International opinion favours Obama

BY Staff
Published: August 22, 2008 in Letters

Dear Editor,

The world community seems to favour Democratic Senator Barack Obama over Republican Senator John McCain for the US presidency. Recent polls done by the Gallup organization found 64% in France, 62% in Germany and 62% in England want Obama to be president. A recent Obama rally in Germany attracted over 200,000. Large crowds also showed up in London and Paris to listen to him. Polls in Turkey, India, and parts of the Middle East also found majorities for Obama over McCain. Newspaper editorials and op ed columns also show a preference for Obama over McCain. My own polls in Trinidad, Tobago, Antigua, Guyana and a few other societies also show a preference for Obama over McCain. Everywhere I polled in the Caribbean and Asia, people were asking about the American race and wanted to know Obama’s chances of being president. I feel Obama’s chances are good to be elected as Americans want change from the discredited Republican conservative brand.

Foreigners prefer Obama because of their dislike for Republican George Bush who has been found to be the most disliked US President in recent times. American voters also told pollsters Bush is the most disliked president in recent history. He has had the lowest approval rating since polling began about seventy years ago.

International opinion feels McCain will continue Bush’s unilateralist policies that have got America in trouble with the global community. Obama handlers are trying to paint McCain as another Bush. It is not clear if that strategy will work because polls in the US continue to show a tight race with Obama having an edge over his rival. Also, it is not clear if people are gravitating towards Obama because of his likeability and proposed policies, or because of their dislike for Republican policies. The Republican Party has been discredited because of corruption and sex scandals and the disastrous wars started by the Republicans.

Americans don’t have an appetite for long wars. After US forces routed Saddam’s Hussein forces, support for the war was 90%. Today it is down to less than a third of what it was when Bush declared victory months after the war started in 2003. Americans want their troops home and for the Iraqis to handle their own affairs; the country is in a bigger mess than when Bush invaded it five years ago.

Americans feel that Obama will end the war and bring troops home. International opinion feels that Obama will help to heal division created between the US and Europe over the invasion. The UN and most of Europe opposed the invasion and they can’t wait for Americans to oust the Republicans from office. However, electoral likeability abroad carries great risks in American politics. In 2000 and 2004, foreigners also preferred Democrats Al Gore and John Kerry over Bush. Americans don’t like it when their president is viewed as a lackey of or subservient to other nations. Jimmy Carter learned that lesson the hard way.

Nevertheless, Obama is preferred domestically and internationally as he enters into the convention to accept his party’s official endorsement as its standard bearer. Third World people from Africa to the Caribbean and liberal minded people in Europe and America are rooting for him.

Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram

Comments

About Comments

The Comments section of this website is intended to provide a forum for reasoned and reasonable debate on the newspaper's content and is an extension of the newspaper and what it has become well known for over its history: accuracy, balance and fairness.

We reserve the right to edit/delete comments which contain attacks on other users, slander, coarse language and profanity, and gratuitous and incendiary references to race and ethnicity.

Curious about the little images next to each commenter's name ? Go here and sign up using the same email address you used to register for Stabroeknews.com then upload your image and confirm it.

17 Comments

bgsbny says:

August 22, 2008 at 12:52 pm

….. b4 u read this post let me b pelucid,, i am emphatic abt this ,, and do not associate this with the disgraced author of the above !

my take on the strategy of the republicans,, when they realised that they were up against the most formidable team in the combination of ,, Bill,, Hill and Chelsea,, for the white house,, what they did was to send out the wolves to break up the votes between Obama and Hillary making sure that Obama gets the nomination ,, — Hillary added to her tragic fall ,, with the “sniper fire” babble ,, –
now that they have succeeded with the first part of the plan,, the sting now will be to take back the votes lent to put Obama on the pedestal,, which is akin to pullin the rug out from under him ,, come NOVEMBER !……. simple but very effective ,,,,

way to go McCain !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply
- Joe Coxall says:
  
  August 23, 2008 at 1:36 am
  
  bgsby,
  I think you got this one right, The republicans did not feel they stood a chance against Hillary so they put up Obama to whip her butt.
  
  Obama had 230 million dollars in his war chest. Hillary had to dip into her own pocket for an extra 8 million dollars. Where does all that money come from? It is donated by the real “voters” in America,the wealthy,the elitist, the special interest groups. They are the shareholders who get to select the new CEO of the corporation we know as the USA.
  
  Come November, the sheeple will be called upon to carry out a futile ceremonial exercise as part of the illusion that they are the ones who decided the presidency. If you believe that, I also have it in my power to sell you the Brooklyn bridge for 100 bucks.
  
  America has now become the great Titanic, no captain can save her from sinking, the mortgage crisis is only the tip of the iceburg. The game is now over for Fannie and Freddie, next to collapse are the banks, then the wall street giant “gambling casinoes” , JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Citicorp. the Feds cannot keep bailing them out forever.
  
  Gold, oil and foreign stocks will reign supreme. Only a president or a people that has the resolve to bring the Federal Reserve into a court of justice and throw them all into the slammer for economic crimes against the American people, can save the day and free all of us from the shackle of perpetual debt.
bgsbny says:

August 22, 2008 at 12:59 pm

as a foot note to the above ,, — my post — is there anyone who ultimately believe that AMERICA will vote a black president ! ?????????

for those who so think ,, let me bring u back from ” maya ” ! Obama can only be president if he has HILLARY by his side as his VEEP ! any other choice will b indicative of his error of making the right call coupled with IN - experience !

Reply
- bgsbny says:
  
  August 23, 2008 at 7:06 am
  
  Obamas choice of his runnin mate — Joe Biden — a well respected democrat with
  36 years under his belt,, is like i said,, it is very clear now make no mistakes ,, he has shown from his choice ,, that he is inexperienced on foreign affairs ,, for which he is goin to be totally dependent on advice from others ,, to point him in the safe direction,, all advisors ,, have their own hidden agenda ! Biden is no different ,, so as it stand now ,, Obama ,, is a rubber stamp ,, if he gets to the white house history will record him as the first official rubber stamp ,, and talkin abt change — the main plank on his platform –,, with Joes 36 years ,, can u see how many corporations will be breathing down his neck to deliver ,, he will have no option ,, but to deliver ,, after all they helped to keep him there for 36 years !
  
  the AMERICAN voter ,, will give it to John ,, afterall he is the ” POW and a well recognised veteran “…….
- GREG says:
  
  August 25, 2008 at 1:49 am
  
  Beg to disagree big time with bgsbny. Picking Hillary was what the Reps were hoping for. Have you heard about “operation chaos”? Do some research. If Barack had picked Hillary the Reps would be in glee. They would destroy her and Bill. Don’t for get that two of bill’s old time girls were ready to come out to go into more details about his relationships with them. Their theme, ” Bill should not get back into the white house” Don’t forget that Bill and Hillary have a whole lot of stuff on them which are perfect for the reps.
  
  Further, picking Hillary would have shown weakness and a feeling of not being able to win without her. This is giving too much power to the Clintons. I prefer to lose without her.
Aaron Seenarine says:

August 22, 2008 at 1:21 pm

If the world community wishes for change in American’s Presidency because of their dislike for Mr. Bush, they would be please with any type of life form (a jackass in a suite). Their liberal thinking is what causes many of them to be living in an oppressed society. Unfortunately, there are only two viable candidates in this Presidential Election. One would hope that voters choose based on values and not feelings. Vote on what is best for the USA and not what is best for the UN. Mr. Bush may have the lowest rating, but Congress is in the toilet. Americans are fed up with all politicians. If the majority of Americans believe that a global community is better than the American’s system, then, the USA will share the pains with the rest of world. Prepare for high unemployment and taxation, lower standard of living, and a government that cannot protect its citizens. Be careful what you wish for. If foreigners and Americans want a “CHANGE” in SUPERPOWER’s ideology and values, then scriptures will be fulfilled.

Aaron Seenarine

Reply
- malaika06 says:
  
  August 22, 2008 at 6:16 pm
  
  OK, So you are on Mc Cain’s payroll? Way to go
KEITH MILLER says:

August 22, 2008 at 1:25 pm

WHAT A TURN COAT BISRAM; YOU NEVER SUPPORTED HIM IN THE PRIMARIES YOU SUPPORTED THE WHITE GAL. YOU SHOULD DO LIKE SOME OF HER DIE HARD SUPPORTERS STAY HOME OR VOTE FOR THE OTHER GUY.

Reply
- El diablo says:
  
  August 24, 2008 at 10:59 pm
  
  Bisram is not supporting Obama, he is simple stating the facts as they are. The world like Obama because he tries to be liked by all. He talks of uniting people and coming together etc. I know that Mccain might be the better guy but after he tried to give amnesty to the illegals,i had to kick him to the curb and leave him there. Let Obama go in the white House because at least he don’t have a record of pandering to racist organizations like Lulac and La raza who wants to have open borders and cede territory back to Mexico.
Durbie says:

August 22, 2008 at 2:30 pm

Thank God those countries does not have a vote. Obama is not running for the presidency of the World.

Reply
- GREG says:
  
  August 25, 2008 at 2:01 am
  
  But America needs a colation of the strong when she is going to war, unlike the colation of the weak pre. Bush got for Iraq. That’s why there is a drag on the economy - the practical one man war.
  
  Barak lived in poor countries and have a better world view. He would be more understanding to suffering but he will not make the US poorer. Former US presidents see suffering or read about suffering but they never experienced suffering other than maybe in war camps. I am talking about suffering people experience their entire life. I look forward to what Barack’s vision would bring to America.
Steel says:

August 26, 2008 at 12:02 am

In Reply To GREG……………
The republicans do not need to put up anyone to beat anyone. It does not matter who becomes president, for voting in the US is all about what makes the people feels happy in the illusion that their vote counts. Barack indeed lived in a poor country as Kenya and has grassroot views. But I am afraid that he could have also been born there too which can cause tremendous controversy. There’s also some speculation if my memory serves me well, about laws that will look twice at McCain parents been based outside of the US when he was born. Oh my my…After all the US constitution is quite explicit that only a natural born citizen can become president.

Reply
- GREG says:
  
  August 28, 2008 at 2:57 am
  
  Way off track. You have not been following the presidental debate. I used to wonder why reporters at this stage are saying that a lot of Americans still do not know Obama. Your comments are a good example. Barack never lived nor was he born in Kenya. His father is from Kenya and he visited at least once.
  
  Only persons born in the US can run for President. Having said that McCain was not born in the US but the technicality is that he was born on a US army camp in Panama. Because his father (and grandfather) was a soldier he acquired the right to run. Get updated on the issues, man.
bgsbny says:

August 26, 2008 at 10:06 pm

……. just for the record !,,,, Hillary’s speech tonight at the DNC will either make or break Baracks call to rally him to 1600 pensylvannia ave !,,, like the republicans ,, Barack too is afraid of Bill,, Hill and,, Chelsea,, choosing Hillary ,, would have overshadowed his weakness,,, Michelle’s talk was somehow contrived ,, and not quite all together abt her role…… the Jr. Sen. from IL,, came up too fast ,, Ted Kennedy ,, wants Barack to be President so that him and the others can have their way with him ,, make him dance to their tune ! it’s been around for centuries ! c’mon boy ,, u gotta dance boy !…….. we want u to dance boy,,,,,,,,

Reply
GREG says:

August 25, 2008 at 2:16 am

You have not been paying attention to Barack. A rubber stamp? This man is one of the most intelligent persons to run for office in a long time. He ran a well executed campaign and convincingly wipped your lady friend - Hillary Clinton- who happen to be part of the top American political power house. This is the man you see as a rubber stamp?

Barack has shown savvy and leadership in this campaign, being the only person who did not have to change staff. This is a man who topped his class and became president of the Law review and within a short period of about four years is running for president. If you fail to detect class you need a total examination.

Reply
bgsbny says:

August 25, 2008 at 1:45 pm

….. just so u kno’ Greg ! Hillary,, with condescending grace would have respectfully refused his invitation to join him as his running mate ,, how much more can he publicise his weakness as the most important man on the planet ,, all of his achievements ,, so far is of a mediocre measure much like that of l’il bush ,, it’s one thing knowing who is hungry ,, but it’s a whole nother ball of cotton ,, finding the food to feed them ,, what change is expected from Barack ,, with a veep who is owing the corporations for 36 years ,, do u see the pic ,,

Reply
open mind says:

August 28, 2008 at 11:37 pm

Good comeback!

Reply