O J’s Corner

Building castles in the air

The US Presidential elections are becoming curiouser on the one hand and pretty interesting on the other. Republican John McCain has squeezed out the tactics of Barrack Obama by fielding a surprise candidate, a feisty woman, as McCain’s Vice-Presidential nominee. In the outside world, she was not much talked about. Rather she was hardly heard of. As far as McCain is concerned, her womanish credentials would fetch rich dividends. Choosing her as his running mate, McCain would be able to bridge the substantial gap in the TRP ratings between him and Obama. These days loquaciousness pays. On that count Obama stands a good chance. But if he wins, it would be a “terribly” topys turvy posture of the Americans having a taken a U-turn in their mindset. I personally believe, Obama would have fetched a landslide, if he chose Hillary Clinton as his running mate. But then cynics would say, if something happens to Obama after his victory, Hillary would automatically become the President. The world is changing fast. People should not unnecessarily forecast doom.

But then, media minds in India were speculating that Bobby Jindal would be chosen as McCain’s running mate. Bobby Jindal has been born and brought up in the US. But his parents were from India. The American mindset would not allow such a person to come up to the top post. If something happens to McCain after his win, Jindal should rule from the Oval Office. This would be something unthinkable for the Americans. Therefore, the thoughtful McCain chose Sarah Palin, the first woman Governor of Alaska and the mother of five children- sign of a family orientation much sought after in the leadership credentials.

Indian media analysts building castles in the air got their due as McCain struck a different chord.