Trying to engage in presidential debates

Millions of people outside America have been following the US presidential debates, which began more than a week ago, a month before the big vote on November 4, in an attempt to understand where the United States is heading. No other election on the planet enjoys the same global attention, which speaks for the importance of the leadership changeover in the capital of the world's most powerful and influential nation.

This year's election is becoming increasingly important as it coincides with the worst financial crisis the world has known for decades. And because of Wall Street woes and last minute deliberations by Congress to pass a $700 billion (Dh2.56 trillion) rescue deal, the debates - one by presidential candidates and another by vice presidential contenders - are focusing on one major topic: America's financial crisis and what it means for the future of that country and by extension the global economy.

The debates offer us a unique perspective on the inner workings of US politics. Some of the issues raised may sound too complex, or too prosaic, for non-Americans to follow; taxes, government oversight, regulations, bills and voting patterns by candidates. But every now and then issues like the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the peace process in the Middle East, nuclear proliferation, Iran and ending America's dependency on foreign oil come up in a way that are engaging and indicative of things to come.

The world has a stake in the outcome of the US presidential elections. Common wisdom and recent polls indicates that the majority of non-Americans would rather see Democratic hopeful Barack Obama in the White House come January 20, 2009 rather than Republican candidate John McCain, who is viewed as too aligned with George Bush and his foreign policy doctrines.

Not confident

The first presidential debate between Obama and McCain in Mississippi more than a week ago failed to show a confident Obama, especially on foreign policy. Although most polls suggested that the black senator from Illinois had won the tussle, for non Americans Obama was unable to astonish. He was too reserved, agreeing too much with his opponent, and failing to deliver a knock-out blow.

Obama, of course, is the choice of the majority of Europeans, Arabs and Muslims. No one in his right mind would want to see a third term for Bush and his policies delivered through McCain whose stance on Iraq, the peace process and Iran is too hawkish. But for Arabs and Muslims everywhere Obama has failed to excite. His position on Pakistan lacked depth, and as to the Middle East conflict there was not even a mention of the Palestinians and their plight. In his first debate Obama disappointed.

The same can be said of the only vice presidential debate, which took place late Thursday between Senator Joe Biden and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in Missouri. Both disagreed on many things, but when it came to protecting Israel, America's most important ally in the Middle East, from perceived Iranian threats, the two candidates were in agreement. Again there was no mention of the decade-old suffering of the Palestinians.

For outsiders debates may seem boring and sometimes inconsequential. The same issues are almost always tackled by both opponents who assume contradictory positions; taxes, role and size of government, national health, foreign policy, emigration, budgets, education and gay rights. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish positions and at times sound bites are all what audiences are left with. The pundits scramble to defend or attack the performance of each candidate while pollsters and spin doctors waste no time to dictate the agenda. Overall few are able to understand what really is going on.

In spite of the world's interest in the outcome of the US presidential debates and ultimately the elections, few among us can claim to understand the inner workings of America's political system. What we know is that come November 4 the American public will elect a new president and that no matter what the candidate said or promised, the world will have to endure four years of almost authoritarian rule by the top resident of the White House.

We know this because we have seen how in eight years, George W. Bush was able to turn the planet on its head and get away with it. But the nature of the globalised structure we now have means that the US can either make this planet a better or worse place for billions of human beings.

Obama promises change, reforms and multilateral cooperation to solve regional and global challenges. His diversified background and integrity are inspirational. The fact that America's economy is on the brink of collapse makes him an even more interesting candidate. Being the first black American contender to the position of president is a reason for excitement and hope for millions outside the US.

Somehow this presidential elections is becoming the most important in over a century, not because Obama is black, son of a Kenyan Muslim and a white American from Kansas, but because America's standing in the world, both as a military and economic superpower, is being seriously contested. We are on the verge of a major historical shift that promises to change our lives in so many ways.

While the debates, so far, have failed to excite they have shed light on what is going on in mainstream America. Change is the main issue and if non-Americans were to vote on November 4 their choice would be Obama simply because like most Americans they are fed up with the Bush era and all that it stands for.

Osama Al Sharif is a veteran journalist based in Jordan.