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.
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.
As meengla points out, one of the key things is Biden. He will certainly be better than Cheney and Biden is a proven friend of Pakistan. More important both Obama and Biden are not just sane they are actually intelligent. Now THAT will be a good change in the White House.
Obama will be much, much, MUCH better for world and Pakistan. Obama may put a few ‘qualifiers’ when he talks about attacking inside Pakistan but McCain is a snake: ‘Talk Softly but Carry a Big Stick’ [paraphrased]. What is that supposed to mean?! How is he going to be any different from Bush who has done it countless of times (starting right under Musharraf’s regime)?
Obama and Biden are the best news for Pakistan and the world especially when compared with Republicans; the latter are only good at making ‘strategic’ alliance with the military of Pakistan and have proved to be nothing but disaster for Pakistan. That the ‘core’ group supporting Republicans is evangelical Christians makes it even more dangerous for the world peace.
Go Obama Go! You are perfect but you are far better than these thugs disguised as the Republican Party of America.
Until we learn to stand up for our dignity and be counted, it does not much matter who will be a good or bad choice for the White House from Pakistan’s perspective in 2008. Consideration for the wishes of Pakistanis will be the last thing on any American administration’s mind, be it McCain’s or Obama’s.