The show right to the last minute
04 November 2008 à 20h10
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The autumn sun is still shining but doesn`t warm the American capital. The pre-election race is quite the opposite. Even some days before polling day, both parties go to any shifts to present the candidate in a more favorable light. And Americans wouldn`t be Americans if they didn`t turn this important event into a show.
The portraits of the candidates can be seen in unexpected places in Washington, DC. There is no place to hide from forthcoming events. But it doesn`t go beyond the limits established by society. The building sites are not covered in campaign posters. At bus stops, on metro stations there are no emblems of the parties or candidates’ pictures.
However, the first pages of national newspapers are monopolized by Barack Obama`s and John McCain’s photos. In the mornings, everybody reads the Washington Post in the subway. Every day the paper publishes the latest polls. In any tourist gift shop, of which Washington has many, as soon as you cross, the threshold you are met by cardboard images of candidates for President and Vice-president. 
The T-shirts, bags, mugs, handles, and badges with the images of contenders are spread out on the counters. The presence in the campaign of the first woman-candidate for vice-president, Sarah Palin, has changed the habitual color scale a little. Usually all souvenirs have a black, white or dark blue background. But now pink T-shirts and mugs with a portrait of Sarah have brought a certain variety. The gap between contenders is minimal; the mutual criticism of programs is aggravated to a limit that is expressed in these gadgets too. In one of the largest commercial centers in DC, Pentagon City, you can see the comic figures of both candidates in the form of different animals.
The symbols of the parties, the elephant and donkey come across continually. They are not only on the mugs, and pens but also on the mouse pads. But the total surprise is the Christmas fir-tree entirely covered with glass toys in the form of Republican-elephants and Democrat-donkeys. These emblems cost 10 dollars.
Personal positions too are expressed in unusual ways for the European observer. In the morning in the subway you notice the inhabitants of the Capital going to work or study with a bag with the badge of one of the candidates.
In a stream of cars on the motorways it is possible to see many cars with back bumper stickers " I vote for McCain" or "I love Obama".
On lawns of private houses, tablets with inscriptions "McCain for President" or “Obama is the choice of our family" are quite often on show.
Coming home from work, even the most unsociable potential voter will find some vocal messages on his or her home phone. While he was at work, Barack Obama, John McCain or even Hillary Clinton may have called.
But he may have been called by driver John Smith or teacher Jenifer Johan who have asked him to come to the Precinct and vote for their candidate. All depends for whose staff this volunteer works!
The recorded audio messages are automatically dispatched to the home phones of Americans in large numbers. It`s fair to say that such calls never arrive at night, early in the morning or on weekends.
However the visuals never arrive on cell phones. And mail boxes are not filled up by campaign fliers. The candidates respect their voters!
Observers notice that Barack Obama’s election campaign has proved he is not only a fine orator, but also an excellent organizer.
The Democrat staff almost daily put out new slogans and next day volunteers report on the work they have done. And sometimes they come at the wrong time! Torn away from a family supper by a rat-a-tat, the angry Washingtonian answers the volunteers “I will never vote for Obama!” and shuts the door with a bang.
Which choice will Americans make on November 4? It remains to be seen. The suspense will remain to the end according to Hollywood`s rule - keep the spectators under pressure right to the last minute.
The T-shirts, bags, mugs, handles, and badges with the images of contenders are spread out on the counters. The presence in the campaign of the first woman-candidate for vice-president, Sarah Palin, has changed the habitual color scale a little. Usually all souvenirs have a black, white or dark blue background. But now pink T-shirts and mugs with a portrait of Sarah have brought a certain variety. The gap between contenders is minimal; the mutual criticism of programs is aggravated to a limit that is expressed in these gadgets too. In one of the largest commercial centers in DC, Pentagon City, you can see the comic figures of both candidates in the form of different animals. 
And the voters?
Personal positions too are expressed in unusual ways for the European observer. In the morning in the subway you notice the inhabitants of the Capital going to work or study with a bag with the badge of one of the candidates.
In a stream of cars on the motorways it is possible to see many cars with back bumper stickers " I vote for McCain" or "I love Obama".
Coming home from work, even the most unsociable potential voter will find some vocal messages on his or her home phone. While he was at work, Barack Obama, John McCain or even Hillary Clinton may have called.
But he may have been called by driver John Smith or teacher Jenifer Johan who have asked him to come to the Precinct and vote for their candidate. All depends for whose staff this volunteer works!
The recorded audio messages are automatically dispatched to the home phones of Americans in large numbers. It`s fair to say that such calls never arrive at night, early in the morning or on weekends.
However the visuals never arrive on cell phones. And mail boxes are not filled up by campaign fliers. The candidates respect their voters!
The Democrat staff almost daily put out new slogans and next day volunteers report on the work they have done. And sometimes they come at the wrong time! Torn away from a family supper by a rat-a-tat, the angry Washingtonian answers the volunteers “I will never vote for Obama!” and shuts the door with a bang.
