US Presidential Elections 2008

The time has come for the big US of A to vote for its next president. Bush junior's two terms in office would forever be remembered in terms of Afghanistan, Saddam and Iraq. Now, the elections are here to decide whether Barack Obama or John McCain will take over one of the most powerful positions in the world. Regardless whether the Republican or Democrat camp wins, it would be historic in that it is the first time an African American would be a president for a Democrat victory and the firs time a woman would be vice-president for a Republican victory.

Looking at the two candidates, Obama certainly exudes charisma as compared to McCain. The speeches and stuff reminds me of the similiar charisma that is exhibited by John F Kennedy. Obama's qualification is impressive, as he had graduated from Harvard Law School. In contrast, McCain spends most of his life in the army and he was also a former Vietnam war veteran. Not that being an experienced army man is a problem since Eisenhower also had a similiar background. In the 21st century and especially at this time during the period of financial meltdown, the American public would not want another war-mongering president. The backgrounds of these two candidates are pretty interesting. Obama's family background were all over the place, with a Kenyan father and an Indonesian step-father, it seems that his family is kinda exotic. For McCain, he spent 5 and half years as a POW in North Vietnam where he was subjected to torture and interrogation from the Commies.

McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin is increasingly becoming a political liability and an embarrassment. Some may argue that she is subjected to unfair media coverage, but I guess one can't help giggling listening to her interviews. One of the most famous in particular was the question posed to her regarding to her about foreign policy. Eg:

Couric: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials.

Palin: Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there...

Wait a minute...if the neighbours are not called "foreign countries", then what are they? Colonies? Evil Empire? Axis of Evil?..haha

And after that, she said this in response:

Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.

Woahh..is Palin still living in the Cold War Soviet era with ICBMs pointed at Washington D.C. and New York? Maybe she got influenced a little by Red Alert 3 or World in Conflict. Or maybe it could be Red Dawn..hahaha..Anyways, I didn't know that the Russkis would contemplate to invade Alaska first if they wanna launch an American invasion. =p

In contrast, Obama's running mate Biden seemed to be a stable guy with good qualifications and experiences in the judiciary. The main thing is that if anything happens to Obama, Biden looks capable to handle the no.1 post. However, if McCain is gone (and it looks to be quite a high percentage given that he's 72 years old already), Palin would take the no.1 post and the some of the Americans would shudder at the idea of that. Obama's young age and dynamism definitely proves to be one of the attractive points.

Personally, I'm predicting that Obama would get the votes of the Americans. When the polls are confirmed, a new chapter of history would be written in America.