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Is US ready for a female or
black president?
Zahid Hussain
Washington—It is no surprise that the question who is going to win
American elections dominate nowadays political discussions at the
more mention of name Senateor Barraed Obama and Hillary Clinton.
For the first time in its history, America is a witnessing an
African-American male and a white American female as U.S.
presidential candidates. My friend Glenn and I immediately found
ourselves asking the very same question as were walking on Brooklyn
Bridge last Sunday. It was a gorgeous spring day.
The weather was so clear we could see both Manhattan and
Williamsburg bridges glistening under the clear sun over the East
River. Glenn and I made a bet on who was going to become President.
The loser would take the other to their favourite restaurant.
The good thing about our contest is that win or lose a good food was
involved in the prize. This reminds me of the bet during the Clinton
era between Columbian Nobel Prize winner, Gabriel Marquez Garcia and
Mexican Nobel laureate over NAFTA, regardless of the outcome each
ate well.
I am in favour of Hillary Clinton because she is a New Yorker.
Although not a native, she like me is a settler. She has eight years
of experience on Capitol Hill as the wife of former President
Clinton.
I know she’ll capture most white votes. In my opinion, whites are
generally reluctant to give their support to a black candidate. I
prefer to cast my ballot to Hillary Clinton rather than to
Republican John McCain. I wouldn’t even think twice about it. My
friend Glenn always goes for the Democrats, even though he feels
both parties don’t have much difference in their agendas. He doesn’t
appreciate the current candidates, but would rather vote for the
lesser evil than for a Republican.
The Green Party is his favourite, but because they will never win,
he avoids them at the voting booth so he doesn’t waste his vote.
I don’t’ support Barrack Obama because he wanted to attack the
terrorists in Pakistan without permission of the Pakistani
government. Sounds like Bush to me. Not that I think he will
actually go ahead with such an aggressive action.
He is simply trying to show his toughness as potential Commander in
Chief. Normally, voters don’t’ think Democrats are that great for
security issues. But Glenn is in favour of Barrack Obama. He is
pretty sure Barrack is the name of change.
He thinks Obama has new ideas about the U.S. economy and foreign
policy issues. Glenn also likes Obama because he feels his
background being from a poorer class and from black African American
ethnic community, although his mother was white, will allow him to
relate to and offer answers to the daily struggles of lower class
Americans.
The fact Obama was a great civil rights advocate in Chicago
strengthens my friend’s convictions to the black Senator. Just to
reject someone who is black is not fair.
McCain is very optimistic about getting elected. He thinks he can
save the country from terrorist attacks.
As an old Vietnam veteran, he is just a continuation of the Bush and
Cheney regime. When McCain talks about economic issues people in
political circles laugh because of his lack of knowledge of the
subject, and he has yet to unveil a sound plan for improving the
country. He is just selling fear like George Bush.
I don’t’ think he will get elected. America needs sound economic
recovery as we face a real recession.
Ok, after all this political talk, I am hungry and am more concerned
about my dinner. Glenn wants to get sushi at a nearby Japanese
restaurant. That is far from appealing to me. The sweet smell of
Tagine with prunes and chicken floods my nose as I think about a
Moroccan restaurant nearby.
I believe we are going to have a tug of war. The elections are still
far away.
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