This was the highlight of week three as Christopher pens his latest update from Washington for the News Letter website.

The politics undergraduate is undertaking a summer internship with the BBC in the US political capital as the race to succeed George Bush at the White House steps up a gear.


Christopher's Third Week

As week three draws to a close, I must report that the weather is again reaching unbearable once more. This is definitely one week though that will live long in the memory.

On Friday evening to begin with, timing was on my side. Pulling up to traffic lights, I happened to glance left and there sat Senator Hillary Clinton in the next car. She had been attending a joint fundraiser with Barack Obama in downtown D.C., and being driven home by some very stern faced C.I.A. officials. Thankfully she waved back to save my stupidity. I may disagree with her stance on what role she played in the peace process, but in fairness, the fact she has been the most realistic woman candidate for President, means seeing her so candidly was a nice coincidence.

Saturday was undoubtedly the highlight of the week when we travelled as a group to Hemlock, an outdoor pursuits centre in neighbouring Virginia. Set in the middle of a forest it aimed at trying to work on teamwork. Through some reasonably stretching exercises we had to try zip-wiring at 50ft, being blindfolded and guiding each other through a maze; and interestingly balancing one another on a tightrope of sorts, where two teams starting at opposite ends had to cross the other to get everyone finished. How we managed it was quite incredible!

It was quite a sight coming home when the freak weather became ever more apparent. What had been a hot, humid, cloudless day in the mid 30's Celsius, began torrential rain, thunder and lightning, piercing the sky relentlessly like I've never seen before.

Something you notice in America is that we can identify with many of the same ways of living, yet in very odd, intricate ways couldn't be any more different. A fair example of this was on Sunday as we attended a service at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, where as one may imagine, our eyes were opened to a fairly different approach to religion. Complete with gospel choir, this was quite an experience. To be honest you really thought you should have bought a ticket to a concert for what we saw. The energy and enthusiasm of the Pastor and the congregation was a stark contrast to the more disciplined and traditional approach in Ireland.

I would question the lack of scriptural references made in the service; however, I do acknowledge this was perhaps taking into consideration the secular, diverse make-up of their guests for the day. Instead the focus was turned on a message not to label people, to overlook difference, and to appreciate what we all offer to society. Easier said than done is my first thought, but my second is that it would be good to see it happen at grassroots level in Northern Ireland, not just at political level.

I have seen in Washington a glimpse of what is a highly devout nation, and where issues such as abortion will be as critical in elections as the state of the economy. Remember too that the Supreme Court Justices have as much of a long-term legacy as U.S. Presidents. The right-leaning conservative bench that exists will potentially shift further if McCain is elected, whereas Obama may opt for more liberal leaning appointments, perhaps radically altering some of America's core constitutional questions.

It has become quite apparent that this election will be one of the most significant in U.S. history. From the briefest of insights that I have gathered so far working with BBC America, on ideology and policy, Barack Obama and John McCain are clear polar opposites on view to the American voter. The two most important issues on which they hope to garner support lie, quite obviously, with the war in Iraq, and the energy crisis.

I am generalising for illustration; however, for Obama, having never voted for or supported the war, he offers a quickest route possible approach to withdrawing troops, so long as it is done sensibly. McCain, as a proud veteran justifies his wishes to keep, and employ more troops to ensure the job is done. On energy, encouraging more innovative ways to reduce the demand for oil is key to both candidates, but a real stumbling block lies with McCain's insistence on leasing American reserves near the Californian coast, which won't actually be usable for another 14 years. McCain's stance has been critiqued as a continuation of the Bush administration, although I for one feel he is genuine in his approach to renewable energy. He has announced a $300m prize for the developer of a hybrid or electric car. Should America become one big game show under Republicans is debateable, but at least it is an issue finally being tackled by a country who still refuse to sign comprehensive energy pacts such as the Kyoto Protocol.

I have heard it remarked by many people that President Bush is now being treated as an irrelevance. Revelations over the Guantanamo Bay hearings that I have encountered through my placement suggest high reaching consequences for breaches of authority and orders at the height of the administration. The call has been laid to trial the President's men for impeachment, a trial that would last beyond next January's inauguration, thus rendering it pointless. Whether justice is done, or the truth is revealed, many claim they are content to live out this current administration, with some of the worst approval ratings imaginable, and are suggesting whichever of the candidates is elected, that it will be welcome change either way.

In conclusion, it will be a highlight of the summer to see this proud nation come together as one. The 4th July celebrations, and watching them from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial this Friday, where Martin Luther King Jr. famously declared his 'dream', will be very special indeed.