Catch Up With June

Blog from America

junesarpong July 28, 2008, 4:18 pm Comment (0)

I’m working in LA as I write. Last week was the week of ‘Obama mania’, or Obamania as some have taken to calling it. The Illinois senator completely dominated the American headlines, prompting Senator John McCain (Republican, Arizona) to cry foul by accusing the US press of bias.

Internationally McCain didn’t fare much better. Judging by the UK and European coverage of Obama’s international tour, you could be forgiven for thinking Obama was the only candidate. Obama certainly won the international popularity contest, but the contest he really needs to focus on winning is with the American electorate.

As we’ve probably all found out at some point in our lives, popularity can help you advance. But only if you are popular with the right people. For instance, being popular with colleagues or clients will not get you that well-earned promotion if you are not popular with management.

Accepted wisdom amongst both celebrities and politicians is that popularity in the media helps. Though Carol Vorderman’s popularity was not enough to protect her from losing her long running slot on Countdown, which at PATC we think is appalling. PATC says - bring back Carol!

Obama’s international tour appears to have been part of a strategy to strengthen his support back in the US and fend off criticism for his lack of international experience. However in the current economic climate and with the grim times being faced here in the US, American voters are looking for someone who is focussed on their domestic concerns rather than international relations.

John McCain may sound like a throwback to John Wayne westerns, but he also has that no-nonsense, no-frills aura that people warm to in times of economic uncertainty. Though a similar USP doesn’t seem to have worked as well for Gordon Brown, as he found at the recent by-election in Glasgow East. That is of course the difference between running for office and actually being in office, as whoever becomes the next American president will quickly discover.

On another note, this week we’re delighted to have Liberty Director Shami Chakrabarti blogging for PATC. I’m sure many of you have seen the press reports about her recent battle with the Government over it’s 42 day detention of terror suspects proposal.

So in between the pressures of her day job, accepting apologies from Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and being accused of siding with Conservative ‘hang-em or hug-em’ libertarian David Davis MP, she found time to write for us. Read her blog to find out why opposing the 42 day detention bill is a fight she will never give up.

And finally, recently my dear friend Kathy Lette hosted a Good Housekeeping charity swap at her house. Kathy is the best hostess in Britain and managed to bring together an eclectic group of interesting women which included: Sarah Brown, Dannii Minogue, Fay Weldon, Penny Smith, Lynda la Plante, Ruby Wax, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Ronni Ancona and moi. We all swapped accessories to raise money for Cancer Backup, it was a fun day which resulted in a couple of girlie catfights over shoes and bags.