The race between George Bush and John Kerry is not only a race that concerns the United States. The US president influences politics and economics all over the world. So, who do we prefer — and why? Who will be the best candidate for Africa?
Of course everyone has his or her personal preferences, and outside the US, Bush seems to be the least popular candidate. But politics is a profession, and therefore the Mail & Guardian Online asked South Africa’s political pros who they prefer.
Before we talked to the cautious politicians, we consulted an expert.
”I think in general, Bush has been better for Africa than his general persona would indicate,” said Robert Schrire, professor of political studies at the University of Cape Town.
”Point one, because he has been a great advocate and contributor for the HIV/Aids aid campaign.
”Point two, he has been a big supporter of African businesses. He has been giving Africa favourable access to the US market.
”And I think that the symbolism of having a black secretary of state [Colin Powell] and a black security adviser [Condoleezza Rice] is of major importance for Africa and black people all over the world,” Schrire said.
”The downside of the Bush administration is that his foreign adventures have driven up the oil prices to a point where Africa is bleeding.
”Kerry is a liberal democrat who will support liberal values, like civil rights. That is not bad for Africa, but he will also be someone who will put America first when it comes to trade, and I do not think that is good news,” he added.
African National Congress
”The ANC has not expressed any support for any particular candidate,” said Steyn Speed, the party’s communication coordinator.
”We want South Africa to build a strong relation with the person that the American people elect.
”There has been a good relationship between George Bush and the ANC administration. We had some differences, but there has always been acceptance of different points of view and space for debate.
”We would congratulate the winner and we have faith in the American people.”
Democratic Alliance
”Personally, I would vote for Bush,” admitted Douglas Gibson, foreign affairs spokesperson of the DA, ”but that does not really matter.”
”The DA is not supporting any candidate. It is not our business to choose the next president.
”Bush is the best friend that South Africa or Africa has ever had at White House level when it comes to foreign aid. His administration far exceeds the level of previous presidents, including Bill Clinton,” Gibson said.
”The good news for South Africa is that Kerry has promised that if he wins he will be even more generous than Bush.
”The foreign policies of the candidates are very similar and there is not much difference between them.
”For the DA it is essential that the person who wins this election will make an effort to keep up the pressure against farm subsidies in the US. It would be very positive if the next president of the US would be in favour of fair trading practices.”
Freedom Front Plus
”I do not think it will make a big difference for the South African situation or problems, [whether] Kerry or Bush will be the next president,” said Pieter Mulder, party leader of the Freedom Front Plus. ”We are just not a priority on the foreign agenda of the US.
”I personally think Bush will win because of the voting system, not because of the popular vote. I would support Bush, because he is the better candidate, not because I prefer the Republicans over the Democrats.
”And I think that even Hillary Clinton will vote for Bush. It is just a theory, but I think that the Democrats put Kerry forward so that Bush will win. You see, if Kerry wins, then Hillary will never be elected president in 2008.
”Now Kerry is doing very well and it looks like he might win, and now Hillary is in trouble. So therefore I think she will vote for Bush.”
Independent Democrats
”First of all, we, the Independent Democrats, do not support Bush because of the fear he is spreading among American civilians and which is causing them to draw into a laager,” said Patricia de Lille, party leader of the ID. ”We do not support that at all.
”We would like to see an America that is democratic at home and abroad, and that would also respect multilateralism. This is currently not happening under the Bush administration.
”We support Kerry with the hope that when he becomes the next president, he will support Nepad [the New Partnership for Africa’s Development], which will benefit the African continent,” said De Lille.
”Under Bush, the US has become a threat to the jurisdiction and the rule of law around the world. I say this in regard to what is happening with the soldiers in Guantanamo Bay. [The US arrested terror suspects in Afghanistan and keeps them prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.]
”We cannot allow any country in the world to behave the way they do,” she added.
Inkatha Freedom Party
”As the United Sates is the worlds only remaining super power, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) expresses the hope that the winner will provide responsible leadership and will cooperate with the family of democratic nations for a safer world,” Musa Zondi international spokesperson IFP said.