Mike the Writer is for Obama: So are Most Europeans, but Why Do Media Pundits See That as a Downside?

I'm back from Germany where I've become known as Mike the Writer. It used to be that many people got their surnames from their father or the profession they pursued, as in Heinrich von Furstenberg or Jan Bauer (read that as farmer).

However, with the advent of Joe the Plumber, Europeans now use the more direct appellation, and since I am a long time card holder of the Writers Guild of America, I deferred to my German hosts when they asked if it was okay to call me Mike the Writer (though I'd always preferred Michael).

I watched the last presidential debate in the middle of the night and related my bleary-eyed thoughts to HuffPost readers. But later it occurred to me I ought to follow-up concerning the media-generated notion that it was damaging to a presidential campaign if foreign folks wanted their candidate to win.

Why would that be, I wondered? It's not as if these world citizens suddenly had the right to vote or could effect any direct muscle to convince my fellow Americans. We still have secret elections except in the case of absentee ballots, which can be filled in by anyone in the household. However, to my mind it's very significant so many foreign nationals, in particular from countries with which we have long been allies, find the current style of political leadership abhorrent and long for change across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

It is very important to sense the discord abroad concerning the bullying tactics exercised by those who direct our government. Not only related to the unnecessary and costly Iraq War, but also how our economic policies have had a domino effect decimating the finances of the world economy.

If there have been huge crowds for Barack Obama throughout his summer tour of Europe and scant indication of support for John McCain, why should this outrage us rather than inform us? It's not as if the Germans, French and English are totalitarian in outlook. They are as democratic as we are, and in the case of the French and Germans they have elected relatively conservative governments.

Still, the Europeans who elected them recognize a rotten apple and sense that John McCain, for all his purported maverick style, has sold out to appeal to those who didn't buy his more reform-oriented image when he tried for the presidency in 2000. These residents of the world community are frightened to death that a continuation of the George W. Bush policies will wreak havoc spiritually and economically and are not convinced that McCain and Palin will somehow provide a dissimilar approach to the GOP brand.

Whether it's the possibility of social and economic policies revamped by an almost certain right-wing majority on the Supreme Court or the presumption that the United States will continue to go its own way with little regard for its so-called allies, the people of our planet are wary. Make that quite a bit frightened at the prospect of more of the same which, John McCain represents. Indeed, any thought he might be a different kind of Republican, one imbued with loads of integrity he tries to convince us he has due to his long ago harrowing experience in a Prisoner of War camp, was washed away with his absurd selection of Sarah Palin to be next in line to lead our government.

So, take it from Mike the Writer, who spoke to lots of Germans in the two weeks I was there, not to mention a number of foreign nationals I met earlier this week while on the TKTS half-priced theater line in Times Square. There is a strong and legitimate reason why those in other countries have taken to heart the American polls as currently defined. They are crossing their fingers and saying prayers in myriad languages that the Gallup, CNN and New York Times readings are accurate.

Rather than think our foreign friends' hopeful anticipation is a bad sign, it should give us more incentive to restore the love and respect the world has long held for the United States. It should make us even more inclined to get out the vote for Obama. We're part of the world, aren't we and it's time we got back on track with our friends as true partners engaged in a terrific future for all of mankind.

Comments

[steamboat]

I'll tell you why and nobody on this blog is gonna like it. It probably will be CENSORED, not shown like 456 of my other comments.

Because we're NOT Europe, we're the United States of America. Many Americans like myself resent Europeans telling me how to live my life. I don't tell them how to live their life and I expect the same respect. And why, if we Americans are so uncultured and disgusting, are these Europeans worried about us, anyway. I'm not worried about them. Or there much higher gas prices then even us. There always high-unemployment, and everything else about them. Let me worry about America. You Europeans first worry about yourselves.

[TexasDem0]

Most pundits have no more insight than the average _informed_ citizen.
They just get paid a lot of money for expressing their opinions.
Where do I sign up to be a pundit?

[Acid Monkey]

I live in Australia and everyone - repeat, EVERYONE (friends, relatives, colleagues etc) I know all hope for an Obama/Biden win. Respect for America and her citizens has diminished over the years. America no longer have the moral highground in the world. A McCain/Palin win will lose you what little respect there is left. In elections past, we have looked with disdain on your govt. It's time for the voters to take responsibility for their govt. Vote for the right one. Your complacency has inflicted the world and your economy with G W Bush and the Republican abstract idealogy. With McCain, it's more of the same. A win for McCain/Palin will be as much a reflection on the voters as well as their leaders.

Vote Obama/Biden.

[eleutheros]

I'm just back from a trip to Paris, Dublin and London. Along with Parisians, the Irish, and Brits, I also opportunity to speak with other "foreigners," including US citizens who were traveling through Europe. Should Barack Obama win, the world will celebrate ( I can envision street celebrations taking place ). Should Obama not win, the collective world will descend into a collective funk. Then, the only ones who will celebrate will be the radical religious fundamentalists both in the US and abroad.

[RonCanada]

Old Canadian here who feels the same way (along with every other Canadian). For the last two months my stomach has been in knots, as i contemplated the possibilities. My wife is still in that state, frightened that somehow McCain might still win. I've got way past that in the last week, full of hope and a pride in America which i havent felt for a long time.

[c64audio]

Word. If America wants the power of being "Leader of the Free World", it has to take the responsibility too.

[owlsocks]

Exactly!

Thanks for that.

[Lee323]

If McCain/Palin pull off this election, I'm moving to Switzerland. The thought of Palin rattling around the White House, periodically checking McCain's vital signs.....­doesn't bear contemplating. I'm going up into the Alps and never coming out. No radio, TV, or internet. Just me and the local goat-herders eating cheese and quaffing beer. Maybe a copy of "Moby Dick" or "Crime and Punishment­." Maybe both.

[deliriousgod]

I don't think they accept immigration into Switzerland.

[deliriousgod]

Friends Shmiends; who needs 'em? The US is such a fantastic quarterback that I'm sure they will have no problem moving the ball with no receivers.

[TR12]

yeeeeeeeeehaw, gedddherdone?

[AndyDandy]

One thing republicans hate the most is when ppl from other countries disses our president, but what I always say to them is why shouldn't other countries get a say in our politics when our policies have a direct effect on them? Just look at how our economic crisis royally F**ked some 3rd world countries.

[Trevilly]

royally F**ked some 3rd world countries?? I really really hope you didn't mean to imply that Australia, Japan, NZ, England and all of Europe ..are 3rd world countries? I am sure you didn't, but this crisis has effected them all, every stock exchange, every bank, every persons invested money and their mortgage, their retirement fund and even their jobs. So yes, we are watching this election with baited breath....­.....and fingers crossed. Also, while the numbers may be smaller, Americans aren't the only soldiers in Iraq.....t­hanks to W. So we are equally invested in this.

[llisa]

"These residents of the world community are frightened to death that a continuation of the George W. Bush policies will wreak havoc spiritually and economically and are not convinced that McCain and Palin will somehow provide a dissimilar approach to the GOP brand."

Yeah, me too!

It seems to me that worldwide support of Obama should inform the citizens of the US that he is the right man for the job. If other leaders are all willing to work with him, that's half the battle won! After all, we are not a self-sufficient, isolated island. We count on the cooperation of other countries to live as we do. True, Bush has done an excellent job of insulting all our allies and pretending that we don't need anybody else, and threatening our non-allies, making the world more dangerous for all. Anyone with half a brain knows that was a very bad idea.

That Obama is respected in the world will make it easier to mend relations with old friends and begin conversations with those with whom we are less friendly.

[KickerBoard]

I have many friends in countries all over the world - every single one of them is rooting for an Obama win. Quite amazing that I cannot find one person who supports McCain.

[vegas9999]

Misery loves company http://www.nypost.com/seven/11022008/postopinion/editorials/out_taxing_europe_136450.htm

[Jason404]

Toy Blair was a very popular prime minister here in the UK, until he pandered to Bush's bully boy tactics. His approval rating dropped like a stone, and now we have forgotten all about him.

[nobillary1]

I'm Donna the Kennel Attendant is for Obama too, and I've heard some pundits allude to the fact that being popular overseas is somehow a detriment . I don't understand it either.

Don't they realize that we are becoming part of a Global Community daily? I think that when we are an active part of that community, we'll essentially be rediscovering our own roots. Most of our ancestors emigrated to our country from all parts of the world, and now we're on the verge of bringing that full circle. Am I being too abstract?

Anyway, back to those pundits. Do you think it may be that they really don't quite comprehend what a magnificent thing it is that he's well-liked universally? If Barack Obama is elected on Tuesday, we will have the taken the first step in starting to regain some of the respect we frittered away these last 8 years. There's that, and also they've enjoyed talking about "lipstick on a pig" and such, instead.

I think that by the next Presidential campaign, there will be purges within the MSM (this campaign has revealed a lot of it's problems, warts and all) and they will finally focus on actual, IMPORTANT candidate information and actions, not the stupid trivia or sleaze!

[VivaMariaElena]

Thats right we in UK do not like the ticket McCain Palin.
So please vote for Obama.

We all here in UK are praying that Obama winns.
Please LORD lett Obama winn,please LORD.
Vote Obama Please