John McCain receives a present from Orange County Choppers. One problem: he can't reach the handlebars!
I'm watching the BBC for news of the US Election. By the time you read this, we'll know who the next president will be.
Some thoughts about the campaign: George W. Bush has been 100% absent. He's toxic. It's therefore amazing that John McCain is doing as well as he has. I believe McCain's major mistake was choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate: there might've been an increase in popularity from women and traditionally conservative voters but he has suffered tremendously now that he can't use his "more experienced" line and it's become clear Palin is not up to the job.
I was in Florida two weeks ago. It was fascinating being in the middle of the action. The media was plastered with adverts. John McCain's adverts even started with him saying "The last eight years haven't been good, have they?" This from a Republican candidate! I was impressed by the organisation of the Obama campaign in Florida - it completely neutered any work by McCain - there were more rallies, more car stickers, more flags, more garden posters. The Republicans seemed to be silent.
It's amazing what is allowed to be broadcast on US television. All sorts of groups are putting out adverts for and against each candidate. There was a lot of crap flying around. Because of this, many of the news stations (I flicked between CNN, MSNBC and FOX) were spending a lot of time separating fact from fiction.
Who will win? It must be Obama (though watching the BBC, you'd think it was a one horse race!). With the #1 issue moving from Iraq to the economy over the last few months, the American public are keen for a change in how the economy is run, and think Obama will deliver that. But I'm not sure how. To me they're voting for the personality and charisma of Obama and the dreams, hopes and aspirations that personality brings, rather than any particular policy.