Presidential race between Obama, McCain, Clinton and.....Bush!
Ian Brockwell
September 12, 2008
I have written very little about the 2008 Presidential election, mainly because I find it almost impossible to take seriously. As I watch some of the supporters providing an almost hysterical reception for their candidates at various meetings, I have to wonder what it is that motivates them to display such emotions.
Both candidates (Obama and McCain) have altered their views many times over the last couple of years or so, and perhaps this is what they mean by "change"? They have been so busy attacking each other that it is difficult to clearly see what their policies really are, and their "rivalry" appears personal and quite often childish.
Most people give the impression that they would have preferred different candidates to be nominated, but as usual accept what they are given. At the end of the day it all boils down to which party they stand for. The majority of people vote for the party they always support, no matter who the leader is (this is true in most countries).
But in the title of this article I mentioned two other names (Clinton and Bush). Before you start writing emails to point out that Clinton isn´t in the race anymore, or that Bush can´t be, let me explain.
You may have heard some rumors on the internet these last few weeks, talking about some plot to assassinate Obama? This may well be "wishful thinking" by those who don´t like him, or one of those stories quoted by some unknown source in an unknown publication? However, what if there is some truth to this? Should something terrible like this happen, Clinton would be the automatic replacement. Some of you may remember that her reluctance to quit the race was based on this possibility (her words, not mine). Does she know something we don´t, and was this remark a Freudian slip?
What of Bush, how can he possibly figure in this race? Technically, he can´t, he has already been in office for the maximum two terms (as if we need any reminding of that). But he has created many new "executive orders" that allow him to remain in power if there is a national emergency. So if there is some disaster (like another 9/11 for example), he could impose martial law and stay in power (elections would be cancelled).
Could it be that the candidates on offer are being made to look so bad and unelectable, that an extended stay by Bush might almost come as a relief? Let´s be honest, none of four candidates I have mentioned are really fit to be President of the USA, under normal conditions they wouldn´t even be considered as VP´s.
It has been mentioned many times that the "real" power behind the government don´t really care who wins the race, they control them both. Whilst I have no doubts this is true, it would of course be easier if the Republican Party stayed in office, as this would require fewer changes in the personnel.
Of course, it would be far simpler if there were no changes at all and this might be a good time to remember something George Bush said a couple of years ago: "If this were a dictatorship it would be a heck of a lot easier...just as long as I am the dictator"
The presidential race may hold a few surprises yet (none of them good) and anything can happen in a country where the most unlikely candidates get a shot at being President. I sometimes wonder what would happen if Mickey Mouse put his name down for the Presidential race one day, he´s certainly old enough, but I guess he doesn´t have enough skeletons in the cupboard to have any serious chance?
Both candidates (Obama and McCain) have altered their views many times over the last couple of years or so, and perhaps this is what they mean by "change"? They have been so busy attacking each other that it is difficult to clearly see what their policies really are, and their "rivalry" appears personal and quite often childish.
Most people give the impression that they would have preferred different candidates to be nominated, but as usual accept what they are given. At the end of the day it all boils down to which party they stand for. The majority of people vote for the party they always support, no matter who the leader is (this is true in most countries).
But in the title of this article I mentioned two other names (Clinton and Bush). Before you start writing emails to point out that Clinton isn´t in the race anymore, or that Bush can´t be, let me explain.
You may have heard some rumors on the internet these last few weeks, talking about some plot to assassinate Obama? This may well be "wishful thinking" by those who don´t like him, or one of those stories quoted by some unknown source in an unknown publication? However, what if there is some truth to this? Should something terrible like this happen, Clinton would be the automatic replacement. Some of you may remember that her reluctance to quit the race was based on this possibility (her words, not mine). Does she know something we don´t, and was this remark a Freudian slip?
What of Bush, how can he possibly figure in this race? Technically, he can´t, he has already been in office for the maximum two terms (as if we need any reminding of that). But he has created many new "executive orders" that allow him to remain in power if there is a national emergency. So if there is some disaster (like another 9/11 for example), he could impose martial law and stay in power (elections would be cancelled).
Could it be that the candidates on offer are being made to look so bad and unelectable, that an extended stay by Bush might almost come as a relief? Let´s be honest, none of four candidates I have mentioned are really fit to be President of the USA, under normal conditions they wouldn´t even be considered as VP´s.
It has been mentioned many times that the "real" power behind the government don´t really care who wins the race, they control them both. Whilst I have no doubts this is true, it would of course be easier if the Republican Party stayed in office, as this would require fewer changes in the personnel.
Of course, it would be far simpler if there were no changes at all and this might be a good time to remember something George Bush said a couple of years ago: "If this were a dictatorship it would be a heck of a lot easier...just as long as I am the dictator"
The presidential race may hold a few surprises yet (none of them good) and anything can happen in a country where the most unlikely candidates get a shot at being President. I sometimes wonder what would happen if Mickey Mouse put his name down for the Presidential race one day, he´s certainly old enough, but I guess he doesn´t have enough skeletons in the cupboard to have any serious chance?
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