Humbling win, Graceful defeat
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 08 2012 -

Despite severe criticism over the manner of Indian media going overboard in covering the US Presidential elections, 2012, as if there were no problem or issue back home worth highlighting; there are definitely some important lessons that Indian politicians and voters, including those in Manipur, could learn from the events unfolded in the run up to one of the most hyped elections to the hot seat in Oval office of the White House.

Capping off a long and bitter campaign and seemingly endless debates between incumbent President Barack Obama and Republican presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the American electorates have finally given their mandate to Obama to be their President for the next 4 years as well.

The fight between Obama and Romney has been described as one of the most closely contested US election races for US presidential seat in recent political history with two very distinct visions of government for the electorates to choose.

Leaving aside the question of which of the two choices may have been better for facing a looming fiscal showdown in the US, it is interesting to note that in his victory address, Obama humbly admitted, "We may have battled fiercely but it's only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future. In the weeks ahead I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward."

On the other hand, conceding his defeat in the most graceful manner, Romney congratulated President Barack Obama on his re-election and vowed to reach across the aisle to meet the critical challenges faced by the nation, saying, "This is a time of great challenges for America and I pray that the President will be successful in guiding our nation. At a time like this we can't risk partisan bickering and political posturing. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do critical work."

If Obama and Romney were Indian politicians, imagine how they would have reacted after the election results. Such humility in the face of victory or defeat is something alien to our so called democratically elected leaders.

While an elected representative would like to flaunt around his or her new found status in an open jeep with garlands around their necks, the fertile mind of a defeated candidate would first suspect booth rigging and cry foul over the election results.

Then, after the elections, the ruling party would make every possible attempt to shun the Opposition party from taking into confidence in any decision making process even as majority of the Opposition members would make best use of the Assembly sessions to catch up with their much needed sleep from political bickering.

Unlike our elected leaders, Obama looks forward to working with Romney and the latter understands the need of the hour to come out of political posturing.

This is American spirit of true democracy.

Just wish our elected leaders to understand this fact. Of course, this is hopeless.