REGARDLESS of the outcome, the result of the US election this year is bound to make history one way or the other. The Democrats, riding on widespread dissatisfaction and unpopularity of incumbent Republican President George W. Bush Jr., hope to put the first black occupant in the White House. Republicans countered by giving America its first woman vice president.

Since the beginning of campaign in the 2008 US presidential election in party primaries, the Democrats sought to turn history upside down. Early frontrunner Senator Hillary Clinton made a historic bid to become the first woman president. Her candidacy placed gender on the spotlight of US politics.

American women had come a long way since they won the right to vote in 1920. Hillary attempted to break the glass ceiling in American politics by showing a woman is more than qualified to become the highest official of the land. Many women in America were electrified by her wit and charisma, giving them hope that they achieve whatever their dream is.

Then came along another historic bid. Senator Barrack Obama, a first term senator, offered himself as the harbinger of change seeking to become the first black president of America. His youth, eloquence and storybook background offered to overturn American politics by trying to make Americans go beyond race.

Obama and Clinton fought a close, long drawn and bitter rivalry for the Democratic Party’s nomination. Never has race and gender figured prominently in party intramurals and US politics in general. Both candidates were out to make history and race and gender were issues close to the heart of the Democratic Party. Obama was leading in the primaries, but Hillary was able to win big, key, strategic and battleground states crucial to Democratic victory in November.

While both Hillary and Obama want to make history, the Democrats must come up with a decision. In the end, race won over gender and Obama was formally nominated as the Democratic candidate in this year’s election.

On the Republican side, the battle for party nomination ended early when Senator John McCain of Arizona edged out immediately his rivals. There was little excitement in the Republican Party as the nomination process was not hotly contested and less controversial. Republicans were relegated to the sidelines as the rivalry of Hillary and Obama occupied center stage almost having a near monopoly of media attention.

Since the beginning of party nominations and toward the opening of the official campaign for the presidency, the Republicans were swimming against the tide. The American public as revealed by reputable polls was universally sick and tired of Bush Jr. Change is in the mind of everyone and after eight years of Bush Jr., America needs a new direction and is ready for change.

The deep yearning for change made the Democrats gamble for Barrack Obama. While not officially acknowledged, his race, being black is a major factor that could affect his chances to capture the White House. Democrats however calculated revulsion and dislike of the current Republican administration is so strong among the American people that can overcome and sweep aside their racial bias and prejudice.

Political indicators point to 2008 as the year of the Democrats. Public issues and the current political situation favor them. In the midterm election, Democrats wrestled from the Republicans the control of both houses of US Congress and captured majority of state governors. This is already a strong indicator of where the wind of US politics blows.

Given the current trends in US politics, is the candidacy of John McCain already history? Are Republicans assured of defeat? Although current political signs are not favorable to them, Republicans are not about to throw the towel. McCain launched his own counter-offensive to regain momentum.

His choice of a running mate energized the social conservatives, the traditional base of the Republicans and ignited fires among the party faithful. By selecting Sara Palin, the governor of Alaska, McCain blunted the message of change of the Democrats. The choice is also a clever political maneuver, placing Democrats off balance. Many Hillary partisans, particularly the women were still bitter about here defeat in the hands of Obama. If the Democrats refused to make a woman president, the Republicans offered to make a woman the second official of America.

Question of race remain a critical factor in the election despite attempts on both sides to down play it. This explains why Obama and McCain remain statistically tied in the polls and why Obama has not reached a double-digit lead over McCain. While a significant number of Americans had already gone beyond race, is America on the whole had already overcome its racial bias and prejudice? The result of the 2008 US presidential election will answer the question.

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