I don't normally express my personal religious or political views on my site, message board or blogs -- I don't want to be seen as someone who promotes their own views in their books. I like to explore all sorts of different angles when I'm writing, to let characters be left or right wing, Christian or Muslim or whatever. One of the reasons I write is because I'm interested in looking at the world through the differing eyes of my characters, to try to make sense of it by experiencing it in various ways. But a few days ago on my message board, I let slip that I hate George Bush (something I've stated before, on several occasions, and which I make no bones about -- I think he's the most appalling leader Americans could have elected, and any American I've ever met has said exactly the same thing, so I don't feel too guilty about making my feelings known!!!), and that I hope Barack Obama gets nominated by the Democrats and elected in the next election. In return, somebody asked why I preferred Obama to Hilary Clinton, and since I'd pinned my flag to the mast, I figured it was only fair that I explain. Here's what I said:

He brings something different and fresh to the table. Hilary is a very skilled politician, but a politician through and through -- a well-oiled, effective, but cynical, emotionless (despite her nicely timed crying exhibition for the cameras), calculating operator. She'd probably be a good leader, but I don't think she'll try to rock the boat or bring about change -- as much as I liked old Bill, he didn't do too much to try and change the world, and I don't see his missus doing any differently. I'm excited about the possibility of Obama getting elected, and it's been a long time since any politician excited me. Of course, the last one to fire my imagination this way was Tony Blair, and he worked out horribly in the end -- he started so positively, but Iraq will stand out as his defining mistake; I think he'd still be in No 10 if he hadn't so stubbornly followed his gut instinct instead of using his head (there never were weapons of mass destruction, never would have been -- the assault on Iraq was entirely unjustifiable; nobody argues that Saddam Hussein was an evil bit of work, but that was no reason to invade a country and reduce it to the war-torn hellhole that it has become).

Maybe Obama is a fake, someone who will let ultimate power corrupt him, who'll fade on the biggest platform in the world and crumble under the pressure. But I don't think so. I think it's worth giving him a shot. We know what we'll get from Hilary (at best, a calm maintaining of the status quo, lots of earnest speeches but no real actions). Maybe -- just maybe -- Obama will actually try to change the world and tackle the issues that need tackling ...

I hope he gets the chance. I really do. Because it could be a long time before America is again given the opportunity to elect someone of his calibre and promise.

Oh, by the way, getting away from politics, according to IMDB, Ken Watanabe has joined the cast of the Cirque Du Freak movie. I don't have any other confirmation of this yet, but I know the makers wanted him on board, so I suspect it's true. If so, to the best of my knowledge he will be playing the part of Mr Tall. Ken Watanabe is Japanese, and he has starred in a number of high-profile films over the years, including Letters From Iwo Jima, Batman Begins and The Last Samurai. I will confirm his addition to the cast as soon as I can.