Either way, history is being made in the most powerful democracy in the world. Economic meltdown or sub-prime lending, United States continues to be the world leader. It is therefore natural that the whole world is looking forward to the Election Day.

I have been closely following the campaign. Having witnessed election campaigns in India, this is refreshingly different. More decent, matured, upright, polite and civilized. No noise on the roads. No loudspeakers. No hoardings, banners or posters.

There is no out-door election activity that we are used to in India. The other day, I had luncheon with Debbie Halverson, a candidate standing for election from Illinois. It was a campaign, in a closed hall, a luncheon where just ten of us interacted. Maturity at its best.

One doesn't find any rancor, spite, malice or hatred between the traditional rivals, the Democrats and the Republicans. Otherwise how could one expect the bipartisan passage of the Seven hundred billion rescue plan? And that too, during the run-up to the election. That is the United States of America.

Both parties eventually are interested only in the welfare of the country. No blame-game that we are used to.

And the way Television is used in a big way for the campaign is to be seen to be believed. The campaigns of both candidates come live in your drawing room. Even the channels are thoroughly neutral. The Democratic candidate Barack Obama had purchased prime-TV time for half an hour last week, paying over four million Dollars. CNN declined to telecast the infomercial live. It turned down an offer by the Barack Obama campaign to purchase a half-hour of primetime television time on Wednesday, since they 'd rather use their air to continue to cover the campaign, candidates and issues like wthey always did from all points of view with the best political team on television. Yet, CNN did telecast the highlights of Obama's infomercial. Neutrality in action!

Ok, who is slated to win the closely fought elections?

(to be continued)