When I heard Sarah Palin's speach it didn't really feel good. Those sarcastic under the belt statements reeked more of theatre than good politics. What gave me that sinking feeling is that she was good on the stage, and unfortunately, that is all what most people see. I have never lived in the US and for that matter never wish to if the Republicans win this time too. But I like the battle of ideologies that is played in the US elections and like most academically qualified people, I support the Democrats.
Obama in one of his TV interviews said that Republicans don't govern the country that well but are good campaigners. And that is a sad fact, which Obama, inspite of being aware of, proved yet again. I fail to understand why he didn't choose Hillary Clinton as his running mate. I guess with the kind of wave he was riding on, he felt he didn't need her. And that is the problem with these Ivy League educated people, they underestimate the uneducated masses. Biden is a non entity when compared to Clinton. People were already calling the Obama-Clinton a 'dream team' and I believe Palin would have had no chance against her. But what is done is done.
I had read an article which said that people vote for politicians who inspire them. Politicians with whom they can identify themselves. They vote solely based on emotion. And the failure of Democrats to appeal to people lies in a lack of understanding on the part of the Democrats, while the voters have failed to understand that just because a politician can make a dramatic speech and hunt moose does not mean that he/she is a good administrator. People look at personality and not policies. Unfortunately 8 years of Bush rule hasn't made the Americans any smarter. With the 4 point lead that McCain has now, it seems they are ready to vote for him (actually her).
Though the situation is not new for an Indian. The Congress still finds it hard to get votes without a Gandhi at its helm and the south is known to have film stars influence elections. Sometimes I feel democracy overestimates the intelligence of the people.
Obama in one of his TV interviews said that Republicans don't govern the country that well but are good campaigners. And that is a sad fact, which Obama, inspite of being aware of, proved yet again. I fail to understand why he didn't choose Hillary Clinton as his running mate. I guess with the kind of wave he was riding on, he felt he didn't need her. And that is the problem with these Ivy League educated people, they underestimate the uneducated masses. Biden is a non entity when compared to Clinton. People were already calling the Obama-Clinton a 'dream team' and I believe Palin would have had no chance against her. But what is done is done.
I had read an article which said that people vote for politicians who inspire them. Politicians with whom they can identify themselves. They vote solely based on emotion. And the failure of Democrats to appeal to people lies in a lack of understanding on the part of the Democrats, while the voters have failed to understand that just because a politician can make a dramatic speech and hunt moose does not mean that he/she is a good administrator. People look at personality and not policies. Unfortunately 8 years of Bush rule hasn't made the Americans any smarter. With the 4 point lead that McCain has now, it seems they are ready to vote for him (actually her).
Though the situation is not new for an Indian. The Congress still finds it hard to get votes without a Gandhi at its helm and the south is known to have film stars influence elections. Sometimes I feel democracy overestimates the intelligence of the people.
1 comment:
Ritesh, I remember reading somewhere a statement by Socrates that Democracy is a government of fools, because it is chosen by majority and majority of people are fools.
Even if it is true to some extent, I can't perceive any other form of government today.
So, just hope that over a period of time, people get wiser...
I believe that people of US realize that their choice can have a lasting effect on this planet as a whole and select someone who does not think that 'global warming' or 'conservation of nature' is crap and that the Iraq war is the 'holy war' or 'God's task'.
Post a Comment