As I tend to watch the BBC news more than any other, it strikes me that every time an election in the US comes about, they become obsessed by proceedings that go on for months and months.

Does the US election really make much difference to the UK? As mentioned on other threads this "special relationship" is something that the British politician loves to shout about to make themselves seem more important on the international stage, and recently America only seems to think that there is a special relationship when they need a partner to back them up in (what some consider an illegal) war.

Does it really matter that Mrs Palin has a bigger lip stick than a pit bull?
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Originally Posted by angelman:
As I tend to watch the BBC news more than any other, it strikes me that every time an election in the US comes about, they become obsessed by proceedings that go on for months and months.

Does the US election really make much difference to the UK?

As the USA is our biggest and most important ally I would say yes! In my opinion it is noticeable how pro Democrat the BBC is. Seeing as the BBC is also pro EU, I hope McCain gets elected!
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I can't imagine anyone not being interested in this contest. It's like watching the acclamation of some insane Roman Emperor. Anyone in any doubt as to the state of modern America will be left in none after a brief acquaintance with the miserable collection offered for election.

If only Washington or Jefferson could see what America had become....

As for the BBC, their fanatical Messianic obsession with Obama based solely on the colour of his skin is breathtaking (it's not like there are any policies for them to be supporting). I watched a BBC corespondent interview a plastic faced minion of the GOP yesterday and seriously thought there was a possibility of a physical attack being launched by the BBC's hack. The Gestapo style of interview employed by this guy made Paxman look like Johnny Morris interviewing a sick vole.

This contest has set a new standard for the phrase "no win situation", having said that I feel that President Palin would be excellent entertainment value. A slim version of Rosanne Barr in the Whitehouse, it was only ever a matter of time. On the other hand watching the liberatti try and excuse Obama's apparent failings as America falls apart has attractions of its own. If I were an American I think that the only sensible course of action would be to stick my head in the "hanging chad" machine and commit a spectacular suicidal protest against the state of American politics.
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Wowbanger is closest to the truth on this one.....
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I guess you are right. I know that they are our closest ally but after a year of this, I am getting a little bored about continuously hearing about something that I have absolutely zero input on. Basically I just want to hear the result and not quite the infatuation of sending some perma-tanned, haut-coiffured BBC reporter around the good ol' USA following the circus from pillar to post in case they can catch some crumb that they can massively over emphasise as being important.

the only thing that I am sorry to no longer see is Hillary on the scene. Shame she can't come back as an independent as that would make it a really "fun" contest.

One thing I would like to know about - when the sitting president is up for a second term, does he do as much campaigning as what is happening now and if so does he actually do any other work? Can't recall the goings on when GW was "re-elected" but presume he had to kiss butt to half the country
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Originally Posted by kernow:
In my opinion it is noticeable how pro Democrat the BBC is.

They - and a lot of others besides - do not realize that Republicans and Democrats are essentially two minor variations of the same party. (Almost.)
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Originally Posted by NoMoreEUSSR:
They - and a lot of others besides - do not realize that Republicans and Democrats are essentially two minor variations of the same party. (Almost.)

Very good point - they are both backed by the same interests.
But are you sure the BBC don't realize that ?
Or again, are they merely creating the illusion of democracy, choice and change for the unsuspecting public ?
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does anyone believe the USA will vote in a black?

That alone makes in watchable.
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The people who control the electronic voting machines choose the winner, but it could well be Obama.
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Originally Posted by kernow:
As the USA is our biggest and most important ally I would say yes! In my opinion it is noticeable how pro Democrat the BBC is. Seeing as the BBC is also pro EU, I hope McCain gets elected!

The saturation coverage is sick-making, there is far too much attention given to this election. I agree with the other posters on here that the BBC is pro-Obama. However, I think the key factor which will count is the robustness of the candidate on the 'War Against Terror'. On this score, McCain will win.

The BBC election coverage is essentially an excuse for all their flights to America, one giant year long freebie...
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