If name is anything to go by, then elections in the world’s only superpower will not be anything small. Always trying to live up to its name as the most democratic nation in the world, the United States of America has always stood to its name as the champion of democracy – of course with exceptions, like the 2000 elections in which there were some alleged election malpractices.

Throughout the world, elections in the United States are always watched with excitement and sordid interest. Americans will not go to the polls until in few months time, but it seems the fascination surrounding the election is already trickling and permeating many countries. In the Gambia interest in the highs and lows of high level politics in America has already propped up.

While both the Republican and Democratic candidates were involved in whirlwind campaigns to win their parties nominations in the cut and thrust of politics in the United States, a debate on who would become the country’s next president was already taking place somewhere in this Smiling Coast of Africa.

Held at the Senate room of the University of the Gambia on Tuesday January 8 2007, this symposium was organized by the University of The Gambia’s Students’ Union in collaboration with a visiting entourage of American students, being headed by professor of Political Science and Juniata College’s director of International Affairs, Dr Jennifer Cushman.

The symposium also created the conduit for a general discussion on the American political system, and foreign policy with the latter almost overriding the whole programme.

Introducing the topic, Dr. Nanengast gave an over-view of the whole American political system. According to the American professor, the United States operates a two party system - the two operating parties being the Republicans and Democrats.

He gave the leading contenders for each of the two parties. He also elaborated on the issues that resonate to voters in this years election; the economy, immigration, environment and  healthcare.

The American scholar also dilated on the differences in policy between the two parties in this years election. According to him Republicans favor a stay of American troops in Iraq whilst, Democrats sordidly back a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

He added that opinion polls have indicated that the War on Terror which was one of the most contentious issues in the last elections held in 2004 does not resonate with most of the votes. The Professor disclosed that only 30% of Republicans think that it is important, compared to a 3% Democrats who think on the same line.

He however established that the majority of Americans now feel that the war in Iraq was a mistake. Under pressure from a rather judgmental student gathering, the professor reluctantly alluded to the fact that the current President, George W Bush, stands as the most unpopular US president both within and outside America.

However, it was not long before the debate swayed to the democratic end of the political spectrum. This was not surprising given the fact that one of the Democratic challengers Barack Obama is of African origin.

Introducing both Hilary Clinton and Barak Obama to the audience, Dr Jennifer Cushman  director of International Affairs and lecturer of German literature in Juniata college gave the audience a grasp of the policies of the two democratic contenders.. According to her Obama is more direct about issues. He is a strong opponent of the war in Iraq. He, consequently, favors a removal of troops from the Gulf country. In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Obama supports the existence of two states living side by side in peace.

On the other hand, Clinton who hails from a middle class background has taken a different perspective in some of the most outstanding issues. She has adopted an ambivalent stance on many of the foreign policy issues. She has promised to restore America’s stance in the world, but did not state how. Dr Cushman however, believed that her ambivalent or middle of the road approach has reduced her revolutionary impact on the election.

The symposium later followed by questions and answers on some of the most contentious issues in the elections and also on America’s foreign policy, including Africom, the Palestinian conflict, American-British alliance and Africa’s negative image in the Western media.

The programme was attended by a cross-section of university students, lecturers at the UTG and the co-coordinators of the Juniata College and UTG exchange programme in the Gambia.