Up for grabs

By Kim Young-jin

The photo captures it all.

Reuters photographer Larry Downing obviously shot from underneath the presidential podium while President Barack Obama was speaking during his campaign stop in Las Vegas, Nev. on Thursday.

The effect is Obama’s face hidden behind the podium, somehow making a viewer think of the tight contest he is in with Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

Two hands protruding on both sides look as if they belonged to two different people, due to an inadvertent play of sunlight.

Even two panels of a prompter seen suspended in the air reinforces the idea of a tight race.

The blue sky in the background with possible contrails from an airplane may mean a lot of work for anybody who gets elected.

With just three days to go, attention is focused on critical swing states expected to decide the contest including Ohio, Florida, Colorado and Virginia.

The outcome is important as well for Korea, one of Washington’s key allies. Though both will promote robust bilateral relations, debate is underway in Washington over how to handle North Korea and its nuclear weapons programs. The election comes amid a time of flux in the region as Seoul gears up for its Dec. 19 presidential polls and Beijing prepares to transfer power to a new generation of leaders.