The “International Electoral College” is an election project from The Takeaway, in collaboration with Global Voices Online, that highlights bloggers around the world talking about the U.S. elections.

Adeola Aderounmu blogs from Nigera at Thy Glory O Nigeria…!

Certainly, the voting in America on Tuesday, Nov. 4th, 2008, will be along two thoughts. One is hope of all the changes that an Obama presidency promises. The other is the fear of not having McCain to ensure that the war continues in Iraq and Afghanistan which will aim at sustaining the supremacy of America over the perceived agents of terror.

It has been proven that the ongoing war in Iraq was not necessary in the first place. The cost of the war to the American people is enormous and it is enough solid reason to boot the republicans out from the white house. A war that is costing more than $300 million per day is a very expensive war. The most painful part and the greatest loss in the war is the death of American Soldiers in Iraq. Many families have been devastated by the loss of loved ones.

Obama has spent substantial part of his campaign telling Americans what he intend to do with his democratic mandate if elected. His words are clear and his eloquence is a source of jealousy even to Arnold Schwarzenegger. When Schwarzenegger spoke at a rally in Ohio in support of McCain, it was obvious that he was jealous of Obama. His jealousy for Obama’s eloquence and success robbed him of the ability to think right and straight. He even talked of Obama’s skinny legs. Has Arnold asked himself this question: what is the significance of big bodies with small brains and shallow thoughts?

Like John McCain and Palin, Schwarzenegger joined in mere chorusing Obama’s policies and viewpoints. The republicans have shamefully spent the bulk of their campaign time listening to Obama and responding to his comments. What a way to go! Obama is leading in the pre election polls because he is talking sense and he is carrying people along. The republicans are not doing the same. They are busy responding to Obama.

When Obama gave his infomercial Senator McCain said Obama was not telling the truth. But what stops McCain from telling the truth that we don’t know. What is the truth about the war in Iraq? What is the truth about the economy since Mr. Bush took over from Mr. Bill Clinton? What have the republicans been doing that has suddenly sent the American economy into recession? What is the truth about the nature of the problems that are confronting the Americans? McCain should tell us if he thinks that Obama has not.

Obama gave us issues, he offered ideas and he explains point by point how he intends to run his presidency. Obama has a plan. However, we are not oblivious of the fact that a president does not rule the country on his own and most of the decisions on economy, taxes, war situations and other issues of national discourse always have to pass through the Senate for approval. It is in this light that one can examine Obama’s juicy claims as tentative. Election promises are always tentative and there are no assurances that they will be fulfilled when reality of the day to day running of the political office surfaces.

Still, the election on Nov. 4 will be a major turning point in the history of the United States. Will the undecided voters look beyond race as they make up their minds in the final moments? Will Obama excel over the Tom Bradley Effect to become the first black president of the United States of America? Will racism be relegated on Nov. 4 so that the actual voting will reflect the opinion polls? Will ideology prevail over mediocrity?

The answers to these questions will be known in less than 84 hours. As Americans themselves will say: God Bless America…!