Obama's promise of change has affected Egyptians as well. Al-Ahram Weekly listens to what some would say if they had a voice in the US presidential elections Egyptians seemed to have cast their votes before the Americans. The historic and imminent US presidential election is not only grabbing the attention of US citizens but also Egyptians from different backgrounds and interests. After 9/11, war on Afghanistan and Iraq, and amid the intertwined politics of the US and Arab and Middle Eastern countries, the future of the US is an important matter for many Egyptians. "The president of the United States is the president of the world, that is why I am following the elections and waiting to see who will win," said Naglaa Zeineddin, 33, a housewife who, hoping for positive change, wishes to see Barack Obama become president. For another Obama supporter, Narima Anwar, 32, a housewife, the elections mirror the future: "When you observe America's policies and find out who will become the president, you can speculate on how the world will be affected." While not expecting sweeping change in the policies of the US, Ahmed Mahmoud, 37, a physician, prefers Obama, even if the change he might bring is minor. That opinion is shared by Hazem Hassan, 39, an engineer who knows that change in US policy "is not only based on a person, but rather is a collective decision of the administration. Yet Obama can still have an effect." Tamer Fawzy, 36, a product manager in an electrical equipment company, explained that his choice of Obama lies in his belief that if Obama wins he will make a difference, especially when it comes to Iraq. Hoda Ashraf, 31, a pharmacist, is also sure about Obama: "I know the candidates' agendas and I think that Middle East problems will be more negotiable with Obama as president." While she is sure that both candidates will favour Israel, "all former US presidents held the same opinion." Despite not knowing the exact agenda of Obama or John McCain, Mohamed El-Kashef, 26, an architect, would rather vote for Obama. Why? Faith that Obama's call for change must mean, in measure, a change in US policy in the Middle East, despite his support of Israel expressed on many occasions. With the promise to withdraw US combat troops from Iraq within 16 months if he becomes president, Obama is also the choice of Nagwa Hussein, 45, a former manager in a public sector company. Mohamed Youssef, 70, a lawyer, supports Obama not only because of his stance on the war on Iraq, but also because he believes that his economic programme is moderate, aiming at decreasing taxes on the middle class. While aware that both Obama and McCain back Israel, Youssef thinks the former would be more interested in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict. Another important factor appears Obama's personal traits. Soheir El-Sharqawi, 35, a private school teacher, believes that he is more cultured and persuasive than McCain, "I feel that he is honest and does not use false electoral media campaigns." Maisa Shaam, 60, who works in a public bank, has been watching the two campaigns closely and is also in favour of Obama. She believes he truly envisions the democratic essence. "He represents a fresh young voice, and is authentic." Dina Abdallah, 26, a director of short movies, is an avid observer of the US election. She sees Obama as the answer: "The man is simply a breath of fresh air. He is outspoken, eloquent, charming and as honest as a politician could be. His eloquent speech and campaign for change have made him popular with college crowds as well as educated liberals," she opined. "I also think that having Joe Biden as his running mate compliments Obama's ticket to silence the criticism directed towards him on his foreign policy experience with Biden's experienced background as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee -- unlike McCain, who obviously chose his vice-president candidate, Governor Sarah Palin, in an attempt to win Senator Hillary Clinton's supporters, and to deflect the issue of his age." While favouring Obama, El-Sharqawi expects that Americans will elect McCain because he is white: "I think that most Americans are not ready for a black president." The ethnic roots of Obama have allowed many to feel that he is closer to them. "I prefer his agenda, but also his roots would make him more understanding of the different racial and religious backgrounds. With that personal history, he would really be able to understand the true definition of freedom and peace," argued Mona Thabet, 35, a PR officer. Ibrahim Ghase, 50, a businessman, admits that he does not know much about the electoral agendas of either candidate, although he favours Obama. "Perhaps this preference is based on ethnic origins, because we are Africans," Ghase said. He is not certain, however, that Obama will show sympathy to Arabs in their conflict with Israel. "Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice are both black, though they never had a fair policy towards Arabs." It appears that Obama has fans among young females in Egypt too. Marwa Mahmoud, 23, translator, definitely has a crush on him, and it has nothing to do with politics. "I like Obama because I feel that he has a familiar handsome, lovely face, besides he is young, unlike McCain who is an old man who looks very strict and ugly." Apart from such personal remarks, charisma plays a role in defining choice, as Fatma Ahmed, 36, physician, explained. "Obama is young, enthusiastic, very active and intelligent. As far as I know he has a new vision and wants to change something. Meanwhile, McCain is old and supports the policies of George Bush, which resulted in the invasion of Iraq and the eruption of war in Afghanistan, not to mention the current economic crises all over the world." McCain means another George W Bush for Abeer Ali, 30, a teacher. "I hope Obama wins and even if he didn't, either candidate would be better than Bush, by far the worst president America has had, in my opinion," she said. Like other Americans who might not vote, Ahmed El-Menoufy, 25, an accountant, is against both because both are pro-Israel. "Both do not like Arabs or Muslims. Even Obama, who is from African Muslim origins, always denies that he is a Muslim or has anything to do with Islam as if it is an insult for him to be a Muslim. Though as far as I know, his father is a Kenyan Muslim." Ahmed El-Sayed, 23, a civil engineer, shares the same objection, "simply because Obama is confused with not enough experience in politics, and McCain is just a copy of George Bush." Throughout gathering interviews, Obama's speeches, promises and persona identified him, while McCain is rather identified with his history in the army and association with President Bush. Ahmed Elshami, 25, who works in a multinational company, believes Obama has shown that he's qualified, intelligent, charismatic and competent, with youthful energy and progressive politics, while McCain lacks charisma and does not present any prospect for change. He does not know much, however, about the candidates' social or political background, but he knows that McCain was a prisoner of war in Vietnam while Obama studied law and was elected to the US Senate in 2004. Those more obliged to follow the elections, like El-Sayed Ibrahim, 50, a journalist, realise the importance of discerning the agendas of both candidates. "Willingly or unwillingly, it affects our lives as Egyptians and Arabs," said Ibrahim. Again, Obama is the winning candidate, "due to calling for drastic change to US polices, especially those relating to the Middle East; for pulling out US troops from Iraq and for caring for America's image in the world; for fairer taxes by increasing them on the rich and decreasing them on middle-income and poor families, and for wanting to end US dependence on Middle East oil." Abdel-Hamid El-Saadi, 64, a commercial counsellor at a diplomatic mission, who has only followed the US elections infrequently, believes Obama will be better in improving America's tarnished image in the world. While he believes all US administrations are pragmatic, a Democrat administration might take a more sensible approach to Iran and Iraq issues, and put an end to the so-called "constructive chaos" theory adopted by the neoconservatives associated with Bush. In the middle of all the Obama cheers, Hani Kharat, 32, a businessman, is pro-McCain. While he does not say much about his agenda, he sees his military experience as an asset. "The man is a war hero who spent five and a half years of his life as a prisoner of war when his plane was shot down during the Vietnam War. His military experience is one of his strongest points, especially as America continues with its prolonged engagements in fighting global terrorism." Despite his admiration of McCain's military background, Kharat hopes the United States "would just leave the Arab world alone." Political analyst Sami Mansour, now in his 70s, does not think there is any room for real change if either candidate wins, because any change will have to be forced on the US administration and in order for that to happen the Middle East has to have the leadership and the will to enforce that change. "And those two elements are currently missing, so I don't see any change happening any time soon." Mansour believes that the ball is in the Arab court. "I don't worry about the US administration taking Israel's side. What I worry the most about is the lack of a national desire and vision in the Middle East for change. All American presidents, throughout history, have lobbied for Israel, whether bluntly or discreetly." Abdel-Wahed Ashour, a journalist, believes in Obama's push for change, but wishes for another change as well. "It is about us, not them. We should think about fixing and improving ourselves, and our regimes, before worrying about whether or not the next American president will be taking our side or not. The key word is reform." Obama or McCain -- 30-year-old Nadia Khaled, a housewife, could not care less. She longs for change that would directly affect her life, and that comes from within. "It is none of my business who would be elected as the American president. What I care about is the price of bread, eggs, cheese and meat. I doubt that whoever wins would make food cheaper in Egypt, or improve the living standards and services in Egypt, or help us in establishing a proper political life, therefore why should I care in the first place?" Yet teacher Ali has a different view: "I watch the elections for one reason: to learn more about what a democratic election means. By Written by: Dena Rashed. Interviews by: Sahar El-Bahr, Salonaz Sami, Inji El-Naggar, Reham Adel and Soha Hesham
