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Americans want Barack Obama to become their 44th President. If he is elected, America will teach to the whole world what being progressive really means. It’s pathetic that in 2008, we, Mauritians, can only think of electing a Hindu Vaish as Prime Minister (except for Bérenger’s brief spell…) But, to put things in perspective, even France is not yet ready for a black or arab President.

Of course, no one can be 100% sure that Obama will be President as the election is done by an electoral college. To paraphrase this succinct and precise article:

It’s the Electoral College that matters in presidential elections.

It’s a collection of electors chosen by the Democratic and Republican parties in each state who then choose the president; 538 electors are spread across the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Each state and the District of Columbia gets a minimum of three. Larger states are given more, based on their total number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. You can calculate each state’s electoral votes by adding two (the number of senators) to a state’s number of House members. California, the most populous state, has 55 electoral votes. Wyoming, the least populous, has three (along with six other states and the District of Columbia).

But

The newly elected House would vote for president on Jan. 6, with each state’s delegation getting one vote. Because Democrats are likely to maintain their majority, the House likely would elect Sen. Barack Obama. The Senate would vote to elect the vice president, likely Sen. Joe Biden.

 

Whether Obama wins or not, I would like to see a change in the way we, Mauritians, think of politicians. We tend to forget that politicians are elected by us to implement whatever they announced in their electoral programmes. They should be held accountable. If they are not performing, they should get a proper kick in the backside.

But, first and foremost, they should not be chosen because they “represent” a specific ethnic group but because of their competence, vision and, for the old ones, their track record. Young people should be given a chance to do things instead of being only crutches.

Any early signs of Mauritian Obamas yet?

Everyone with half a brain want Barack Obama to become the President of the United States of America next week.

76 American Nobel Prize winners are convinced that

Senator Barack Obama is a visionary leader who can ensure the future of America’s traditional strengths in science and technology.

The New York Times editorialist writes:

The United States is battered and drifting after eight years of President Bush’s failed leadership. He is saddling his successor with two wars, a scarred global image and a government systematically stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens — whether they are fleeing a hurricane’s floodwaters, searching for affordable health care or struggling to hold on to their homes, jobs, savings and pensions in the midst of a financial crisis that was foretold and preventable.

As tough as the times are, the selection of a new president is easy. After nearly two years of a grueling and ugly campaign, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has proved that he is the right choice to be the 44th president of the United States.

The Economist also endorses Barack Obama:

America should take a chance and make Barack Obama the next leader of the free world.

The Economist does not have a vote, but if it did, it would cast it for Mr Obama. We do so wholeheartedly: the Democratic candidate has clearly shown that he offers the better chance of restoring America’s self-confidence.

Even that bastion of capitalism, the Financial Times, wants Barack Obama to win:

A campaign is a test of leadership. Mr Obama ran his superbly; Mr McCain’s has often looked a shambles. After eight years of George W. Bush, the steady competence of the Obama operation commands respect.

Nor should one disdain Mr Obama’s way with a crowd. Good presidents engage the country’s attention; great ones inspire. Mr McCain, on form, is an adequate speaker but no more. Mr Obama, on form, is as fine a political orator as the country has heard in decades.

The challenges facing the next president will be extraordinary. We hesitate to wish it on anyone, but we hope that Mr Obama gets the job.

 

Of course, there are still lots of people with less than half-a-brain in America and they can still theoretically tip the balance towards the Republicans.

Personally, I want Barack Obama to win for a very selfish reason. If he wins, he is bound to inspire countless of intelligent, honest and hard-working persons over the whole planet to get into politics in order to make the world better.

What I really want is for such Mauritians to get into local politics. Mauritius deserves more competent people.

Alé Barack!