America must elect Barack Obama because world can't afford another Bush

Aug 31 2008 Elaine C. Smith

I AM one of those saddos up watching the Democratic Convention in the middle of the night.

I'm becoming a political groupie and I love it - even if it's too much showbiz, not enough debate.

I don't think we'll see Stevie Wonder and Earth Wind & Fire songs between the speeches at a Labour conference but it's pretty cool in my book.

I want Barack Obama elected as president - please, America.

No more of the Bush disaster, give us Obama and give us hope.

America is at its best, as Bill Clinton said, "when it shows its power by example, not example by its power".

I wish the rest of the world could get a vote because we seem to love Obama more than the US and because their decisions have a profound effect on us.

I love his take on right-wing philosophy, which is basically: "Something gone wrong? Illness? Disability? Lost your job? You're on your own."

The Left has always had the opposite view: "If you fall down, it's our duty as compassionate humans to help you back up." Republicans seem to have this belief they are real patriots. The problem is they profess to love their country with a passion but seem to hate half the folk in it.

For racists, the sight of a black man and his family in the White House is too much to bear.

Some have said they won't vote for Obama after he teased America about his "funny name". Grow up.

For the under-50s, race isn't an issue. I'm glad they don't see the colour, just the person.

Let's hope not too many of the over-50s have guns. A faint hope, I grant you, in gun-ridden America.

And why do the wives of the leaders have to prove they are "real" women? They can't just be people in their own right. They have to portray the image of wife, mother, homemaker, a woman who always puts the children first.

It drives me mad. Are we and society still so afraid of intelligent, career women that they have to pretend to be something else?

Michelle Obama made a great speech and looked beautiful but it was all to convince white folks, especially the women, that she "was just like them".

It depresses me that it comes back down to racism and sexism.

Why can't a black woman just be bright and intelligent even if she is married and loves her man?

I was glad to see the Clintons back Obama but I suspect they hope McCain wins so Hillary gets the nomination next time. They must be seen to unite the party.

Politics is a strange old game.