‘An American Dream’: Why We Watch the U.S. Elections

What impact do American elections have on people around the world? François Sergent of France’s Liberation writes, ‘Like it or not, the American elections are often more important for the world than our internal elections. Imagine the world today, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza, not to mention global warming, if Bush hadn’t been improperly, so improperly elected eight years ago.’

By François Sergent

Translated By Kate Davis

February 9, 2008

France – Liberation – Original Article (French)

Super Tuesday wasn’t as super as anticipated. Presented as a great roll-of-the-dice in the complex American process of selecting presidential candidates, it came out a tie, especially for the Democratic side. So, are we making too much of America’s polls? One of our colleagues used the headline “The French Vote for Obama.” Which isn’t quite the issue here, but it shows that this election elicits passion. Because of Obama, his color and the hope he inspires in America and beyond the borders of the United States. And because of the Clintons, of course, with whom politics and family are a good mix. And let us not forget McCain, an atypical Republican – against torture and tax cuts, however for the war in Iraq – but despite all this chosen in this country that is said to be so conservative.

There are many reasons to follow this election, even if there’s still a long way to go. Because like it or not, the American elections are often more important for the world than our internal elections. Imagine the world today, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza, not to mention global warming, if Bush hadn’t been improperly, so improperly elected eight years ago.

An American dream.

READ MORE U.S. election coverage from the rest of the world on WORLDMEETS.US