Presidential election aids U.S. image
Obama's victory well televised, well received, celebrated in nations abroad
Tim Johnson, Saeed Shah and Dion
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: Nation & World News
BEIJING (MCT) - From the cafes of Beirut to the villages of Kenya, much of the world viewed Barack Obama's electoral triumph as a transformative event that could repair the battered reputation of the United States, lift the aspirations of minorities everywhere and renew the chances for diplomacy rather than war.
Huge numbers of foreigners and U.S. citizens abroad jammed venues for live broadcasts of vote counting. In Rio de Janeiro, Ryan Steers, a 23-year-old Brazilian documentary filmmaker, said Obama could improve the United States' image abroad.
"Obama is someone the world can trust," Steers said. "That is the most important thing for American right now: regaining its trust in the world community."
Many could barely believe the news. In London's Trafalgar Square, a reporter told Hannah Capella, a 20-year-old student, of the election result. "That's amazing," said Capella, an Englishwoman. "I really didn't think it could happen. ... I always thought he was too good to be true," she said of Obama, "We'll see."
In every corner of the globe, foreign citizens are expecting a more cooperative approach to the world's problems under an Obama administration than they experienced from President Bush, McClatchy Newspapers correspondents reported.
In the Middle East, many Israelis remained wary of Obama, but many Arabs viewed his victory as pointing the way out of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. In Latin America, many took heart in the meteoric rise of an African-American politician.
Pakistanis worried that Obama's ascent will lead to more U.S. bombings of Pakistan territory, and other Asians wondered how Obama could calm the global financial turmoil. Almost everywhere, however, people welcomed the fresh face of U.S. leadership.
In Kenya, the birthplace of Obama's late father, President Mwai Kibaki declared Thursday a national holiday.
With U.S.-led wars still under way in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a financial meltdown shaking the pillars of the world economy, many foreigners associated the Bush presidency with global uncertainty linked to a never-ending war on terrorism, and they're happy to see it draw to a close.
Huge numbers of foreigners and U.S. citizens abroad jammed venues for live broadcasts of vote counting. In Rio de Janeiro, Ryan Steers, a 23-year-old Brazilian documentary filmmaker, said Obama could improve the United States' image abroad.
"Obama is someone the world can trust," Steers said. "That is the most important thing for American right now: regaining its trust in the world community."
Many could barely believe the news. In London's Trafalgar Square, a reporter told Hannah Capella, a 20-year-old student, of the election result. "That's amazing," said Capella, an Englishwoman. "I really didn't think it could happen. ... I always thought he was too good to be true," she said of Obama, "We'll see."
In every corner of the globe, foreign citizens are expecting a more cooperative approach to the world's problems under an Obama administration than they experienced from President Bush, McClatchy Newspapers correspondents reported.
In the Middle East, many Israelis remained wary of Obama, but many Arabs viewed his victory as pointing the way out of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. In Latin America, many took heart in the meteoric rise of an African-American politician.
Pakistanis worried that Obama's ascent will lead to more U.S. bombings of Pakistan territory, and other Asians wondered how Obama could calm the global financial turmoil. Almost everywhere, however, people welcomed the fresh face of U.S. leadership.
In Kenya, the birthplace of Obama's late father, President Mwai Kibaki declared Thursday a national holiday.
With U.S.-led wars still under way in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a financial meltdown shaking the pillars of the world economy, many foreigners associated the Bush presidency with global uncertainty linked to a never-ending war on terrorism, and they're happy to see it draw to a close.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
alumni jim
posted 11/06/08 @ 10:27 AM CST
Isn't it great. The rest of the world welcomes Obama. Perhaps they don't like when we make decisions in OUR interest first, as the President takes an oath to do. (Continued…)
Ozy M.
posted 11/06/08 @ 11:58 AM CST
Yeah, let's hope Obama doesn't bend us over for these foreign governments!
Because trying to be friendly with your allies is a terrible idea, I get it now, Jim. (Continued…)
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