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Time to watch, and wait

As Chris Doidge pointed out earlier today, there’s nothing else left to say on the US elections now.

It’s all been said, and doesn’t matter anyway as 136 million Americans queue for hours to have their say.

Charlie Beckett reckons 95% of the international media are pro-democrat and very pro-Obama (check out some front pages from Ghana’s leading newspapers with E.K. Bensah if you need proof).

Chris says the internet was the bigger winner this time round. My only addition to that is Obama was the big winner from the internet. Would he have been so successful with youtube, myspace and his cunning use of Web 2.0?

I interviewed an American student earlier, who used to work with Mitt Romney all those months ago (remember him?) She was a highly articulate Republican, but quietly resigned to the fact it won’t go her way tonight. “McCain was the wrong choice” she told me.

Last word to Channel 4 News’ Jon Snow in America:

“Listen, I have lived in America. I have reported on America for more than half my life. And I will share with you that this day feels exceptional – however it ends.”

Either way tonight, history will be made.

The (other) big election

Thanks to E.K. Bensah for reminding me of another big vote taking place before Christmas.

Yes, with seven days to go all eyes are on the upcoming US elections. But I’ll also be following Ghana’s vote in December.

Unlike the yanks, Ghana has no less than 8 candidates for president ranging from Prof. John Atta Mills to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

And whatever you might think of elections on the African continent, the website of Ghana’s electoral commission suggests this is a poll sat firmly in the 21st century.

From my own experience covering a tiny by-election there way back in 2003, people take politics really seriously!

Still it’ll be sad to see the back of John Kufour, possibly the world leader with the deepest voice!

That Russell Brand speech in full

So old Russer hosty-wosted the MTV VMA’s last night, despite being a virtual unknown Stateside. Caused a few upsets though, mixing sex and politics, when we know only Sarah Palin’s daughter’s allowed to do that.

Enough wise-cracks from me, here’s what the man with the massive mullet said:

On the US elections:

“As a representative of the global community, a visitor from abroad, I don’t want to come across a little bit biased, but could I please ask of you, people of America, please elect Barack Obama, please, on behalf of the world.

“Some people, I think they’re called racists, say America is not ready for a black president.

“But I know America to be a forward thinking country because otherwise why would you have let that retard and cowboy fella be president for eight years.

“We were very impressed. We thought it was nice of you to let him have a go, because, in England, he wouldn’t be trusted with a pair of scissors.”

On Sarah Palin’s daugher Bristol:

“That is the safe sex message of all time. Use a condom or become a Republican!”

On himself:

“…a little sex once and a while never hurt anybody.”

“I’m famous in the United Kingdom. My persona don’t really work without fame. Without fame, this haircut could be mistaken for mental illness.”

Meanwhile at the other end of the country, another Brit was making a big impression in America. Misery guts Andy Murray got through to the final of the US Open. Very cool. But incidentally I was talking to people on the street in the UK today and the phrase “couldn’t give a toss” was an oft repeated one.

I wonder then, which Brit made the biggest impression on the US of A last night?

Tout-mange

With still a week to go until the French go to the polls and the networks’ attempts to bring the election to life has already grown tres thin; never before has there been such a thin selection of ideas – and parading of such gross stereotypes.

You see, for many top correspondents assigned to cover the elections, the truly unpredictable battle between right and left, Sego and Sarky, just months after riots in Paris…. is actually a chance for a leisurely promenade through the delights of rural France in the spring.

“As Charles De Gaulle once said,” ponders CNN’s European Political Editor and Harry Enfield’s dad Robin Oakley at the top of a package today, “‘How can you govern a country which has 243 different types of cheese?‘”

That’s right: for the top hacks in Paris this week, it’s all about the food.

Every report I’ve seen about the upcoming vote, and the social debates behind it has been set in a food factory.

So the BBC’s Jon Sopel started off News 24’s coverage last week sitting in a cafe in Dijion. For no apparent reason it seems, other than it was sunny and nice looking. And to begin us on our journey through racial tensions and mass unemployment, let’s go visit a mustard factory. Jees.

Meanwhile back with CNN’s Robin Oakley who took us for a grand Keith Floyd style meander through the vinyards of Bordeaux on Friday, and thought to mention the elections at least once or twice.

And after what was clearly a tough weekend of eating food, he was back today reporting from….a patisserie.

Expect great insight throughout the week from Jon Snow, petite pain in hand and Peter Snow illustrating the split of the parliament on the side of a wheel of Brie.

Sacre bleu!