Just had an interesting conversation with an international businessman about our President-elect.
Adam Ginsberg, author of How to Buy, Sell and Profit on E-Bay, conducts training seminars and sells software that helps people to create and market their own web sites and internet-based businesses.
He travels around the world, including to England, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia, hosting seminars and selling products. A McCain supporter in the general election, Ginsberg maintains that politicians "should be less interested in creating jobs, more interested in creating opportunities."
But in recent months, his view that the election of Barack Obama was an unfavorable outcome has shifted. The reason? Based on his experiences lately speaking to large crowds about becoming internet entrepreneurs, he believes Obama's election has spurred the masses, not only in the U.S. but around the world, to regain their faith in the U.S. and, more importantly, in their own potential.
"When I get up in Indonesia and Malaysia and Singapore and Australia and say, 'Yes we can,' people go wild," he says.
Traveling around the world, he also finds audiences much more positive towards the United States than he did before Mr. Obama's election.
"People outside the U.S. look at us as leaders, and for whatever reasons, the world doesn't like George Bush," he says. "It could be Bush is just a scapegoat. But I think the world looks at the U.S. as a bully. But since [Obama's election] they think of the U.S. as a leader. You need a leader to be someone you can look up to, and relate to, and they relate to Barack Obama."
Part of what is interesting about Ginsberg's observations is his acknowledgment that much of the hatred of George W. Bush may be irrational and reflect an oversimplification of the problems our current president had to deal with, as well as media bias.
Nevertheless he believes that many ordinary people around the world have renewed faith in the U.S. and in their abilities, as individuals, to achieve great things, that this attitudinal shift can be traced to Obama's election, and that it will be good for the U.S. He says it's been good for his business, too.
All of this is lovely; still, it seems to me somewhat concerning in the way the more over-the-top anger and even hatred of Mr. Bush was, in that it seems, like that hatred, to be based on subjective perceptions and the emotions they create rather than on a deep grasp of complex issues. Like him or not, one of President Bush's defining qualities was his ability to stand firm against the current of public opinion both nationally and internationally.
Some would argue that this quality led to poor policy. But in at least two cases (the successful surge strategy in Iraq and support for Israel's decision to build a security fence that has saved countless lives), it has enabled Bush to show strong and effective leadership.
Soon President-elect Obama will face problems similar to those faced by President Bush. Problems like international terrorism directed against Americans and others, and Iran's push for nuclear capability, will require tough decisions that are likely to produce problematic, possibly messy outcomes. Let's hope Mr. Obama's international popularity will survive the reality of his responsibilities as leader of the free world.
But even more importantly, let's remember what most of us learned around the time we left high school: popularity is not everything. It is neither proof nor disproof of character or ability. Like anything, it can be a tool for good or ill. Let's support Mr. Obama and hope he has the inner strength to do what is right for our country, whether or not it happens to be popular.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
The Wartime Updates You Need To Know
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
HuffPost is dedicated to covering the devastating war between Hamas and Israel. We've broken news on the famine in Gaza, the State Department's turmoil, as well as what Hamas is thinking now — and we're far from done. HuffPost is committed to bringing you the critical updates you need to know. Would you consider contributing as little as $2 to support our reporting? Thank you for your support.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.