Soon we will know who the next US President is. When Obama contested the elections in 2008 he promised change. Indeed change was the buzzword and, “Yes We Can,” became the American mantra. Obama was clearly a favourite then, an underdog and the first African-American to aspire to enter the White House, in a country known for its racism. Obama is articulate and a good orator. The economy then was in a shambles after President George Bush squandered the resources of the country to fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama came in with the promise of change and was elected precisely for that. But like they say the more things change the more they remain the same. The hedge funds scams surfaced during Obama’s time. America went thorough a severe economic downturn. Unemployment is rampant and the shifting of jobs from the US to China has hurt Americans. Interestingly, Americans believe in rational debates although sections of the intelligentsia have been keeping a tab on who is telling more lies during these debates – Obama or Romney. They found that the latter tended to resort to lying whenever he wanted to castigate his opponent. For the two contenders this election is a fight to the finish. Americans are appalled at the personal attacks from both sides – a feature that was remarkably absent in the past, although scandals always made juicy debates.
What Obama can claim to have done is to kill the terror monger Osama Bin Laden who was responsible for the America’s biggest tragedy by far – the saga of 9/11. Obama’s vision of a nuclear free world is disarming. And although he may not have done anything spectacular, he has not also left the US in a state far worse than when he took over the reins of power. The Republican candidate Mitt Romney though ahead initially seems to have slipped a few notches after Obama handled Hurricane Sandy with alacrity. It was heartwarming to see the American President hugging the cyclone victims. It can only happen in America and Obama did not do it for effect. As far as foreign policy is concerned, Obama has done quite well in engaging China and keeping India as a reliable ally. For India it will not matter too much who gets elected. Things have now reached a point where it makes good economic sense to cultivate the Indian market and whether Obama re-enters the White House or Romney is elected there will not be much change in the US policy vis-à-vis India.