Watching American Politics

JUST SOME OBSERVATIONS

It has been interesting following the United States' presidential campaign in another country. What I have observed is that if the rest of the world could vote, Barack Obama would win in a landslide. They seem to sense that Obama would have a better sense of how to treat alliances and global institutions. Even after being here just a short while, I felt some anti-Americanism mostly due to the US international policies....a feeling that we don't really listen to the rest of the world but instead use a heavy hand to push through American agenda. Here is an excerpt from Jonathan Freedland, an editorialist for the Guardian which is the main newspaper in London & Manchester, UK.
"Until now, anti-Americanism has been exaggerated and much misunderstood: outside a leftist hardcore, it has mostly been anti-Bushism, opposition to this specific administration. But if McCain wins in November, that might well change. Suddenly Europeans and others will conclude that their dispute is with not only one ruling clique, but Americans themselves. For it will have been the American people, not the politicians, who will have passed up a once-in-a-generation chance for a fresh start - a fresh start the world is yearning for."
He goes on to say that it will look bad if Americans vote against Obama because of his color. "For America to make a decision as grave as this one - while the planet boils and with the US fighting two wars - on the trivial basis that a hockey mom is likable and seems down to earth, would be to convey a lack of seriousness, a fleeing from reality."
He goes on to say...."what does this say about America"......that the world's esteem is now unwanted? If Americans reject Obama, they will be sending the clearest possible message to the rest us (the world), and make no mistake, we shall hear it."