Christopher Odetunde

The presidency of America has never been more important for Americans and the world than in 2008.  Why is the world more fixated on the presidency of America than ever before? Let us recall that in 2000, US stood tall as the unarguable and indisputable Superpower. America was mostly at peace with admiring world.  President Bill Clinton left a huge budget surplus when he left office and no one foresaw the seismic events that are be-deviling G.W. Bush’s presidency.  Now, the United States is unhappy, divided and foundering both at home and abroad.  Moreover, America’s confidence, self-belief and values are under attack after eight years of the Republican administration. Americans finally had courage to rejected hidden racism in the statement that a President Barack Obama would “spread the wealth to people who don't do anything." The question is who are these people? Isn’t it the system that makes sure that these people do not have jobs or discriminate against them? 

Senator McCain and his running mate talked about socialism as if America has not always established some form of socialism within her capitalism in order to carry along the less advantaged amongst them along. Even those bible waving Americans often call us to contribute our hard-earned money in order to spread wealth to poor people of the third world. Moreover, bible calls for slight socialism. If these bible waving conservatives believe in the bible they read they ought to know this. Most CEOs that bankrupted their companies are almost always of one race.  Socialism has always been, in the present administration, pro the top 5% of Americans with the hope of trickle down effects which ever materialized. When these CEOs defraud their companies they are rewarded with golden parachutes at the expense of hard working Americans of all races and colors. The last nail on the coffin of trickle down theory is finally in and Americans finally are able to say “Yes we can” to new changes that will propel America to greater heights. Unfortunately, McCain and his running mate are long o rhetoric and short on how they will move the nation forward. They are focused on negatives and name calling than how to change the mindset of Americans positively.

In spite of all this uncertainty looming over the nation, Americans have gone to the polls with a very different mindset and given Barack Obama the President-elect status.  The euphoria with this election will only continue if and only if Obama stands firm to fulfill his campaign promises which are: a) Reconsider his campaign promises in light of the reality on ground and explain any of his changes to the American electorates; b) Make America the envy of the world again; c) Find a way to reasonably end the war in Iraq in order to face the actual war in Afghanistan with surgical precision; d) Ameliorate the nation’s economic crisis and give Americans reasons to dream again; e) Bring hope to all Americans and unite all Americans in order to face the world’s problems as one united, indivisible nation; f) Give Americans hope that after all, the color of their skin has nothing to do with their ability to perform and to be good and patriotic citizens; g) In spite of the drop in the world crude oil price, engage in developing renewable energy even if Americans decide to go back to energy wastefulness; and h) Give the world a new positive prospective of America. Moreover, it will be suicidal if Democrats have majority of house and Senate decide that arrogance is better than respect of the mandate that they are given, President Obama (colored people) will live to regret because of group think that “they are no good any way.” President Obama will be better served to dissociate himself from any moronic acts of a “got you politics” if his party are the majority in the two houses. 

In spite of the hope of national redemption that these candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain have preached, Americans took a bold step to change their mindset and elect the first black man, not just an ordinary black man but a smart, reasonable, sincere, thoughtful, and a team player, to lead the most powerful nation in the world. In this election, hope, steady hand and youth overwhelmed a trumpeted longevity in the world, and experience which was derailed by the choice of Governor Sarah Pallin. Senator stated earlier that a vice President must be ready to take over from a president in case the president is incapacitated I any way.  Americans in large numbers are now questioning Senator McCain’s judgment. In actuality, this is because Barak Obama offered better chance at restoring America’s self-confidence that Americans agreed.  Americans believed that although that Barack Obama may be risky, the risk of electing Senator Barack Obama is pale compared to choosing a 72 year old Senator McCain along with a scary, inexperience, and Muse-haunting Sarah Pallin simply because steep road is ahead of any of these candidates. Experience of any leader comes from a combination of his experience and those he surrounds himself with. But more importantly his ability to listen, make best decision on data provided, make good judgment and act promptly, this is the stuff good leaders are made of.

Let us remember that in G. W. Bush administration, his buddies, the oil companies had a field day, Halliburton had contested contracts and made so much money on inflating contracts and American might just be ready to give a verdict against the status quo. Usually, defense and Aerospace always fair well during Republican administration but not this time around. There were no major development in the space and aeronautical fields. The next president must make America the envy of the world in space programs again. He must embrace this defining moment in history. Although Senator McCain is a good man, a self-defined maverick, unfortunately he is running in the wrong time, against the established status quo and after eight years of nothingness.

Although, this is only a speculation as Sarah Pallin and Senator McCain are busy appealing to the worse in America, racism, us versus them, they will give your money to those dead, lazy, scary criminals. Senator McCain failed to understand that the label, “tax and spend” no longer hold because Senator Obama debunked it with his endorsement of tax cuts for citizens earning less than two hundred thousand dollars a year which are the vast majority of American taxpayers. Senator Barack Obama is not giving money or tax break to “those one that are lazy, and not working.” This has been sold to Americans for far too many times and it is stale. 

Remember that polls are statistical conclusions depending on methodology used that those who the poll favors believe it while people on the other side discount it. Senator McCain may still win the election but if he does, America will never be the same again in terms of foreign policy, economy, and general cooperation with the rest of the world. Although in the past, America always thought she does not need the world but the world needs her. Recent US financial collapse, however, shows that the world is more connected than US always thought it to be. Success of the developing nation gives the developed world a reprieve in security and a need not to distribute America’s hard earned money to help others. America may just be isolated and an isolationist if she continues with her status quo. If Senator John McCain wins, he may finally become the revisionist in chief. We await who will be the president of America and whether America can finally shed the toga of racism and give the world hope once again. The 2008 presidential American election will be known as the most divisive and most vicious in history, may be because a black man is running. 

God bless the United Stated of America and more importantly, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and give her wisdom to learn what Democracy actually mean during this contested American presidency.

Robot  # 1 | 01.11.2008 07:40

Christopher Odetunde The presidency of America has never been more important for Americans and the world than in 2008. Why is the world more fixated on the presidency of America than ever before?Let us recall that in 2000, US stood tall as the unarguable and indisputable Superpower.America was mostly at peace with admiring world. President Bill Clinton left a huge budget surplus when he left office and no one foresaw the seismic events that are be-deviling G.W. Bush’s presidency. Now, the United States is unhappy, divided and foundering both at home and abroad. Moreover, America’s confidence, self-belief and values are under attack after eight years of the Republican administration.Americans finally had courage to rejected hidden racism in the statement that a President Barack Obama would “spread the wealth to people who don't do anything."The question is who are these people?Isn&...Read the full article.