First Presidential Debate: Obama has done it
Rizwan Ghani
September 27, 2008
The initial CNN poll showed Obama led McCain on economy, Iraq on average by 20 percent. Similarly, the initial reports from different states showed Obama leading on average by 30 percent. He is leading national average by +4.2 percent and ahead in most swing states http://www.realclearpolitics.com/?utm_source=rcpwidget&utm_medium=widget&utm_campaign=guardian2. The history of presidential debate shows that the side with early victory widens the lead,subsequently.
Obama successfully tied McCain to Bush on his voting record, budget support and his ineffectiveness to influence Bush to change Iraq policy. McCain despite having vast foreign policy and national security experience had little space to defend himself on failed Bush policies on Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea and Russia.
Both Obama and McCain remained consistent on their foreign policy positions. However, Obama unexpectedly came hard on China, Russia and Pakistan. In wake of unfolding US economic crisis US president needs friends not contenders in international arena to protect national economic and security interests in an interdependent global world.
Both Obama and McCain failed to mention Europe. It is due to the upcoming shift in US-Afghan policy. Reportedly, miffed by EU´s persistent qualms over human rights and economic slowdown US has decided to go alone. It is a flawed approach in an arena that disintegrated former Soviet Union and that too at a time when Russia is on the rise. It will be a catastrophe for Afghanistan and its neighboring countries in the region that will be caught in strategic open-ended struggle for no fault of their own.
McCain´s mention of League of Democracy instead UN reflects continuation of Bush´s policy of undermining international platforms. UN can help resolve Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Darfur and Kashmir without further bloodshed and that too in accordance to international law.
Obama´s dialogue cum diplomacy approach is more practical and has all the chances of success if he keeps his word. UN still is an effective platform to resolve almost all international crises provided next US president would be willing to respect international law. In case Obama would be ready to do just that, it will automatically restore US image internationally.
The initial reaction to Obama´s economic policy has been positive. It will further improve in due course of time. His promise to exempt tax up to 2,50,000 dollars income has gone down well with the majority of the Americans, especially the middle class. Obama scored high points for criticizing McCain for giving 300 bn dollar tax break to rich that were not even asking for it.
Both candidates however failed to come up with concrete proposals over generating funds for running the country in wake of unfolding economic crisis. They need to come up with concrete proposals to allow voters make informed choices, especially the swing voters, those struggling with mortgages and those worried about their bank deposits, pension funds and growing costs of daily items.
It is recommended that instead of charging 35 percent interest from American businesses both leaders can bring down the figure to 25 percent. Businesses could be asked to divert ten percent difference towards their employees´ wages (five percent), health care and retirement funds (two and a half percent each).
Lawmakers can plug the loopholes in tax laws to block business from avoiding the taxes. It should bring back overseas American business and Obama camp will not have to hunt them down with penalties. It will support Obama´s health care plan for all. The diverted tax cut amount will be in addition to current health care and 401K contributions by the employees.
Obama can encourage use of alternate energy by expanding existing incentives to help employers reduce business cost and match extra two and a half percent in 401 K program of their employees without compromising their business profits. It is an established fact that lawmakers legislate laws not checks.
Obama and McCain supported strict accountability on Wall Street. It is a step in right direction. The move will have global effect, especially in developing world. Provided the next US president manages to implement it. It will end exploitation of hapless public and inefficient govt.´s at the hands of unscrupulous bankers and finance managers playing havoc with young democracies lacking adequate infrastructure to bring these culprits to book. These corrupt elements are one of the major reasons in undermining public´s faith in democracy in the third world countries.
Finally, what American and rest of the world wanted to see was, can the young contender hold his own. Obama's outstanding performance in the debate, following the historic footsteps of J.F. Kennedy, has shown the American voters and the rest of the world that he has what it takes to be the leader. Obama has done it and he will do it again.
Obama successfully tied McCain to Bush on his voting record, budget support and his ineffectiveness to influence Bush to change Iraq policy. McCain despite having vast foreign policy and national security experience had little space to defend himself on failed Bush policies on Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea and Russia.
Both Obama and McCain remained consistent on their foreign policy positions. However, Obama unexpectedly came hard on China, Russia and Pakistan. In wake of unfolding US economic crisis US president needs friends not contenders in international arena to protect national economic and security interests in an interdependent global world.
Both Obama and McCain failed to mention Europe. It is due to the upcoming shift in US-Afghan policy. Reportedly, miffed by EU´s persistent qualms over human rights and economic slowdown US has decided to go alone. It is a flawed approach in an arena that disintegrated former Soviet Union and that too at a time when Russia is on the rise. It will be a catastrophe for Afghanistan and its neighboring countries in the region that will be caught in strategic open-ended struggle for no fault of their own.
McCain´s mention of League of Democracy instead UN reflects continuation of Bush´s policy of undermining international platforms. UN can help resolve Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Darfur and Kashmir without further bloodshed and that too in accordance to international law.
Obama´s dialogue cum diplomacy approach is more practical and has all the chances of success if he keeps his word. UN still is an effective platform to resolve almost all international crises provided next US president would be willing to respect international law. In case Obama would be ready to do just that, it will automatically restore US image internationally.
The initial reaction to Obama´s economic policy has been positive. It will further improve in due course of time. His promise to exempt tax up to 2,50,000 dollars income has gone down well with the majority of the Americans, especially the middle class. Obama scored high points for criticizing McCain for giving 300 bn dollar tax break to rich that were not even asking for it.
Both candidates however failed to come up with concrete proposals over generating funds for running the country in wake of unfolding economic crisis. They need to come up with concrete proposals to allow voters make informed choices, especially the swing voters, those struggling with mortgages and those worried about their bank deposits, pension funds and growing costs of daily items.
It is recommended that instead of charging 35 percent interest from American businesses both leaders can bring down the figure to 25 percent. Businesses could be asked to divert ten percent difference towards their employees´ wages (five percent), health care and retirement funds (two and a half percent each).
Lawmakers can plug the loopholes in tax laws to block business from avoiding the taxes. It should bring back overseas American business and Obama camp will not have to hunt them down with penalties. It will support Obama´s health care plan for all. The diverted tax cut amount will be in addition to current health care and 401K contributions by the employees.
Obama can encourage use of alternate energy by expanding existing incentives to help employers reduce business cost and match extra two and a half percent in 401 K program of their employees without compromising their business profits. It is an established fact that lawmakers legislate laws not checks.
Obama and McCain supported strict accountability on Wall Street. It is a step in right direction. The move will have global effect, especially in developing world. Provided the next US president manages to implement it. It will end exploitation of hapless public and inefficient govt.´s at the hands of unscrupulous bankers and finance managers playing havoc with young democracies lacking adequate infrastructure to bring these culprits to book. These corrupt elements are one of the major reasons in undermining public´s faith in democracy in the third world countries.
Finally, what American and rest of the world wanted to see was, can the young contender hold his own. Obama's outstanding performance in the debate, following the historic footsteps of J.F. Kennedy, has shown the American voters and the rest of the world that he has what it takes to be the leader. Obama has done it and he will do it again.
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