of the presidential elections in the United States. It's a man-to-man fight between Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. The former is a peace advocate while the latter is said to be a protégé of the incumbent Bush Republican administration.
Obama, a half-American, half-Kenyan, is said to be getting blacks' votes. I heard that majority of them are voting their black candidate not because of his qualifications and accomplishments as a Senator but primarily because he is black. He is much younger than his adversary. The white candidate on the other hand is said to have the hand of the present occupant of the White House.
McCain is a former US Navy pilot, a war veteran of sorts. He is expected to have his war shock continue. I wonder how would the situation in Iraq be should he wins. He is expected to invade more territories in a display of military firepower that is America. This will inflict again a domino effect on world economy should the crisis on oil and other petroleum products looms.
The black candidate has the charisma not only of the blacks but the masses as well, although the white one brags of his coherence in terms of his policies for the land of milk and honey. He seemed to be firm and serious about his stint should he be lucky on his political attempt.
Obama is an eloquent speaker, a must, once one enters the world of politics. He is a lawyer with a brilliant intellect and a man of the black masses.
Last Monday, a Philippine survey revealed that we Filipinos in the local soil do not care much about the US polls. I saw on a local channel some street people interviewed and seemed not to even care no matter who will get the White House seat despite the fact that America has much influence on us in terms of economy, politics and some national policies which our militant friends scream.
Lately, my cable channels are glued to international news particularly on the US elections. While majority of the Filipinos prefer telenovelas and fantasy series of local artists, I kept on observing on television how the political campaign transpires and how the election proper will take place.
Monitoring the campaign trail, I found American campaign cohorts in their comparatively simple campaign sorties. Aside from placards, it is far from our campaign styles wherein most of everything we see on the streets contains materials highlighting a political candidate.
US election candidates talk more on issues and policies and not much on tirades or mudsling shots. They shout on their platforms of government instead of putting the top of their voices on the latest videoke tunes or dance gracefully the salsa.
In debates, they professionally express their issues-oriented statements rather than throwing personal attacks. Except for former President Ron Reagan who was a former actor, election candidates are personalities not on movies and television shows but in their turfs as servants of the American public. They do not appear on TVs except on some public affairs programs or on news.
I remember the late statesman, former Pampanga Governor Bren Guiao, when in his campaign speeches, told people not to cast their votes on the basis of popularity, of wealth and of their being actors or actresses. Instead, he motivated the electorates to vote based on issues, policies, programs and track records. I agree with him.
His time then as the head of the Provincial Government abound different accomplishments and various government projects for the Kapampangans. Political bickering and exchange of unpleasant diatribes were not much then.
He has produced variants of infrastructure projects, which are enjoyed until now by the people. Now Vice-Governor Yeng Guiao has a lot to be proud of his father and idol Tang Bren.
Going back to US elections, Obama is said to be an upcoming assassination target once he wins the political exercises. Some racists Americans are alleged to be out there to give him a shot.
Unlike in our country, America is hounded by racial issues. Discrimination among whites against blacks and vice versa is still today's issue against Americans. A couple of US presidents were killed while serving the country basically due to political or economic issues.
What is glaringly significant in US elections is the brief period within which to know the winner. Aside from counting automation, American votes are represented by certain number of votes per state that makes counting easier and faster. Far different from ours, we need a few months for us to have the enjoyment of knowing whether we won or lost our political bets.
The local business world has spoken that whatever the outcome of the elections in the US may be, they won't be much affected by the skin's color of the candidate. If Obama wins, he will be the first black American to rule the superpower nation. If Mc Cain gets the finish line first, he will be the first at that age to still win the American polls.
Like in a chess game, the US presidential elections will be a political battle between a black versus white. The color of the presidential office doesn't matter, be it a white house or not.
