Hi,
I am a Post-doctoral research associate based at Purdue University in Indiana.
I have been following this historical presidential campaign with heightened interest.
I will give you my perspective from a non-voting, Malagasy/French perspective.
I also give more of my personal point of view on my
personal blog is http://rakotomalala.blogspot.com
Latest posts by Lova Rakotomalala
France: Understanding the Minorities’ Votes in Florida
It seems increasingly clear that Florida once again is going to be critical factor in the elections. Both Republican nominee Senator John McCain and Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama know it. According to polls, the battle will again be very close. French blogger, Laure de Montalembert surveys the Floridian electoral landscape and tries to understand the factors that matter to Floridian voters.
Global: The Candidates on the Economic Crisis
With pessimistic views abounding on the economy, the two presidential candidates are pressured to each provide their strategy for exiting the crisis. Lova Rakotomalala brings us reactions from French speaking blogs.
French Conservatives Rally for McCain
If there ever were any doubts that the US presidential election matchup has gone global, they were put to rest by the resurgence of websites and blogs calling for support for McCain. A recurrent theme among the "France for McCain" blogs is the need to counterbalance what they perceive as an unfounded, superficial "Obamadulation".
Europe: Understanding the United States of America
How are the US elections perceived in Europe? One blogger, currently at the convention, in Denver, Colorado, tries to explain why graspingthe nuances of the US presidential elections (or the US of A in general for that matter) is not an easy task from a foreigner's perspective. Lova Rakotomalala explains.
Switzerland, France: Swift Boat Strategy Part II
Jean-François Schwab, a Swiss blogger at americanpolyphony, revisits the summer of 2008 in US politics, a deceptively eventful summer that has seen Obama's slight advantage in the poll disappear and turn into a 5 point-deficit in favor of McCain a week before the Democratic National Convention.
Campaigning Abroad: A welcome change or an exercise in futility?
With both candidates spending some time abroad to explain their foreign affairs strategies (Obama currently in Afghanistan and soon in Europe, McCain in Mexico and Colombia) the rest of the world wonders whether they should celebrate this new emphasis on international relations or expect a potential backlash for either candidates.
France: Follow the Money Trail
What will be the deciding factor for the 2008 presidential elections, you ask: Race, Age, National Security, young people's involvement ? Money seems to be the consensus among French blogs that closely follow the 2008 presidential elections. They argue that the ability to sustain the important spending for both the...
France: Is the Prime Minister supporting McCain?
Blogger Corine Lesnes at the Big Picture, Croquis d'Amérique, asks whether French Prime Minister François Fillon would vote for McCain if he had to express a preference (fr): “En visite à Washington, le premier ministre François Fillon a été interrogé par FOX News sur ses préférences. Il n'en a évidemment...
France: Obama is NOT what we call “left wing”
The US presidential election is seen by many in France as a chance to reassess the Franco-American relationship and find a common ground, writes Lova Rakotomalala, who looks at a new Facebook group, by French socialists, supporting Senator Barack Obama.
France to Obama's Speech on Race: It's About Time
Barack Obama's speech on race touched French bloggers, writes Lova Rakotomalala, who translates blogger reactions in this post. They also wonder why Democrats abroad voted mostly for Obama and why the Republicans don't have similar primaries for American expatriates.
