What are elections all about?

Over the past few days, I've been forced to think about this question and have not been able to answer that successfully. Well, I ponder over this is everytimeI hear these candidates state loudly that 'Elections are always about the future'! And, this statement is being made by candidates of both parties multiple times. It was corroborated and sounded like gospel truth to me when one of my favorite leaders, President Bill Clinton, declared with his usual confidence and stamp of authority at a rally in California a few days ago that, "America is the only country in the world where elections are about the future."

Man, you have no idea how much I've been racking my brains since then to discover and see how and on what basis are elections fought in other countries. My Clinton doesn't make such statements if it weren't true. The least explanation I could come with was the fact that perhaps only in America do the candidates so publicly declare their objectives; ideas; tactics and the exact strategies they would pursue if elected to office. This would mean to suggest that in other nations campaigns are only about debating the past record and history of the candidates as opposed to their visions of the future.

Unfortunately I haven't followed elections in other nations so closely to make a fair and sound judgment to answer the main question at hand. So, if you know or have an insight, please do let me know.

Of Democrats' and their Dilemas'

This year's democratic presidential race is too close to call. History is on the line as the party is all set to elect either a woman or an African-American as a Presidential nominee for the first time in history. But, the competitiveness we are seeing has attracted the entire world's attention (not just America's); confused pollsters and pundits; have kept commentators busy and the campaigns work longer to actually secure the nomination and go onto win the general election.



If you are a democratic voter this year, you maybe faced with one of the most toughest and important decisions of your life. It's obvious, you crave for change and you are perhaps in a struggle to pick the right individual to effect this change. I know people who are muddled with thoughts and are unable to choose between Senators Clinton and Obama. Their heart maybe with one candidate but their mind with the other.



Well, if you look at the candidates themselves there are very subtle differences between them. Clinton has the edge on experience. But Obama could say that as far as Washington is considered he is relatively an outsider. With both of them being liberals, there is hardly not much to choose between them in terms of issues. Both are them are for universal health care, for energy independence and for getting rid of the Bush tax cuts. They do have some disagreements when it comes to foreign policy and in the handling of the Iraq war. So, if terrorism or the war is the top issue on your mind in 2008, you should take a closer look!



Alright, you may think that since they are pretty much even on issues and you decide to turn to study their personality to vote for the candidate with the better personality and believe he/she will be the better leader. But, guess what it just makes the race more tight and is not really going to help you.



After having seen the Senators a number of times on TV over the past few months I think the following is obvious. Sen. Clinton is a better debater and may not be the better orator. On the contrary, Sen. Obama is a better orator and may not look as the best debater. So, if you listen to their speeches, you may think Obama is your canddiate but if you watch one of their debates you may change your loyalties and get behind Clinton.



I'm sorry I won't help you pick a candidate. But, wow, I'm just too fascinated at this point about the sheer closeness in this race. To further re-iterate the scene I will leave you with a quote from one of the most brilliant and master political strategist of our time and a guy I admire to the core-

"Such kind of extraordinary talent hasn't squared up against each other in the democratic party since I can't remember when," Paul Begala on CNN.