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Iraqis search for clues on US election outcome
Iraqis have a preference, but whatever that preference is, most dismiss the idea that the winner will bring change to their lives.
- Los Angeles Times-Washington Post
- Published: 00:24 November 4, 2008
- Iraqis have a personal preference, but whatever that preference is, most dismiss the idea that the winner will bring change to their lives.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Baghdad: It's all in the wrist, Abu Ali Wazan said as he pondered who would, and should, become the next US president.
His choice is John McCain, because the Republican wants to leave US forces in Iraq, where Wazan is convinced they are needed to prevent a resurgence of sectarian war.
And because Wazan says he has seen photographs that show McCain with a watch on his right wrist, he said it stands to reason that McCain will defeat Barack Obama.
Never mind that what appears to be a watch is actually a bracelet bearing the name of an American soldier killed in Iraq. Wazan, who runs a sporting goods store, is convinced.
"Olmert also has his watch on his right hand," Wazan added, a reference to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is shown in photographs with his right wrist clearly adorned with a timepiece.
Obama, when he wears a watch, keeps it on his left wrist - not the sign of a winner, said Wazan, whose analysis of the situation is about as scientific as it gets here.
Iraqis have a personal preference, but whatever that preference is, most dismiss the idea that the winner will bring change to their lives.
Whatever their opinions, Iraqis certainly are following the presidential race, and questions about the candidates tend to unleash pent-up fury over everything that has gone wrong in Iraq since the American-led invasion of March 2003.
Perhaps that's why of 26 queried, 10 said they thought Obama, who opposed the war, was the best choice for the United States and for Iraq. Six favoured McCain. Nine said they had no opinion and said that neither Obama nor McCain would improve things.
Here is a look at what some Iraqis are saying about the US vote:
Khowla Nasrallah, bank manager: Obama will win. I saw him on TV. He has more charisma. He is good-looking, more active and eager to work. He also seems to be more humanitarian than McCain.
Adnan Shakily, civil servant: Of course Obama will win, because all the preliminary reports state he is ahead.
Salam Raheem, security guard: Never mind who will win, the American policy will not change.
Jalal Falih, tradesman: I'm with the Republican candidate, McCain, since he represents and knows Iraqi reality without making fiery statements about the withdrawal from Iraq.
Mohammad Eqbal Omer, university professor: I expect Obama to win because the American people look for the American dream, which is to eradicate racism and remove boundaries between the races.
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