Conversation starter: the US election!

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Having decided from an early age that I didn’t want to follow in my family’s footsteps and get a PhD, I pursued my real passion –writing. And here I am. After work experience and an internship at CLEO I was given my first full-time job in journalism, and what a way to start! Some stuff about me… I can’t drink a can of coke without tapping it three times, I’m obsessed with US politics, and I would love to one day be the proud owner of two sausage dogs called Franzle and Kaiser.

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Conversation starter: the US election!

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27 Oct, 2008

First we need to establish who’s doing what. On one side we have the Democrats (kinda like our Labor Party) headed by Barack Obama, who is looking to be the first U.S. African-American President.

The other side features the Republican (think Liberals) John McCain, who is ex-military and was a Prisoner of War during the Vietnam War.

As their brief intros above suggest, these are two pretty colourful people running for office, and they also have some interesting fans.

Obama has a string of A-listers endorsing him, including Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, Will Smith, George Clooney, and Tom Hanks.

Meanwhile McCain is backed by Heidi Montag, Donald Trump, Clint Eastwood, and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Celebs aside, here are a few issues that will determine the winner on 4 November:

Issue one: The looming Financial Crisis

People are asking: Do banking rules need to change? Should the government help out failing banks? What about those people who can’t afford their mortgages?

Front runner: Obama appears to be stronger on economics - appealing more to the middle and lower-income earners with his tax policies (raising corporate taxes to help pay for tax cuts for everyone earning under $250k a year.)

Issue two: The war in Iraq and Afghanistan

The U.S. is spending lots of money just to keep troops there (we’re talking a trillion dollars since 9/11).

People are asking: Should the Allies stay or go? Should they leave immediately or gradually? Are we losing this war and can we ever win it?

Front runner: McCain is stronger with Foreign Policy issues, given his personal experience in the military.

So, what do you think? Who do you think’ has a better chance? And should celebrities endorse candidates?

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Comments (7)

Posted 28 Oct 2008 by Lucy

McCain's not obama-istible! Only Obama is obama-istible.
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Posted 28 Oct 2008 by emakaric@acpmagazines.com.au

McCain-Palin don't have a chance. What about the ludicrous amounts of money spent on a travelling make up artist? I wouldn't want my economy managed by a government with cleary screwed up priorities! McCain is out of his depth.
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Posted 28 Oct 2008 by Obama

Personally, i think i have stronger foreign policy experience, Vote for me
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Posted 28 Oct 2008 by Verena

This is the best blog ever!
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Posted 29 Oct 2008 by Gen

I'd vote for Obama. I think he'll win because he has a better outlook on the modern world and I think he could save the financial world. As for celebrities endorsing their fave candidates, i think it's a bit irresponsible. Because let's face it, if an 18 year old voter loves Scarlett Johanssen, they'll be more likely to vote for Obama because of their affiliation. I think voters have to take celebrity endorsements with a pinch of salt. Either way, it'll be an interesting outcome!!
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