U.S. Elections from Afar

Since all of the election fever has mostly died down in the US, perhaps you would like to hear about some of the US election news from an African perspective.

1. Starting as early as 1.5 years ago when some of the campaigning got started, people could not believe they were starting soooooo early.
2. Then the amazement and wonder of Hillary, wife of beloved Bill, (we never figured out why Bill is so loved, except maybe he is admired as a good politician who talks a good game and makes everyone feel good).
3. Then the amazing possibility that someone so “close” to Africa could even be in the running and people getting excited that an African might be come the president of the US, the most powerful president in the world.
4. Then all the collective speculation that Hillary might be vice president or maybe Condoleezza Rice on the Republican side.
5. When Palin was chosen, people were even more amazed.
6. When interest heightened, specific questions were being asked of Americans and when it was noted that husband and wife might even vote for different candidates and parties, heads began to shake in wonder. It would never be heard of here. And to think that people might switch parties based on who they like. Parties here are often connected to tribal relations and voting for candidates of a different party would only be slightly considered under extreme duress (like Zimbabwe).

AP Photo
7. When Obama won, Americans were celebrating, Africans were dancing. Dance is the highest cultural form of expression of joy. Kenya called for a day of national celebration. When asked why, someone said, “because we all want to be Americans.”
8. When McCain graciously conceded the election on election night, Africans stood in wonder because the losers in Africa never concede defeat, they keep on fighting and claim fraud by the winning party. Losers even incite riots and get arrested for doing it.
9. When asked why the intense interest in this election, someone else said, we have our African country presidents, but the American president is the president of the world.
10. After the recent election in Zambia, we saw the new president sworn in the next day. They marvel at the process for transition of power in the U.S.
11. During comments on the riot in Zambia after the elections, the radio commentator said, "why can’t the opposition be like the Americans and concede the election so the country can go on with the process of governing?"
12. When asked if we would vote, (and told we weren’t going to this year) some thought we ought to get on a plane to go back and vote.