The US election was like a boxing match
The media (TV, print, audio, etc) took centre stage with the coverage of the US presidential elections, prior to, during and after the outcome.
One may say it was an overkill of news, but that is the American free press. The debates received ratings and comments from the social networks and live audiences. I would like to fast forward to the night of the elections. All the popular TV channels were on and provided graphic images of the states dividing them into Republican, Democrat, Liberal and even Undecided. An education on the Electoral College votes for certain states and the must-win one for Ohio were shared with viewers.
Also the demographics, gender (see Saturday’s Stella Ramsaroop SN feature), etc.
It was like a boxing match as the exit polls were taken and projections made with the caution that it was not official. When the actual votes were released and electoral ones awarded to the candidates the likely projection evoked tension, even at home, challenging the feeble-hearted supporters to go to bed and await the final outcome the following day.
But there is so much we can learn, viz the cordial atmosphere in defeat and victory, along with the admission by President Obama that he is the president of all America, and that there would need to be compromises by both sides in order to prevent gridlock and negotiate the fiscal cliff.
Congrats to President Obama even though the jury is still out analysing the campaign strategy which propelled him to victory.
V O Patrick