Testing democracy

Let's see whether Americans will be able to vote a black man to the highest office


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Testing democracy
by Ben Madadi
02-Nov-2008
 

The Economist has created a very interesting section where, as I understood, subscribers have so far voted for either of the US presidential candidates, no matter where they subscribed from. This hypothetical worldwide vote for the American presidency is not representative of the general public but it is most likely representative of the English-speaking (not necessarily native), mostly highly educated and liberal (those who are likely to read the magazine), population around the world. And quite itnerestingly there have been enough votes from almost any country in the world for the results to be valid and published, except for countries like Mauritania, Mali, North Korea or Tajikistan.

The results are quite interesting. The US is a strong Obama supporter according to the online poll. This is of course a sign that The Economist is clearly no appeal to the average Republican supporters, the Joe Plumbers and maybe even mothers with pregnant under-age daughters! There are only three countries in the world that are McCain supporters, at least so far (end of October), and they are Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Iraq. Why are Algerian and Congolese readers of The Economist McCain fans? Maybe because these two countries are mostly concerned about national security and see McCain as the stronger man in the field of security. There are also other countries with recent past conflicts where the population seem to be somewhat split, and not almost totally Obama-leaning, like Venezuela, Columbia, or the newly invaded tiny Caucasus country of Georgia. Such countries seem to have The Economist readers who are more concerned about security and a possible protection of their interests by the US government, so they are more likely to vote McCain in this hypothetical worldwide poll.

Iraq is the trickiest country of them all. Would the population of Iraq vote for McCain or rather Barack (Hussein) Obama? I am not really sure who they would vote for, but one thing is clear and that is the presence of a huge American army on ground in Iraq, who are far more likely to read The Economist rather the Arabs and Kurds. There are also American soldiers in Afghanistan who would also be far more likely to read the Economist than Afghans themselves, but there are also the British, the French, the Germans and other non-American soldiers who would definitely come as a counterbalancing voting block to a more likely strong McCain-leaning American army.

In Iran's case it is obvious that native Iranians (as there are very few foreigners in Iran) have largely voted for Obama and this is quite a clear sign that educated and liberal Iranians are Obama supporters, just like the Americans, and they are definitely not concerned about a possible protection of the Iranian population by the Americans, which may be the case for small countries like Georgia.

It is also quite interesting that Israelis have largely voted for Obama rather than McCain, though national security is the greatest concern of the Israeli public. This may be a sign that no matter how much the Republicans try to show their tolerant and pluralistic face, they are still viewed as the white Christian party, and most Muslims or Jews find it very difficult to vote for them even when they find the Republican policies more appealing. This also goes for me, as an Iranian, as a non-Christian, and as a supporter of most of McCain policies (conservative, small, government etc).

Let's see how the US democracy has progressed and whether Americans will be able to vote a black man to the highest office. Barack Obama has shown tenacity and leadership in this long and difficult campaign and he has definitely no less abilities than George W Bush for the job.


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American Wife

chill girl

by American Wife on Tue Nov 04, 2008 01:12 PM PST

No need to get your panties in a wad.  I'm simply pointing out that you're veering off the subject of this blog.  It's NOT an anti-semitic blog.  If you're looking to start some of that, go find Jaleho or go fight with Zion.

Let me point out something to you called "double standards".  Just as every Iranian is NOT a hostage taker or a "Down with the Satan" vigilante, every Jewish-American is not a terrorist. 


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American Wife, allow me to clarify...

by Shadooneh (not verified) on Tue Nov 04, 2008 07:24 AM PST

Jews, like everyone else, can move to any country and vote for anyone if they so desire. As I cherish my DUAL citizenship, I don't have any problems with other emigrants to enjoy the same right. But when an extremist/racist Jewish American moves to Israel and chooses to live in an illegal settlement set up by fellow-extremist and terrorist that's no longer a "generic" issue. Let me remind you that the occupied territories, although annexed by Israel in violation of International law, are NOT recognized as integral parts Israel by legitimate international organ as far as I'm aware. When was the last time the "Canadian-American" did their damnest to push the US to start a war?!!! Second, I don't remember asking for your advice, girlfriend. But thanks anyhow.


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Biden vs. Palin

by Anonymous123 (not verified) on Tue Nov 04, 2008 05:29 AM PST

Guys, think about it! if something happens to McCain because of his age, Sarah Palin would be president. Do you want her as president?

At least Biden as second in command stands a head shoulder above her.

Besides, I really enjoy seeing mullah panicking now since deep down they do not really want to have political/diplomatic relationships (only trade to fill their pockets) with the U.S. and Obama's election pretty much removes/eliminates all the obstacles and excuses that mullahs might resort to for rapprochement.


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American Wife

sorry!

by American Wife on Mon Nov 03, 2008 04:38 PM PST

..


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American Wife

did you guys

by American Wife on Mon Nov 03, 2008 04:37 PM PST

mean to post the same youtube video? 


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I'm curious too. Let's see how democracy has progressed...

by I'm Curious Too (not verified) on Mon Nov 03, 2008 04:10 PM PST

since 1964.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA

\Good for you, Ben. Good for you.


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Yes, let's see how American democracy has progressed...

by Let's see... (not verified) on Mon Nov 03, 2008 03:24 PM PST


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American Wife

Shadooneh

by American Wife on Mon Nov 03, 2008 01:01 PM PST

This is a fairly generic discussion of international polls.  You seem to be focusing exclusively on Israel and the Jewish support.  It's not JUST Jews who can move elsewhere and still vote.  America has a duel-citizenship policy.  Why aren't you critizing the Canadian-Americans or the friggin Brit who has duel citizenship?  I'd much rather deny the British (even half) to have a vote.

You're going to open a big can of worms when you start talking about extremist terrorists my friend.  I'd tone it down a bit if I were you.


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Anon 58, please remind me.

by Shadooneh (not verified) on Sun Nov 02, 2008 03:46 PM PST

When was the election when IRAN chose you to speak for her? BTW, what's your REAL point in your post, if any?


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what election?

by Anon 58 (not verified) on Sun Nov 02, 2008 02:40 PM PST

statistics means NOTHING no more DEMOCRATS for the next 16 yrs.
IRAN wants to have nothing to do with these elections.


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Khar

If the world could vote?

by Khar on Sun Nov 02, 2008 01:00 PM PST

Very interesting site:

//www.iftheworldcouldvote.com/


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American expat Jewish voters in Israel show their true color

by Shadooneh (not verified) on Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:46 PM PST

Exit poll data of the early voters shows 76% of expat American Jewish voters in Israel voted for McCain. The following blog has some very interesting data about this subject:
//latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2008...
As usual Iran plays a major role in their decisions who to vote for, they are itching for a war with Iran and they don't mind fighting it to the last American soldier. But what is a real shame is the fact that an American extremist Jew can move to Israel, move to an illegal settlement as other Jewish settler/terrorists, keep his/her American citizenship and to add insult to injury vote for the next US president too. I think the American Jews, who move to Israel and take up residence in the illegal Israeli settlements, must be stripped from their American citizenship. They should be treated like other terrorists, but when it comes to the Zionists, the US looses its morals, its spine and whatever else necessary to expose these extremists terrorist as who they really are. I am going to hold my nose and vote for Obama, although I am leaning towards the Greens, but the thought of having a person who starts singing "bomb Iran..." as soon as someone suggests it nauseates me.


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Arash Monzavi-Kia

LOL - Vietnamese love McCain

by Arash Monzavi-Kia on Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:15 PM PST

Shadooneh jon; McCain's claim to fame is the napalm bombing of the defenceless Vietnamese people. Therefore, your information may only be related to the pro Vietname-bombing decedents who still hope than a US president could bomb their way back to the dictatorship of their motherland!

Arash M-K


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Arash Monzavi-Kia

No less ability than George W?

by Arash Monzavi-Kia on Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:39 PM PST

Dear Ben - good one. It is hard to find any serious politician who could have less ability than George W for presidency. Oh shoot, sorry my mistake; forgot all about Sarah!

Ben jon; who in Iraq do you think has the money to subscribe to the Economist? The average bombed people or the senior government officials who have come to power by a bombing US president? 

Arash M-K


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McCain's support is big in Vietnam

by Shadooneh (not verified) on Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:52 AM PST

I have not seen any data on this but I have heard it form the viet-Americans that I deal with in CA. The reason for that is McCain has made many trips to Vietnam and he is well known there for his work on the MIA and now economic issues. Also I have seen data that indicate among the Asian-Americans McCain is has clear support among the Viet-Americans.


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