Europe is Obamaland: Senator's Remarkable Popularity Transcends Borders

"Obama Takes Europe by Storm," ABC News.com proclaimed earlier this year. The International Herald Tribune was more understated when it ran a headline that confirmed the inevitable: "Obama grabs the spotlight in Europe, too." And this is only the beginning.

The president of the United States has as much if not more influence over many nations around the globe than the countries themselves. So I've long suggested, perhaps half jokingly, that non-Americans should be afforded a one-tenth vote in our elections.

Were this the case, then Barack Obama would win the international vote in a landslide. Polls show Europe is Obamaland. The same holds true for Africa and all Muslim nations. East Asian countries and India are somewhat less enchanted over the junior senator from Illinois, but still generally lean in his direction.

Like many North Americans, most Europeans, particularly the French, really don't know much about Sen. Obama, but what they see, they like `beaucoup.' They are projecting their hopes and aspirations onto the image of Sen. Obama, seeing in him America as they would like it to be reborn.

You can feel a passion here for Obama that is quite remarkable, and an earnest hope that America may soon return to being its old, pre-Bush, pre-9/11 self.

Obama is wildly popular abroad because he is, of course, the non-Bush. Hillary Clinton was also a non-Bush, but she inspired surprisingly little support in Europe even though her husband Bill was widely liked here.

Today, the three Americans public figures most respected internationally are Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, and Al Gore. They are widely seen as representing many of America's best qualities, including fairness, compassion, and honesty. The three Democratic caballeros are also regarded as welcome antidotes to the seemingly hard right Southern evangelicals who have hijacked the Republican Party.

In Europe, Obama is widely portrayed as a new leader who can end the violent, unilateralist Bush era and return American to a moderate, productive role in world affairs. He is expected to end the Iraq War, cease Bush's militarized foreign policy, and re-integrate the United States into the company of law-respecting, environmentally conscious nations, of whom the European Union is now the leader. Obama comes across to Europeans as dignified, decent, eloquent, and truthful -- qualities notably lacking in either George Bush and Dick Cheney who seem to symbolize cruder national instincts and aggressive patriotism.

Much of Europe would hail and admire America for electing a man of color, though many of its nations, particularly France or Germany, couldn't contemplate doing so themselves at this point in time. The emergence of the youthful Obama reinforces the widely held view abroad that the United States, in spite of an eight-year hiatus under the Bush administration, remains the world's most revolutionary, dynamic nation.

However, America's international image is in desperate need of emergency repair. A host of surveys in recent years have shown surging dislike and hatred for the United States in many parts of the globe. One shocking international survey found the three most poorly regarded nations were Israel, Iran and the United States, with North Korea a close fourth.

Soaring anti-American sentiments abroad have played a key role in mobilizing extremist and terrorist groups to attack US interests and allies.

A 2006 poll by the respected World Opinion organization conducted in four leading Muslim nations found that most respondents believed the primary foreign policy goal of the Bush White House was to attack and undermine Islam. In the age of globalization, image has become an important element of US national security.

Fortunately, much of the current anti-American rancor around the globe is focused on the persons of George Bush and Dick Cheney, who are today probably the most disliked men on earth. Barack Obama could sharply alter America's highly negative image as a determined enemy of the Muslim world created by Bush and his neoconservative Praetorian Guard.

This change in view would not be so much because Obama's father was a nominal Muslim, but because of the senator's image of fairness and a sensible foreign policy that calls for open dialogue with the Muslim world, including Iran, rather than confrontation. If Americans want to repair relations with the Muslim world, electing Obama is a good way to start. And Europeans understand this dynamic. But whether Obama can resist Washington's powerful, entrenched special interests pull remains to be seen. Recently, Sen. Obama was disturbingly quick to support calls by the pro-Israel lobby for military action against Iran.

Even so, Europe expects a major change in Washington and a return to centrist politics of previous administrations. The French media adores Obama, hailing him `the black John Kennedy.' Obama-mania has even occasionally pushed France's first lady, the stunning Carla Bruni, off the front page.

In contrast to all the Obama euphoria, the prospect of a president John McCain throws ice water on European spirits. Little is known about Sen. McCain except that he is old, hard-line, wants to continue the war in Iraq, which Europeans bitterly oppose, and sounds frighteningly like President George Bush. McCain's pledge to champion Israel's right wing parties and confront Russia and China cause the few Europeans who care about his politics unease. However, Europe's three right wing leaders, France's Nicholas Sarkozy, Germany's Angelika Merkel, and Italy's Berlusconi, have all expressed respect for McCain.

Nonetheless, the globalized generation of young and even middle aged French are increasingly bilingual -- embracing both the French and English language. America, to them is the new, cool destination for young French people and Obama fully represents this phenomenon.

Europe, and much of the world, awaits the coming of Obama, and a political dawn to sweep away the long night of the Bush era. Of course, it may only be a matter of time before Republicans start accusing Obama of being, `too French.'

 

Comments

[JackMehoffer]

Big Fan of Eric Margolis about f'in time you posted his columns

[EbonBear]

Considering teh amount of pull the US exerts on international politics (my own British Parliament is virtually a subsidiary of yours in some areas), it would be nice to have some kind of voice in US elections but to be honest, we'd settle for not being told "it's not your election so STFU" when we voice an opinion (and incidently, there's a surprising number of even quite liberal Americans who do that).

[rpd123]

Though I passionately support Obama, I cannot say that I care deeply about pleasing Muslim countries. If another 9/11 style attack ocurred on Obama's watch, I'd expect swift and decisive retaliation. The difference is that I would want the response to be measured and not an interminable action.

[mamacat]

1. I have read elsewhere that in Asia, McCain is more popular than is Obama. No first hand knowledge.

2. in the vein of giving non-citizens a vote: oh, I would love to see something akin to a parliamentary system in the U.S. That way, an incompetent scoundrel could be removed from office easily, even if only to be replaced by someone from his own party.

Thanks for the upbeat article. I get depressed thinking of four more years of Republicans in office.

[ExPatriot70]

A wonderful article, well said. I am a American and have lived in Europe for the past 9 years and I can only hope that Obama wins in November, then maybe I will no longer have to be ashamed the country I came from

[vernonbc]

Excellent article Eric. And great comments too. It's so nice to read something that isn't part of the Republican smear campaign.

[JanSP1971]

Thank you Eric, I hope millions of Americans read this. I have been hearing for months now that the WORLD is watching and waiting to see if we AMERICANS finally get it right.
Let's show the world we are AMERICANS and take back the greatest country in the world!
OBAMA IN 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

Although America is a land formed out of many people, including non Europeans, we are essentially a project of the European Enlightenment. If Obama is chosen to lead America back to its better nature, I will weep with joy and imagine that I have joined hands with Europeans in a circle dance of joy.

[HansB]

As a European, I totally agree with this article. But I would add the particular fears and hopes we have.

Fear: climate change, left unchecked, will destroy the ecosystems on which we depend. Hope: Obama will bring about the turnaround that is overdue, probably with a considerable role for Al Gore. This is our last chance to save at least part of the world's biodiversity and fertility - there won't be another.

Fear: the US has drawn perilously close to fascism. We have seen fascism, we know it is created through the invention of an evil, subhuman enemy and the promise of enduring war. We also know how it ultimately fails: in confrontation with a stronger military force. But the US spends more on its military than the rest of the world combined, and McCain says that's not enough. Hope: an Obama presidency would, at least temporarily, halt the alarming militarization of the US.

Fear: McCain criticized the Boumedienne decision and ridiculed the very concept of habeas corpus. The end of human rights in the US - the rest of the world will follow - depends on a single SCOTUS nomination, and we know the kind of justice McCain would appoint. Hope: Obama praised the Boumedienne decision and his election will perpetuate or improve the 5-4 majority constitutionalists now enjoy on the Court.

Fear: ever more wars, causing needless death and sorrow and sucking up the ressources that are so desperately needed elsewhere. Hope: a return to international law and

[Diplomacy]

Great article, Eric. Always appreciate your perspective especially when it comes to 'Terrorism'. I am somewhat disappointed that you didn't give the Canadian perspective as you do live in Canada. Or, is it too close to home, and therefore too sensitive?

I have traveled around the world to Asia, Europe, Canada, U.S., and the Caribbean. Travels that were pre 9/11 and post 9/11. I do admit, that WORLD opinion is NOT GOOD as far as America is today. In 2000 America was the brunt of many jokes when no one knew who the President was for an entire month after the Election & it had to be decided in COURT. Then, when George Bush was re-elected in 2004, WORLD opinion sank even lower. It was as if the rest of the WORLD was waiting then for Americans to 'wise up' to the Bush Administration, but it just didn't happen. Consequently, George Bush's approval rating in his own country is at 27%. And, George Bush will go down in history for the havoc he's created in the WORLD with his policies.

NO MORE OF THE SAME.

Barack Obama is seen as a BRIGHT LIGHT in this troubled WORLD. And, people from around the WORLD are ALL awaiting HIS inauguration in January 2009.

God Bless America.

[kjdwyer]

The loss of America's stature abroad cannot be overstated.

I am consistently asked, as an American living abroad, "Why did they vote for him a second time? We know the first election was stolen, but why did he win the second election?"

I've answered that question so many times, my response sounds like a prepared speech.

It always ends " . . . and that's one of the main reasons why I'm lliving here now."

[justobserve]

The USA will be a well-loved and respected leader of the world again with Obama. It's amazing what a leader can do to inspire world collaboration.

[CitizenInformed]

Well written.

I just hope that we, as a nation, don't screw it up in Nov 2008 as we remarkably did in 2004.

[MPeter]

Great article Eric. Always look forward to reading your stuff. I always read it on Commondreams, never before, here. The world loves Obama. I hope we do not let down the world again!!

[Gma11]

I am so very much looking forward to Obama's upcoming visits to the Middle East and Europe.

[InfinteShibumi]

I second that [e]-motion!

[axt113]

I'm in favor of giving the international community a vote in our elections, their media is more intelligent than ours