As the fascinating 2008 American presidential campaign nears its end, we await the final count to see whether this 56th election will be a historic triumph for Barack Obama or Sarah Palin.

I have become an utter addict. I have been overjoyed to see the seismic shift in American politics which is propelling a black man to within striking distance of the White House. But, I also recognise that election campaigns offer lessons for the future.

For us here in Jamaica, the most important lesson to be learnt is that there can be tough, rigorous campaigning without political violence. The world has watched more than 20 months of campaigning across America, and even with rallies of thousand of persons, I have not heard of any political clashes or attacks which have caused death and mayhem. Yes, a few misguided skinheads have been arrested for plotting to kill blacks and Obama, but they are behind bars - they only succeeded in shooting out a car window before the police halted their plans.

Violence has become so much a part of our lives that bloodshed, arson, intimidation and harassment accompany every election campaign. I trust that when the next campaign season rolls around the candidates will renounce violence, tone down their rhetoric and avoid igniting flames of hatred.

Lesson number two confirms the old wisdom that in electioneering, money matters. Barack Obama has built a formidable fund-raising machinery from the ground up. He did not look to big business because he understands that when payback time comes these donors want their pound of flesh. So donations came from small people, $20 at a time.

Obama raised more than US$600 million to his rival's US$280 million. Edward Seaga famously remarked once that it takes cash to care. Indeed. The Democratic campaign has plenty of money and it may yet make the difference.

Lesson three: Racism is alive in America. When a woman can use a nail file to carve the letter 'B' on her cheek then claim it was placed there by a 6ft black man in support of Obama, such an act is only designed to stir racial tensions. The woman is a McCain campaign worker and so far I have not heard him condemning the act.

Voters across American say they fear Obama. Why? Because he is different from them - read black. However, like so many other elections before, the most important issue concerns the economy. Obama's bold advocacy, his articulate plans for fixing the economy, his calm manner, intelligence and political savvy appear to be breaking down the colour barrier.

Lesson four concerns judgement. When John McCain picked the unknown Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate he thought it was a safe bet. He had chosen a maverick. She was pretty and was the first woman picked by a Republican presidential ticket. He also factored in 18 million Hillary Clinton supporters waiting to be embraced. In principle it sounded good, yet that decision appears to have backfired as the media started digging into her background. And she has become the butt of jokes, being openly mocked. If McCain loses, his judgement in picking Palin will be questioned.

And the final lesson - 'If you can't convince them, confuse them.' This old Republican doctrine espoused by President Harry Truman is still in force today. We have seen many examples of the Republicans trying to confuse voters by attaching labels to Obama - 'left wing radical' 'socialist', 'vapid celebrity' and 'redistributor of wealth'.

But the most sinister act of campaigning was cited in Virginia this week. Voters there received written notification that because of an emergency in Congress, Republicans will vote on November 4, and Democrats will vote a day later, November 5!

Has Barack Obama built a strong enough lead to withstand the final onslaught? I believe so.

Feedback may be sent to denniequill@hotmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.