Guardian UK: The world is waiting to love American Again

[LongTomH]

I don't know it this belongs here or in the editorials; but, it's worth reading. If only, it comes pass!

Barack Obama will arrive in Europe this week to a tumultuous reception. Europe - and the rest of the world - has watched in awe the amazing political theatre that has surrounded his bid to be America's first black President. Should he win in November Obama's priorities will be domestic ones but he also has a formidable opportunity to help recast America's relationship with the world. It is this relationship which took such a battering during the Bush presidency as anti-Americanism took root across the globe (though not, it has to be said, in large parts of Africa where the current American President did much of his best foreign work). The euphoria surrounding his presidential bid offers him a brilliant opportunity to repurpose the relationship between America and the world. And all of us would benefit.

Obama's visit will be brief. He is not scheduled to spend even a night in Britain and, one suspects, the Middle East stage of his trip will provoke greater interest in America. Yet as he flies in he can start the process of rebuilding the American brand, a brand left in tatters from a series of miscalculations - a bullying approach to international diplomacy, the shirking of environmental responsibility, the horrors of Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and the CIA's secret rendition programme chief among these.

If Bush seems to represent one stereotype of America (brash, uncaring), so Obama has come to define another. He is young - he turns 47 next month. He is an embodiment of racial diversity. The Illinois senator has that most desirable of political gifts: he makes his audience feel better about themselves.

More at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/13/barackobama.usa

[NattPang]

1. These kinds of articles coupled with his interview aired today with

Fareed Zakaria really does tells us that
the world is waiting for us to return from the abyss.
They Know Obama is the one who can get it done.

[scarletwoman]

2. That WAS a wonderful interview! I was very pleased with Obama's grasp of the wider world.

It will be such a relief to have him in charge, after these eight years of nightmare.

sw

[NattPang]

3. World leaders are most likely eager to meet Barack Obama

They will finally get a chance to talk to a leader
who will answer questions in a way that they will understand.
No more collective head scratching after the United States leader
leaves the room.

[kentuck]

7. I felt better after watching that interview...

To those who say, "What does it matter if the rest of the world likes us or not?" I say that it does matter. It matters to me personally.

[scarletwoman]

8. The whole planet is impacted by what our country does. We need a leader who understands

that we are all in this together, and it seems to me that Obama sees things that way.

sw

[hisownpetard]

12. Yes. And let's hope that the DU headline, the day after the election, will read, "BREATHE..."!

[Blarch]

4. This already backfired on McBush, and could get worse.

McBush verbally attacked Obama for not going to Iraq...well, Obama is now going to Iraq and while he is in the air he might as well swing through Europe and recieve a roaring reception ..all the TV shows will be playing these clips.

Perhaps Obama needs to challenge McBush to go to Europe, I wonder what kind of reception he would receive.

[pnorman]

5. WHAT????

Europe will FINALLY see a symbol of America, that WON'T require a military LOCKDOWN (land, air, sea) of an entire city, by way of "security"? Will they ever RESPECT us again?

pnorman

[Flying Dream Blues]

6. A reason to hope and work hard to see this come to pass! nt

[annabanana]

9. The Ideal of America must be restored.

Government of, by & for the People is a powerful ideal. It moves mountains and can birth revolution exactly where it is most needed.

It would be so nice not to be the Evil Empire anymore.

[Brigid]

10. I don't think Europe dislikes us . . .

but they do dislike *, and have been wondering what has been wrong with us over the past eight years. And yes, Obama is just the sort they can relate to and respect as our leader. Won't it be great to have a president who doesn't make us cringe every time he opens his mouth?

[undeterred]

11. This is the best thing about President Obama.

I don't mean that there aren't lots of other good things about him, but I believe that the world will LOVE this intelligent, articulate, dignified man- who is more worthy of the office of President of the United States than many of his predecessors.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. I've posted it before - I'll post it again

I was in France in may for a few weeks. The Cote d'Azur in late May attracts people from all over the region looking for a late spring "holiday". Croatians, French (all regions), Dutch, Italian, British, Irish, Spanish . . . I met so many people from so many different walks of life. Constantly - "Go Obama" when they learned I was an American.

The Croatian man (movie Producer there for Cannes) - He is so different from George Bush. He can work with Europe. If he loses? Do you think he would come to the Balkans? ;-)

Seriously - this 'priviledge man' from Croatia (an area that still has a very long way to go) sees that this is a 'Good Person'. I don't doubt his leadership or executive abilities at all. But even when I was in the Edwards camp I saw that this was a truly good person that Edwards was up against.

I think the rest of the world will see it too.

[Donkey_Punch_Dubya]

14. We used to be admired and looked up to by the world

We helped win WWII in Europe and defeated Japan almost by ourselves.

We put humans on the moon and back with computers 1/100th as complex as your cell phone.

We were the leaders in modern women's rights.

We were the place where people came to from other countries to strive for the American dream.

We are responsible for the plurality of important inventions, patents and technological advances.

We have the majority of the best 50 universities in the world. When my mother was young and growing up in the 50s and 60s, we were admired and looked up to in the world, and we were the greatest country in the history of the world.

But look how far we have fallen in 8 years. We are hated, seen as fat, ingorant arrogant jerks. We are feared, not looked up to. The GOP has played to cynicism, fear and lies, and all Americans and the world indirectly are paying the price.

But Obama's election will start to change things. We can fulfill our potential, become a country that the world loves and respects again. Obama must win this election. MUST.