Adil Najam
Even though much of the U.S. and world media seems to have already decided who will win the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, the fact remains that the elections are determined by votes, not by polls.
Much can happen between now and Tuesday. Including the (re-)discovery that the opinion polling is not an exact science. I doubt if that will be the case, but part of me is now fed-up with the over-polling in this election.
That means that maybe we should do an ATP poll of our own :-)
As has been evidenced in other posts of this blog there are Pakistanis who strongly feel that a President Barack Obama will be be more dangerous for Pakistan than a President John McCain. 
There are also many who think the exact opposite. And as the question in the poll suggest there may also be those who feel that no matter who wins things will get worse or, maybe, will become better for Pakistan.
Without losing sight of the fact that Americans will, and should, elect the President they think is best for America, not for Pakistan - and not withstanding my own expressed view that Pakistani-Americans will also be voting this time on their own domestic policy concerns and not on Pakistan’s foreign policy preferences - one does wonder how a new administrtaion in Washington (now that there is already a new administration in Islamabad) might impact Pakistan.
So, please do tell us what you think. And why.
Very true AF Ahmed. This is even true today, just as Iqbal put it
Khuda nay aaj tuk uss qum ki halat nahee badhly,
na ho jis ko khial aap aapni halat kay badulnay ka.
I really don’t know what to make of these folks who voted for “No matter who wins, things will become worse for Pakistan”. Either they have nothing to do with Pakistan or they don’t believe in themselves?
very well said AF Ahmed …. very well said !
issee ghula-maana zehniyat nay hamay apnaa qay-dee (prisoner) banaa diya hai …
I am dreaming of a day when the following will be considered - at least - a realistic option in polls like this:
5. Doesn’t matter who wins, because Pakistanis control their own destiny.
What matters for Pakistan is the political maturity of the leadership in Islamabad.
I hope that the apocalyptic rascals are routed out tomorrow - I will be voting for a lesser of the two evils…
In presence of some reasonable leader or government in Pakistan one can hope from Obama but every body is forgetting one thing that the greatest thieve has become the greatest leader(president) in Pakistan so it doesn’t matter who wins in America situation will remain the same in pakistan. He is the third richest person (as per declared assessts )in Pakistan, now think of his hidden assets. From where this money has come?? offcourse they’ve looted Pakistan.
An inetersting information to read in this article http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/nov2008-daily/03-11-20 08/col10.htm
One thing we should NOT be doing and which will help greatly in deteriorating the existing situation in Pakistan, is being pessimistic. Realistically, we should not be even thinking who is coming where. Our primary concern should be our own policies which can bring positive change in Pakistan and we have to draw our own line.
It is really sad and as a matter of fact we should not be even using this poll. Why no body cares that much in other countries as we do? The answer is pretty simple, because we are weak and that’s why we have to rely on other administrations. Now, we need to open up our eyes and set the priorities, so that in future no body should ask this kind of question neither it should matter. Not much work required, just a little SINGLE INDIVIDUAL effort is required at a time; rest would be a chain reaction.
The choices in the poll don’t make sense.
1. No matter who wins, things will become worse for Pakistan.
2. A President Barack Obama will be better for Pakistan.
3. A President John McCain will be better for Pakistan.
4. No matter who wins, things will become better for Pakistan.
1 and either 2 or 3 could be true, and 4 and either 2 or 3 could be true. Doesn’t make much sense to group options 1 and 4 with 2 and 3. Things in Pakistan may improve or worsen with either president. The question should be which of the two candidates is RELATIVELY better.
Obama and Democrats are better for US. McCain and Republicans are better for Pakistan. If we consider the current conflict and war on terror than both will be worst for Pakistan.
So bhaion and behnon,expect nothing and prepare for worst.