I have voted for conservatives in every presidential election that I have been old enough to vote. That meant, Bush in 1988, Bush in 1992, Dole in '96, and Bush again in 2000 and 2004.
Brazil:
Brazilians said that Obama represents a change from the old guard of U.S. politics and will seek to engage in positive relations with Latin America...
Brazil's potential has already been tapped by other countries, such as China and Iran, and the consensus is that if the United States is not going to acknowledge its economic growth, then there are other countries that are only too happy to take the opportunity to do business with Brazil."
There are certain things you expect from a conservative president. You expect a financially sound government, Supreme Court justices that are not too expansive (and that make sure religious rights are not violated), and support for the capitalist system that propels prosperity around the world.
Additionally, as a social conservative, I want a presidency that at least makes the argument that moral decisions can and do impact government and society in terms of cost. I want the bully pulpit of the presidency to acknowledge the importance and value of faith, and of morality, however generalized. If they can encourage life as well, and promote the idea of fewer abortions, or abortion alternatives, then even better.
Kenya
Obamamania was in full force in Kenya last night and today as Kenyans throughout the country celebrated Barack Obama's primary victory. In his father's village of Kogelo, Obama's family said it was proud of the Illinois senator and was looking forward to the general election. "We are still fighting," said Sarah Obama, his grandmother. "We are praying for him and hope that he wins the presidency."
Across Kenya's capital city of Nairobi, people gathered at bars and around TVs at home to watch the results come in all night. Friends sent text messages -- instant updates on the delegate count, such as "4 more to go."
"Everyone says that America is racist, that there's no way a black man can win," said Michael Kenedege, a Nairobi businessman. "And Obama's win is telling the world that America can rise above it."
Along came Obama, and in conjunction with a Bush administration that has struggled to execute. I think Bush can be faulted primarily on one issue and that's Iraq. While it was not a necessary war, I do believe arguments can be made that it was just, and I do believe it could have been handled much better than it has.
Iran
Clinton had enjoyed some local support among Iranians who were nostalgic for her husband's presidency. President Bill Clinton's secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, is remembered for moves toward reconciliation and understanding between the U.S. and Iran.
But much of that support for Clinton dissipated after she threatened to "obliterate" the Islamic Republic if it attacked Israel. What remained was a desire for a swift and sharp change from the policies of the Bush administration.
"I'm so happy to see that finally Hillary is out. … I was so angry with Hillary for staying in the race and forcing Obama to spend energy on the primary," said Sina Tabesh, 23, who follows U.S. politics from his home in Tehran.
Right now there are many things not quite right, and some issues that were typically considered "liberal" are gaining wider acceptance; there is a desire by many to see some broad changes in healthcare policy, and the value of a more nurturing posture toward the environment is becoming evident across the globe. Then too, with the difficulties of the United States in dealing with Iraq, Iran, and North Korea, and even looking at Israel's failure to dislodge Hezbollah from Lebanon, it is becoming clear that military diplomacy cannot do all things. Rumsfeld in my mind, the great ruiner of all possible good outcomes, can be the posterboy for that failure.
China
However, several Chinese people interviewed by ABC News said that they believe Obama's youth and energy will bring a fresh perspective to Washington.
They also believe that as a black man, he may be more sympathetic to the Chinese. "He is an ethnic minority himself," Peng said. "He won't discriminate against the Chinese peop
I have read and watched. I tend to read conservative websites most often, and have become dismayed at the dismissiveness and glee that has been directed toward Obama, and echoes of that were also present in Hillary's campaign. It would seem that the pure historic nature of Barack's achievement means little, and people are content to snicker, or sit superior under the delusion (which will be obvious later) that Obama cannot (and should not) possibly win.
It is as if people cannot hold two ideas in the head at the same time: you can admire Barack and the historic nature of his achievement and respect his efforts, while still being in favor of McCain. But it does not really work that way at all with many folks.
Japan
Opinions of each candidate varied on the streets of Tokyo.
"Barack Obama seems young and inexperienced," said Masaharu Ikenaka, a 23-year-old student who studies management. "Hillary can have support from her husband, and she has some experience in the past. She could have done a better job."
A 26-year-old store clerk, Masami Hayata, said Obama is simply "cool."
"He symbolizes a change," said Hayata, who sees Obama as a good public speaker. "He knows how to reach out to people with his communication skills -- something I have not seen in Japanese politicians."
Although she likes the idea of the possibility of seeing the first African-American president, Fuku Nakamura is not sure how such a precedent will play out in history. "I never thought I would see one [an African-American president] in my lifetime," said the 68-year-old homemaker.
You can read the headlines and comments from around the world and see the rest of the planet warm to the idea of new blood, and having someone they perceive as being willing to work with others to achieve positive goals. This is a far cry from the reaction of some Americans, including a particular portion of the right side of the political spectrum.
England
Obama's claim to victory is the lead story today in nearly all the U.K. papers. The press has described Obama's announcement as "historical," an "epic struggle" and a "moment in history."
But newspaper editors have urged caution. The Times reports that "It's fair to wonder, as the 2008 U.S. general election finally gets under way, whether this might be just another false start. It might. But for the time being, Barack Obama is changing the world."
I recall the alarm that "blacks are voting for Obama because he is black," a claim that ignores that initial support Hillary had until she took it upon herself to try to emasculate Obama and club him to death via race, class, and finally sex, in successive order. Also, the claim about blacks really ignores the fact that whites have been voting for whites for this country's history, as have blacks, and one ought not to be surprised nor outraged when blacks choose the black candidate when 1) the platforms of both candidates are relatively similar and 2) the non-black candidate opts to marginalize and dismiss the black candidate, playing to race to overcome his organizational, speaking, and campaign skills.
I think McCain has tried over his history to be honorable, and independent, opting to do what he feels is right, even if it offends other Republicans. That is as it should be, and if he runs a respectful campaign without going too low, I won't be overly upset if he wins. But that also depends on what he is offering; will McCain continue with Republican tinkering around the edges, or will he propose real change?
Obama personifies changes, and his platform will represent actual change. If you are a voter and unhappy with the way Iraq is going, or believe your healthcare should be less costly, or that we should communicate with enemies and friends alike, then your choice should be clear. One ought not play games with the election. Look at what you believe is right and find that candidate that most closely represents those positions that are important to you.
Germany
The ARD/ZDF morning show featured Karsten Voigt, the German government's envoy for transatlantic relations, who said, "Most Germans see Sen. Obama as a kind of mixture of JFK and Martin Luther King."
"Germans perceive Barack Obama as being peace-loving and cooperative, and that is what Germans admire in foreign politicians."
The tabloid newspaper Bild Zeitung called it "a historic victory." The front page of the Koelner Stadt Anzeiger read "Obama wins -- endless marathon is over." The Passauer Neue Presse said, "Obama is the winner -- Hillary ready to run for vice president."
Obama did not make it to the front page of Die Welt, but the online version of the newspaper exulted that Obama has achieved the "impossible -- he's the first black candidate to run for the White House. Commentators compare his win with the first landing on the moon."
This election I will probably vote for Obama, and for any number of reasons, but mostly because I want our government to start fresh. I am not one that thinks Bush has done an overly bad job. There is a certain type of conservative person who finds it convenient to distance themselves from Bush and join in the mockery (and yet, will vote for whichever Republican comes down the pike). For me Bush is not easily mockable. I think the problems of the economy now came about from easy credit, the result of policies meant to combat the recession at the beginning of his term in 2001.
France
Most French TV networks and radio stations led with the Obama win.
The conservative morning newspaper Le Figaro devoted half its cover page to Obama. Next to a picture of Obama and his wife, Michelle, the headline reads, "Barack Obama is ready for the battle for the White House. The candidate has already won primaries in its camp. It remains to be seen how Hillary Clinton will concede and negotiate her way out."
At that time we were getting over the dot.com nonsense. All that supposed prosperity began to reverse on Bush's watch. The answer to a slowing economy, low interest rates, was a corrective to past problems, but an over correction as well. In other words, the economic times of Bill Clinton were not so solid as we imagine (many of the jobs later being undone, many of the companies disappearing), and Bush's efforts ought not to be judged so harshly as they are.
In any case, what a moment. It will be hard to listen to the efforts to dismiss Obama. I get the campain mail from the Republican National Committee with their generic slogans and hyper-alarm. (Liberals do the same). I would hope that poeple could just be fair, honest, and treat each other with respect.
I would hope that those who do not like Obama for his positions (or even his personality), could sit and acknowledge the moment, and take some delight in how far this nation has come. A black and white candidate for a black and white nation, representing everyone and every color in between.
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