Americans a funny bunch when it comes to politics

I have been following the American presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama with some interest, partly because I am interested to know what kind of a person will be in charge of our southern neighbour for the next few years. These are my impressions after having watched a debate and followed the campaigns of both candidates:

1. Hillary Clinton is quite happy to play the game of petty politics.
2. Barack Obama is a very strong speaker, and is quite good at avoiding the petty politics game.
3. Americans, by and large, seem to buy into petty politics.
4. Americans are VERY defensive about their country and do not tolerate criticism.

Let me elaborate on my impressions.

1. Hillary Clinton’s petty politics.

During the debate that I watched last week, she focused most of her energy into the following issues:
a. Obama’s connection to Pastor Jeremiah Wright, who made some controversial comments about 9/11.
b. Why doesn’t Obama wear an American flag? Doesn’t he love America?
c. Accusing Obama of being out of touch with the working man.
d. Characterizing herself as being from working stock because her grandfather had been a working man, etc…

Hence she didn’t really speak to any important issues. She focuses entirely on irrelevant little hot-button issues that are meant to get under people’s skin.

2. Barack Obama is a strong speaker:

Every attempt by Hillary Clinton to make Obama look bad on a petty issue was eloquently cast aside by pointing out the pettiness of the issue, while redirecting out attention to more important issues like the war, health care, and the economy.

3. Americans seem to buy into petty politics:

Despite the fact that Hillary is obviously playing petty political games, many in the American public seem to be buying into it. Who gives a damn whether Obama wears an American flag? Well I guess a lot of people do.

4. Americans are VERY defensive about their country

The comments of Rev. Wright have been blown way out of proportion. He suggested that the 9/11 attacks were some how brought on the US because of the US foreign policy. I cited many cases of US aggression that could have been causes of people “hating” America. His statements, in any other part of the world, were not controversial at all. Americans like to think that they have never done anything to the rest of the world and that they are completely innocent victims in the 9/11 attacks. Any talk to the contrary is met with calls of heresy. Get real, America!

I sincerely hope that there are enough intelligent Americans to see through the petty politics that Clinton is playing so that the election can be won or lost based on real issues – and not on petty politics.