Georgia has looked to the US for support in its conflict with Russia [GALLO/GETTY]

People in the former Soviet republic of Georgia have been following the US presidential campaign intently - although their fascination is largely based on self-interest.

The Georgian perspective on the contest between John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, and Barack Obama can be reduced to one question: Which one of them will do more for us?

Since the "Rose Revolution" brought the pro-Western government of Mikheil Saakashvili to power in Tbilisi five years ago, Washington has been Georgia's main international supporter - politically, economically and militarily.

Many Georgians appear to believe that the man most likely to maintain and even increase that support is McCain.

McCain has been a regular visitor to the country in recent years, is highly critical of the Kremlin's policies in the region, and during Georgia's recent war with neighbouring Russia, he declared that "today, we are all Georgians".

During one visit, he even danced to Georgian folk music, which also endeared him to many people in a country which values its traditions highly.

McCain 'hawkish'

George Bush remains a popular figure in Georgia for his backing of the nation

"I think McCain would be better for us than Obama. Because he's been here, he knows more about Georgia and cares more about Georgia than Obama does," said Guram, a shoemaker in a Tbilisi suburb.

Maia, an accountant, agreed. "McCain is far more experienced," she said.

But there was also some support for Obama on the streets of the capital.

"He is more human, his appearance is very kind and generous," said Eteri, a teacher.

Lupa, a shopkeeper and a member of Georgia's small ethnic Russian community, feared that McCain might prove too tough in his dealings with Moscow.

"He is too hawkish and aggressive," she said. "I would choose Obama because he is calmer and more intelligent."

Bush 'popular figure'

Subeilani says McCain can help Georgia [credit: Ana Iaseshvili]

The Georgian government offered its thanks by sending 2,000 troops to join the US-led mission in Iraq.

Tens of thousands of Georgians also turned out to give George Bush, the current US president, a rapturous welcome during an official visit in 2005, at a time when his popularity was plummeting in other countries.

Afterwards, a main road leading to Tbilisi airport was named after him, and decorated with a billboard poster of the US president smiling and waving.

On the streets of Tbilisi, Vladimer, a pensioner, said he would prefer McCain to become the next US leader because of his perceived anti-Russian stance.

"But," he added, gesturing towards the poster of Bush, "if this president stayed in office, it would be even better for us."

One MP from Saakashvili's governing party has been making a public display of his enthusiasm for McCain.

The politician, Koba Subeliani, has a number plate for his car with McCain's name on it.

"When Russia bombed Georgia and we were almost helpless, McCain made a very strong speech. He has very good experience in dealing with Russia, and he can help not only Georgia but other nations in the Caucasus region," Subeliani said.

'Special relationship'

Some observers believe that whichever man triumphs at the polls in November, the US will maintain its "special relationship" with a country which has taken on increased strategic importance as an east-west transit route for oil and gas supplies.

Alexander Rondeli, a political analyst at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, said: "Of course McCain is very sympathetic towards Georgia, and many people here believe that he would be better for the country because he knows what Russia is doing.

"But whoever comes to power in Washington, I think that the policy towards Georgia will not change.

"American interests will be the same - and they don't want a new Russian empire."

'Understanding Georgia'

On the stairway hang posters of scenes from American cities. The institute is one of many projects here which receives funding from the US government.

In one of the classrooms, students eagerly debated who they wanted to see as the US's next leader.

Here Obama proved to be the clear favourite, although as one of the students noted "we're not really representative, because I think most Georgians want McCain."

"McCain knows lots about Georgia, and not just what he's read in the newspapers ... if Obama becomes president, Georgia would not be his priority, but if McCain wins, support for us would be stronger," student Natalie Nozadze said.
 
"McCain would definitely understand our situation better and has a clearer view of our conflicts because he has experience in relations with Russia," said Piso Kighuradze.

"But I prefer Obama because he's for democracy and peace. He'd be a better president for the whole world."

One thing that the students agreed on was that, for them, Obama's race was simply not an issue.

"We don't see him as a black man," one of them said.

"For Georgians, he's just an American."