Who will win this presidential race: Obama or McCain? We all agree that the Presidential race has become very exciting like it always does at this time. Many television programs, magazines and internet sites have started bombarding us with information- some truths, some half-truths and some lies- about the two presidential candidates. This type of dissemination of information inevitably shapes our opinions of Obama and McCain. Soundbites and opinions coming to us from radio, television, and publications such as this one then become our soundbites and opinions.
Discussions about Obama, McCain and the Vice Presidential candidates have become commonplace at gatherings and parties. And of course, everyone is an expert in politics and everyone becomes a guru in the life, history, and opinions of each candidate. Few people knew Obama or McCain several months ago, but today people talk about them like they are their relatives. How did this happen? TV, Radio, Internet and Publications…right? Now, having said that, I also submit the passion, the rigor, and the enthusiasm surrounding these discussions are energizing, demonstrating the democratic process at its best.
Once again we are all positioned to have the opportunity to judge which candidate will manage the complicated components of this country more effectively and who will design a better environment for economic stimulation. Those of us interested in world affairs will evaluate the presidential candidate’s ability and experience in addressing the country’s foreign policy. Many are also deeply interested in understanding the candidates’ focus on human rights. Right? No way! It would be naïve to believe that any of us truly know and understand all the real issues and it would be foolish to believe any claims and promises made by any politician. I hate to come across as a cynic but I just don’t want anyone to be disillusioned by this process and what it represents.
All political races are decided on the amount of money spent on media advertising and not issues. The candidate with the most amounts of face time and exposure will win the political race. There is ample conclusive evidence supporting this claim so whether we all like to hear it or not, at the end, it is not good or bad, or right or wrong that will decide the outcome; it is the money spent on media to get exposure.
What is right or wrong with each candidate? What is good or bad with each candidate? Do we even know? In politics, everything is right and everything is wrong; everything is good and everything is bad. When you talk to Joe Smith, at the end of the conversation you are led to believe Obama is the best candidate to not only run this country but to also run the world. You talk to Jane Smith, at the end of that conversation you are led to believe that Obama is the worst candidate on earth. The same argument still holds true with McCain.
So, who will win the presidential race? Who will be the next president of the United States? Is Obama the best candidate or McCain?
Many love Obama because he exudes confidence; he projects the image of a true transformational leader with high levels of honesty and integrity. Obama is a great speaker, a true motivator. He is handsome, believable, young, energetic and positive. We love handsome, positive and energetic candidates. Obama draws us in, he engages us, he makes us want to believe that there is hope and everything will be fine. His runningmate, Joe Biden, covers the other side of the spectrum for Democrats with his wisdom and experience.
McCain on the other hand is old, he looks sickly and weak. And to add insult to injury, he is not much to look at either. McCain is not engaging nor is he inspirational, he does not motivate and he definitely does not project the image of a leader. But, he is an experienced politician and has seen it all in Washington. His running mate, Sarah Palin, on the other hand, covers all of McCain’s gaps; she is attractive, young, and energetic and shows confidence and leadership. The huge risk here is that she is a woman. If you assess the research evidence on female leaders, you will discover that although all women claim that they want to support female leaders in management and in political roles, and although women want women’s rights and equality and fair representation, once it comes time to vote and support female leaders, many women go the other way and they do not support a female candidate. It is ironic but it is true.
So, why am I so focused on physical and personality attributes of these candidates and not issues? Well, I am deliberately focusing on what will determine the presidential race. Issues will not determine this race; our opinion of the candidates will determine the outcome of this race. And, our opinions are shaped by physical and personality attributes.
Why do you think there is so much focus on each candidate? Why do you think there is so much focus on each person? Because the political parties want us to love, dislike, or hate the candidates and cast our votes accordingly.
In reality, the candidate is only a very small and some experts would argue an irrelevant part of the equation. You may be shocked to hear that Presidents have little influence on the economy, the social structure, and world affairs. It is all about the political party and the design and philosophical basis of each party. Therefore, it does not matter who ends up in the White House.
Democrats have always believed in and acted on several fundamental beliefs. At the risk of over simplifying, Democrats believe in entitlement programs at all levels, they believe in large government structures and bureaucracy and they believe in raising taxes. This is not fiction, it is not an opinion, it is not an undocumented submission; it is an assertion supported by conclusive evidence.
Republicans, on the other hand, believe in the free market economy, small governments and low taxes. The free market economy is the basis of the economic success and prosperity of this country. What separates the US from all other countries is the support and reliance of the free market economy. Even China and Russia have created a new economic structure to duplicate the US system.
So, who will be the next president of the United States? It really does not matter. But, if I had to guess based on all the elections in our history, it will be the “best looking” candidate who is the most charismatic and likeable. To some degree, it matters which party gets selected but many will argue that the design of the political and economic system in the U.S. will always support the free market economy regardless of who or what is in the White House. So, we are always safe as long as we support democracy and nationalism in a country that’s free in every way.
What is of utmost importance, however, is that all of us become more actively engaged in the political process and vote. That is the basis of a free country and an open democratic system. If we don’t vote, we don’t count. Our personal feelings, our beliefs and our positions only matter if and when we vote.
Therefore,
Make yourself count. Vote!
