Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Presidential Race....My perspective
It is a very different feeling for a young Indian student to witness the presidential race here in the US. The very first thing that comes to my mind is that we should have a debating system in India too. I know NDTV started something similar but not at the highest level in politics.
But the most startling thing that comes across is the vulnerability of American Politics that appears to be very stable and established from outside e.g. the issue of Obama as a black candidate. The media seems to be disinterested or should I say scared from making any negative comments about him or digging into his political record to avoid being labeled as racists. Obama has been very clever not to make any statements by himself but running a clandestine race issue through his supporters. I am not being unfairly critical here but I just wish the competition, scrutiny and criticism was fairer.
If McCain becomes the next president, we Indians will have one thing to count on...that Americans can no longer boast of young leadership. John Edwards comes out to be complete idiot in the first impression. He has no strategy or specific plans about many things including economic issues. This is even more surprising as he was a part of the last election also.
The candidate whom I liked the most during debates was Joe Biden. It is surprising to me how strongly are Americans influenced by personalities rather than experience, intelligence and preparedness. They have no right to make fun of dynastic politics of Gandhis in India or Bhuttos in Pakistan. Personality played an imp part in Kennedy's election and now the frontrunners in democratic party are mostly dominated by their personalities rather than record. Its sad to see richardson, biden and dodd out of the race without a trace...
But the most startling thing that comes across is the vulnerability of American Politics that appears to be very stable and established from outside e.g. the issue of Obama as a black candidate. The media seems to be disinterested or should I say scared from making any negative comments about him or digging into his political record to avoid being labeled as racists. Obama has been very clever not to make any statements by himself but running a clandestine race issue through his supporters. I am not being unfairly critical here but I just wish the competition, scrutiny and criticism was fairer.
If McCain becomes the next president, we Indians will have one thing to count on...that Americans can no longer boast of young leadership. John Edwards comes out to be complete idiot in the first impression. He has no strategy or specific plans about many things including economic issues. This is even more surprising as he was a part of the last election also.
The candidate whom I liked the most during debates was Joe Biden. It is surprising to me how strongly are Americans influenced by personalities rather than experience, intelligence and preparedness. They have no right to make fun of dynastic politics of Gandhis in India or Bhuttos in Pakistan. Personality played an imp part in Kennedy's election and now the frontrunners in democratic party are mostly dominated by their personalities rather than record. Its sad to see richardson, biden and dodd out of the race without a trace...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)