Reflections on the American Polls

By Onofiok Luke

Two observations in America’s national elections generally mark the uniqueness of the political environment in that country. First is the inviolable choice of the first Tuesday of November of an even-numbered year for presidential and other national elections. The beauty here lies in the fact that you can tell with certainty what particular DATE the next national polls will hold! Second is the enormous global attention which the American presidential elections draw. Events leading to this year’s election created a more interesting dimension to the electioneering campaigns of both President Barack Obama who vied for a second term, and Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney who was all out to oust the President.
Weeks to the elections, pro-Obama had every reason to develop fear for the President’s possible ouster by a fiery Romney campaign. What with the stiff public polls which indicated that both candidates were running neck-to-neck in key swing states. Just a few days before the election, a Gallup Poll outcome showed that in the election where seven in every ten would-be voter said the 2012 elections mattered to them more than the previous years, electorate approval for Romney was at 49% while Obama trailed slightly at 48%. In the final analysis, the ties suggested a relatively assertive edge and a glowing possibility of victory for challenger Romney, forcing Obama to walk the tight rope of history once again.
Looking at the just concluded election, one would notice a number of issues which have overtime continued to underscore the American Presidential elections, accentuating it as quintessence of a true balloting process worthy of emulation. These played out yet again this year. It was only natural for yours sincerely to develop the leaning for President Obama thus entreating God for His intervention on Obama’s behalf. No, my inclination for a successful Obama presidency has little less to do with his skin colour or heritage but a lot to do with his style and believes, both of which he conveniently conveys in his rhetorical prowess.


After his abysmal performance in the first debate which was sure to sway public opinion on Tuesday 6, like most other pro-Obama, my confidence in the man began to ebb. What excuse was there for a sitting President to allow a challenger trounce him on issues bothering on the internal economy of his country. The first debate loss signalled trouble for Obama, and a light in the tunnel for Romney. Though unable to conceal his frustration arising from the unexpected Romney offensive, Obama managed to pull himself together. Without allowing the outcome to impugn in his character, he came out tops in the second and third debates.
Close observers of the events leading to the polls would agree that in spite of Obama’s sterling performances in the last two debates, these could hardly completely heal the wounds inflicted on his one year campaign to retain the highest seat in the land. It is also recalled that most conservatives in the country were yet to find a soft spots in their heart for the President after he had openly made endorsing statements on gay marriage. The upsurge of violence in the Muslim world which climaxed in the killing of the US ambassador to Libya in Benghazi, Mr Christopher Stevens, also didn’t help matters as it further questioned Obama’s foreign and Middle East policies and his ability to guarantee the security of American envoys. But only in the heart of electioneering came a Hurricane Sandy to redefine the turn of things for both candidates. The unfortunate storm which claimed more than 16 lives and rendered thousands of Americans homeless played a significant role in reemphasising the core ideologies of the Democratic Party – a people-centred ideology. We saw how Obama rose to the occasion and responded swiftly to Sandy thereby diminishing a natural disaster that would have otherwise been more devastating. Were the President to care less about Sandy – after all it was a natural disaster – or at best give it the George Bush approach to Hurricane Katrina, there is no doubt that this would have further propelled voters’ resentment for him and the elections generally. It was observed that Obama, in spite of facing a razor-thin race, hurriedly halted his campaign train in swing states of Florida and made a stop in Wisconsin and Colorado to monitor the ravaging storm in Washington. This aptly described how much of a compassionate leader Barack is. Even though his example was almost immediately followed suit by his rival, Barack had demonstrated a leadership quality that earned him the heart of the majority of electorate. But for his show of empathy with Hurricane Sandy victims, who knows what would have become of the decider votes of Ohio, Massachusetts, and Chicago. His humane handling of Hurricane Sandy was apt in putting a definite check on a fierier hurricane Romney which was arguably strong enough to sweep Obama and his team into a binder full of ex-American presidents by the end of Tuesday’s polls. HE simply matched resilience with compassion.
The elections have been fought for, won, and lost. Obama bears on him the onus to refocus on a number of issues unearthed in the course of his fierce battle for a second term ticket. Before him lies America’s fiscal economy to be fixed. It is the height of the cries for job and the need for further tax cuts for low income earners, as well as the softening of laws for immigrants. He must respond like these are all that matter right now. It’s time to prove the Romneys wrong on his ability to circumvent the blockades to solutions to the Middle East crises, and pioneer the requisite peace in that region.
It is evident in Obama’s victory speech that he is in the know of the challenges ahead, and is ready to make greater impacts than achieved in his first term. But it will certainly take more than a swaying oratory to withstand the responsibilities that beckons. He has promised to open his arms to the experiences that both Governor Romney and Sen. Ryan could give. This we saw him do to party-woman Hilary Clinton after a keenly contested Democratic Party presidential ticket by the duo, and four years down the line, it can be said that this was far beyond just compensation to Mrs Clinton. It was an excellent decision which experts say has paid off in the administration so far. Co-opting Sen. Ryan and Romney into supporting his administration will do hugely in creating the leeway for a better relationship with the Republicans who right now sit pretty as leaders of the House of Representatives, and still command positions of influence in the Senate.
What lesson is there for our country to learn from the just concluded presidential elections in America? We would notice that in the entire roller-coaster political show which highpoint was the election of Obama, the American people were made the centre piece of the campaigns. At least eighty percent of the campaign was based on issues. Issues affecting Americans’ wellbeing were the determining factors to who carried the day between Obama and Romney. The candidates depended on convincing evidences to the would-be electorate. They ensured that they were armed with solutions to existing challenges facing the people. To win a swing state for example, it mattered how well you performed in the debates, and what was the content of your manifesto. All cards were put on the table and we saw what was practically a negotiation between the people and candidates.
As a corollary, the political class in Nigeria must borrow a leave from the United States. We must as politicians and individual citizens learn from the American example. We must demand for, and deepen issue-based campaigns in our country. Electioneering periods in this country must become a marketplace for the exchange of votes with people-oriented agendas and ideas, and the sincere delivery on campaign promises by winners of offices. We have to come to a point where elections become a bidding ground for seekers of public offices to present a blueprint for set targets and how they hope to achieve these targets within the timeframe of their stay in office.
While taking note of a queue of voters at one of the polling booths, President Obama struck the right cord when he said that there is no end to electoral reforms. This reminded me of the sincerity with which the former President Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua pursued the reformation of Nigeria’s electoral system. He began the reforms of the electoral system in Nigeria and today, we can say that that move impacted rewardingly and deeply on the leadership selection process of the nation. I wish to particularly note and congratulate the efforts of Prof Attahiru Jega in keying into the loud call for a turnaround in Nigeria’s electoral system. His dexterity came to play in the free and fair elections that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conducted in the country in April last year, and was further underscored in the Edo and Ondo states polls recently.
While Nigeria is not to be compared with the US as the later boasts of a democracy that has gone through, and survived the rough and tumultuous tides of self-governance for over 200 years, there is need for us to begin to model our democracy after that of America. Once again, I congratulate President Obama on his deserved victory. I believe that today, Rev. Martin Luther King will turn in his grave because his dream for America has been reaffirmed with the re-election of Barack Obama.
Barr Onofiok Luke is the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.