Vernon Daley

Barack Obama is no doubt a stunning political talent. For a half-black man to emerge as a real political contender in the fight for the presidency of one of the most racist countries in the world is nothing short of remarkable.

In a real sense, he has put supporters of the Democratic Party into a spot of bother. Many of them want to support Hillary Clinton. She is clearly very smart and, it seems, would do a fine job as president. Looking at some of those debates between herself and Obama, she comes across with a better grasp of the issues.

Obama, however, brings to the table, a freshness and an appeal that have energised many voters. With his gift of speech and his message of breaking down political, racial, class, gender and age barriers, he has stirred something deep in people, both within the United States and outside.

He is running on a platform of change. This is always a powerful force in politics because it strikes at an innate desire in people. Former Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur summed it up well after he lost the recent general election in his party's quest for a fourth straight term in office. "Change is a natural human instinct and I fully respect it," he said in his concession.

Ignominious rejection

Sometimes, people just want to see what's on the other side of the fence. That's just how we are.

That mood of change has swept through several Caribbean countries over the past 13 months, including Belize where the Said Musa administration last week suffered an ignominious rejection at the polls when the people made their decision to hand power to the Dean Barrow-led United Democratic Party.

Obama's run for the presidency is seeking to upset the natural course of how things work in post-slavery societies. The hierarchy sees the white male at the top, with the white female next in line, followed by the black man, and the black woman at the bottom of the pile. Obama is attempting to leapfrog the white woman who was next in line to break the political glass ceiling.

Many black women are torn in their support. I have spoken to a few who want to see Hillary ascend to the top political job in the world, but they don't think it's likely America will see another Barack Obama anytime soon. What to do?

Whichever way it turns out, though, the race has been good for America and the world. It is forcing the United States to confront race and gender in a real way. For the Democrats who have to make the choice, they find themselves in an enviable dilemma. Whatever decision they make, they are on the right side of history.

The Cuban light bulb saga

Last week, the contractor general's report on the Cuban light bulb controversy was leaked to the press and the contents have seeped into the public domain. There are some adverse findings, especially relating to the involvement of former State Minister Kern Spencer.

I'm, however, concerned that the tone of some of the public discussions seems to suggest that the fellow has already been tried and convicted of a crime. The report has been sent to the director of public prosecutions and the police for further investigations. This doesn't stop us from discussing the matter, but we need to restrain ourselves and not rush to judgement.