JK for President!

Now I get the idea

Up until 2 days ago, well last night actually, I didn’t put too much interest in the presidential election. Don’t say I don’t care. I care. I really do. I was just indifferent who will win it. As long it’s not someone named Megawati, it’s just fine with me.

I hate Megawati. Wholeheartedly.

I’ll tell you why. First, it’s her name. She was born Diah Permata Megawati Setiawati Soekarnoputri. Having the word ‘Soekarno’ in your name only means that you can run for presidency in this country though you don’t have a college degree and don’t come from military. I can’t say it for sure, but perhaps my dad would run for presidency, if he had that magic ‘S’ word in his name. Like it or not, the ‘S’ word sells. Second, her tenure wasn’t more satisfactory than SBY’s. I’m not saying I’m satisfied with SBY’s tenure. I still can’t forget Ambalat and especially, Lapindo case. But, when the country was under Mega, things were worse. You haven’t forgotten the privatization, have you?. Third, she’s childish, rude, and barbaric. She called the current administration yo-yo and similar to the popular Poco-Poco dancing, remember? I don’t mind someone criticizing others, especially when they’re competing. It’s just part of the game. But it should be done with manners. She definitely lacks that. Fourth, she’s a great manipulator. I don’t have to explain it, watch the ads!

So, what can I say about Mega? In one word: sucks! Two words: really sucks!

Then came the debates. The first presidential debate was lame. Paramadina University president, Anies Baswedan as moderator turned the show into a regular Kick Andy episode. Disappointing. Boring. The first vice-presidential debate wasn’t even better with Komarudin Hidayat (he himself the president of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah) couldn’t stop asking ‘why I should be here?’ question in his mind. Sorry Pak, no offense. The second presidential debate though, was surprisingly more entertaining. The moderator, Aviliani gave an ‘I will be the next big thing on TV’ performance, spicing up the night a little. Mega predictably, didn’t deliver. She’s 4 out of 10. No, 3.5 out of 10. SBY had a good, not great, night, but still played it safe. 6 out 10. JK, to my surprise, was the center of attention. He laughed, he poked fun (at both SBY and Mega), and he answered, satisfactorily. He showed his understanding in economy, welfare, labor, and of course, the thing he knows just so well, business. Overall, he’s 7.5 out of 10. No doubt, he stole the show.

Honestly, I was leaning towards SBY-Boediono before the debate. Both have done good job in their respective positions. But last night debate changes very much everything to me. I now realize that JK is just as capable, trustable, and reliable as every one can expect him to be. He might not be that articulate. But it’s okay. Nobody’s perfect, right? And the fact that to me the most important issue that needs to be addressed is economy, choosing JK seems more obvious. But, unfortunately, his running mate is Wiranto. I can’t relate to Wiranto. Just can’t. It’s not that I’m influenced by those issues about his past human right issue, but maybe because he’s passed his prime. Wish JK could run for presidency with SBY as his running mate, then it would be great, JK-SBY. In hoop term, it’s a real no-brainer. I know Prana will be pissed off. Sorry dude. With Pak Boediono serving as BI Governor again, Wiranto pursuing a singing career, Mega still married to Taufiq Kiemas, and Prabowo happily feeding up his 3-billion-something horse collection, things just can’t be better.