In Obama, Many Overseas See Chance For New Direction And New Attitude

Washington Post:

For much of the world, Sen. Barack Obama's victory in the Democratic primaries was a moment to admire the United States at a time when the nation's image abroad has been seriously damaged.

From hundreds of supporters crowded around televisions in rural Kenya, Obama's ancestral homeland, to jubilant Britons writing "WE DID IT!" on the Brits for Barack discussion board on Facebook, people celebrated what they called an important racial and generational milestone for the United States.

"This is close to a miracle. I was certain that some things will not happen in my lifetime," said Sunila Patel, 62, a widow encountered on the streets of New Delhi. "A black president of the U.S. will mean that there will be more American tolerance for people around the world who are different."

The primary race generated unprecedented interest outside the United States, much of it a reflection of a desire for change from the policies of President Bush, who surveys show is deeply unpopular around the globe. At the same time, many people abroad seemed impressed -- sometimes even shocked -- by the wide-open nature of U.S. democracy, and the history-making race between a woman and a black man.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[butonelife]

We're going to make it out of this. We are engaged in the same struggle which afflicted many nations in recent generations, including Germany, Italy, Spain, and France, if you consider the degradations which occurred after the Revolution. We have a strong chance of pulling out of our dive BEFORE we set the world on fire but we need to work hard.

[RobinL]

I'd love to be able to travel again without having to apologize for Bush! This is promising news.

[lisakaz2]

I'm lucky; I've not travelled abroad since 2001. Here's hoping I can w/o needing an apology either.

[neocon43]

Apologize for what that we liberated 45 million people.Everybody wants our assistance and money.Grow up you are very childish.

[mamacat]

45 million have been liberated during the Bush presidency? That may be Bush's take on things, but few others in the world see things that way. Which is sort of the point of this article.

[rowzeer]

As a whole America gives less of there GDP for aid than other countries. Where did we liberate 45 million people? I know you don't mean Iraq. Because the we will be greeted as liberators myth is been proven false

[ilcapo]

is this idiot for real?sheeez

[jesuswazasocialist]

Hey mate wake up we in Australia dont want your MONEY or your ASSISTANCE.

[going2ireland]

You continue to come here and ridicule people, calling them childish.

Certainly everybody wants our assistance. But we need to make a great attempt to begin assisting people here in our own country - something that the Republicans just can't seem to grasp. Democrats have always worked for the citizens of the US. Republicans work for the other nations (notice I did not say the people of other nations).

Before one can heal other countries, one must heal their own country.

[AdultFilmLegend]

I wonder:

Do the British lie awake at night and worry about what the rest of the world thinks of them? Do the Kenyans? Do the Indians?

Does anyone (except some in the US)?

[Boris]

You are naive. It is America's standing that has enabled us to dictate world policy without force of Arms. The force of honor and dignity have a much greater effect than shooting people.

Since world war ll, we have led the world by example because they respected and admired us. Unfortunately, President Pissant has made our leadership nearly impossible without the force of arms.

And look around, we cannot hope to offer a moral high ground with the acts of this administration. We cannot decry mass murder and torture in other countries because we are hypocrites.

By the way, nobody gives a damn about Kenya. The Brits will soon surpass the US as the economic capital of the banking world and the Indians will surpass us in industrial strength.
And if you traveled abroad, you would find out just how much the world despises you. .

[queotic]

Hey, hey now! Our next President is Kenyan. Have a little respek ;-)

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

I dont give a (bleep) what the world thinks about America however the world (Europe) wants to make you think they do. This is the same nation that is quick to pick on West Virginia

[ghop]

Huh? The only one attacking WV is Cheney. He's the one that said WV was known for inbreeding, not Europe.

[Zeje]

The world isn't Europe. Oh, please get out and travel!

[blueshield]

In this world there are two groups - those who can affect events, and those who will be affected.

The only people who lie awake and care what others think are the ones with the power to influence events and the future.

The rest - and powerless in this country and around the globe - have no reason to care. Things will be happening to them, regardless.

[chin075]

in this world there are two kinds of people -- those who put others down for their own benefit, and those who lift everyone up for everyone's benefit.

what kind of person are you?

[lisakaz2]

The British? Now they do. Don't know about the rest (less familiarity).

[meanguy]

i'm not losing any sleep worrying about who the rest of the world wants us to elect

[Zeje]

Do you know anything about the rest of the world?

[All4One08]

He is already healing world relations!!! The world believes in Obama!! I read that article in NY Times and I had tears in my eyes, Obama is inspiring the whole world, if you work hard, no matter what your back ground you can achieve great things!

I'm so glad I'm around to witness this great moment in History!

[meanguy]

"He is already healing world relations!!! The world believes in Obama!! I read that article in NY Times and I had tears in my eyes, Obama is inspiring the whole world..."

this is EXACTLY the kind of thing you hear in cults

[queotic]

Ahhh yes...the old if-you-can't-argue-their-logic-call-them-a-cult attack. You forgot to mention that we "drank the kool-aid."

[Zeje]

So are you voting for McCain? War, war, and more war --

[researcher]

a good start but mc war could win

or worst which i cannot say

never thought i would live to see it

he was not of the civil rights mentality and did not have all those hard feelings

watching him and mc war give speeches was interesting to say the least

one a worn out old man and the other inspired 33000 people and many more at home watching him on tv

if this country elects mc war i am moving to france with susan. just kidding.

stick around susan a true patroit stays for the fight

if mc war wins he will pack t he court and hillary's fems will cry for decades.

i look for mc wars court to take away voting rights of women and blacks

and roe versus wade is one for the history books

yes hillary fems vote for mc war so i can watch your squirm once you see the mistake you have made

[mahack]

Lie Lieberman: The whole world endorses Obama not only the ones you hate.

Europeans in love with Barack: Europeans in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia favor presidential hopeful Barack Obama over Republican candidate John McCain by a huge margin, a poll conducted for Telegraph.co.uk found.

Overall, 52% of respondents said they support Obama's presidential bid, while only 15 percent said they support McCain.

According to the poll, Obama is particularly popular in Italy, where 70% of respondents said they preferred him over McCain. The French were not far behind, with 65 percent saying they would back Obama. In Germany, 67% of respondents gave the Democratic candidate the nod, while only six percent backed McCain.

[rooks]

Front page here in Japan. Go Bama!

[Yuma]

GO OBAMA city in JAPAN.

[DCtrain]

Good to hear. When I interviewed some Japanese businessmen, they were concerned about Barak. The thought is there in Japan is that the US is more concerned with partnering with China than with Japan, like Japan is old news or something.

[CanadiansforObama]

Welcome back to the international community America.

We need you to help with climate change, conflict resolution etc.

It will be nice to be dealing with a president with intellect and compassion!

The only thing I will miss is David Letterman's "great moments in presidential speeches".

[blueshield]

Well, Canada, we haven't exactly been away.

Just some commotion with the bus driver.

Plan to straighten that out . Promptly.

And glad to know you've had our back while we were being escorted round the thirteen levels of hello.

Kindly check your gun at the door.

[SouthFloridaDem]

Letterman will have to wait eight years! Just think: No more president with a third-grade-level command of English. (Oh, sorry, I just insulted third graders.)

[rowzeer]

I think Ma and Pa Bush should ask for their money back from those Ivy League Schools he was legacied into.

Bush proves that education and intelligence are two different things

[meanguy]

yeah, okay, 'interntional community'...what is it you expect us to fix for you with our tax money this time? no need to thank us...continue spitting on us at every opportunity; wouldn't want to throw off your busy schedule...

[queotic]

You've got to be kidding me. America is like 3% of the world's population, yet uses an obscene amount of the world's resources. The least we can do is leave the world a better place than we found it.

[Zeje]

No, the US gives LESS money and resources than other developed nations. Don't you know that? The world cannot make progress on many issues -- because of the USA. The Kyoto agreement for one. Americans are responsible for 25% of carbon emissions -- there are other people in the world who want to breathe clean air. The dollar is not worth anything anymore. You'll notice that if you travel. The merchants want EUROS -- not dollars. Our tax money -- billions -- goes to the war profiteers. Some would say that the inability to listen to others is an American trait.

[kellygrrrl]

We will make the world proud again!!!!

[kellygrrrl]

the World is watching and wants US to be a Great Nation again
just as much as WE want that for ourselves

so cool!

[DCtrain]

Agreed, we've finally got an intelligent candidate that is not jaded by Washington DC.

[GotRights]

"Agreed, we've finally got an intelligent candidate that is not jaded by Washington DC."

Yes, but that also describes Gore. And we all remember how that turned out.

[longcrl]

It will be so nice to travel through Ireland, Britain and other countries, without feeling the need to wear a button saying "I didn't vote for Bush." Because they rightly hold us all responsible. Leaving me wondering why the Brits so blindly went along with Iraq, if the people were so incredulously opposed....

[GotRights]

"The Brits" didn't Downing Street did.

[Erdgeist]

The U.S. has better Angels, to be sure. But then we have the dark side, too, with Bush, Cheney, and John McCain who looks like an unmasked Darth Vader.

[xmw]

As I have said , the Int'l community is familiar with the ttpe of ccampaign the Clintons have run. We would have no credibility. They have seen how she manipulates and goes back on agreements. How she exaggerates accounts She is not view as trustworthy. I am not knocking her. This is how she is built. She just should not be POTUS or VP.

Fresh start 08

[Viper]

This has nothing to do with Clinton as a VP... Stay focused and heal.. or you will get McSame.

The primaries are over.

Regards

[DAVESEAN]

GOD BLESS PRESIDENT OBAMA

[MizFlagPin]

and the USA

[GotRights]

and all the other countries too.

[AdamND]

Fired up! Ready to Go!