I want an Obama too :-(

So I guess now we're all asking ourselves "where is our Obama?" Can we have such a broad-based campaign that turns into a movement, that appeals across ethnic, racial, age and gender divides?

Maldives had a "yes we can" moment in October of this year as they ousted their dictator who ended his 30-year rule when their first multi-party election elected instead Mohamed Nasheed, a human rights defender in his 40s who has spent his life in and out of prison cells fighting for democratic reform in his country. Can this optimism and fervour for change spill over to the rest of Asia?

The Bangkok Post ran an editorial today asking rhetorically if the US elections serve as an example to Thailand. Of course, the editorial was stupid and bland:

"After accepting defeat, Republican candidate John McCain congratulated his Democratic rival on victory and pledged support for his presidency.

Thai people should learn a lesson from the US example, said Wutthipong Priabchariyawat, director of Sahasawas Institute, a think-tank. "The two parties fought hard against each other but they didn't prolong their competition after the results were announced," he said."

In India, an Obama victory could potentially mean losing jobs which were created as a result of outsourcing, more pressure to resolve the Kashmir issue and perhaps even pressure to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty since Obama is quite strong about non-proliferation. To be honest, both China and India could really benefit from another Bush term as they've been given this free space to do whatever the fuck they want. Anyway, so in India we wonder if a minority leader can appeal so widely as to hold the highest leadership position in the country?

"Deals with BJP powered Mayawati to the Cheif Minister's chair in Uttar Pradesh twice and even though she never completed her terms, it allowed Dalits to believe that one of their own can hold office...

As things stand, Left is backing her for PM and, if she ends up with a bagful of UP's 80 seats, Delhi could beckon. She certainly thinks so. But such a scenario is more the result of vagaries of coalition politics than broad social or political consensus. The iron grip of caste has not loosened on much of India and prejudice against someone from the deprived sections is alive and kicking.

And, despite Indira Gandhi's long rule, being a woman does not make things easier for the "Dalit ki beti". The one-time municipal school teacher has reached out to "savarnas" but the contract is need driven — a section of UP's upper castes saw in her the only available option but do not see her as a natural leader. Caste flows thicker than blood."

The search for India's Obama is on. We go to the polls next year, my focus now turns matrubhumi-wards.