DU'ers abroad or have been abroad recently...question for you.

[calteacherguy]

I'm curious what the rest of the world is thinking about our current nominees. I've heard several times from people who have been abroad recently that the rest of the world if very intrigued by Obama, and the idea of him becoming American's next President is something hoped for in many parts of the world. So, I'm just curious, what's the buzz around the planet?

[durrrty libby]

1. They know and trust the Clintons. They want Hillary

[calteacherguy]

6. Have you been abroad recently? nt

[durrrty libby]

9. I was in France, England and Ireland a few months ago

[Colobo]

2. I was in Spain last summer and

the only thing I heard about American politics was that Bush was an idiot and also noticed that Spaniards have a complete disregard for the US dollar right now.

"That's stuff's not worth anything around here" said the clerk at one of the local currency exchange places in Torremolinos.

[Auntie Bush]

3. My daughter just honeymooned in Italy for weeks and they traveled a lot.

They said people were curious about Obama but they wanted and loved/respected/knew the Clintons.

However, someone here posted that they were in Italy for a month and that everyone was talking about Obama 24/7. So take your pick. I chose to believe my daughter.

In my opinion...I got the feeling people were interested in WHY so many Americans were going bananas over a black man and wanted to know more about him...but that doesn't mean they are rooting for him to be president of the USA. I think we need to wait until the Europeans get to know him before we can judge who they want to win. Right?

[David Zephyr]

4. I know you don't want to hear this, but they mostly want the Clintons back.

I say that with the plural, not the singluar with the "H".

Barack is also popular overseas, but not like the Clintons. It's not even close.

[ElizabethDC]

5. When I was in Spain last summer,

I didn't get the chance to talk to too many Spaniards about American politics, except to know that they pretty much all hate Bush. I very much doubt that many people knew who Obama is - the one person I had a really in-depth chat about American politics with asked who was running - and mentioned Gore, Kerry, and Hillary. I think he kind of made a face when he said Kerry (or maybe I'm just recalling the reaction of the other American who was in on the conversation), but he didn't say too much about the others.

[EffieBlack]

7. I've recently traveled to Europe and Africa

and many, many people that I met are absolutely fascinated by Obama and feel that the fact that he's a serious contender is proof that America is moving forward. Everyone with whom I discussed Obama was very enthusiastic about him and expressed hope that he would be elected.

I should add, however, that everyone that I spoke with about the election also adore the Clintons. Particularly in Africa, people remember Bill and Hillary Clinton's historic trips to several African countries during the 90s - and since - and how warm, knowledgeable about and interested and engaged in Africa they both were. In some countries - Ghana for example - the Clintons are seen as heroes and friends. The Clintons' warm and close relationship with Nelson Mandela make them very popular in South Africa.

My sense is that a victory by either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton would be extremely well-received in the countries I've visited.

[Auntie Bush]

10. I'm not for Obama, but I'd be proud for America for

choosing a black man for president. Yes, I real step forward! However, I don't think he can do the best job as president. I can't vote for him just because he's black. I just wish he was the best. I'm hoping he will be VP and have 8 years on the job training and experience. I'll very happily vote for him then...and America could be very proud. What would be truly tragic is if he goofed and became a one term president. That would scare people into not voting for a black man for a long time.

[EffieBlack]

11. Funny - white presidents who goof up and serve only one term (or two)

don't scare people into not voting for another white man for a long time.

It's really a shame that all black people are still being judged by the behavior of one black person.

The real sign of true equality is not whether our best and the brightest can overcome all the odds and achieve success, but whether our less stellar brothers and sisters get the same opportunities to rise above their mediocrity as limited white people have and have the comfort of knowing that their failures are theirs alone and not an impediment to everyone else in their race (just like white people have).

[MADem]

21. Heh heh...the real sign of equality is when a woman of any color or a black man can fuck up and

not have it reflect back on their "group!"

It's like being in a club--Geeeeez, don't mess up, you'll make us LOOOOOOOK bad!!!!

On the bright side, though, Condi Rice is a black woman, and her incredible and profound fuckups haven't ruined it for Clinton OR Obama...so maybe we are crawling forward!!!

[EffieBlack]

24. :-)

[Auntie Bush]

25. The same thing would apply to Hillary as the first woman or to Romney

as the first Mormon. The first Jewish president would have the same problem...so would a Muslim. We always have white men as president..but to deviate to someone else would be considered a test and throughly scrutinized. If JFK tried to end abortion because as a Catholic he was against it and declared it immoral...We as a country would have had a damn hard time electing another Catholic. Since he didn't let his religion effect his politics...it is OK to elect another Catholic.

That's what I was referring to...I guess you misunderstood me or I didn't make myself clear. You're not a mind reader so I guess you didn't understand what I was trying to say.

[EffieBlack]

26. I didn't understand your point

You didn't say that if Obama screwed up because of something he did in connection to his race, it would ruin it for other black candidates in the future. You simply said if he goofed up and was a one-term president, people would not elect another black president for years. That's very different than the example you gave about JFK. JFK, in many people's eyes DID goof up in many areas. But I'm not aware of any objection that voters may have to electing another Catholic president because of something Kennedy did that they didn't like. Of course, none of Kennedy's mistakes had anything to do with his religion.

I agree that if Obama does something really stupid because he's black, people wouldn't vote for another black president for awhile. But, frankly, I can't imagine many things he could or would do simply because he's black, so I doubt that this scenario would play out.

I do appreciate your explaining your point, though. Thanks.

[emsimon33]

8. Just returned from 3 and a half weeks in Europe

Spain, Italy, UK, France

They are familiar with the Clinton name but when I explain why I am NOT for Hillary, they agree. The problems, issues, and challenges that most of us on DU are aware that the country faces are the same issues that those I spoke with realize that we have. When they realize that Hillary has sold out to corporate interests, that she waffles, that she refuses to pledge to get us out of Iraq quickly, everyone I spoke with ( nd I spoke with many, many people) agreed with me.

By the way, most people said that they wished Gore was running!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. Nobody I talked to in Japan brought up politics,

and I talked to a lot of people. :shrug:

I don't think they're really interested yet, not like they were in the fall of 2004, when every person I talked to, practically, asked me if I was a Republican or a Democrat--and smiled when I said that I was a Democrat.

[Bluebear]

13. If they have been, they have the experience to be President!

;) Evidently!

[DFW]

14. I work here in Europe

Have been station chief for my little outfit for years, now,
speak French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Dutch, a couple
of others, too, and get to speak with café waiters and taxi
drivers as well as diplomats, law enforcement and bankers.
I have stationed here more or less continuously for 25 years,
even though I get back quite a bit, and always vacation in
the USA (I need Cape Cod worse than a smoker needs nicotine--can't
go a year without it, and I'm a southerner!).

Here's the breakdown: mostly (so far), they want Hillary. Not because
they are familiar with her stance on anything, but because they long so
much for the days when Bill Clinton was president, they feel that they
will have a chance a recovering some of the America that they admired
so much while he was president. Obama is known mostly for his race, not
for what he has said done, and Edwards on down are basically unknowns
here (so far). The eventual nominee will be closely scrutinized, whoever
he or she may be.

Of the Republicans, Giuliani is somewhat known, but only for having been
mayor during 9/11. Right place-right time recognition, nothing else. None
of the others is even on the map here.

They are aware that Hillary does not have the nomination sewn up, but want
her by association with Bill, and if there is ANYNOE over here who wishes
another term for a Republican as president of the United States, they are
keeping a VERY low profile. I have met no such person, and I travel a LOT.

I once saw an Indian diplomat write that the world should be allowed to vote
in American president elections, because the job of president of the USA is
way too important to be left to the voters on the United States. Considering
the man in the White House and the makeup of Congress up until Jan. 2, 2007,
I'd say I am hard put to argue with the man.

[Clintonista2]

15. In Canada... Obama went down the crapper when he called the prime minister the "president of Canada"

The Clintons have always been loved here, and I have yet to find somebody here who doesn't support her.

[Think82]

16. The first person foreign leaders call is usually Joe Biden (eg Musharraf, Bhutto most recently)

[avrdream]

17. I'm working in Australia.

Most of the big papers write articles about the Barack versus Hillary issue but pay minimal attention to anyone else, either good or bad. The leaning here, if you go by news articles, is towards the Dems.
As is correct, many here can't stand the Bush administration. I believe John Howard went bye bye because of his association with Dubya and Kevin Rudd will not make the same mistake.

[JCMach1]

18. Arabs love the Clintons... so are fascinated at the Hillary prospect

I have some Kenyan friends and they adore Obama!

My Pakistani friends freaked out over Obama with his comments about bombing them! Also, my Arab friends said :wtf: over that one.

I travel alot and live & work in the UAE. There are 72 nationalities attending the university where I teach.

[Jennifer C]

19. I live in Australia

I'll break this up into two parts about people who I've had discussions with concerning the presidential race.

People who closely follow US politics --- Most people that I've spoken to mainly favour Obama, Edwards and Biden, and tend to be somewhat weary about Hillary, they're unsure if she can be trusted.

People who don't --- Many of them favour Hillary and Obama. The media down here tends to only focus on them two.

[Adelante]

20. I live in Mexico

I would say people are intrigued by Obama. I'm not sure "hoped for" describes it, but it's a matter of some fascination that's it's even possible. The question I'm asked most is would the racist Americans truly ever elect a black man? Is it even possible? That comes from both educated and uneducated Mexicans of various complexions. I would say it's a mixture of wonder and skepticism far more than hope. The Mexican political class is something else. The possible effect having a black American president might have on how the US operates in and is viewed by the world is remarked on by Mexican politicians and pundits, including by the Mexican president. But any talk of Obama among Mexicans has to take into account Bill Richardson, naturally, because the US electing a Mexican-American president would surprise people here more than the US electing an African-American president, any day, and it would be a much bigger story with greater ramifications for Mexico.

[Amused Musings]

22. I work in Czech Republic

My students thought that it was the national election and that Hillary was running against Obama. I thought that that was really funny because that is what it feels like sometimes.

[Clark2008]

23. I don't know, but I wish I was abroad rather than here during these

times.

The dollar's sunk, the housing market stinks, jobs don't pay well, insurance costs are through the roof and you get little for your payment and we're still fighting with nuts regarding medical treatments.

I haven't been abroad since 2003 and, in Great Britian, at least, they wanted my guy back then. Makes sense - you know, since the media actually mentioned his name over there.

[AlertLurker]

27. I think that most will be happy just to have * GONE.

[riqster]

28. ABB is mostly what I hear.

I'll be in the UK for the holidays and listen some more. Actually, it's not hard to find opinions: when people hear my American accent, they want to know "WTF?". Even on the Tube.