US Embassy hosts partners to video show

In the countdown to the United States' presidential election, slated for November 4, 2008, the US Embassy in Banjul, on Wednesday, hosted a section of the Gambian community, those they described as partners in the propagation of democracy, to a video show of the second presidential debate, at the embassy, located on Kairaba Avenue.

National assembly members, veteran politicians, media chiefs, students, and various stakeholders in the election processes attended the presidential debate video show, which featured Democratic candidate, Senator Barack Obama, and the Republican senator, John McCain.

The video show, according to US Embassy officials, seeks to avail politicians, students, and other key stakeholders of a unique opportunity for thorough reflection on the United States presidential election processes and to further deepen their understanding of the policies of each of the candidates.

During the second presidential election debate, the two candidates, who answered questions in dwelled on a wide range of issues bordering on the welfare of the average United States citizen.

Prominent among pertinent issues that topped the agenda of their debate were better defence and security, the salvation of American citizens from the current economic crisis that is hitting their country, ensuring a better taxation system, promoting better health care services, energy and technology, as well as improving on the circumstances surrounding international humanitarian crises.

On a questioned posed to the presidential candidates on health care delivery system, Senator Barack Obama expressed his untiring resolve to improve the system by ensuring that consumer protection in the sector for the average American, if elected president. His rival, Senator John McCain, reacted by saying that he would ensure that the average American has affordable and better health care services if elected as the next president of the United States. From an outside perspective, both candidates seemed capable enough to be at the helm of affairs of the United States government, as they both thoroughly answered all the questions posed. But Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama, seemed to be more positive in answering questions than his bitter rival. Unlike Senator McCain, Senator Obama answered his questions directly, with encouraging solutions in the best interest of Americans.

At the end of the debate, the US embassy officials provided the platform for the audience at the video show to make judgements, comments or suggestions about the second presidential election debate.

Apparently, the judgement of the audience was in favour of the Democratic presidential candidate, who many described as the more credible candidate to be at the helm of affairs of the United States government. Some observed that the Republican candidate focused too much on his military career, which they indicated may not be a good election strategy to win the heart and minds of Americans. Others suggested the need for the US government to not concentrate on only the Middle East, but also on Africa.