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An outsider’s inside view on the US election (pt 2) – election day!

In my first post I said I would write again before election day, however issues with my web server meant that a post before now was not possible.

In The Thick Of It

Unsurprisingly, the election has been a consistent issue over here, even percolating through the coverage of (ex-)hurricane Sandy on the TV. Every visitor that's come to the house here over the last week has discussed politics in some way, and you cant watch TV without seeing an advert for a candidate or (more likely) a California proposition.

What has been of interest, is that the enduring image from past US elections of rows-upon-rows of signs on front lawns, isn't true here. There are the occasional signs for Water Commissioner, City positions or Congress, but I've seen only two for the presidential race, both for Romney. Despite California's Democrat image, Orange County voted by only a 30,000 (2.5%) majority for McCain in '08, so I'm surprised it's not a more public thing. What definitely is public is discussion on taxes, over-powerful unions and the absolute need to go to the polling station.

Government efficiency

The majority of people I've spoken with here have said that the Government's role in life is their main consideration in how they will vote. The issue of healthcare is just one example, but also local schools - both are seen as inefficient due to the Government. The point was made that free enterprise can provide the best options for people's healthcare because it is more efficient than the Government. Business works to provide the service with less wastage, more options and an overall better service because it is profit-driven.

What wasn't considered was what happens to those left behind, unable to fund that profit directly? The social question, rather than economic one. An inherent distrust of Government is another factor in the decision making process behind how people will cast their votes today. This seems to be a fundamentally held belief, compared with the state of the Economy for example, which numbers and statistics can be used to describe.

The Referendum

When speaking with Americans abroad, the feeling I got was for a second Obama term. Whether young Georgians (a historically Democrat state, now going red) or a Seattle office worker, the issue for them wasn't the extent of Government, but how that Government treated its citizens. Social progression was key. It is notable though that the people I've spoken with seem to be voting against Obama or against Romney, for economic or social reasons. Even the pro-Romney TV adverts funded by 'independent' groups are saying that they're giving Romney the chance to improve the economy this time, otherwise he's out in 2016.

Pundits, national polls, state polls and Electoral College models are coming up with a close race and a slight Obama advantage (with some notable exceptions). The Electors system, where voters vote for Electors who then in turn vote for the president, further obfuscates the situation. What does this all mean though? People aren't worrying about the system, the polls or the parties; this is a joint referendum on two men: Obama and Romney.

James Skuse is a recent graduate from London, currently travelling through Asia and the US. Follow him on twitter here.

An outsider’s inside view on the US election (pt 1)

From Bangkok to Brisbane, Lagos to London (my own home city), people are gripped by the US elections. American politics is fascinating, and not just to the voters and candidates in the US. The decisions made on 6 November will have worldwide repercussions, and that's just the start of it.

Around the globe, people are writing, reading and talking about The Election, planning parties to watch the results arrive that will decide the most powerful man in the world.
Why should you care about my writings on the election? Well, for one I'm going to be in the US during the final week's buildup and beyond election day, staying with a Californian family, providing an inside view that people staying and writing in a hotel can't appreciate: just how does the election impact people, at home, where they live their life.

I've developed an interest in US politics over the last 6 or so years, studying it for a year, devouring Sorkin's The West Wing and following the '08 election like a fiend among other things. My interest is not just with the outcome, but also the process of the election and of politics. Being a Brit with some knowledge is apparently unusual, according to various US acquaintances.

Hopefully I'll be able to provide an accessible insight to the election from the outsider's perspective, not full of punditry or jargon (there are plenty of places for that out on and off the net). I don't proclaim to know it all. Although there are many election to various offices, I will focus on the Presidency.
I will be talking about my experiences and opinions, and those of the people around me.

Disclaimer: I'm of a centre left political persuasion. I have a free £10 bet on Romney winning. I was happy when Obama won in 2008, the family I'm staying with wasn't.

Out of the Loop

Some recent background: I've been relatively out of the loop during the last 6 weeks, missing the debates and not being blasted by the 24hr news' "take" on the latest gaffe or instant-poll. Travelling through 21st Century Asia doesn't mean I've seen nothing though (I'm writing this on a sun-soaked beach in Thailand with reliable wifi on my iPhone).

Through the filter of my twitter followees and occasional news snippet I've picked up on what's happening with the candidates, and some reaction. Of particular interest to me are the Voter ID laws and how they will affect the ability of the electorate to have their say, although the debates, Benghazi, conventions and polls have all made their way through.

Know or don't know?

What I've noticed is that a lot of people are disappointed with Obama's record, not delivering on his "Change" message, and not being as proactive as he could have been. This is my general feeling about the last four years as well, but for many people, for many reasons, Romney isn't a viable option for President. I was going to shy away from using the saying "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't", but with Romney there really is a disconnect between what he's been saying during the campaign and what his actions were as Governor. He definitely falls into the "devil you don't" camp.

But what of Obama? He's had a less than ideal time as President for several reasons (a hostile Congress and the economy, stupid) but where would a second Obama term leave the US? There have been some progressive steps over the last 4 years, but to what end after another 4? His website's splash page effectively says "I'm not Mitt Romney" - not an inspirational message, and definitely more muted (going "Forward") compared with four years ago.

Back in the USA

There are many Americans living abroad, either through necessity or choice, whose more outsider opinions on the race and the candidates are equally as interesting as those back home. Next time I'll be bringing some of their thoughts, as well as my first impressions of arriving into Los Angeles' busy pre-election bubble.

James Skuse is a recent graduate from London, currently travelling through Asia and the US. Follow him on twitter here.