An International Community Endorsement for Obama

A lot of people criticize Barack Obama for his lack of foreign policy experience -- and that's a valid point of view when one considers his short-lived political career. But it occurred to me during my time living in Beijing that assuming he won't succeed in global affairs because of this is almost ridiculous.

Why?

Because it seems a good portion of the international community is rooting for him.

When the Democratic National Convention was going on, all eyes at China Daily were glued to Barack and Michelle Obama on CNN. Though Hilary Clinton was a big favorite among my Chinese colleagues, Obama riled a similar excitement and hope in my British, Canadian and New Zealander friends as he does in me. To them, the United States is behind the times and Obama is the answer to speeding-up the progressive mentality that has been lacking in America, bringing it to a similar level of other Western democracies.

For Daniel Vincent, a China Daily copy editor from London, Obama becoming president would make the idea of the U.S. as an ethnic melting pot a reality. Vincent said ideals like this are what draws foreign youngsters to admire U.S. culture. When one looks at it as the home of Disney and Hollywood, America can seem glamorous to a middle school student. It's when he and friends started taking foreign policy classes in high school and university that they came to dislike the U.S.

In fact, another Londoner, Josephine McDermott, thinks she and the rest of the world should get an international vote in the U.S. presidential elections since we're the ones who "start all the wars," she said.

It wasn't a surprise to me that all my non-American friends disliked the U.S.' political decisions, but I didn't expect the repercussions it would have on their feelings toward the country in general. With the exception of Vincent (who hopes to visit California to experience that glamour of Disneyland and Hollywood) none of my foreign friends had the desire to come to America. They offered to meet up with me in Canada or maybe Mexico some day, but in my home country? There was no chance.

According to comedian Sarah Silverman, Obama is the best way to end our reputation as the "assholes of the universe." I agree. He really is the polar opposite of what's gotten us into this mess in the first place. And I think it will say a lot about Americans' open-mindedness if he gets elected, which, in turn, will give us some much-needed credibility in the rest of the world.

When it comes down to it, Obama's success in foreign policy won't be measured by his experience, but by the world's perception of his ideals and integrity. In fact, some foreigners were surprised when I told them many Americans were concerned about Obama's lack of experience with world issues. To them, it's about America adopting an administration that cares about the advancement of its people and the rest of the world in alliance as an international community. With the values Obama has promoted, it's clear he's the best choice to make this happen.

If they get it, why can't we? Let's stop being one step behind the rest of the world.

Comments

[Meghan Peters - Huffpost Blogger]

You'll be happy to know I recently followed up with my foreign friends and they're thrilled to see what Obama can do. In fact, my friend from New Zealand who said he had no desire to visit America said he's definitely planning on visiting now -- and would even consider living here. The image of America that Obama is going to establish during his presidency has already begun to take hold.

[miriada]

Gives you perspective, isn't it? I was dumb-struck when I realised that even the most liberal-minded americans that I spoke with became extremely ignorant towards the world issues and also extremely hawkish and self-righteous when topic came to "punish the bad guys" or "suck up their oil first" . That's why Obama election gives me hope that America would heal over it's slavery and segregationinst past and moves on towards the better society and world community.

[Golfgirl27]

Congratulations Obama!. We need change in this country and an improved reputation overseas,
Obama and his new administration have a big job ahead. Hope he will make the right choices he is facing complex issues the economy, Iraq, and health care to name a few, hope he can do it without raising taxes..

[LenaJohnson]

Hopefully Obama will rebuild American image abroad. It will take a lot of work to undo all wrongdoings of B.ush's reign

[pup sydney]

Let's go America, let's fix it all, let's do it!
It is time of true patriotism. I start today, now: give me your work overworked colleagues,
you go home to your child single mother, I cover for you no matter what,
I clean the street and your driveway dear old and sick neighbor and I work harder and longer,
It is time to honor a country that can survive Bush Cheney Lott Gingrich Reagan and so many countless witless morons. I honor you America, you are great!

[dlinguist]

Was my b-day tonight and I got calls from family members abroad. All we ended up talking about was Obama. They were so excited. If you want to know what a horrific loss of prestige the US has gone through worldwide, you have only to go abroad or talk to people abroad. I mean seriously, if you start stinking up the place in Holland, you've accomplished something. This was instantly a huge step for the way the US is perceived abroad. Good thing too, I was getting tired of apologizing.

[Pacifica]

This is so different than 4 years ago when I was on a business trip in London. I spent the night in my hotel room following the blogs and watching CNN. All I could do the next day was apologize to everyone in the office. Nobody could believe that we could reelect Bush. At least they didn't blame me!

[MPeter]

Yeahhhhhhhh we have just done it to mccain in PA. Thank you Obama team; thank you ..you young vorters who had been written off; thank you you volunteers and and thank you Dems. Thank you for believing in the the Senator. Yeah, let's bring this baby home. hank you michelle; thanks David Axelrod and thanks David Plouffe. Thank you the Obama team. You are all incredible!!!!