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(For new reader and those who request 好友请求, please read my 公告栏 first)The US Election and the New Hampshire
Primary
For American TV audience and the general public in the US, last night
was drama of the highest order, regardless whether or not it is politics or
entertainment. First of all, traditional reliable polling statistics and
prediction by pundits were proved wrong. Instead of a double digit win
expected for Obama, Hilary Clinton won on the democratic side. McCain's
win for the Republicans was less of a surprise but he was generally
considered to have zero chance as far back as last July and as recent as
two weeks ago. So now the next president of the US mostly likely will be
among the four candidates, Barak Obama, Hilary Clinton, John McCain,
or Mitt Romney If you listen to the concession and victory speeches of
the four, Obama is clearly the most charismatic. He spoke without notes
and was inspiring in defeat. Clinton’s was less so. But her win and speech
showed both her professional and humanistic side. It showed more who
she really is than what the media’s caricature of her – as experienced,
tough, but no heart. McCain projected trust and honor. You may disagree
with him on issues and he admits to be imperfect. But you feel you can
trust him if your life depended on him. Romney’s concession in my opinion
was the least impressive. He came across as a very smart businessman and
manager who is manipulative. One would buy stocks in his company but
not sure if you want him to be your leader.
Democracy is chaotic, unpredictable, inefficient, and not always right.
Winston Churchill reputedly have said that “The best argument against
democracy is to talk to the average voter for five minutes (because they
are not always well informed and vote by emotion and gut feeling – my
interpretation)”. But he has also famously said that “democracy is the
worst form of government except for all others”. Last night’s drama can
be said as “its finest hour (another Churchillian phrase)".
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