And besides modern-day politics is a 24/7 game. You have to think ahead of the opponent, and strategise ahead of your opponent. You must be on your toes every minute, almost literally.
If you think that is confined between Obama and McCain recently and only in the US, then I think you're mistaken. After all, even if we are sleeping, I'd bet LKY is still playing political chess in his sleep.
So we must think ahead of him, act fast and decisively and adopt a rapid quick fire response. And it should be even faster once LKY is gone. If we only procrastinate all the time, and wait for the perfect guy, by the time we act, Li Hongyi would be next Lee(Li) to become PM.
Don't wait and wait, and think and think. We have 5 minutes each time to discuss the problem, and make a decision. And its off to the next issue. Playing politics with the PAP is not gonna be easy and that's why we must move faster than them. Only then can we maintain momentum.
president in singapore have no power.
But it has political symbolism and represents political momentum. That is very important also.
The reason why Obama could win is because of momentum. And the Democrats win in the 2006 mid term elections 2 years ago gave a boost to the Obama team that they might be able to win in 2008. And it actually came true.