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.
@ Sheesha-i-Shabnum & Amir Ali—FYI i’m a Pakistani and am living in Pakistan that too in a small town. I’ve never been to USA. Yes we are first class citizen of Pakistan suffering all these miseries, yes we are Pakistani who r killing other Pakistani on the name of religion some time in name of Shia, some time Qadiani some time taliban and some time something else. They make you naked on JFK or Hethro but they don’t burry their women alive, they don’t put their women in front of dogs.
These corrupt politians are also created by your beloved generals AYUB, YAHYIA, ZIA & Mushraf. they never let the desrving people to come forward.
As far as a Hindu chief justice is concerned what’s wrong with it and honestly speaking I can trust a Hindu Judge more than our Muslims Judges like abdul Qayum and others .
These general make us fool some time in name of water treaty with india, some time in name of Fake Jihad in Afghanistan and some times in name of enlighten moderation.
Pakistan had its Elections in February 2008. Change resulted. But subsequently squandered.
You are invited to go to the Archives of ATP, Under Deeda-i-Beena read the Post Dated 28 February 2008: “PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2008: Awam Express Has Arrived.”
Do we find any similarities in the two elections taking place in 2008, and the power of the people?
Agreed with Junaid Khan’s perception.
I kind of disagree with the notion of debating over who is better for Pakistan? Obama’s camp or McCain’s or in other words Democrats or Republicans?
I truly believe that an enlightened, moderate and patriotic Pakistani is better than both. So let’s work to acquire these qualities amongst us and our fellow men and women.
Long live Pakistan.
Time to learn a lesson:
Don’t judge one by his or her ethnic or family background.
Obama rocks..
Democracy rules..
And we, a 3rd. world country, is still trying to figure what’s better for the country? Both the PM and President should be Sindhi or Punjabi or one of each or what?
It’s about time to grow up..
Lessons to be learned:
1. Participative Democracy. The mobilization of peoples and resouces across the 50 states so that the will of the people can be expressed at all levels. Those who can give money, and those who can knock doors, both get to participate.
2. Rule of Law. Rules and Procedures, even if different from county to county and state to state are clear, well establised, so that people can follow without arguments. Procedures for court challenges and rulings.
3. Respect for will of People. The candidate who lost, does it with dignity and honor and wishes well the winner and the country.
4. Transfer of Power. An orderly process through which the lever of powers are transfered in an orderly fashion, in prescribed manner and prescribed format.
5. An Organic Nation. Any nation that can grow and mold with the changes circumstances, is a nation that shall not perish. This is how the founding fathers saw. This is how the nation continues to evolve.
Guys, hi, i would really like to hear authentic Pakistani opinions on what the Obama presidency means for the people of Pakistan. Should we celebrate or duck for cover?
http://jasminefrompakistan.wordpress.com/
Barack Obama’s victory is truly a historic moment for all Americans and a great example for the world at large. Mr. Obama’s margin of victory was the largest since Lyndon Johnson’s election as president in 1964. And if he runs the country as well as he ran his campaign, he does have a chance of becoming a very successful leader of the greatest nation on earth.
Obama’s election represents a turning point for the people of color in the US. It is noteworthy that, in spite of their labeling of US as racist, the Europeans have yet to elect a person of color to the highest office in their lands.
A poll today asked both white and black American parents, “Can your child grow up to be president of the US?” Over 70% of blacks responded in the affirmative versus only 46% of whites.