The land of the cheese

Now, delighted as I was he had started to take an interest in politics at the age of 24, I had to explain that wasn't actually the case.

For those not in the know, John McClane is the name of the character played by Bruce Willis in the Die Hard film franchise. John McCaine, on the other hand, is the Republican candidate for the post of president '“ although the thought of a gun-totting, vest wearing, head of the USA did amuse me (and probably isn't all that far from some Republican policies anyway, a satirist might point out).

Actually Mr Willis is a staunch Republican, so maybe my brother just got confused, bless him.

Sibling idiocy aside (sorry James), it did get me thinking on how interested we are as a nation about what goes on in the old US of A.

I was standing in WH Smiths at Victoria Station last week and noticed Democrat candidate Barack Obama already has two books out '“ one outlining his political ideals and another on his life so far.

They seemed to be flying off the shelves too.

Clearly then there is an appetite for knowledge about the American elections '“ and quite right too. One of these men is to become the 'leader of the free world', with a hand in the futures of ourselves and our children.

Melodramatic I know, but when you look at the American influence on the global economy and foreign matters it is pretty true.

A step on from that, it got me wondering why politics doesn't seem to have the same buzz in this country.

Think about it. What was your reaction the last time Labour won out over the Conservatives? If you're anything like me and not a staunch party supporter, probably massive indifference.

However, what was your reaction when George Bush won a second term? Fury? Laughter? A bit of a smirk as you looked forward to a few more years of verbal clangers?

And I wonder why that is. The colossal power that comes with the role? The thought this gentleman has his finger hovering over a big red button?

Maybe. But I think perhaps it's that Hollywood glamour which makes it like a movie being acted out for real. We all love a good flick after all.

Check out this rallying call from McCain: "We're Americans and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history."

Or this from Obama: "Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time. America, this is one of those moments."

Oscar worthy stuff. See also: "We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight!" Erm, that's Bill Pullman in Independence Day.

Point is, it's the sort of God bless the nation, faintly cheesy, blockbuster script rhetoric I can never picture Brown or Cameron saying in a UK context.

And of course the celebrity 'big hitters' are lining up on each side. Arnold Schwarzenegger (obviously), Robert Duvall and Sylvester Stallone for the Republicans. The Democrats have Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Halle Berry (thus securing my very shallow vote if I was an American).

It's all pure popcorn. So I guess my brother wasn't that far off the mark after all. Which is sort of scary.

And I suppose if it doesn't work out for the candidates they could always send for Mr Clooney or Mr Willis to have a go. Yippee ki-yay.