After one of the most bitterly divided and closely fought election campaigns in the history of the United States, American voters go to the polls on Tuesday to choose Mr George Bush or Mr John Kerry as president. Every spare vote matters in this contest and the result will affect the rest of the world nearly as much as the US. That is why it matters greatly who wins - for Irish people and their relatives and friends who have a vote in the US just as much as for all the other peoples who have contacts there.
The key question is which of the two men can better handle the major domestic and international challenges facing the United States over the next four years. Many of them are direct consequences of the divisive policies pursued during Mr Bush's first term in office.
Questions of security and war have dominated the political agenda during the campaign, just as during his presidency. Mr Bush vehemently defends his record of mobilising the country for war after the 9/11 attacks, first against those who claimed them based in Afghanistan and then to overthrow Saddam Hussein in Iraq. He says the world is safer as a result and there is the prospect of bringing democracy to the Middle East. Mr Kerry says the war was a mistake and mishandled but that the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq must be brought to a successful conclusion with the help of US allies and friends, especially in Europe. His commitment to greater multilateralism would give him a stronger basis for tackling this challenge. Mr Bush's refusal to acknowledge the mistakes he has made in executing his policies and the way he has antagonised many US friends and allies around the world would make it more difficult for him to do so.
Major issues of domestic policy have profoundly divided the two candidates. Basic values concerning abortion, stem cell research, family rights, gay marriage and anti-discrimination legislation are at issue in the result - not least because the victor will have an opportunity to influence legal rights for the next generation by his nominations to the Supreme Court. Mr Bush's reliance on a conservative religious constituency is sharply contrasted by Mr Kerry's defence of liberal freedoms and the clear distinction he draws between the spheres of public policy and private belief.
The powerful US economy has driven world growth and innovation for two decades, but is now saddled with twin budgetary and trade deficits created over the last four years which will place great constraints on whoever wins next Tuesday. Mr Bush believes freer markets and trade will overcome these problems, while Mr Kerry promises prudent economic management and would face growing calls for protectionism. This would limit the Democrats' ability to deliver on his detailed pledges for fairer distribution of education and healthcare resources and a more egalitarian taxation policy.
Mr Kerry is clearly the better candidate with the greater ability to tackle these daunting challenges over the next four years. He deserves to win on Tuesday.