The differences between US & UK politics

[Steve Burke]

In the UK my political view is centre-right. I was therefore expecting that when I filled in a couple of questionnaires a while back I'd naturally lean towards McCain and the Republicans. To my surprise my answers made me one of many undecided.

 

It may simply be that the US is more right wing than the UK. Has anyone any thoughts on this?

 

Or it could be because I know little about domestic US issues, on which I therefore have no firm views. I do though have opinions on international matters. On domestic issues I'd lean toward McCain, on international ones Obama.

 

Because of the power and influence of America I believe the US elections are very important to the world as a whole.

 

It's interesting that Readers Digest recently found that in every country they surveyed there was a large majority for Obama and the Democrats. RD also found that, contrary to what I suspect a lot of Americans believe, the world was neutral towards the US.

 

However in recent weeks I've come off the fence. The deciding issue hasn't been the views of Obama or McCain. Rather it's been the politics of Sarah Palin, who could of course become President if McCain were to become ill. Whilst 71 is no great age these days, he'd be 75 at the end of a term in office that could be very stressful. Am I right in thinking if he wins the election he'd be the oldest ever President?

 

Is it a coincidence that after the initial bounce when Palin was announced as McCain's running mate, Obama has pulled strongly ahead in the polls? What first may have been seen as a shrewd move may now be backfiring.

 

After all, one of McCain's main arguments is that Obama is inexperienced. Yet Palin is also inexperienced. She also appears to be more right wing than McCain on many issues. In a closely fought election, especially when she might become President, it could be vital to win the centre ground.

 

A strange choice of running mate then, and one that might cost McCain the presidency. It certainly would have cost my vote had I been American.

 

I suspect though that when push comes to shove on election day McCain will close the gap significantly, if only because of the colour of Obama's skin. That may be much less important outside America, and of no relevance to me whatsoever. However, a lot of Americans may not be ready for a black President.

 

What odds though would you have got at the time of the racial problems in the 60s that just 40 years later there could well be a black President of the United States?

Edited October 29, 2008 by Steve Burke

[Peter Sharpe]

I have come to the conclusion that America doesn't actually exist, but is just something created out of smoke and mirrors by a coalition of psychotic religious groups and advertising agencies. I'm sure there are millions of people over there who think that life is one long television commercial.

[peterpikefisher]

one thing about America they sure know how to start a world recession

[Newt]

Steve - the impression I'm getting is that, oddly enough, skin color is not a major factor for most who are for or against Obama.

 

There have been candidates in the past I really didn't like but I think Obama is the first one in the 40+ years I've been of voting age who has scared me.

 

I took one of those quiz things where you had to pick a position - multiple choice - and at the end they scored you on which one you favored. I came out slightly pro McCain but just barely. This pretty well confirmed that was not their stated positions that affected my preference.

 

I've watched televised speeches by Obama and the crowd reaction brought to mind the tales of Svengali.

[Alan Stubbs]

One thing that came over loud and clear in the US election process is that Obama is the only candidate who has oratorial skills.

 

His remarks, whilst not to everyone's taste, have been delivered with a gravitas lacking in the other candidates.

McCain's attempts at 'homeliness' had a very hollow ring to them whilst Palin's utterances are frequently cringeworthy.

 

Looking back over previous US VP's they have frequently been little more than shadow figures and of little consequence. Moreover, multi-term presidents appear to spend their first term realising they can't improve the US financial deficit whilst their second term playing the 'international statesman' thing - and UK Prime Ministers are the same.

 

The impression I have taken from the coverage in the UK is that much more credence is given to speeches and replies on the record than we would give to British politicians - which makes Palin even more of a liability, and none of the candidates seems likely to improve relations with either Europe or Britain.

[Steve Burke]

Steve - the impression I'm getting is that, oddly enough, skin color is not a major factor for most who are for or against Obama.

 

I'm very glad to hear that, Newt.

 

One of the problems we have over here is that, aside from the Americans we know, we really have little idea of how the US is changing. Our impressions may therefore be totally out of date.

[The Flying Tench]

I think it is amazing that the Republicans are in with even a chance. Fairly or otherwise, the Bush administration has to take responsibility for the mistakes made in Iraq and the Credit Crunch. McCain is having to campaign on the basis that he disagrees with many of Bush's policies. If a British Labour (say) potential PM had to campaign on the basis that 'The last Labour government were a disaster, but vote for me' he wouldn't get very far - a clear difference between US and UK politics.

 

It's amazing to me , also, that Powell as a Republican could endorse Obama. It's like John Major endorsing Gordon Brown. I think I'm right that it couldn't happen in Uk politics.

Edited October 29, 2008 by The Flying Tench

[Emma two]

I hope that I am aware enough to realise that the Americans we see on our televisions and via the internet are the ones which for whatever reason someone has decided we should see. I hope that much of what we do see isn't truly representative of the whole population. I find it worrying to see and hear over and over that 'god' and how christian (or not) the candidates are in the eyes of voters is s serious variable when considering their suitabilty for office

 

. Is the ridiculous childish name calling confined to only a minority shown on film? for example Obama is called, Marxist, Socialist, Muslem 'Baby Killer' and a terrorist!.

 

I would like to see a wider political gap both in US and UK politics. A healthy mix of proper left and right wing, at the moment parties seem so similar.

[Huge_Vitae]

I hope that I am aware enough to realise that the Americans we see on our televisions and via the internet are the ones which for whatever reason someone has decided we should see. I hope that much of what we do see isn't truly representative of the whole population. I find it worrying to see and hear over and over that 'god' and how christian (or not) the candidates are in the eyes of voters is s serious variable when considering their suitabilty for office

 

. Is the ridiculous childish name calling confined to only a minority shown on film? for example Obama is called, Marxist, Socialist, Muslem 'Baby Killer' and a terrorist!.

 

I would like to see a wider political gap both in US and UK politics. A healthy mix of proper left and right wing, at the moment parties seem so similar.

 

Emma, The use of the terms, 'left wing' and 'right wing' differ from Nation to Nation.

 

You understand the concept of left and right ONLY as it is applicable to the Country in which you reside.

 

The terms originate from the Post Revolution period in France.

 

I can't remember the full explanation I was given once but broadly speaking, People consider left and right in Political terms as a straight line with either party sat on the end with liberal in the centre, this is in fact not so, in broader political terms, Political thought is a circle, the more you move to the extreme of one side, the closer you become to the extreme view of the opposition.

 

In contemporary Western political discourse, "the Left" is most often used to describe forms of socialism, social democracy, or, in the sense in which the term is understood in the United States and Canada, liberalism.

 

The terms 'left', 'right' and 'centre' are however contextual terms, relative to the political situation of individual countries and regions. At the same time, however, some theorists, in particular Leszek Kolakowski have defined the concept of the left in abstract terms as being utopian and ideological--in contradistinction to a right which is inherently opportunistic for its own sake. In an article on the 2001 general election in the United Kingdom, the U.S. Washington Post newspaper observed that the healthcare and welfare policies of the British Conservative Party would be on "the far left-wing fringe of American politics".

 

Perhaps this explains our some people's 'interest' in the subject in that, they cannot quite get their heads around what is going on.

 

Understanding the Politics of a Country in which you do not reside is rather difficult, so you apply the definitions of terms as you understand them.

 

And I do accept that the Election of the People who control such resources/firepower/money etc etc etc IS of importance to the Whole World.

 

I watched a Documentary some time ago on Obama, I read an article by one of his ex supporters which asked some very worrying questions which as yet remain unanswered, obviously investigations have been made but nothing proven. This again triggers our own thoughts.

 

Was nothing found because nothing was there to be found? On the other side of the coin, Was nothing found because the people who planned this were very good at ensuring all tracks were removed?

[corydoras]

Understanding the Politics of a Country in which you do not reside is rather difficult,...

Indeed, try France, just as difficult for me, at least to get my head round some of the French stuff as it is some American politics.