The past three mornings, we have been glued to CNN to follow the pre-election Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Thanks to satellite TV and Internet we can today follow LIVE an event we could only follow on American TV in America 35 years ago.
The Democrat had always appeal to us over the Republican. If we did continue grad school in Boston and work in the States, we could be taking up US citizenship like some Malaysian friends are doing now and politically be Democrat.
The sceptic usually say it makes no difference as to who is the President because it is the Israeli and big business lobbyist that determine policies. The election does not matter.
However, this year's election is different.
The election this Fall (or autumn as the Brit would call it) could elect the first woman President. After 240 years of independence in 1776, there is that chance for another glass ceiling for woman broken at the highest office in the most powerful nation in the world.
While we kid about woman drivers and their bad habit, soon there will be a Madam President that dictate the policies of the world. Knell to the driver.
The American could finally allow a woman to hold the highest office in the country. Something the British, German and New Zealand had done. Our south continent neighbours in India, Sri Lanka, Bangla Desh and Pakistan had done so long ago.
Hillary Clinton looks good on paper. Her opponent Donald Trump, is the most politically incorrect, self-centred and disgusting human demigod. She is leading the polls but still yet to be a runaway winner.
Trump is within striking zone and any of his salesman trick could swing it and win. Hillary and her democratic party has still much work to do. Constant demonising of Trump during the convention maybe the much needed publicity for Trump.
A lesson to be learn from Malaysia is BN's endless attack on Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim that did not turned for the better but Pakatan Rakyat had the majority of popular vote. A 5% swing in popular votes and it could be the end for BN.
Following the DNC is not to make commentary about it, but to learn, to understand where we slack and where we can emulate to improve our politics to be more mature and rational.
Having Donald Trump as the candidate to represent the Republican is not representative of the maturity and rationality of America's expansive and complex politics. Thus the choice to follow the DNC closely over RNC. Trump blew it in Cleveland last week..
We've selected quite a few speeches in the past three days before Hillary's scheduled finale speech tomorrow.
The agenda are different and in certain areas may not come well with our eastern culture, however Malaysian politicians should learn much from listening to their speeches. The way they deliver their speeches to touch the heart, inspire, and invigorate the audience with the most appealing fact and story.
The creativity they approach the subject to promote Hillary is astonishing. All done with openness and embrace of civil liberty, freedom and diversity.
It is all about issues.
The much talked about speech for the past 3 days must have been that of First Lady, Michelle Obama.
She expressed her aspiration as a mother for her children and future generation American intertwined with her praises for Hillary Clinton.
Her words "When we go low, we go high" could be something not only American but Malaysian to emulate towards a more mature and rational politics.
Before her on the first day was Cory Booker:
For those unfamiliar with the young black senator, that was eschewing history in which in Malaysia, only Tun Mahathir was capale of delivering, he was introduced by gorgeous actress Eva Longoria:
Some of our own actress forgot the date for Merdeka when asked on TV...
And Elizabeth Warren is a strong supporter of Hillary:
The sensation for this primaries season must be 75-year old sensation from Vermont, Bernie Sanders. He closed the first day:
Bernie's left leaning democratic socialist ideology created the political revolution that caught the American imagination and got his anti-corporate America agenda heard on the most unlikely platform of mainstream American political party.
Bernie's supporters have been most vocal and visible throughout the convention militantly demanding him to be nominated. They claim conspiracy within the part hierarchy to ensure Hillary's win. And we thought only Tengku Adnan does such stuff.
Clinton offered an olive branch to undertake a joint declaration with Bernie. In turn, it was Bernie who officially nominated Hillary as Democratic party candidate. President Barrack Obama endorse Bernie this morning with his "feel the Bern" comment.
It may appease them for a while. At the time of writing, there are report that Bernie had turned independent despite expressing preference and urging his supporters to vote Hillary over Donald.
The second days was still was about bridging with the Bernie supporters:
One of my favourite satirist on Saturday Nite Live is now a Senator from Minnesota, believe that!
The second day had former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright:
The highlight must be Bill Clinton:
"I met a girl ..." resonates the classic "To kill a Mocking Bird" as he weave in the past achievement of Hillary in between his life story together with Hillary to the bedazzled crowd. In one stroke, he dispel all allegation on Hillary with the punchline "real change maker".
Actress Merryl Streep can still hold her own over the politician in public speaking at a political rally:
The third day was pack with power as we heard Former Secretary of Defense and Congressman, Leon Panetta:
Former Republican mayor turned Independent Michael Bloomberg:
Vice President Joe Biden:
Vice President candidate, Tim Kaine:
Finally, President Barrack Obama:
A speech that inspire and gave hope. He dispel Donald Trump's make America great again to claim America is still great and we need to make America greater as he admit he still need work to done. Off course, it will back track if the leadership is not passed to Hillary.
Hillary is due to speak tomorrow morning. DNC coverage by CNN begins around 8:00 AM Malaysian time.