Photographs and interviews by Zoisa Fraser and Sarah Bharrat
What do you think about the Barack Obama/Hilary Clinton US presidential candidate race? We asked several persons in the street this question and these were the responses.
Hilrod Thomas, businessman
`I think Obama has a fair chance of winning because he has everything in his favour especially the youths which is the biggest factor regardless of race. I think that Clinton is an embarrassment to the American people because her husband has already spoilt the White House. Due to this she should stay out. I believe that Obama has an excellent chance of winning, if not I would prefer McCain. I don’t think that the outcome of the presidential campaign would affect us here in Guyana. I think that Obama would make the people who were implicated in the Cubana air disaster go to trial if he wins this election. That is just the type of person I see him as and I have that much confidence in him. I follow his speeches so I am confident that with regards to the air disaster, justice will be served. Every day I would follow the race on television. I am not behind him because of his race but because he is bringing a whole new revolution to the world order’.
Pooran Sanchar, general contractor
`Obama will win. Like Guyana, the US has people who are fed up when it comes to politicians and they are looking for change. They will go out of their way to get what they want. I think that so far Obama has put forward some good ideas that have not been attempted before and people like that. When it comes to Clinton people are looking at the situation her husband was involved in while he was president. I think that they fear that the Clintons were already in power and nothing much was done for them. Obama is being supported by 300,000 plus Guyanese who reside in New York and there are also a lot of illegal immigrants, who he will stand up for, that are behind him. The Clinton administration has already used tactics to try and undermine his character. He is of a mixed race and people are looking at that. I think that race in something that Clinton will try to use but so far the results are going against that. I follow the race almost every day’.
Dillon Crawford, private sector employee
`I don’t like politics but I would listen to the US presidential debates sometimes. The elections there is fair and different when compared to Guyana. I think that both Obama and Clinton are making strong points but the outcome will all depend on the people in each of the states because it is the people who have to make a final decision. I don’t think that race should play a part in an electoral process. They might want to make his Muslim name an issue because America is at war right now with Muslim territories and this might affect his campaign. Whatever happens at the end of this election will affect us here in Guyana because they are like the mother country that third world countries like Guyana look up to’.
Brian Denny, admin assistant
`I feel good that a negro guy is getting a chance to actually run for president of the United States and I think that he is more capable of winning than Hilary. I think that he deserves a chance and I prefer him. He has been making stronger points than Hilary and he is also more rounded than her. I would watch the debate every afternoon. I think that whatever happens over there in the elections will eventually affect Guyana. If Obama wins there could be a few changes here’.
Delon Harlequin, private sector employee
`I want Obama to win because the American people need change. He views things in a different way. Out of all those I have heard on the presidential race, he sounds the best. I would look at the race at least twice a week and I believe that whatever happens there will affect us economically in terms of food, gasoline and other necessities’.
Tiffany Hytmiah, student
‘I don’t make a habit of following the Clinton/Obama race but I’ve listened a few times to what has been said about it on various news stations. The American’s approach to election is far different from what goes on in Guyana; it involves serious planning and is executed in a more organized fashion. It’s my opinion that Obama will win. He’s been speaking about change right from the beginning and this is something that Clinton began doing recently’
Lynette Pilgrim, pensioner
‘Regardless of who wins the US elections it will not affect us here in Guyana. However, the Clinton/Obama race does generate a fair amount of interest and I watch the debates when I can. I’m not sure I want Obama to win but so far it looks as if he will win. Clinton’s chances of winning are slim. I think a lot of Americans feel that as a woman she will not be able to handle the situation in Iraq. Obama is a people’s person, not racial and he will look after everyone and everything if he wins.’
Noel Sookhai, private sector employee
‘Americans are not ready for Obama. The elections may take a racial tilt which will be in Clinton’s favour. Clinton is a more experienced politician since she served alongside her husband during his two terms in the White House and had been in numerous organizations. She also played a major role in planning the American health sector among other things. Therefore, I think her vast experience will boost her chances of winning. It really doesn’t matter who wins in the end since Guyana will not be affected in any way. The Clinton/Obama race is attracting a fair amount of attention and I try to keep afloat with it.’
Kevin Stuart, security officer
‘I follow the Clinton/Obama race often and Clinton doesn’t stand a chance. Obama is a man of pure character, religious, family oriented and is dedicated to his career. The fact that Obama’s first name Barack is Muslim, does not in any way affect his chances of winning. As far as I can tell Obama has already reached the American people in a way that Clinton hasn’t. Although Clinton has her experience as First Lady to back her, this doesn’t improve her chances of winning. America has changed from then to now. There is the war to be considered and honestly speaking I don’t think Clinton would be able to manage that.’
Stacy Esbrand, processing clerk
‘Obama is all about change. Change is his motto and I sincerely hope that he wins. If Obama loses it will be because of the racial barrier surrounding America. Clinton is currently treading on her husband’s foundation and has failed so far to come up with anything new for her campaign. I’ve been following the Clinton/Obama debates and it’s not surprising that Obama is ahead since he’s good but Clinton is trying desperately to rebut and has stooped to using “nasty” comments to attack Obama. However, if Obama does win then Guyana can take a page out of their chapter. He will be the first African American President and proof that the racial barrier surrounding America has been shattered. I think the American people are looking for change and realize that they will find it in Obama.’
