US Presidential Race 2012 getting crowded

Everyone is aware that America is going to elect a new president/ commander-in-chief in 2012. What most people don't know is that there 40 candidates in the fray to become the president. These people represent both the parties and come from varied backgrounds and have entered the fray for reasons of their own. I read about the primaries that are going to take place early next year in today's Wall Street Journal and was surprised to know that even in a two party democracy like America it is possible for so many candidates to be in the fray.

According to the news report there are 30 Republicans and 10 Democrats running to become the respective party's nominee for the presidential race that is going to take place next year. There is an engineer who is promoting alternative technology, then there is the war veteran who currently is a UPS pilot who wants to implement better benefits for servicemen and eradicate homeless. Then there is the home builder who wants to tour each of the 3,143 counties on a mobile home and campaign for his election.

Of course in the national focus are four Republican candidates Mitch Romney, Neut Gingrich, Rick Perry and Herman Cain. On the defending side there are no candidates on national focus except the incumbent Obama. I wonder how many of these 40 candidates will actually become nationally famous let alone become republican nominees. Time will answer the question, but for now New Hampshire primary voters have a truly wide choice in terms of the candidates.

Politician's Drama

Back home in India the elections are going on to elect a new government. Around this time every politician worth his salt will indulge in tactics to gain sympathy, support and finally garner enough votes to win. And of course once they win, politicians will get busy in their own lives... making money, partying, foreign junkets, transfers, getting their loyalists into key positions, etc.

Couple of days ago I received these e-mail forward of two images about two well known politicians in India. One young and inexperienced and another old and a tad too experienced. But both have one thing in common: Political Drama. If the younger one wanted to show that he is with the people in their struggle, the older one wanted to struggle for the people. But both ended making a fool of themselves in front of the thinking class (educated people in India who don't vote but comment liberally about what should be done to make the country developed).

Anyway the pictures are self explanatory, do take a look at them and let me know what you feel.

Rahul created a ripple by acting like a laborer.

Veteran politician Karunanidhi created a world record, the shortest Fast unto death. Yes the septuagenarian fasted for 4 hours by sleeping in air conditioned comfort. The fast started after breakfast and ended before lunchtime

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I am sure Indian politicians would have made lot more money and achieved respectable fame if they had become comedians. But now they are making a joke of our country by behaving in this ridiculously comical fashion.

Post-Terrorist Attack Protests

After the recent Mumbai terrorist attacks which exposed the total lackadiasical attatitude of India's corrupt politicians, common people took to streets with placards, posters, and banners. The people are outraged at the blatent courage of the Pakistani terrorists who struck at the heart of India. Of course the terrorists were helped by some "local loyals" of their own kind who live, thrive and enjoy the wealth of India but think, plot, and work against India, only one reason... because India has a majority Hindu population.

Here are some images that were forwarded to me by a friend in India, who was part of this protest rally. I hope the awakening of national consciousness continues till next year's elections and the people would elect a "Patriotic Government" or at least give full majority to one party... be it "minority-appeasement party" or "stupid spineless party" or anything... but let there be one power at the center and not a mixture of trash like it is now.

Novel Presidential Campaign

As the race for the American Presidency hots up, supporters and campaigners for each of the candidates are becoming more and more creative. They have created T-shirts, jewellery, caps, bumper stickers, even underwear with the names of their favourite candidates. But the latest gig by New York entrepreneur is something that is perhaps the first of its kind.
Benjamin Sherman, promoter of Practice Safe Police in New York City wants to to "have fun" with the campaign. And how does he plan to do it, by marketing condoms featuring images of presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain. Both products carry unique marketing messages appropriate to their candidacy. While the Obama condom proudly says "Use With Good Judgment", the McCain version says "OLD BUT Not Expired." The messages hint at each candidates obvious drawbacks... Obama's inexperience and McCain's age.

Sherman has created separate websites for each brand of condoms.
Highlights of the McCain Condoms:
Trophy wife approved
For the proud, liberal RepublicaN -- conservative Republican

The Obama Condoms website has a similar message too. It says: "These are uncertain times. The economy's a ball-buster and the surge went flaccid... but now there's Obama Condoms, for a change you can believe in! ObamaCondoms are strong enough to withstand the most rigid assault, light enough to penetrate the deepest trenches..."

Highlights of Obama Condoms:
FOR THE ELITIST PENIS
THEY WON'T LEAVE A BITTER TASTE IN YOUR MOUTH
WHEN YOU JUST WANT TO CLOSE THE DEAL

Quite expectedly these unique collectors items have created quite a stir in the US media, with every television news channel and print media covering it in their prime time. Take a look at one of the newscasts below.

Oh! the condoms are priced $9.95 a pair. I wonder how effective they are... but it is surely an effective way to make sure that Sherman laughs all the way to the bank



Closing comments
On an afterthought I was thinking if it were Indian scenario what would have happened. Instead of marketing condoms branded after prime ministerial candidates the campaigners would have elevated them to demi-god status by building temples, performing worship ceremonies, chanting hymns, sacrifices etc. Well, I guess American presidential candidates don't have the good luck of being equated to Gods and being worshipped.