TEMPLATE ANALYSIS

As Americans go to the polls to decide who will be their leader for the next four years, as well as the most powerful man on earth, no one is predicting the result.

Pundits cite the polls that put Obama on 50 per cent and Romney at 47, and then quickly add the words – ‘but it’s too close to call.’

By all accounts, the dirtiest campaign in presidential history – don’t they say that about every single one – where the only real winners have been the advertisers, is now set for a cliff hanger.

Should the current incumbent succeed – as appears likely at this moment – then no doubt he will be taking a long look at Wall Street who provided him with a fraction of the financial backing they gave to Romney.

If the result goes the other way – as is equally likely – then the new man may want to ask why when the economy was so clearly the issue dominating every American voter, did he so struggle – given his background and credentials as a businessman – to persuade ordinary Americans to back him earlier.

Either way, the man at top faces a monumental task – if Obama was handed a poisoned chalice fours ago, then what has the next President of America been bequeathed now?