This week we asked the man and woman in the street about the US Presidential election.
Oral Rose, Banker:
‘Whoever emerges the winner in the end, it is going to be a very close race. I’m hoping that Obama wins though because it will be a milestone for black people – the first black president of the mighty United States of America. It will be a good sign that people are ready to let go of prejudices that have reigned for centuries. There are other reasons why Obama should win – he is young, with policies that are targeting young people. He is motivating to undergrads and his message of change addresses issues that are pertinent right now. Meanwhile I maintain that the race will be very close since McCain is also good. He has been around for a long time and will get the votes of the older people. However I don’t agree with some of the issues he is campaigning for.’
Ganesh Kishun, Taxi Driver:
‘Because of my job I don’t really have the time to follow the elections religiously, but I am partly aware of what is going on. I think that Obama should win and I believe that he is going to. If he does then it is a big achievement for America and by extension the world at large. To have a black man as president of what is considered the most powerful country in the world is something awesome. If I were to vote Obama would definitely have gotten my vote. And it seems that a lot of Americans are supporting him because of the progress he has made so far and his policies must have some good in it which is evident by the support he has gotten so far.’
Richard Sinclair, Seaman:
‘I think votes are going to swing over to Barack Obama because of the mistake McCain made in choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate. In the event that something happens to McCain she would have to be President and she is not fit for that. And even though I believe that the American public is not racially ready for a black president they are going to vote for Obama because they don’t have an alternative: Obama’s running mate is a better choice. McCain would have stood a better chance with another choice for vice president.
The other reason I think Obama is going to win is because the Republicans have been in the White House for eight years and even though the economy has remained somewhat stable, except for the crisis now, there wasn’t much change. Then Bush made a big mistake with the Iraq war and his lack of attention on foreign policies alienated certain groups such as Latin Americans who constitute a large part of the vote. People are ready for change and will give the Democrats a chance.’
Ravi Rajkumar, Self-employed:
‘I think Obama has a better chance so far because he is in the lead and people seem to like him.
Further I don’t believe it’s all about a black man winning the elections. If I was an American voter I would have given him a chance because I strongly believe it is time for a change. And some of his policies represent changes.’
Gavin Lowe, Student:
‘I am not up to date with each and every move in the election run up but I do know that it is a world changing event. I’m not really interested in the outcome: what will be, will be. As far as I am concerned both candidates are just what they are politicians; and they are doing what politicians do best making lofty promises and only time will tell what they will do when they get into office – whichever one wins. Obama seems to be the favoured one based on his progress so far. However I am not fully well aware that America is ready to select a black President but only time will tell. Both candidates must be capable because they were selected to represent their parties.’
Preston Perreira,
Construction Worker:
‘The most outstanding thing about the election is that a black man is well on his way to the White House. I feel that Obama’s policies on the Iraq war and his strategies on the economy are going to win him the election. And I am going to be quite frank and say that I think that Obama’s election or even the fact that he has gotten this far is a feather in the cap of West Indians. The fact that someone with the same skin colour and from African roots has gotten this far is something to be proud of.’
Y. Fraser, Public
Sector Employee:
‘I personally would be happy to see Obama win the elections not just because he is a black man but because his policies seem to be making sense. I’m especially interested in his talk of bringing home the troops in Iraq, since I believe the war was responsible for a lot of negatives. I also believe the economic crisis is a spin off from the war.
Everton Beete,
Inventory Coordinator:
‘I live in Canada and so I follow the elections fairly well. I think a lot of people are going to vote for Obama because of the changes he is advocating and also because they are tired of the Bush regime and McCain policies aren’t far off from George Bush’s. Obama’s policy on the health care system and him bringing the troops from Iraq home is specifically going to bring a lot of votes in his direction. McCain is going to lose votes because of his choice of Vice President. Palin is really coming across as ignorant. It really appears as though she regurgitates what was told to her. In her debate against Joe Biden she kept going back to the topic she was comfortable with- energy – and kept dodging the issues at hand. On the contrary Biden complements Obama; he has had some 30 years experience in politics and Washington. I don’t think Obama should have chosen Hilary Clinton as his Vice President for the simple fact that she comes with Bill Clinton who would just have been dead weight in my opinion.’
Patricia December,
Health Care Worker:
‘I’m backing Obama which means I’m voting for him since I’m just here on vacation. It’s not just because he will be the first black President but because I feel he has better views and policies than McCain.
There is no doubt that Obama winning the election would bring an uplifting to black people; something that they need. Contrary to what others think I don’t believe he should have chosen Hilary as his Vice President. He wanted talent and not a ‘yes’ person – someone who says yes to everything – Joe Biden is a thinker and will complement Obama.’
Pamela Hutson, Teacher:
‘I’m not an avid follower of the run up to the elections but from the little I’ve grasped I think Obama has a good chance of winning. He has a good plan for the economy especially those persons who are low income earners. He has given some very convincing speeches and has handled the debates well. I don’t think that he should have chosen Hilary as his running mate since that would have made the walk to the White House a little too easy – her votes combined with his – and she would have overshadowed him. Now he has a chance to prove that he could win this on his own merit and of course his choice of vice president complements him.’
