BY the courtesy of global reach of the media i was leisurely watching the second Bush-Kerry debate Saturday morning live from Washington University, St. Louise, Missouri, along with the Americans and rest of the world. i could not have done it cheaper if i wanted to hear the lowest of public office contenders (Member of Union Council) in Bangladesh.

Sudden facelift for Senator John Kerry following the first debate at Miami University put the election race in a dead heat. The second debate with variable opinions both on BBC and CNN has not given indication of favour to either candidate. if public opinion continues to swing towards Kerry even after the second debate, President Bush may have difficulty in generating enough momentum despite advantages of incumbency and onslaught of TV commercials. Kerry, the traditional underdog, is slowly but surely emerging for a hot race.

it was rightly termed as 'bread and butter debate' as it mostly dealt with the economy and welfare of the people. Americans are keen to preserve their jobs and pockets at a time of recovery from years of recession. Both agriculture and manufacturing industries are under squeeze from cheaper imports. A farmer told me early this year, if the golden oranges of Florida are not protected from cheaper Brazilian imports, in five years time oranges will be no more from the Sunshine State. Declining but powerful agricultural lobby is still a slug shot in American politics.

With oil price crossing $52 a barrel, the struggling mammoth aviation industry is in greater trouble now and the pockets of highly mobile Americans are further taxed. Before trade war on steel products could hardly cool down America is bracing for yet another war with Europe on Airbus subsidies. in spite of cheap money made available by Federal Reserve boss, Alan Greenspan and tax cut by the President to the 1% rich, job creation is slower than expected. outsourcing is another snag of preserving jobs at home. Americans are on a spending binge with cheaper money, dollar is under tremendous pressure due to deficit financing above 5% of GDP. on such a dull economic picture if the president is spending $200 billion on an avoidable war in iraq, people might seriously question his reelection bid. The debate leaves enough space and time for thought.

But then, politics is not exactly

American bread. Many citizens think it's a business of experts; their job is to work hard for dollars. Four years ago they did not raise a whimper when a marginally defeated candidate found his place in the White House by cunning legal move involving the Supreme Court. But it had neither eroded their confidence on the judiciary nor their loyalty to the presidency. Poorest of the lot on whose bread and health care Kerry is trying to make election issues are least interested in voting. And five million felons who are mostly blacks are not allowed to vote. While the rich are the paymasters, the huge middle class decides the election, not the poor. Media is nearly the only means to have the feel about the campaign and of course, lots of

pollster gurus working overtime.

Senator Kerry was not the first Democratic choice. Exhausted Al Gore shied away; popular Senator Hillary Clinton thought Americans were not yet ready to offer the chief executive's job first time to a Lady in a war torn environment. Senator John Kerry filled in; but not necessarily a poor choice. Democrats have a large vote bank among the minorities. only exception to the rule is the community of rich and powerful Jews who bargain in every election for more than their number suggests.

Born in a family of super rich and hyper influence, the President was trying to give the look of crown prince awaiting coronation in the debate. Bush has not learned defeat. Son of a president and grand son of a senator he feels that the White House is part of his natural inheritance. While debating Al Gore four years ago he could not care to remember a South Asian leader's name and still propelled to power. He did it once before to defeat incumbent governor Ann Richards of Texas in 94. in a close election it does not really matter to Americans who is the president. Lobbing, not election, is the heart of American politics.

But then, his mantra of rich be richer to help the poor had not created enough jobs. Three million jobs had gone to cheap labour countries and still outsourcing. Corporate culture is not built on patriotism or philanthropy but fiercely aggressive profiteering. Welfare of the people and the unbridled capitalism that Bush is pursuing are not always compatible. The poor are poorer today and should be less forgiving to Bush if only they care to vote. Meanwhile, the concluding remarks by the Senate Committee that Saddam had neither WMD nor al-Qaeda connection have enormously damaged President's ability of judgment. War, economy or job, almost nothing is coming right for President Bush. if debates are indicative, Bush may have hard sale this time. But he is not a challenger but a formidable incumbent.

Media may have brought the debate to many homes. Expecting Americans to underwrite peace and justice globally is tantamount to failure of the rest, and somewhat culpable meanness of the failed ones. American society is known for consumerism, philanthropy revels only to grease the market forces. Justice can not be ensured by begging, but ensuring. Where is the global resolve? Sir Winston Churchill once said, "i have not been made Prime Minister to liquidate British Empire". Time has changed; but surely, none is seeking the White House to liquidate American interest. The bottom line is -between the two only styles and periphery vary; no calling for bread for the third world without hard work. And that propelled me to the computer this morning.

The author is a freelance writer