Drama viewed from afar

OPINION:

In the coming nine months, the world will watch with fascination as the 2008 American presidential race unfolds. In fact, few foreigners understand how Americans choose their nominees.

American voters may whine about the length of the season and the seemingly endless year ahead, but to those in despotic regimes the road to the White House is a thrilling drama.

No reality show could ever duplicate the angst, heartache and joy of running for president. The primaries are the “American Idol” of politics. Shaking hands, thumping podiums, judging the best blueberry pie, posing for Cybershots and tearing up in diners may be cliches, but it’s getting the votes that count.

The whole show — including the debates — is big and blowsy and the amount of campaign money alone is daunting to any outsider. In America, you need money to run for office. In many other countries, money is the goal.

Take the billionaire “presidents” and “prime ministers” in Africa or Asia riding in bullet proof limousines surrounded by their flunkies. Corrupt men and women enter politics in other countries to gain social standing and riches, none of which would be available to them without some sort of inside government connection. Husbands get rich, wives richer. Feckless relatives are appointed to high-level posts and everyone close to the leader has their hand in the till.

Former President Bill Clinton is now a millionaire (thanks to books, speeches and corporate board fees), but wasn’t when he took office. Mitt Romney is already rich. As for Hillary, she doesn’t exactly need health benefits and John Edwards, a trial lawyer, freely admits he is financially comfortable.

Former New York governor and two-time Republican presidential candidate Thomas E. Dewey once remarked, “No man should be in public office who can’t make more money in private life.” Certainly that would pertain to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

Watching the process unfold, I was amazed at how frank the candidates have been about their finances. In no other country would a candidate for public office stand such scrutiny. Politicians in most countries go to great lengths to hide their spreadsheets.

Critics say the process is demeaning, that no one smart enough or savvy enough (like , hmm, George Clooney, for example) would ever put themselves through the ringer.

But Americans should be grateful. Boxers or briefs, pearls or diamonds, socks on the floor. Trivial matters aside, all the presidential candidates have exposed themselves to the most intense curiosity and speculation. Hundreds of millions of voters in the world would never take this for granted. Even those already voted off the show are winners.

And just think: Only about 36 more weeks to go.

Tsotne Bakuria is a former member of the Republic of Georgia’s Parliament.