Electing the unlikely leader of the world

DALY CITY, California — The Bradley Effect kicked in — in reverse. Skeptics had interpreted Barack Obama’s 11-point edge in surveys as White voters just being racially polite. Bets were that, replaying how Whites undermined top Black gubernatorial racer Tom Bradley in this state in 1982, they’d pick fellow-White John McCain on Election Day. But as it turned out, the Whites not only trooped to polling precincts in droves for Obama. They also brought along Blacks, Asians and Hispanics — to give the first Afro-American president a decisive 2-to-1 lead in the Electoral College and popular vote.

 Analysts attributed Obama’s win to the huge turnout of youth voters. He ascribed it to a surge of women now wanting a say in their government. They did dominate Democratic public monitoring of the count. “Change,” Obama’s campaign buzzword, proved a more powerful vote getter than McCain’s “trust”. The latter graciously conceded so, as results had Democrats rising to majority in both Houses of the Congress. The US electorate roundly has rejected the Bush administration with which McCain fatally is associated.

But Obama said something odd in his victory statement (at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Pacific Daylight Time; 1 p.m. Wednesday in Manila). “We may not get there in one year or one term, but we will get there,” he assured supporters. Was he backing out this early from campaign promises that foes had pooh-poohed as undeliverable? Perhaps that’s why mixed feelings linger about the new leader of America and of the world.

Vanessa O., who gamely took us around polling centers, turned sad upon learning of Obama’s win. She was a Democrat till her personal choice Hillary Clinton lost the primaries, but switched sides because “Obama promised too much.” The leanings of John W., a state exec who must stay neutral, showed nonetheless when he wondered aloud how Obama can implement such commitments as Iraq pullout within 18 months or more welfare from a state deep in debt and financial mess. Marlene M. of New Jersey tried to “figure out which Republican states turned traitor, and what four years of hell it would mean.” Melanie M. worried that taxes will rise, as usual under Democrats, to support Obama’s promise that the poor need not pay sub-prime housing debts.

But her husband Mert and buddy Romy M. took the opposite view. “Obama will motivate us to new directions, unlike McCain who is but another Bush,” they chorused. Spouses Vivian and Jerry P. of Los Angeles said they were having goose bumps that their candidate won: “Feels like the country will redeem itself,” and are “hoping for better ideas from a confident leader.” Jonat and Virgie P., dyed-in-the-wool liberals in Carson City, popped a bottle of champagne in Obama’s honor.

What does all this mean for Filipinos? Obvious: America is RP’s biggest employer and aid giver, and second biggest investor and trade partner. Any Obama success — or misstep — will affect Filipino jobs and incomes.

The US election itself is a lesson for Filipinos, whose government type apes America’s. Everything went smoothly: problems came up but were easily remedied because anticipated. A record turnout of 90 (of 130) million voters (including absentees) caused two-and-a-half-hour waiting lines in the East Coast, but everyone still got to press digitized ballots. Counting was so quick that final unofficial results were in an hour after precincts closed in mainland US’s four time zones. The only to-do was the offer of Starbucks, Ben & Jerry’s, Krispy Kreme and Nathan’s of free coffee, ice cream, donuts and hotdogs to those who had voted. Skeptics suspected the promos were a form of bribing certain groups, like minorities or first-time voters or the poor, to vote a certain way (mainly for Obama). Federal and state regulators ruled midway into Election Day that the four food chains give the same treats to anyone who asked, and they complied. I got my share of Starbucks brew, but couldn’t find any of the three on my route.

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Noting my comment that no radio station caters to classic rock of the ’60s-’90s (Gotcha, 24 Oct. 2008), reader Denny B. Muñoz says:

“Weep no more because there’s one called Underground Radio (UR, 105.9-FM dial) that plays just that — classic rock — every Sunday, sign-on to sign off.

“Why only Sundays? Because the old hands of classic rock, from the legendary Rock of Manila station (of the ’70s), are handling it: The Mole (Manny Casaclang) 8 a.m.-12 noon; Sleepy John (yours truly) 3-6 p.m.; Cousin Hoagy (Wayne Pardo), 10 p.m.-12 midnight (via satellite since he’s based in the US). Also on board: Mister A (Atty. Allan Magturo) 12 nn-3 p.m. in lieu of the late Howlin’ Dave (Dante David).

“Weekdays the young chaps (JR, son of Ramon “RJ” Jacinto, and his Ateneo buddies) handle their respective shows.

“To listen live via your computer, log on to: www.rjplanet.com and click the URFM105.9 link.”

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