‘Reasons Europe Should Hope for An Obama Victory’: From Le Figaro

Why would historian Alexandre Adler, who is often characterized as France’s foremost neo-con and who greatly admires John McCain, want to see Barack Obama elected president of the United States?

After discussing the many things that Obama is wrong on – and it’s quite a list – Adler writes in part:

“If I was an American voter, I would campaign enthusiastically for the election of Ms. Rice to enter the White House. The nature of things means that unfortunately it won’t be her, but Illinois Senator Barack Obama, who is likely to become the first Black president of the United States. … despite the high esteem that John McCain inspires in me, I wish for an Obama victory … First and foremost, because in electing a Black president, good or bad, America could successfully complete a much needed exorcism of its body politic. For once finding myself in agreement with the dreadful Michelle Obama, I think that indeed, Afro-Americans en masse are finally proud of their country and the long hoped-for integration has made a decisive and irreversible jump.

And then the crux of the matter for Adler – who is certainly very right of center in terms of European opinion:

“The small eclipse of American influence that the Obama presidency (in the same way as Clinton before him) may result in what would also be an unexpected opportunity for Europe: finally, it may assume its responsibilities as an adult … I don’t think Obama will bring a renaissance to America on every front, but I am certain he will provoke Europe to come together and drive a rapprochement with Russia.”

The Chronicle of Alexandre Adler

Translated By Sandrine Ageorges

August 23, 2008

France – French – Original Article (French)

On the eve of the Democratic convention, which should allow Obama to resume control of the election campaign – that has recently demonstrated some signs of weakness – it is perhaps time to review Obama’s difficulties in all of their magnitude.

The last twenty years in the United States, have seen the ascension of quite a remarkable Black elite, which has demonstrated that it no longer has an inferiority complex. In turn and with little psychodrama, large corporations have picked Black CEOs to achieve their objectives: Merrill Lynch, Citigroup and until recently, Time-Warner AOL in the communications sector and American Express, have suffered no dire consequences for having Afro-American CEOs. Two exceptional personalities, General Colin Powell and today Condoleezza Rice, have successfully in leading American diplomacy and won undeniable successes.

If I was an American voter, I would campaign enthusiastically for the election of Ms. Rice to enter the White House. The nature of things means that unfortunately it won’t be her, but Illinois Senator Barack Obama, who may now become the first Black president of the United States.

But here begins the dilemma: despite the inevitable adjustments and compromises to the still-undecided centrist electorate, it’s clear that Obama comes from the very closed circle of the left, which is the most ideological and even the most dangerous part of the Democratic party.

READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated and English foreign press coverage of the conventions and the U.S. presidential election.