Comments on: Obama’s Popularity Abroad, a Blessing or a Curse?

By: DLS

DLS — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:27:03 +0000

“If some nutjob American went to Iran and started blasting America as the Great Satan and got treated like a hero there, well, Americans would react in horror.”

Unless they did it in Iraq instead, defending Hussin, and got support from their fellow radicals and “progressives” [sic].

By: DLS

DLS — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:25:05 +0000

It's just the Herd abroad, as well as here at home, glad to bash Bush even indirectly, by adoring someone who is going to replace him and his party in the White House.

Obama as Elvis is definitely the case with the younger unwashed in Europe who routinely appeared to protest Bush's appearances in Europe. Why would it be otherwise?

Many in Europe found it fashionable to bash or oppose Bush. Why would they not adore Obama?

By: RememberNovember

RememberNovember — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:46:05 +0000

What hypocrisy from the 500 million dollar syndicated gasbag. For a guy who lives in a huge mansion ( with a cat…hmmm, what's up with that,he lives with a cat-is it because he's fat?) he shouldn't throw belgian block.

By: StockBoySF

StockBoySF — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:04:33 +0000

I consider it a blessing and a tribute to Obama that he is well respected in so many different countries, from Jordan to Germany. Americans need to understand that the American president is probably the most powerful person in the world. If the president has the respect of other nations, then that respect gives us, the US, a great starting point in negotiations with others.

By: elrod

elrod — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:52:23 +0000

This is not 2004. Americans are not angry at the world anymore. Americans want to be loved again. And respected. The polls show as much as 75% of Americans think Obama will do a better job of improving the US image. The notion that Americans would recoil at foreign love for an American politician is ludicrous – as long as that politician didn't earn his popularity by going overseas and bashing America.

If some nutjob American went to Iran and started blasting America as the Great Satan and got treated like a hero there, well, Americans would react in horror.

But when a potential President goes to a staunch ally – Germany – and gets treated with praise and respect, Americans will feel better about themselves.

By: LindaKay

LindaKay — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:51:46 +0000

The Daily Show was great. Another good one.

Stephen Colbert is hilarious:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/22/obama-...

By: LindaKay

LindaKay — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:46:31 +0000

McCain's aide should know that the people of Missouri care about our image around the world. There are actually people in Missouri that have passports and travel to Europe.

Having lived in Europe a few years ago, I hated to speak because people immediately knew I was an American, which was not a good thing.

In business conversations in Europe, I criticized George W early in the conversation.

There is a good chance that Missouri will go for Obama and I will be expending considerable effort to help elect Obama.

By: SteveK

SteveK — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:41:51 +0000

Obama’s Popularity Abroad, a Blessing or a Curse?...

It's a blessing

By: Silhouette

Silhouette — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:06:47 +0000

It doesn't matter.

Did anyone catch The Daily Show last night? Jon did a bit about Obama's stint overseas and all his only male correspondants in it...no females. They each took turns talking about having a "boner" for Obama.

Jon Stewart often uses foreshadowing in his satire. Start marking the days off your calendars until September. It'll be here sooner than anyone wants..

By: ryan

ryan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:44:07 +0000

It seems like any ire towards Obama's trip to Europe is just another manifestation of the partisan divide. Much of the mainstream political discussion today unfortunately leaves no room for nuance – someone is either wrong or right, conservative or liberal, etc – so Europe is either a bunch of socialist pansies or a bastion of intelligence and fair-mindedness. As a result, unlike in days where Kennedy could be hailed for his enthusiastic reception in Europe, today Obama can be both assaulted and praised for the same kind of reception.

My opinion (for what it's worth) is that it can only be a good thing when your country's leader (or in this case potential leader) is well-received by other nations – as Dorian said, would it be better if he was hated? The fact that Limbaugh and others attack him for receiving a favorable reception is a demonstration that the logic of some pundits is shaped primarily by party affiliation rather than a candidate's stances on issues and political abilities.