UAE residents speak out on US polls
UAE residents speak out on US polls and the candidates
Dubai/Abu Dhabi: With the US elections on Tuesday, Gulf News canvassed the UAE's residents for their opinions on what could prove to be a historic decision.
Adam Ruttan, 28, a marketing and sales executive from Canada, said: "This election is disappointing because it feels like it's between a celebrity and an old man. That's the way the media portrays it. McCain has been portrayed as someone who is going to continue George Bush's legacy and no one can criticise Obama because he would be called a racist. They have put a halo over his head."
Ruttan has been following the US elections daily and would vote for John McCain. "He has more experience and he knows how to work with Democrats.
"We [Canada] trade with the US more than any other country. Barack Obama wants to change the North American Free Trade Agreement, which would hurt Canada," Ruttan added.
Theresa Ackermann, 61, a Swiss housewife, is interested in seeing more diversity in this election.
"It is very fascinating to see a black man run for president. I think many people are watching more because of that reason and because of all the things happening in the world now. I think Obama will win, but I wish Hillary Clinton was still running. I would have voted for her but in her absence I will vote for Obama. Of course, he will impact the world, but I don't really know how he will impact Switzerland directly."
Mathew Roy, 36, an Indian marketing manager, has been following the elections more than he has before.
"This is a great election. Both contestants are very different and very qualified. I think Obama will win just because of his enthusiasm and energy. If I could vote, I would vote for Obama...It won't affect India but it will affect international affairs, security and so on, but I don't see how the president could affect the day-to-day life in India."
Gerard Bentick, a bank employee, 35, said: "I'm from the bank, so we know what the issues are the face our customers and faced by banking organisations. This could be one of the major elections that the USA is facing. If I had to choose, I would vote for Barack Obama - he seems to be well-initiated in the job and he wants to make a change. That's what the world wants - change."
Anam Aziz, a Pakistani businesswoman, 28, said: "The US elections is a dog-fight. Sometimes Obama is up there and sometimes McCain. It doesn't seem that they're debating policies, more of 'he said that', 'he said that', petty things. If I could, I would vote for Obama, because he's different from the Republican policies that have been there for eight years now."
Jawad Hanif, a visitor in Dubai, said: "If I could, I would vote for Obama, because he promised he will let out the forces from Iraq and he will reassign policies for the world. I think that if Barack Obama will come, the world will be safe."
Some were nonchalant. Benjamin Bradstreet, Australian, 31, said: "I haven't really been following it, partly because I haven't had time to, but partly because it's not a priority."
