Senator Barack Obama

• Third place goes to dethroned Nepalese King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, who has decided to 'go quietly' following last month's abolition of the monarchy.  After the newly elected Constituent Assembly granted him two weeks to vacate the Narayanhiti Palace, Nepalese media alleged that the former monarch had burned secret documents, plundered the palace treasury and attempted a twilight escape.  However, following a visit to the palace earlier this week, Nepalese Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula revealed that Gyanendra is relaxed about his new life as a commoner and will leave the palace before the two week deadline expires.
• In second place is Indonesian politician Ahmed Heryawan, who, following some smart electioneering, was recently elected governor of the province of West Java.  Heryawan -- whose candidacy was backed by the largely Islamic Prosperous Justice Party -- outfoxed his rivals by comparing himself to US presidential hopeful Barack Obama during the election campaign.  With the aid of television advertisements, copycat slogans and 100,000 door-to-door canvassers, Heryawan successfully tapped into 'Obamamania', and presented himself as a dynamic and youthful force for change. 
• This week's Masterstroke goes to Barack Obama.  After one of the most gruelling primary campaigns in US history, the senator from Illinois has declared victory in his bid to become the Democratic Party's Presidential nominee. In defeating Hilary Clinton, Obama has bested a formidable opponent.  However, while Clinton may be out of this contest, few doubt that her presidential ambitions remain fierce.  Clinton aides have suggested that she would be keen to run for the Vice Presidency.  Yet following such a long and expensive campaign, she is in no position to force her way onto the ticket.  Faced with this reality, speculation abounds that her sights are now set on the 2012 race.