THE US presidential election is less than two weeks away. And as the polling date gets closer, so does the gap between the two candidates running for election, Obama and Romney. In a straw poll of Saudis and expats with local ties, I put forth the following question: Who would you like to see win the US presidential election and in a few words, why? Here are some of the responses: Kunigal AS, an engineer: I would like to see Barack Obama get re-elected to maintain the continuity of both domestic and foreign policies and also have the courage to make the right decisions without having the worry of going back to the electorate to get re-elected. Irfan, a Saudi airline executive: Obama. Good for his country's economy, and for middle and lower income citizens. Did a miracle with the Medicare health program. Romney will bring back the George Bush sick-minded mentality that will reflect the Republican he is. Steve, a British linguist: My vote would be for Obama based on the following: He has four years' experience in the job whereas Romney hasn't. Obama took over a load of problems from Bush, and they were so immense that he hasn't completed fixing them. Give him more time. Obama gave a better performance in the debates. We know how Obama works; Romney is a new entity. Carol, a long-term Kingdom resident: I would like to see Obama win the US presidential election. I believe he better understands the needs of the American people and especially the middle class. His agenda is to further help the middle class, improve health care options and not take away choices or freedoms from women. Whereas Romney is disconnected from the middle class, wants to take away current health care benefits and replace them with a voucher, in addition to abolishing organizations like Planned Parenthood which provides mammograms, pap smears, birth control and other pro-active services for women. Obama has been extracting the United States from conflicts and foreign shores. I believe Romney would be more likely to follow the policies from the Bush administration. Romney will have religion play too great a role in the state. He can't help it based on his Mormon faith and upbringing. Salma, a Saudi horticulturist: I don't care who wins; I dislike them all. H.S., a Saudi businesswoman: Obama, just to spite racists everywhere, and coz he's a Democrat. And because the Republicans would nominate a cardboard president as long as he was a Republican. Romney doesn't seem smart, even though his dad was really loved and respected in Michigan. Khalid from Riyadh: I really have neither faith nor hope in either one due to the system and policy of the country that never changes with the change of the president except for the worse as far as foreign policy toward Arabs or Muslims is concerned. Correct me if I am wrong, but I am sure that even if they elect the best of the best of all logical and reasonable candidates to be president, he will still protect the interests of Israel over those of Arabs and Muslims even if that will impact the interests of the US itself. The past 60 plus years proves my point. Ismail, a Saudi strategist: Obama. The first term he had the financial crisis to deal with and that was an obstacle for the change planned and promised in his 2008 campaign. The US is heading in the direction of recovery, a change in leadership is not recommended. Hasan, an inspired Saudi: Doesn't really matter. It won't make any difference to me personally or to my country. At the end of the day both their foreign policies are going to be the same as Israel's. Kirsten, a therapist: Neither, because both are just puppets; so it doesn't matter who I vote for. Dania, a social activist in Riyadh: Obama is tolerant and he needs time to finish what he started. The last four years were peaceful and stable. Romney seems to want to follow Bush's footsteps, not a signal for very peaceful times. Bahaa, a banking executive: Obama because he is less hawkish in his foreign policy. Abdulaziz, a retired educator: Obama. He is the lesser of two evils. Sikander, currently living in Egypt: I would like the better of the two devils, that is Obama. I don't like Republicans. Mohammed, a retired airline employee: Obama for sure as he well known and trusted by most Americans. Faisal, a Saudi engineer: Obama. The devil that you know is better than the devil that you do not know. If a poll were to be held in this country today, based on these responses, Obama would be the runaway winner by a landslide. However, US presidential elections are governed by a multitude of factors. Come Tuesday November 6, it will be interesting to see who will be drafted into the White House for the next four years.
