Snazy

I think it could be a good thing. Same as the UK... "Time for Change"

c_maguire

You beat me to the 24 reference. When it comes to pen to paper I'll be amazed if he wins because he is not white. Can you imagine a non-white PM here? Thought not, and what makes anybody here think the Americans are ultimately any more receptive?

The coming elections should have virtually been a sure thing for the Democrats, and then they go and put forward a Clinton and a black man. Missed opportunity or what? They are up against a tide of anti-republican sentiment and an OAP (whose only saving grace is his history of distancing himself from the Bush camp).

I pegged Arnie as a Californian winner as soon as he threw his keys into the pot, but the only reason this contest may ultimately be close is because many people will undoubtedly vote for McCain not because they want to but because they cannot reconcile themselves with the alternative.
And if the vote counting sinks again to the shambles we saw with Bush/ Gore and Bush/ Kerry those with influence are unlikely to rock the boat.

Kevin

PeteBrant

The fact that one of hte two main political parties has just chosen one as its presidential campaign representative?

I mean I can't remember the last black person that even got close to leading one of the big three parties.

Plus of course, the black population in America is much, much bigger than over here. (12.2% for the US vs 1.1% in the Uk for people of Afro carribean origin)

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

be interesting if the bnp get in and he gets to be president

Martin2005

I think McCain is basically a decent bloke (for a Republican ) and would be set up a very different white house to the current crop.

Ultimately Obama got most of his votes from white middle class Democrats, the challenge for him will be white middle class no aligned voters, if he wins them he win the election

The Zohan

Peter, likely the ratio higher if you take into account other 'black' groups.

AC does not cover SSA for example does it?

vindaloo

I think the only reason McCain won't win is if he has a major health scare before the run-off. As it stands, about the only thing against him is his age.


J.

The Zohan

sounds like the making of a spitting image sketch!


If Obama wins, people will say it is because he is black, if he looses it will be because he is black - damned if you do, damned if you dont

My money is on Mccain, Obama would be a refreshing change.

PeteBrant

Opps - I missed that bit, 0.9% are African. 0.2% from other black groups. So its 12.2% vs 2.2%

THe point I was trying to make is that the States has a much larger Black population as a perecentage of the total than the UK, which obviously still stands.

c_maguire

There are a number of polls suggesting that had Hilary Clinton won the nomination then the majority of Obama supporters would have given her their backing as they are far more 'Democratic' (also read anti-conservative) in their views. Whether Hilary's supporters will pledge to Obama in such high numbers is very doubtful, prefering to go with McCain (who luckily for him is perceived as a moderate in Republican terms).
Kevin

Martin2005

The problem for Hillary is that she is so despised by large parts of conservative America that they would have come out to vote in very large numbers to try and stop her. This group are ambivalent towards McCain so may stay at home.

Abdabz

He announced that should be elected there would be a prominent job for eco retard Al Gore...
In other words, the man is prepared to hire a liar who craves fame in the name of environmental propoganda - I know what kind of message that sends out to those who dont believe in the farcical pseudo religion that is climate change...

coolangatta

Excited in the same way as I'm excited that about the potential for a new Toytown president
Don't you know we're living in a 'post American world'?

c_maguire

They are still far and away the most influential nation on this planet, and also happen to have the biggest guns and more of them than anyone else, so the American president is no doubt the most powerful person on this planet. Like it or not.
Kevin

Martin2005

Not yet we're not

PeteBrant

The only possible rival to American domination is a united Euope under single flag

Much bigger GDP, much bigger population, Much bigger armies...

coolangatta

I think you'll find many that agree with me.
Their influence is waning steadily and will continue to do so.
It's a post American dawn without a doubt

Martin2005

not sure about the armies bit Pete

Maybe in numbers but definitely not in capabilities and spend

c_maguire

We're not really united though are we, and some way off it too.
As an aside, whilst I'm 'bigging up' the USA, I heard some Economist on R4 or R5 the other day saying that the defence budget for America was bigger than that for the rest of the world put together ( you'll correct me if I'm wrong no doubt). Consider that. Whatever my feelings towards the USA there is no doubt in my mind their 'friendship' is reassuring given the state of play in many non-Christian countries.
Kevin

PeteBrant

Well the GDP of europe is number 1 in the world, with $16 trillion dollars. Versus $13 trillion for the US.

You're right with the armies thing though - $400billion per year on defence for the US versus approx $200billion for Europe combined.


Sort of puts the whole needing an extra $15billion per year to sort out the worlds food problem into perspective doesn't it

Paul3446

Quote: Martin2005
"I think in Paul eagerness to have a go at me (for reasons I don't understand), he made himself look a bit silly with those comments "


I was merely seeing if you could explain yourself without Pete answering on your behalf.

Clearly you think if Obama gets the presidency then it will send out a message that America desperately wants a black president. Personally I feel that if he does it will be because he proves himself to be the best candidate for the job and will not be because America has suddenly advanced from slavery.

If you think that makes me look a bit silly then that's up to you. Personally I think every time you post you look a bit silly, but I don't try to stop you.

PeteBrant

Indded, I was being tongue in cheek
No, you're absolutely right.

The biggest is the US with $400 billion.

The next biggest in the world is.....


The UK with £30billion ($60billion)

coolangatta

DOH!
Are we not forgetting Asia, very much led by that small nation called CHINA!

PeteBrant

Well there is absolute zero chance of a united Asia. And Chinas' GDP is well short of that of Europe and the US. Like about $10 trillion short.

Geezer

US military expenditure is more in the region of $600 billion dollars when you take into account other departments than the department of defense. They are not solely responsible for all military expenditure (nuclear weapons, for instance).

Then of course, you have the black budgets.....................

Still, we have nothing to fear from the US, right?..........

Geezer

c_maguire

Not being as full of figures as you are, I would have expected China to be higher than us. Must be running their army on milk bottle tops.
Kevin

stilover

If it came to that, we are more then capable to eliminate any country on the planet. America included. Any country would be foolish to launch anything at us. Yes we'd all be dead, but so would they.

Our terrorist attacks are because we are friends with America. Blair followed Bush into Iraq like a lapdog. Why? So America can get more oil.

EddScott

Breakfast news this morning said that a % of americans believe Obama is muslim. Even though he is reportedly christian and in particular used to be a member of a certain church where the vicar/priest/head honcho has some very controversial views.

It appeared to suggest that on the one hand you had the black bloke with the questionable past or the old geezer who was in Nam and is pretty gosh darn brave.

They'll likely go for McCain.

PeteBrant

BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Q&A: China's military budget

In straight cash terms, officially, the UK is the second biggest spender (but its a gnats **** between us and China).

The Pentagon suspects, howeever, that the Chinese are spending around $30 billion more than they are letting on. But that could be just scaremongering.

c_maguire

As a continent (think Alaska here) the Americas are more than self-sufficient when it comes to oil supplies, and the 'we went into Iraq for the oil' argument is just garbage. A better argument would be that Bush, and his lapdog Blair as you call him, were on some sort of crusade of righteousness on behalf of God.
I don't think Iraq was a good move, and what it achieved was simply to accelerate the inevitable clash between us and the 'radical faiths'.
Kevin