Edition: U.S. | Arabic | Set Pref
November 3, 2008
Posted: 2101 GMT

NEW YORK — It’s hard to escape U.S. presidential politics. As I walked onto the plane in London, the BBC had live coverage of John McCain at a rally in Ohio. When I walked off the plane in New York, CNN showed Barack Obama taking to the stage in Iowa.

New York City’s allegiance seemed clear. While driving into Brooklyn I passed a crudely-constructed, red neon sign covering the face of a 20-storey apartment block. It read “Vote Obama.”

Obama needn’t worry about New York’s contribution to his hopes of victory. The state has voted Democrat since 1988 and is fully expected to do so again Tuesday.

National polls also favor Obama but some New Yorkers are fretting about the national result.

One 30-year-old man told me he has booked a precautionary session with his shrink on November 5 should McCain win the election. “What if Obama loses? I can’t bear thinking about it and yet I can’t stop thinking about it,” he said.

McCain supporters were hard to find in New York City. But I came close in a cab ride. I shared a journey with a jewelry store owner from Queens. “Obama should win this, as long as there isn’t a terrorist attack,” he told me.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m no Democrat and I love John McCain – I voted for him when he ran against Bush in the 90s – but this time around he just seems like he’s saying and doing whatever it takes to be president,” he said.

“America is all about progress, my friend,” he continued. “And right now my employees can’t progress financially and so neither can I. If McCain wins we won’t progress for at least another four years.”

I reminded him of the Bradley Effect — the theory that voters might turn against black political candidates because of the color of their skin.

“I just don’t see it happening,” he replied dismissively. “It’s all about the bottom line. Obama has a better economic plan and even racists want to make money.”

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Lawrence   November 3rd, 2008 2132 GMT

over hear in the UK are press tell us that “Bradley Effect” has been over played and in Bradleys cases ironically may not have been the reason for Bradleys failure. The big worry for Obama is we are told assumption of victory leading to Democrats not bothering to vote believing the election to be “in the bag”

Alan Mok   November 3rd, 2008 2135 GMT

Who will Win?

On Sunday 2 Nov 2009, on the last corner of the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix saw Lewis Hamilton overtaking Timo and manage to get fifth place to be the youngest and 1st black to be Formula 1 World Champion, it seems quite impossible at the last lap but Lewis did it. Is this a signal to who will win the America Presidential Election 2008? It will be a very tight race but towards the end he will be elected just like how Lewis Hamilton taking the world champion tittle at the very last corner. It will be very dramatic towards the end but i am pretty sure he will emerge as winner for the American Presidency election.

ddavid   November 3rd, 2008 2159 GMT

As I sit in my comfortable home to read the many blogs I become disturbed that most answers Posters give are just words of cliches, are meaningless, and lack substance. So my question is: How do you expect a raciest to make money or to make good decisions when he can neither understand Taxes, nor Economics ? Nor research the Encyclopedia ? For instance:
When McCain says: “I want to make you money” those are only words.
When McCain says: “I will lower the Capital Gain Rate your Retirement Fund will Grow, et et” Those are just words that sound good but are meaningless because Retirement accounts are taxed as Ordinary Income and NOT Capital Gains. It amazes me of the lack of education in this country. But then again who cares ? We need cheap labor and only ignorance can contribute to that cheap labor pool.

Mysterion   November 3rd, 2008 2202 GMT

On the other hand ,a lot of socalled non -racists that tell everybody they will vote no matter what race,secretly vote for McCain, just because they hate it to be called racists.Those people should build their own political party,some thing like ” The Hypocrits party” in order to achieve a pure “hypocracy “They have a very good chance to attrack the majority .

spyrit   November 3rd, 2008 2335 GMT

The biggest fear is the one we seldom hear whispered, though there have been three ‘plots’ or de-sensitizations of the possibility Barack Obama won’t live to be inaugurated. Best case scenario we elect Barack Obama and head a fresh direction, worse case scenario is the 1st armored division is deployed on main streets across the country.. Here on the west coast we prepare for the best case but won’t be surprised if Uncle Dick calls in FEMA.

eli   November 4th, 2008 027 GMT

I agree a lot so called non racists will say they are voting for Obama-but they won’t. I believe if everyone in the US voted for him they will try to cheat him out of the election…thats the American way

karen   November 4th, 2008 059 GMT

I’m so tried of McCain, what about all those other army men and women that did ‘t make it home. He walks around like a like a robot , if get anybody tested it will be him .He’s to old and he look sick to me .

karen   November 4th, 2008 108 GMT

I thought he was a maverick now he’s the Mack which one is it. Oh that right your the sidekick

sylvia   November 4th, 2008 303 GMT

Racism should not be the issue now. People should think of who will really give them hope for the future. People voting should not only think of themselves but also think of their children and their children’s children. We also want them to have a good life —– a life that is not full of promises but promises that will be fulfilled leading to a prosperous life. We do not want to see the children of tomorrow to be uneducated, just bumming around and some dying of hunger and diseases . We want the children of the future that is healthy in mind, body and soul.

C   November 4th, 2008 327 GMT

Terrorism, socialism, racism, we are done with this rhetoric. We are tired of the lies. We are tired of the fear tactics, this is a progressive vote, a contemporary vote, and reaction vote to the status quo of our nation.

Maria   November 4th, 2008 350 GMT

Maybe if you guys stop talking and writing articles about and bringing up the “Bradley Effect” issue, people won’t actually think about it and do it. You are putting that negative idea into people’s head by continuing to bring it back up from the dead……

Obama supporters such as myself, are going to think positive and continue to press ahead through tomorrow, and only God can take care of the rest. All we can do is pray to our God, and know that he hears our cries and he knows what’s right. He hasn’t brought Obama and us this far to leave us now…

Obama/Biden–2008 Change we cannot afford to miss!

Mysterion   November 4th, 2008 353 GMT

I hope that you are ready for this :

What is so painfull about guantanamo bay and the entire war against the terrorists,is that from this terrorist attacks , never is proven, that these terrorists were Arabs

Although the U.S. used even controversial methodes, that are forbidden by human rights ,the geneva convention and the constitutional law, it hasn’t help to solve the problem,.

In the contrary,I’d say

It has ,after all , proofed to be a useless method ,which we already all knew.

So, the world has to presume that it was on purpose! and that it has only caused unneccesary suffering of innocent people.

It has made a lot of people hate us so much,, that in this way , we’velost our status as the big helping brother -image, and also the “we will free you from dictator”or “we don’t torture”, has lost confidence as a business asociate, and we’re seen as a thread more than ever, Just like” the little baby with a shotgun that aims at the world”.

Wouldn’t you normally,as a parent,take away the gun before it’s to late?

And especially with the U.S as the world dominator, wouldn’t sutch a position in the world require a little awareness of responsibility.?

And wouldn’t it ,after breaking this law of nature, and been shocked after realizing this ,not make you feel ashamed and acknowledge that, in this case, there is not something ,like a second chance.?

And because of this horrible truth, give this position to a better party?

It makes everything so useless when the Greatest Country in the world, happens to be also the greatest cheater .

And what about the immense consequences of the military machine been abused by a criminal government?

Did you know that the U.S. spends more taxmoney on the military than all the countries of the E.U.together?

Did we actually realize this?

That there was ,not even for a second, the suggestion to impeach mr.Bush , which on itself smells fishy,seen the fact that he has mislead the american people, is a pathetic lyer and abused it his power in a fatal way, as never before ?

And just got away with it?

Doesn’t it show that the American people is willing to support a criminal regime and a dictator,as long it’s a U.S.citizen, but doesn’t tolerate this from any other country?

And with the same ease as eating a peanut commits genocide, as if we would still live in the wild west,and just are chasing a few natives ?

Which happened to be nothing else, but genocide as well? It did’t make us feared and respected by the rest of the world, but more like ridiculus and unnecessary cruel .

Willing to weaken our own military power in order to catch a handful of rebels, unbeated by the Russians as well ,in spite of trillions of dollars? But leaving the American people almost defenceless.If you don’t see see the reason of IMPEACHMENT , how will we been taken seriously anymore,considering the misery it brought to our own country?

Were we aware of the world watching and judging us?

Did we not understand that we were believing our own lies in spite of these crimes

And still get away with it. ?

besides that it has disappointed me and a whole lot of others to ,it doesn’t give the U.S. a trustworthy image anymore .

Even when mr. Obama will become president it will be a hard bargain to restore the international business relationships to the level ,it used to be.

Doesn’t this makes American politics a suspect of double standarts,and its government look war-sick. In this sense , not only mr Bush is a suspect, but also specific secret intelligence agencies .

Also, and that ’s the most important,that when it is badly tested like 9-11,it has only the military machinery to show a sign of it’s brutal power, but no Wisdom,nor vision and no justice .

Where it is a decadently equipped army, there it makes the enemy only want to challenge.

The world must be laughing at us when they see the crumbling down of the military strength as well as the economic power, saying” we knew it all along, but we were to afraid of this dangerously aggressive loona -tick to tell it anyone”

But the greatest shame ,is on those that,for some,incomprensible reason just let this criminal Government in spite of 8 years of horror,just getaway with this, as if the world hadn’t taken notion of the commited crimes, and double standards .

This burden,will rest on the next presidents shoulders ,and might be almost a to heavy burden ,to carry.

It doesn’t show any respect for those who, because of this, had to suffer most.

It shows that U.S democracy in fact is Anarchy , no matter how badly they tried to characterize the opponents by the propaganda machines(wanted dead or alive) that are maybe in spite of their assumed crimes, also humans that are hungry, have suffered,have a family, have to work hard,for almost nothing.

Then ,the humiliation of the poorest of Nations ,in spite of the rich equipped U.S. army, it took so long before they could catch only one man,( if he actually exists , who cares) for this purpose cowerdly safe remote controlled “billons of dollars”- robo-planes .

I order to hunt the poorest people in the world,and still not capable to achieve a clear victory.

It shows that the strongest and best technologcally equipped army in the world, guided without wisdom and responsibility, is just as strong as a handful of determined freedomfighter,equipped with sticks and stones. (what these last ones would actually even win ).

And although Obama assumingly is our last hope,imagine the shock when, in spite of this, the republicans, thirsty for human blood,will win.

So many ,to whom it meant their last hope for a just society ,would suffer a nervous breakdown. this would be a lack of responsibility to have another republican as president, although i consider mr.McC

In the future G.W.Bush will be the only former president that is no longer called president Bush , but mr.Bush.

Let us swiftly forget this black episode of American history,together with the first Afro-American president we can make the dream we had of the “Greatest Country on Earth”, with all the other “Greatest Countries on Earth,the” Greatest planet” in the Universe.

let’s make sure we won’t make the same mistake again, in the future!

My God!

Alison   November 4th, 2008 553 GMT

As a white South African I am really hoping Barack Obama wins this election as I think the American’s will experience their very own Nelson Mandela!!
We were all so nervous prior to the 1994 elections but the outcome was so amazing.We all love Nelson Mandela no matter what age, religion or race.The US needs someone like Barack Obama.

Togonator   November 4th, 2008 1032 GMT

The bradley effect is a myth and has been extensively debunked already.

Sandra   November 4th, 2008 1440 GMT

Even Racists want to make money? And Obama is the way to do that? That’s a joke. His party is the reason Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac got so deep – anybody remember the video of Barney Frank flapping his lips about them not needing any regulation when the Rep’s tried to get legislation pass? You can thank the Dems and unregulated lenders for that debacle but remember – they actually lowered the lending standards to include Unemployment as income. Give me a break! But mostly I wanted to say how come the only people being called racist have white skin? What about black and hispanic hatred for each other in, say, LA? If some things need to change then stop calling me a racist if I don’t like Obama’s economy or his foreign policy. I am tired of defending my choices to people who prefer to label me rather than talk to me.

Rob   November 4th, 2008 1820 GMT

I have resigned myself to the fact that Obama will probably win this election. I have many worries. Will the terrorists of the world realize that Obama doesn’t have the stomach for hard decisions? Will I have to wait 6 months to see a doctor after health care is “centralized”? Will bills go through the House, Senate and the White House with out any real discussion? This happened in 2000 to 2004 when Republicans had the White House. They pushed their agenda and the American people got stuck with the Patriot Act and other way to conservative laws. Now it will be the other way around with way too liberal laws. Change for change sake is not a good reason for change. I prefer both parties controlling at least one aspect of the legislative process (House, Senate or White House), that way both liberals and conservatives can have their say and meet somewhere in the middle. I wonder if successful people will become complacent if more of the money they make will be used to “spread the wealth”? I wonder if people will continue to go to medical school when “centralized” health care lowers rates paid to physicians and makes it impossible to pay for their school loans? For those that want sweeping change, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

kelvin j.   November 4th, 2008 1925 GMT

Mr rob, your concerns are geniue and you sound like a learned fellow but you began to conflict your self when you sided with mccain by saying spread the wealth. How would you like to see your neighbour’s son or anyone you know not being able to get treatment and is allowed to die because they don’t have insurance or were deny coverage? why do agree that the security guard’s children should become another circle of security men? Lifting your neighbour is not socialism but Godly. If you know about wealth creation, you will know about mass marketing and mega sales which breeds mega income. Obama’s economic plan is for everybody and the rich will always get richer. Is the poor that are used to cry out as you do. The rich love the idea as volume will increase.

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