Botswana: Lessons From America's Presidential Race
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
EDITORIAL
9 October 2008
Posted to the web 10 October 2008
The presidential race in the United States of America is on the home stretch with just one debate and less than a month to go before the polls on November 4.
This has been one of the most exciting American presidential campaigns in recent times largely owing to the world-wide attention and television coverage.
We have seen how Barack Obama brought interest in the process when he started his campaign for the Democratic Party ticket. He waged a long drawn-out battle with Hillary Clinton, which he won narrowly in the end. The battle was nail-biting and provided an opportunity to appreciate the good and the bad of a hotly contested campaign.
Recently, John McCain, the Republican Party presidential candidate, chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. She initially brought traction to the campaign.
Even in far-flung places such as Botswana, the campaigns for American primaries and the elections have generated a lot of interest. This has been heightened by the fact that our own Botswana television has done a splendid job in covering the presidential campaigns starting with the party primaries.
The American elections are important to young democracies like Botswana. It is important that we bench-mark our democratic practices with those of the established democracies.
The US presidential election process is very rigorous. Candidates are put through a long screening process. They discuss policy issues touching on a range of topics from the economy, environment, defence and international affairs.
We hope that Batswana, who watch these debates and campaigns, appreciate that these campaigns are largely about issues and that those who put themselves forward to stand for political office are not only knowledgeable but are expected to be men and women of high moral rectitude. Everything including their character and beliefs are subjected to public scrutiny. Perhaps this is the time to demand the same in Botswana.
As Botswana media, we are of course learning the extent to which we should bring politicians to account. In America, the press scrutinises every little detail of what the candidates say and do. Candidates do not just get away with half-truths and fabrications as they do in our shores.
The mainstream press in America depict negative things in campaigns such as racism, personal attack for what they are. These are pointed out and separated from the real issues of the campaign.
Relevant Links
Unlike our system where a presidential candidate is essentially allowed a free walk into the State House, the Americans subject their politicians to severe tests. This is what we should be doing. We cannot have a president whose views and intellect remains shrouded in mystery.
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Copyright © 2008 Mmegi/The Reporter. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
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