The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque

The USA presidential (2008) election appeared at the moment when the country was faced with daunting challenges in the backdrop of painful economic recession accompanied with unprecedented financial panic hovering around Wall Street melt down. The major financial sectors were on the verge of shutting down. The United States was in fact passing through the critical time of its economic history with macro economics sliding into weakness. The reserve bank cut spending on development. An attempt to stimulate consumer spending through tax rebates became an attempt in futility .The exchange value of dollar continued to show decreasing trend. The state of joblessness was skyrocketing. There were other marks of disaster like dysfunctional state of credit market resulting from faulty monetary policy and downward spiral of house and mortgage prices.

The main focus of electoral campaign was on hitherto badly shaped US economy. The challenges to be left by apparently failed Bush administration will be difficult to overcome on the part of the new incumbent. The Americans would like the new administration to rescue US economy more than they would like to rescue Wall Street. .Protecting US economy was more important than proposing $700 billion plan to bail out financial industry .The advent of the new president ushers in new hopes-steering clear of all irritants piled up in the wake of misdirected policy intervention.

The pre-election opinion polls in many states signaled political change. The Republican candidate might have expected victory in the long run depending on the 'Bradley effect' syndrome despite things not going his way. It means that a black candidate well in ahead may ultimately lose or win by a narrow margin as it happened in governor or mayor polls. There was a little possibility that such thing would happen in presidential election never ever. Moreover, the situation was quite different that might have changed voting behaviour. The American voters now concerned little about racial identity and more about deepened economic crisis. Many analysts attributed US economy in worst stage after 1930's great depression to his (Bush) failed foreign policy particularly his engagement in two wars with lavish military expenditure.

The people voted against his policy failure and global misgovernance. Bush will be on record as a representative sample of the worst form of imperialism. When the crisis was mounting he could not find plausible reasons to support his stand on the issue of withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. The American presidential election of 2008 may be viewed as a noteworthy and significant episode-eventful and epoch making as such. It has acquired a special significance for a score of historical marks and watersheds. It is significant in the context of deplorable economic situation obtaining in the country-an economic tsunami as such. The voters would like to vote for change.

In the democratic political system it may be treated as an acid test of the degree of mass hatred against Bush administration-a filibuster who let loose reign of terror especially in Iraq. His military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan were condemned all over the world. The popularity of Bush was at the lowest ebb with his failed domestic policy and diplomacy. He assumed the office of presidency by winning in 2000 presidential election with a slight edge over Al Gore in electoral vote although the latter's position was better in popular vote. And there was a little skepticism about electoral fairness.

The election was a silent revolution -a victory of 'we the people' who did not like to leave liveries of Bush administration lurking in the Republican tradition-the party with which the Pentagon feels more comfortable. It was symbolic of the ouster of Bush paramountcy-an anathema thrown into the dustbin of history. Bush was wrong in reading the future; Himalayan repercussions were world wide for the monumental blunder he made. The Republican candidate McCain turned out to become the victim of the circumstances-a scapegoat as such. Being the most important presidential election in at least 40 years it contains global significance. Many countries became victims of the deluge of globalization in the sinister days of Bush. With him the American imperialism showed its ugliest face. The voters were livid with anger for his diplomatic fiasco. They wanted to get rid of disastrous fall outs of two wars badly affecting US economy.

Both the contenders-Barack Obama and John McCain-were senators. For the first time in American electoral history a non-white candidate appeared at the race to white house. He happened to be a Kenyan American. It may be recalled that in the pretty past franchise was restricted and taxable for non-whites being treated as second class citizens. For them race for nominations for any policy level positions was a far cry .Now scenario changed a lot taking U-turn. It is really a mental revolution. The Americans would have to choose between the two irrespective of caste, creed, race and religion. These two contestants were the persons with 'strikingly powerful life stories, as well as significant differences in social and political philosophies and their views of how best to deal with the rest of the world'-an inkling of ideological and policy differences between the two.

The election was exceptional in terms of voters' enthusiasm and participation. The voters seemed to be more enthusiastic than reluctant in exercising their franchise. They participated in large number as indicated by the voter turn out-highest after 1960.The immigrants burst into jubilation reacting with effulgence of feelings on the stunning victory of Barack Obama. The result of the 44th presidential election was a foregone conclusion as the pre-election opinion polls demonstrated sewing in favour of Obama. John McCain fared badly even in the states that were Republican's support base (Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and north Carolina.). Actually the results of the large states like Florida and California showed the clear indication.

Out total 538 Electoral College votes in 51 states Obama: 349 and McCain: 163 Obama beat McCain also in popular vote: 30 and 20 respectively (according to the latest news received). 270 electoral votes are needed to score a victory. Whereas Obama won over ex- first lady Hillary Clinton in narrow margin McCain had a comprehensive win over his contender in nomination race. There was a 'revolution of rising expectation' among the youth. Obama aged 47 was accepted as the voice of the new generation. A large contingent of adolescents and youth (about 66%) strolling from 18 to 44 vote for Obama. They shared hilarious moments in the street wildly celebrating the victory of the leader of their liking.

(The author is professor, Dept. of Public Administration, Chittagong University)