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.
I can describe Obama’s victory last night only three words:
Only In America!
On a personal note, I was scheduled to fly back to Islamabad on 4 November, but I canceled the flight because I didn’t want to miss out on the energy and the excitement of this historic day. I wanted to witness history being made. And I am glad I did.
Imagine someone like Obama
Now the election is over and Obama is the new president. Tere is no need to debate if it is good or bad for Pakistan. Because, Good or Bad can only come from within Pakistan. Outsiders can only help or lay obstacles.
For the progress of the present Palistan the President has a big crowed of at lest 55 ministers. Certainly they should be more efficient than the six ministers that the first Governor General of Pakistan had.
Perhaps, Ali Baba with 55 thieves will do a better job than only 40. To bring peace to Pakistan, the president is inviting the Talibans to hve a talk. How does a husband talk with the killers of his wife?
What a momentous day. It reassured the faith in democracy and in some ways in America. What a great story for America and for the world.
BTW, Adil Najam, heard from my family in Pakistan that you were all over Geo all through the day.
Good point Bunty (November 5th, 2008 3:17 am)!
If we let the system run, we might too, one day, be able to achieve something similar (elect member of a minority group).