Daily Times

The US election is important for the people in the US but it also affects the rest of the world. It is a country that still tries to stay within constitutional limits and abide by the law but the first Bush election was a shocking exception. Counting of ballots in that election reminded one of the rigging practices in Third World countries. Some friend has put on YouTube an old telecast of the Bush election covered by me for TV viewers on a US network. It refreshed my memory how the state machinery was slowed to avoid the recount of votes and how delays were accepted by the US Supreme Court, and George W Bush was declared successful. Much later, the count indicated that Gore should have won. What happened in the Bush administration included the horrors like 9/11 and the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and the rest of the world. These decisions brought the US to the brink of bankruptcy. The policy of deterrence was set aside and the policy of aggression adopted. The fallout was left to be managed by the successor.
Obama, faced with the disastrous situation left behind for him, has been busy with repairs and repairs do not give spectacular results. Therefore, some disappointment in his performance set in and his ratings came down to 44 percent. Such ratings are not good for an incumbent president who is to contest for the next term.
The drop in Obama’s popularity is exactly what the Republican Party and their candidate, Mitt Romney, would want to see. Romney is a Christian Mormon by belief, and he has some positives to his credit as the governor of a state. His choice of vice-president is very popular. Working on the ‘negatives’ of the Obama term, the Republicans appeared to be presenting a better alternative, although historically, an incumbent president is rarely denied the second term. The American public mostly realises that to achieve some progress on a national level a president needs eight years to plan and achieve.
In their campaign, the Republicans have perhaps chosen to distance themselves from George W Bush as he has not yet been invited to speak in the campaign. On the other hand, the Democratic Party is making full use of the great asset it has in the former president, Bill Clinton. He has the credit of bringing extraordinary prosperity to the people. He was people-friendly and avoided conflict in arms. He tried earnestly to bring peace to Palestine. He is a thinker and an orator. Clinton is a rare combination of being a philosopher and a pragmatic political leader. His sincerity, charm and charisma are incomparable.
Michelle Obama had also spoken very well on the first day of the Democratic Convention. The second day started with a comparatively lesser known speaker, Ms Elizabeth Warren, a senate hopeful. Ms Warren’s address brought a most pleasant surprise for those who did not know her enough. She proved to be a great speaker to set the tone for the convention on that day. Then Clinton appeared to address and the delegates were electrified. Of course, Clinton carried the day. His smile, personal charm and the deep study of events match his exceptional personality. Clinton spoke for about 45 minutes and kept the viewers spellbound with his deep analysis. Clinton had studied the ‘objections’ and ‘weaknesses’ that the opposition was trying to exploit against Obama’s performance. Clinton analysed each point logically and supported the actions that Obama had taken to improve the situation. He went at length to elaborate the effects of the unnecessary wars that the USA had committed itself to. He convincingly stated the effects of the drain on the economy and the consequent hardships to the people in the US. He strongly defended the right of the people to medical attention and the support to senior citizens. He committed to the continuance of the Medicare system. In short, he established the fact that all appropriate steps were being taken for the betterment of the people, especially the middle class and the poor. He objected to the extra facilities promised to the super rich by the Republicans. This is where the difference lies between the two political parties. The Democrats believe that government has a role to ensure implementation of policies that improve the living conditions of the people in general and, particularly, in the lower and the middle-income groups. Therefore, they ensure improvement of facilities for better education for all by funding scholarships, healthcare, housing, etc. The Democrats believe that the tax contribution should be essential for all, including big business and the super rich. On the other hand, the Republicans believe that big business and the super rich should enjoy tax cuts and, consequently, it will be in their interest to expand and provide jobs, and improve conditions for the workforce. The Republicans hope that individuals will help society in their own interest while the Democrats believe that government should have a role to ensure the public interest. Historically, the masses have benefitted more when the Democrats ruled. Clinton defined the future policies clearly and provided undeniable logic for the necessity of a second term for Obama to ensure success of the policies put in place during the last four years.
After Clinton’s charismatic speech, Obama’s ratings started to improve. Bill Clinton is a campaigner. He has not stopped at the Democratic Convention. He is continuing to campaign. Obama’s ratings have gone up to 51 percent after a long time. Clinton has contributed and felt responsible for the party and its philosophy.
Will the Pakistani political parties show such commitment to the welfare of the masses? If they do so in the next elections, whenever held, it would herald a change towards responsible democracy.

The writer is a former DG Pakistan National Council of the Arts, Secretary Arts Council Alhamra, COO of ICTV US, Chairperson Fruit Processing Industries, Chairperson Export Promotion Committee, head of several business delegations to European countries, specialist in arts management and cultural diplomacy. He is an expert callishtenist, dramatist, researcher, and the author of 8,000 years of the People of Indus Valley. Presently, he is the Central Vice- President APML and General Secretary, Punjab APML