What my friend from Australia said about Barack Obama

[Rosa Luxemburg]

she said "Yes, I'm impressed with Barack Obama and have been since I first read about him and especially heard him speak - he's uplifting, isn't he, with his ideals. What a breath of fresh air, with his sunny smile and warm manner, his intelligence and optimism . I hope he becomes president; in my opinion the world needs him: someone who inspires people to unite and work together for the common good".

just shows you that the world is waiting, hoping and praying for a uniter not a warmonger!

[psychopomp]

1. The world is watching

:kick:

[jasmine621]

2. That's exactly what many folks abroad said about Bill Clinton.

And when Bill Clinton left office some where saying he could be President of the world. People all over the world who are fairly well off can always identify with style and charisma.

[BeyondGeography]

3. That's why all those poor blacks are voting for Hillary

(Hint: They're not.)

[hill08]

28. it says more about these black folks

than about Hillary. 85% of AAs for Obama?! Racism? What would you say if it were 85% of whites for Hillary? Are you kidding me?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

13. yes Bill was well respected throughout the world

he did people some hope before the 'junta' moved in

(Bill is not Hillary)

[Frustratedlady]

4. We knew they would be watching...

But be prepared to hear a worldwide sigh of relief when George is gone and a Dem is at the wheel! We think we'll be ecstatic, imagine the rest of the world.

[Jennifer C]

5. I am in Australia

For what it's worth, down here I've encountered more praise, support and excitement for Obama to be president than Hillary.

The world is watching indeed.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

14. Hi!

my friend lives in Melbourne

[Jennifer C]

24. I'm in Melbourne too

It's a great city :D

[TornadoTN]

6. I've heard the same from friends and business associates in the UK

Each trip I've taken abroad in the last 6-8 months I've seen marked enthusiasm for Barack Obama. A year ago the Brits were ho-hum about Hillary (but they liked her better than another Republican) but now they ask with great anticipation about the election and how Obama fares across the country.

It really is great fun to talk to others outside of our tumultuous political landscape and get their interpretations of it from a distance. Probably one of the best types of input I think any of us could hope for, since they are at a distance and can observe things more impartially than we can.

[K Gardner]

7. Same from my friends/family in Italy !

[Frustratedlady]

10. I had a relative who recently returned from Wales.

He also traveled to Scotland, Ireland, England, etc., and never failed to ask their opinion of George. He said, without fail, their feelings were disgust, and each said they could hardly wait for him to be gone...anyone else, but not George. He said George is a joke, but no one was smiling.

[TornadoTN]

12. I travel back and forth to London often and I'm always asked about George/Election

As soon as I start talking to someone, I can be rest assured that it's going to come up in conversation. As a political junkie and avid anti-Republican I relish the opportunity and enjoy getting their feedback and perspective.

Plus, its a great way to get free drinks at a pub when people find out you aren't one of the 30% who still support this moron. You might even get another round when they found out you are a strong member of the opposition!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

18. I wonder how the UK Labour Party feels about the race here?

who would they like best HRC or Obama?

[Frustratedlady]

22. And isn't that a good feeling?

I truly can't figure out how he sleeps at night. I suppose sucking your thumb in the fetal position would bring you peace.

`Tis a mystery.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

15. no one is smiling about George!

there is a fear of Bush and it is not November yet

[fasttense]

8. I think he is offering the olive branch before the fight is finished.

Dreams are good things but they must be tempered by reality.

Nelson Mandela, after ending apartheid, gave away the purse strings of the country to his former white masters. Ever since, the black majority population has lived in the same squalor and abject poverty they had known while under the rule of their white masters. His policy of reconciliation gave away the power of the country to the white masters and did nothing to hold them accountable. The country continues to pay the bills and debts the whites run up, while the majority population live in squalor.

Obama's policy of reconciliation is popular but it is very dangerous too.

It does no good to have a dream unless you are savvy enough to know how to negotiate. Obama claims he has been through the fire because he has Hillary and the Clinton machine attacking him in the primaries. He has no idea how much worse it is going to get when he runs against the repukes. He has no idea that the little the Clintons are doing to attack him is one tenth of what the repukes will do to him.

I like Obama. He is inspiring but I want a tough seasoned fighter when we finally grasp the reins of power. I think the often cited comparisons of JFK and MLK are good surface descriptions. The problems is when you scratch the surface, the comparisons don't hold water. JFK and MLK had very specific well developed plans and were tough as bull dogs when it came to fighting and negotiations. Neither of them touted reconciliation. They knew they had to fight first and then negotiate from a position of power, before anything could get done.

I think many republicans are attracted to Obama where they are not to Hillary because Obama is offering them the olive branch. The problem is that peace is being offered before the fight is finished. The republicans take it to mean that they wont be held accountable or responsible for the mess they created. And they may be right.

[TornadoTN]

11. I respect your position, but I respectfully disagree with your last assessments

I was a little concerned about the olive branch being offerred, but have you seen the numbers of disgruntled Republicans and moderates out there? Bush didn't just destroy this country but he's effectively destroyed the Republican party. That's why we are seeing so much fighting amongst them (not even on the scale of our fighting - we have two good candidates, they have none!). To offer a olive branch to these disaffected masses gives Obama an edge on leadership and coalition building. As much as I would like this country to be liberal and think the same as me on policy issues, it just isn't going to happen. Telling ex-gop'ers and moderates that they are welcome to take part in the process and that he can work with everyone is a good move and it doesn't mean he's selling us out - it's what a realist leader does.

However, I don't believe that Hillary (or Obama to be fair) are going to hold Republicans accountable for the mess that they have created. If they do, it will be because of the mess they inherit is far beyond what they expected once they entered office. Plus, Hillary is a triangulator - she waits until the polls come in before she decides rather than stand on her own. She is just as murky (if not more) on some issues as Obama (who I happen to think has some great ideas if you dig below the surface as you suggest).

[Rosa Luxemburg]

17. I think people underestimate the strength of Obama

that's why he has come through this far. Anyone else would be gone by now!

[JVS]

9. zOMG! Teh CULT got to AUSTRIALA

[ProgressIn2008]

16. The world is waiting and praying for the uniter to arrive, eh?

[Straight Shooter]

23. Ironic, isn't it?

They chant, "Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!" but they all lift their eyes unto Lord Barack to save them. Sociologists are fascinated when they see the *amygdala in operation.

*amygdala: an almond-shaped neural structure in the anterior part of the temporal lobe of the cerebrum; intimately connected with the hypothalamus and the hippocampus and the cingulate gyrus; as part of the limbic system it plays an important role in motivation and emotional behavior

[rucky]

19. "Unite for a common good"

That's the heart of it, right there. It's easy to unite people against a common enemy (TERRA! TERRA!) - almost anybody can do that. Very few individuals in history have been able to do it for a common good.

Obama hasn't yet proven that "he can," but he's willing and up to the task. I don't see why people wouldn't at least support the concept - even if they don't support Obama.

[TexasObserver]

20. The president is more than a bundle of skills.

It matters that Obama can speak to the world in a way Hillary will never be able to do.

He's a great speaker. She's a fair to bad speaker. The president has to be able to speak well and motivate. Look at what a disaster both Bushes have been. Neither can speak intelligently and convincingly.

Bill was a good speaker, but he's no Barack Obama. He entertained but never inspired. Hillary doesn't even entertain. She bores to tears, even with all the acting and voice training.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

21. It's a good sign!

I've heard people from other countries say 'why was Bush elected, he can't even speak properly' the reply is he wasn't 'elected'.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

25. let me tell you another story: ,my grandmother in india is rooting for clinton

my gay friends in australia also rooting for clinton

my best friend in england also rooting for clinton.

[earth mom]

26. Funny, but Obama strikes me as dour, petty, egotistical and judgmental.

The dems version of *.

Sorry to burst your bubble. O8)

[Donnachaidh]

27. not ONE mention of his policies?

Just giggling about his *sunny smile*

That American Idol charisma really draws them in huh?


:wow: :rofl:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

29. I caught a bit of Iranian news last night.

They were interviewing Iranians on the street about they're thoughts on election.

- One elderly Iranian man said he liked Obama, because young people like Obama and Obama would engage in diplomacy with Iran.

- One woman said she liked Clinton because of how she handled the Monica Lewinsky channel and how she didn't use that for political advantage.

- One woman was interested in the Clinton campaign because of what it meant for women's rights.

- One woman wanted Obama to win because the U.S. has a long history of mistreating black people and wants to see that change.

[marlakay]

30. My best friend is in Sydney

I met her a few years ago on a Oprah blog we both split off it and now email everyday alone. She doesn't know or care about our candidates but just wants me to be happy and have my person win.

The thing she saw on the news was them talking more about staying in the race than what they believe in or will do when elected and she thought that was weird.

Since their campaigns are short and to the point they don't do the bullshit our country does. I have been wanting for years to have it be like hers. Public finance, only a few months campaign and everyone has to vote. Works for me.

[skater314159]

31. Yeah, Germany has a similar view and anticipation! nt

[Blue_In_AK]

32. Someone here said yesterday

that Obama is an empty vessel into which everyone pours their personal hopes and dreams. I hope he doesn't spring a leak.