“As a businessman,” the former ambassador said, “I’m a little worried about how good Obama would be for business.” I wondered if he was referring to outsourcing. Obama has expressed some concern over the loss of jobs in America, but, on the whole, no one believes that Obama would, or could reverse the logic of globalisation to China and India. He is worried, the former ambassador explained, that with Obama there might be an increase in spending on social welfare programmes the country can’t afford. I pointed out that the continuing war in Iraq is a huge financial burden and Obama would also be the most likely to exit the war. “I’m of the school of thought that believes you leave with the person who brought you to the dance,” the former ambassador said, concluding our conversation, “and I came into politics with the Clintons.”

At a ceremony the next day, Robert Redford, the actor, in his seventies now, addressed the graduating class. He painted a grave picture of the current politics in America and spoke of the urgent need for Hope, Change, and Change Without Delay. Just short of taking Obama’s name, Redford endorsed his campaign to cheers from the audience.

Back in New York, Claire asked me if I wanted to join her for an ‘Obamaerobics’ class. Obamaerobics is an enterprising fundraiser for Obama, spearheaded by two enthusiastic young aerobics instructors. Our smiling teachers were in bright T-shirts that had ‘Obamaerobics’ on the back and ‘Barack Your Body’ printed across the front. They handed us clipboards to fill in our donation forms. Soon we were jumping, dancing, and doing push-ups to the beat of happy music.

... contd.