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Tag: swing

  • Ekiti 2015: Where will the pendulum swing?

    Ekiti 2015: Where will the pendulum swing?

    As the participating political parties and their candidates for this year’s elections put finishing touches to their preparations, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports on what he describes as the Ekiti State political rematch

    Ahead of the all important rescheduled general elections that will see ousted All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the now ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, analysts and political observers are talking about how the electorates in the state are likely to vote eight months after Governor Ayo Fayose’s controversial victory over ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi of the APC.

    Checks by The Nation revealed that there is serious anxiety within the two leading political parties ahead of the decisive elections. While the PDP is determined to complete its hold on the politics of the state by winning all national and legislative seats available, the APC is prepared to reclaim some lost grounds by stunning Fayose and his party at the rescheduled polls.

    So uncertain is the current political pendulum in the state that some insist it is too early to predict how the results will look in spite of claims by both Fayose’s ruling PDP and Fayemi’s APC that the people of the state will vote for them. One of the factors analysts believe may influence the voting pattern of the people this time is the presidential contest between the two leading political parties.

    “It is unclear how the people of the state will vote. Although the PDP has been in power for about eight months now, a lot of things have happened to create a dicey contest. Both the PDP and the APC are aware that they cannot take the voting pattern of the people of the state for granted. Both parties are out there struggling to convince the people,” Femi Bajo, State Coordinator of Voters’ Right Agenda (VRA), said.

    “For the PDP, the coming polls should simply be a repeat of what happened last June, when in spite of Fayemi being the seating governor, the announced result favored Fayose who was earlier seen as the underdog by pundits. But the APC is looking towards turning the heat on Fayose believing a lot of other factors may work together to make that possible unless something drastic is done by the ruling party.

    Like some people are saying, the presidential contest between General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC and President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP may affect the voting pattern of the people of the state. While Fayose may still enjoy the support of his people as governor, it is unclear if the people of the state, especially the political elites, are willing to buy into Fayose’s undying support for Jonathan’s re-election.

    Even within his party, there are people who are not so keen about the President’s re-election bid. This is because they are finding it difficult to sell the idea to their people at the grassroots. “Ekiti people are enlightened and current. They are aware of the trend across the country and it is not likely they will be swayed to support Jonathan by their love for Fayose,” Bajo added.

    But PDP state Secretary, Dr. Tope Aluko, said APC and Buhari should not count the state as one of those it would win in the general election. He said the PDP had appraised the political situation in Ekiti and was confident that the opposition had no chance in the state because the people of the state are comfortable with President Jonathan’s administration.

    “We look at the main opposition, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and all we can see that they can never recover from the thrashing they got during the governorship poll. The people of the state have rejected them and their hypocrisy. They will not win any seat in the February state and national assemblies’ elections in the state, while their presidential candidate, Buhari, will lose woefully. We will record overwhelming victory for President Goodluck Jonathan in the coming elections in the state,” he said.

    However, a chieftain of the APC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Segun Osinkolu, said the triumph of the APC candidates, especially its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Ekiti is not negotiable.

    “Ekiti people are ready to vote for Buhari and the APC en masse. What is paramount to Ekiti people now is real development and governance in all the sectors of the country’s economy as being witnessed in some other states of the federation and Ekiti State must not be an exception.

    We believe in the change that is promised by Buhari and his party. Ekiti people are not swayed by partisan outbursts of some people. We are elites of the Yoruba stock and we are democrats. Fayose’s recent vituperations towards Gen. Buhari had portrayed the state in bad light in Nigeria and the global community as a whole,” he said.

    The Ekiti Central Senatorial District candidate of the APC, Gbenga Olofin, also assured that the party’s people-oriented programme will ensure victory for all its candidates. The candidate hinged his optimism on the discipline within APC as the most organised party grounded in grassroots appeal.

    “Buhari is a reputable and responsible person with proven record of integrity, which will brighten the party’s chances in the polls.  Above all, Ekiti voters are wiser now and would not want a repeat of suffering and poor governance going on in the state and in the national and state assemblies,” he said.

    Also, a recent admittance by the Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, that the viral audio clip that surfaced on the internet recently detailing how Fayose, former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, and other political leaders rigged the 2014 Ekiti Governorship Election in favour of the PDP, is authentic, may have generated widespread sympathy for the APC amongst the people of the state.

    Contrary to the denials by Fayose and Obanikoro that they were involved in a meeting where strategies for rigging the June governorship election were discussed, Adesiyan, who was also at the meeting, admitted that the meeting actually took place. According to sources within the state, following his shocking confirmation, many people in Ekiti were forced to conclude that the PDP and Fayose didn’t actually move into Government House on the strength of the people’s vote.

    “This is creating a serious credibility problem for Fayose and the PDP in the state. And if you understand the nature of the average Ekiti man, you will know that they hate injustice. The same way they supported Fayose few months back when it appeared he was about to be unjustly stopped from exercising his mandate, that is the same way many are now ready to support Fayemi to reclaim his rigged mandate.

    The Nation also learnt that the APC, learning from its June mistake, may have gone all out to reposition itself for the electoral battle ahead. According to Osinkolu, APC in the state had become more sturdy and it’s the party to beat following various reforms embarked upon by major stakeholders within the party, especially the Action Group.

    “What we are doing now is a total reformation and structural adjustment of our party to confront the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and because of this, no stone will be left unturned to build the party in order to win elections in Ekiti and Nigeria in general. It is a known and indisputable fact that the APC has become the party to beat, as a result of bad governance being witnessed in the state at the moment.

    “We have learnt our lessons and the people are better informed now than before. Moreover, the level of impunity of the present administration towards the electorate has no doubt set the people against it and the resultant effect of it is a blessing to the APC and with the level of preparedness of the party towards the polls, the party will record a landslide victory,” he declared.

    But the PDP expressed confidence that it will win all seats in the forthcoming national and state Assembly elections because, according to them, the Fayose led administration in the state is performing and the party is waxing stronger.

    “We are satisfied with the performance of Governor Ayo Fayose. Despite the huge debt the APC left behind, he has not failed to live up to expectation. He has embarked on road projects, water scheme resuscitation through which water is gradually flowing in many places. He has taken the challenge of improved electricity supply by the horn. Market stalls are being built.

    “We are also happy that Governor Fayose has not failed in paying salaries of workers despite lean resources. His novel idea of stomach infrastructure, which APC needlessly condemned, is being copied by all, including the APC. The welfare of the people is our concern as a party and we are not going to fail in that respect.

    “APC will not win any seat in the state and national assembly’s election. Their main stock in trade is to engage in fruitless propaganda and thank God, the people have now seen their deceit and they cannot cover anybody’s face with any veil again,” Aluko told The Nation.

    But the PDP may have to act more than it is talking as the elections draw nearer. This is because there are signs of cracks within its wall, sending signals that it may not be easy for it to win as convincingly as Aluko and other chieftains believe it should.

    Few weeks back, the Peoples Democratic Party Youth Network, Ekiti State chapter, vowed to work against and ensure its presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, loses woefully in the presidential election. The Ekiti Coordinator of the network, Tope Musowo, made the threat in a press statement.

    Musowo, who decried the PDP-led federal government’s handling of the situation in the country, said President Jonathan has failed by surrounding himself with sycophants. “It is quite unfortunate that President Jonathan surrounds himself with political vultures who will mess up his good works, and these people don’t care if he loses or not. Let me make it clear here that Ekiti voters are the most sophisticated voters in Nigeria.”

    Thus, the battle lines remain drawn between the PDP and the APC in Ekiti State ahead what can best be described as a political rematch. Expectedly, the gladiators more than even before, are dying to make definite statements about who the real political leaders of the state are. However, in all, the electorate holds the ace, and by this time next month, we will know who laughs last.

  • For adverts, consumers swing to smartphones

    A survey by a global adverts research firm has shown that Nigeria multi-screen users spend more time on smartphones before switching to other devices for advert receptivity, reports ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    How many times did you start reading an email on your phone while commuting, and later continued on your laptop at home? Or you saw a commercial for a new car and began searching for its specifications on your tablets? If these sound familiar, that is because they are part of the new norm in multi-screen behaviour which influences how the media select the medium to channel the advert budget and deliver returns for investors.

    To help advertisers and their media buyers understand this behavioural change, a global advert reseach firm, Millward Brown, in a survey, quizzed consumers across 30 countries, including Nigeria to know the screen device that engages their time more and understand the motivations that drive sequential usage across screens in order to give marketers an insight into the market. Of the 30 countries sampled, one of the findings revealed that Nigerians spend more time on smartphones than other screen devices to get market information with 193 minutes per day, 31 per cent higher than the global average of 147 minutes daily.

    In its report, Millward Brown’s 2014 AdReaction, the firm noted that for advertisers to reach more Nigerians, they must explore the smartphone. According to the firm, consumers in Nigeria spend more time on smartphone screen than other countries. The move to digital screen can become a threat to traditional media, such as television, radio, newspapers and magazines and outdoor publicity.

    According to Millward Brown, multi-screen users spend five hours daily consuming seven hours of screen media, hence, providing opportunities for advertisers and marketers to connect with people and drive brand growth.

    “All screens, though, are not created equal. The study analyses multi-screen use and behaviour across 30 countries, and explores consumer receptivity to advertising on television, smartphones, laptops, and tablets.The findings help marketers build integrated media plans that take advantage of each screen’s strength and drive brand growth. While we know intuitively that people are spending more time multi-screening, we analysed both the quantity and the quality of screen use to uncover specific insights to help marketers optimise media investments,” Millward Brown’s Global Brand Director for Digital, Duncan Southgate, noted.

    “Understanding how much time consumers spend with each screen, alone and simultaneously, combined with their receptivity to adverts is critical to building a media plan in today’s multi-screen world,” he added.

    According to the survey, simultaneous multi-screening accounts for 35 per cent of screen time, and includes a mix of “meshing”, the use of television and a second screen for related content (14 per cent), and “stacking”, the use of television and a second screen for unrelated content (22 per cent). At 65 per cent of screen time, “shifting”among individual screens throughout the day remains the dominant form of screen use. The study noted: “When consumers port an individual task across screens, they most often begin on television and move to a Smartphone, but all screen sequences are possible.”

    With consumers simultaneously using multiple screens, it was observed that “just one-third of the time, marketers’ larger opportunity is delivering consistent, integrated campaigns as users shift between screens.”

    While revealing how consumers behave in relation to specific screens, each screen has its own advantage, which brand managers can adopt to suit the consumers they want to target. The survey noted that “TV remains strong for brand building, and in particular drives salience and affinity.” While it is no longer the most consumed screen globally, it was revealed that “TV delivers strong reach and enjoys the highest advertising receptivity. It does remain the most used screen in the UK, France and Spain.”

    Smartphones remain the most used screen globally including Nigeria. “With strong daytime use, Smartphone are good for delivering salience, difference and setting trends. While they deliver only moderate advert receptivity globally, attitudes towards Smartphone adverts are much more positive in Kenya, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. Multi-screen users in Nigeria report the highest time spent on Smartphones, at more than 193 minutes per day, 31 percent higher than the global average of 147 minutes per day,” the survey revealed.

    Besides television and Smartphones, the survey noted that laptops deliver salience and relevance for marketers as trends in some countries showed. “Consumers report 108 minutes of use per day on laptops, the majority (71 percent) being exclusive. However, laptops deliver only moderate advertising receptivity. They are the top screen for multi-screeners in Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic,” the survey showed.

    Tablets reportedly deliver difference for brands, and nearly half of the tablets used is simultaneous with television accounting for 49 per cent. “Peaking during the evening, tablets deliver difference, but only moderate receptivity. Receptivity to adverts on tablets was notably high in Kenya, Nigeria and the Philippines,” the survey said.

    The study also showed that “consumers are most receptive to micro-video; television adverts with interactivity; and television adverts promoting mobile apps, Facebook pages and websites. Marketing that delivers more entertainment and rewards are generally preferred over multi-screen campaigns which simply offer more information.

    “We know that media and technology will continue to evolve and that consumers are leading the way. Marketers who adapt and embrace this change – and understand how to effectively and consistently reach and engage people in a multi-screen world – will benefit from brand growth,” Southgate added.

    To stay ahead of the new market challenge, as revealed by the survey done through Smartphone, among 12,000 multi-screen users between 16 and 44 years, the Managing Director of MediaShare, Mr. Dele Odugbemi, told The Nation that going digital would help the media that could be affected negatively by digital revolution.

    “Radio and TV continue to thrive because they have incorporated digital media into their offering, so a radio station can interact with its audience via its facebook page or twitter account. Digital media raises the game. Media Innovation is a noteworthy reason for the increase in media spends in Nigeria,” Odugbemi added.

     

     

  • APC, PDP and the battle for ‘swing’ states

    APC, PDP and the battle for ‘swing’ states

    Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, takes a look at how the looming political battle between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the emerging All Progressives Congress (APC) may be fought and won in 2015

     

    Following the confirmation of the merger plan at the special conventions of the three co-operating political parties, namely the Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), the stage appears set for a titanic political battle between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the fast emerging product of the merger, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.

    The two political camps are sounding confident about how and where they will get the required votes to win the next general election, but beneath the ongoing political bravado from both sides, there seems to be a rough consensus about the shape the forthcoming political race is likely to take.

    Sources say top strategists from both camps have been working round the clock in anticipation of what pundits say will be a close battle between the two leading political parties across the states of the federation, given the current and emerging political scenarios in the country.

    While the two parties would be going for broke in the struggle for the presidency of the country, analysts say the real battle lies in the governorship contest in the thirty six states of the federation as the performances of the rivals in the gubernatorial elections, which is likely to precede the presidential contest by a week or two, will make or mar the quest for the presidency.

    Given the current situation where the allegiance of some governors, especially of the ruling PDP, to their parties are being questioned, some states have emerged as swing states or battleground states ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    The implication of this on the forthcoming election is that the ability of the two contending parties to swing victory in about thirteen states that appear up for grabs, as we speak, will determine which of them will control the federal government at the conclusion of political hostilities in 2015.

    Given the role of money and state apparatus in the politics of the country, pundits are of the opinion that the political affiliation of the governor of each state as at the time of the election will go a long way to determine which party will emerge victorious in which state.

    Consequently, the ongoing crisis within the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), especially among PDP governors has made it difficult to predict the likely performance of the party in some of the states it currently controls. Should some of the governors revolt against the party and or defect to the APC, as currently being insinuated on both sides, their various states will be up for grab in 2015.

     

    PDP states

    Today, the ruling party has its members as governors in twenty three states, accounting for nearly two-third of the thirty six states of the federation. The situation leaves four other parties to share the remaining thirteen states, about one third of the total number of states in the country.

    But with indications daily emerging that some of the PDP governors may dump the party in search of other political platforms ahead of the 2015 general elections, pundits say President Goodluck Jonathan’s party can only beat its chest assuredly in just about twelve of the said states.

    This uncertainty has thrown up about eleven PDP control states as battleground ahead of the 2015 general election, with both the ruling party and the emerging APC ready to do battle for their political souls.

    For now, the PDP and President Jonathan can be sure of victory in about the two southeast states of Abia and Enugu where its governors are popular and also committed to the party.

    With Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State needing the support of both the party and the presidency to curtail the menacing advances of his returning erstwhile godfather and former governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, his commitment to President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition has been steady.

    In his state, Orji has also managed to become popular as a performing governor largely on the strength of his unending political brawl with his predecessor than for anything else. He appears to have a firm grip of the political machinery of the state and this may help him deliver the state again to the PDP in 2015.

    The trio of Bayelsa, Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom states are also likely to remain in the hands of the PDP come 2015. This is largely due to the loyalty of the governors in the state to President Jonathan, coupled with the fact that little or nothing of the opposition is currently being felt in the states.

    Save for Akwa Ibom State where James Akpan-Udoedehe, the ACN gubernatorial candidate in the last election, is keeping the ruling party on its toes, the opposition parties in Bayelsa and Cross-Rivers states have gone to sleep.

    In Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe states, the PDP is looking good ahead of the forthcoming election. Barring any last minute surprises and or political maneuver by the emerging APC or any other party at that, the ruling party appears set to retain its hold on these states.

    Though the governors of Sokoto and Kebbi states are rumoured to be displeased with some actions of the national leadership of the party in recent times, the two are yet to give anybody serious cause to doubt their commitment to the PDP. If the situation remains the same till 2015, the ruling party is likely to win the elections in these states again.

     

    The battlegrounds

    However, the PDP is most likely to suffer defeats in Rivers, Niger, Adamawa, Kwara, Jigawa and Kano states. The governors of these states have one axe or the other to grind with either the PDP leadership or the presidency. This has led to strong indications that they are no longer comfortable with their membership of the party and may move elsewhere soon.

    Should this happen and the opposition, especially the APC, convince them to move into its camp, their various states will become swing states where any of the contending parties can claim vital victories.

    While Governor Rotimi Amaechi has been engrossed in an unending feud with President Jonathan for months now in what many describe as an ego war, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State’s reported interest in the presidency come 2015 has pitched him against the PDP establishment.

    It is this same fate that has befallen Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State. With posters proclaiming his desire to gun for the presidency all over the place, he appears to have drawn the ire of the presidency and as such may have to seek an alternative political platform in 2015.

    The supremacy battle between Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa and the national chairman of the PDP, Bamanga Tukur, who hail from the same state, has weakened the party tremendously with talks that Nyako may soon dump the ruling party.

    Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso and Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kano and Kwara states respectively are not known enthusiastic supporters of the President. Kwankwanso specifically has been quite critical of some of the President’s actions in recent past. All these make their states appear as likely political battlegrounds in 2015.

    Also, the races in states like Ebonyi, Delta, Kogi, Benue, Katsina and Kaduna will be tight. These are states where the oppositions are quite strong. The 2011 elections were closely fought in these states with the winners emerging with narrow victories. So with the merger of three leading opposition parties coming against the PDP, these states can swing either way.

    In Delta for instance, the decision of Senator Pius Ewherido of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) to join the APC and the fact that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan will not be eligible to seek another term, the race has become very open. Consequently, the state is a swing or battleground state.

    Katsina and Kaduna were states where the CPC and the ANPP had impressive showings in the last election. With the two parties joining the AC N to form the APC, the PDP will definitely be given a run for its money in these states come 2015.

    There are also the two “undecided” states of Anambra and Ondo. The two are currently standing independent of the two leading gladiators. While Governor Peter Obi of Anambra is holding firmly to the remnant of a faction of the troubled All Prgoressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State is of the Labour Party (LP).

    But analysts say the two will not remain aloof for long. With the predictions that they will soon pitch their tents with either of the PDP or APC, these two states remain swing states where anything can happen in 2015 depending on where their governors decide to pitch their tents.

     

    APC strongholds

    As we speak, the APC is firmly in control of eleven states. The AC N came into the merger with six states firmly in its kitty. The states are the five southwestern states of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti. The party is also in control of the south-southern state of Edo.

    Given the performance of its governors and the popularity being enjoyed by its leaders across these states, there is little or no fear of the party losing these states in 2015. Elections in Osun and Ekiti states next year are expected to further consolidate the grip of the AC N on the states.

    The ANPP brought three states into the APC. These are Zamfara State in the northwest and the duo of Borno and Yobe states in the northeast. The party, pundits say, look good to retain its control of the states beyond 2015.

    “There should be little or no fear of the ANPP losing its three states because the party is waxing stronger in the north today. The people want an alternative to PDP and the ANPP is one party they’ve known for long. I think the party will win some more states for the APC in 2015,” a source said.

    Currently, the CPC has one governor. He is Governor Umar Tanko Al’makura of Nasarawa State. Given his popularity as a performing governor, he looks good to retain the state for the APC beyond 2015.

    The cult followership enjoyed by the leader of the CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari, is another factor expected to swing votes the way of the APC especially in the northern part of the country.

     

     

  • Obama, Romney, swing states and Sandy

    The last time it happened was in 2000 when Al Gore slugged it out with George Bush jnr. Al Gore won the popular votes with no less than half a million votes. But Bush won more of the Electoral College and so took the White House. This year, the possibility of history repeating itself is real. This has put both candidates under tremendous pressure in the last days of the campaigns.

    Though they are being slowed down by Hurricane Sandy, Obama and Romney’s strategists are working behind-the-scene to see that their candidates get the swing states.

    In United States presidential politics, a swing state is also known as battleground state or purple state.

    What this means is that a state designated as purple is not in the firm grip of a single candidate or party. No candidate has overwhelming support to secure the electoral college votes. As a result of this, these states are targeted by the two major political parties because winning these states is the best opportunity to gain electoral votes.

    On the other hand, non-swing states also known as safe states, are either Republican or Democratic. So, candidates concentrate less campaigns in these states. Many of the Southern states, such as Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina are historically conservative and in the firm grip of the Republican. Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Nebraska are also in this group.

    The Democrats usually have a safe passage in California, Vermont, Massachusetts, Oregon, Hawaii, Connecticut, Illinois, Rhode Island, and New York.

    Based on this knowledge, each candidate does less campaign in their stronghold and spend time, money, and energy in the swing states. University of Oregon political science Prof. Joel Bloom mentioned three factors in identifying a swing state. These are: “examining statewide opinion polls, political party registration numbers and the results of previous elections.”

    Ohio’s reputation as a swing state started in the 1980s and it has since titled towards Democrats.

    One state to watch closely is Maine. Reason: Democrats have won the last five presidential elections. Obama won by 17 percentage points in 2008. There are, however, concerns that Romney’s Northeastern roots could change the equation.

    Michigan, where Romney was born and raised, is also worth watching. His father was a popular governor of the state. But the competition with Obama will be rooted in the economy – not nostalgia. The Obama administration’s rescue of the auto industry, opposed by Romney, is key here.

    Minnesota‘ , where Democrats have won in the last nine presidential elections, also seems a safe ground for Obama. Despite the fact that Democrats seem to have an upper hand here, the Obama campaign is leaving nothing to chance.

    New Mexico promises some drama. It has an history of hard-fought presidential elections. But despite the fact that Republicans won the state in 2004, it is still viewed as Democratic-friendly.

    For Obama, Nevada‘ may not be easy to take given the fact that its economy has dimmed under his administration. It has the highest rates of home foreclosure and unemployment. Romney can capitalise on this. But Obama still has a strong appeal to Latino voters and this may prove decisive in who wins the state.

    Over the years, Pennsylvania has tilted more towards the Democrats in presidential races. A Quinnipiac University/New York Times/CBS News poll gives Obama an edge of 11 per cent points.

    The Rocky Mountain West state of Colorado‘ was a major victory point for Obama in 2008. Before then, the state was won by the Republicans in eight of the last nine presidential elections. Can Romney take it back for the Republicans?

    One state that not a few is looking out for in the presidential race is Florida‘ . This state won by Obama in 2008 was where Bush jnr got the edge in 2000 earning the reputation of the most famous battleground state in America. But what role will the fact that under Obama its economy has been sour play in who they cast their votes for?

    There is also Iowa‘ , where Romney has expended energy and resources in order for Obama not to repeat his 2008 record. The president’s poll ratings in this state is lower than other nearby states. Though it has six electoral votes, this may prove very important in a close race.

    New Hampshire‘ also appears slipping off Obama’s grip. Here Romney is seen as home boy. He has an holiday home there.

    For Romney, Ohio is critical to taking the White House. In the last presidential election, its choice has always emerged the president. Under Obama, the state’s economy has steadily improved. This could help Obama win the state again. But Romney is not giving up. So, the president cannot relax.

    Until recently, Virginia was not considered a purple state.

    Hitherto deeply conservative, it seems to be changing with the population shifts in its North. Obama won the state by seven per cent in 2008. But the two candidates have conceded that they have no clear hold on the people.

    What role will Romney’s choice of Representative Paul Ryan play in who wins Wisconsin? Ryan is from the state. Democrats narrowly won the state in the last six presidential contests. Ryan’s entry has made it a true battleground state and the candidates are not giving anything to chance here.

    Interesting days sure lie ahead.

     

    A storm in president

    Obama’s favour

     

    Though campaigns have been slowed down by the historic Hurricane Sandy, it has provided Obama with a commander-in-chief moment. Coming a week before Election Day, the president is getting praised where he used to get knocks.

    Democratic and Republican governors are commending the performance of the Obama administration. Romney is the loser for this, said some analysts.

    Obama’s trip to New Jersey yesterday during which he toured the damaged areas with Republican Governor Chris Christie, a regular critic, has furthered his re-election bid. Christie has heaped praises on him in the aftermath of the storm, saying that “the president has been all over this and he deserves great credit”.

    Obama’s handling of the disaster, said analysts, is a contrast from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The then President, George W. Bush, and then Louisiana Governor, Kathleen Blanco, engaged in finger-pointing. Bush was a Republican president. Blanco was a Democratic governor. But Obama has looked beyond partisanship. For him, disaster has no party affiliation.

    Obama said: “The storm is not over yet. We’re going to continue to push as hard as we can to provide resources…no bureaucracy, no red tape.”

    An aide said he told an emergency meeting: “I want everyone leaning forward on this. I don’t want to hear that we didn’t do something because bureaucracy got in the way.”

    D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray said Obama told the governors and mayors of the thirteen affected states and the District of Columbia that they “can call the White House directly themselves” if they encounter any bureaucratic red tape.

    Several high-ranking Republicans have praised Obama. Chair of the Republican Governors Association and a leading Romney surrogate Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell said the Obama administration’s response was “incredibly fast and we’re very grateful.”

    He said Obama has been “direct and personal” in his approach to the disaster, saying that during natural disasters, “partisanship goes out the window.”

    He added: “The election’s going to come, but it says a lot about the president, and it makes me feel good to be an American that people have had the right focus.”

    The president has also downplayed campaign in order not to mismanage the situation. White House advisers, such as David Plouffe and Chief of Staff Jacob Lew, are working with him to ensure everything goes right.

    A top aide for Bush’s 2004 reelection effort Matthew Dowd said Obama has used the power of his incumbency and “done just exactly what he needs to do.”

    “The longer they can have him being the president and not a candidate, the better for them,” Dowd said.

    But Romney has not allowed himself to just lie low in this critical hour of need. He has found a role for himself by holding a relief event in Ohio to collect donations for storm victims. Reporters tried to complicate his situation when they asked him whether he was reconsidering his earlier position that disaster management should be the business of the states. He declined comment.