November 6.
One of the most amusing features of the US presidential election was
George Bush citing the example of John Major's late surge to victory
against poll predictions earlier this year as an indicator that he too
would defy the odds and be returned to the White House.
I believe a more relevant comparison is, in fact, George Bush's
rejection by the US electorate and the warning that should pose for John
Major.
Bush became President after eight years of Reaganomics when the
President appeared to have a clear vision and a definite political and
economic agenda -- however hard that is to believe of Ronald Reagan.
The same could not be said of George Bush. ''He doesn't seem to stand
for anything,'' his predecessor once remarked, and the US electorate
gave its verdict on the man who found it hard to grasp ''the vision
thing''.
John Major became Prime Minister after nearly 13 years of Thatcherism,
a definite if not universally liked political philosophy, and was
fortunate to have only held the office a short time before this year's
General Election.
He may say much and promise many things, but he too doesn't seem to
stand for anything. The British electorate will one day deliver their
verdict on him, too.
Paul Joseph Cuddihy,
7 Graham Terrace,
Bishopbriggs,
Glasgow.
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