The World Picks Obama For President - 4 to 1

[rocks 494]

I think it is very important how the world views the U.S. It has implications for everything from free trade, to support (or non-support and its consequences) of military operations, global agreements on climate control, and even the current global financial crisis.

If we don't care what the world thinks of us, why do we take part in the UN, NATO, NAFTA agreements, among countless others?

This is not to say that the U.S. should do whatever the other countries feel is best for the U.S., but it is a crazy notion today to think that the U.S. can go at it alone. If other countries in this global economy have something to say, it's about to time to listen. Maybe had we listened more, we wouldn't be spending what we our in terms of lives and money in Iraq.

exactly. why do you need allies to fight wars if the rest of the world doesn't matter?

[IAMX 3,055]

yay for the world. who cares?

So I guess there won't be an imminent global test on Obama if he is elected. So much for the new carrion fowl offal coming from McCain then on the matter of international relations.

Unfortunately, the world is made up of individual nations which are not usually supposed to interfere with other nations' elections (though obviously, this has been honoured in-breach).

And you've got several who are willing to "sass" the US president immediately post-election, including:

• Nejad of Iran
• Beitullah Mehsud (albeit he's not actually the head of a recognised nation) of Waziristan
• (saving the worst of the bunch for last) mad czar Vlad Putin

Before you can even talk about interfering, your own President just had ordered killed another President that the U.S. government installed. This person tortured his own people and was once a threat to other bordering nations.

When the U.S. can stop interfering with other nations, especially sovereign ones (note the rhetoric on Abkhazia and South Ossetia, like it's part of Georgia, or the raids into Pakistan soil), then you can talk with some validity. If you're gonna be the world police, I'll take key advice southern family likes to give people -- you sure as #### better clean up your own back yard first before looking into someone else's.

Edited October 23, 2008 by SRVT

[Sister Fracas 5]

Didn't we have an opinion on how and by whom Iraq should be run? hmmm

We? Did you have anything to do with it? Did I? Hmmmmmm...

This poll is individuals opinions around the world. Not the leaders of each country.

no on VJ had ANY opinions? wow, I was absent that day...

[Cassie 8]

so if they have an opinion about america and who should run america, and we don't vote that way, will they still see a reason to come?

sure! I did, and his name is Jerry

Edited October 23, 2008 by Cassie

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Given that the US influence does have an impact on other countries (including its allies) it makes sense that people who live outside the US have an opinion on it and some investment in the outcome.

That hardly amounts to "having an influence".

A lot of my friends back home were appalled by the election of GWB in 2000 (his re-election in '04 'was just stupefying). Interesting that so many non USCs concerns were born out subsequently and how there are still USC's who dogged refuse to admit that perhaps they were wrong

Edited October 23, 2008 by Paul Daniels

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

And again people, don't get too comfortable and cocky,

The world picked Kerry by a huge margin in 2004 and see what he ended up keeping,

This is not over until is over...

[Sister Fracas 5]

Given that the US influence does have an impact on other countries (including its allies) it makes sense that people who live outside the US have an opinion on it and some investment in the outcome.

That hardly amounts to "having an influence".

Really. And it's crazy to think the rest of the world wouldn't want to have an opinion.

And again people, don't get too comfortable and cocky,

Who is getting cocky?

[Ban Hammer 13,656]

so if they have an opinion about america and who should run america, and we don't vote that way, will they still see a reason to come?

sure! I did, and his name is Jerry

you don't get springer in canada?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Given that the US influence does have an impact on other countries (including its allies) it makes sense that people who live outside the US have an opinion on it and some investment in the outcome.

That hardly amounts to "having an influence".

Really. And it's crazy to think the rest of the world wouldn't want to have an opinion.

Its a strange argument - but one I've heard before in other contexts: that having expressing an opinion is some sort of infringement on the free speech of others.

[Cassie 8]

so if they have an opinion about america and who should run america, and we don't vote that way, will they still see a reason to come?

sure! I did, and his name is Jerry

you don't get springer in canada?

[HAL 9000 96]

yay for the world. who cares?

So I guess there won't be an imminent global test on Obama if he is elected. So much for the new carrion fowl offal coming from McCain then on the matter of international relations.

Unfortunately, the world is made up of individual nations which are not usually supposed to interfere with other nations' elections (though obviously, this has been honoured in-breach).

And you've got several who are willing to "sass" the US president immediately post-election, including:

• Nejad of Iran
• Beitullah Mehsud (albeit he's not actually the head of a recognised nation) of Waziristan
• (saving the worst of the bunch for last) mad czar Vlad Putin

This would be an exercise in connecting the dots. McCain claims that Obama would be somehow singled out by the international community or by rogues is petty politics. If anyone stands to put us right back into an antagonizing role with the rest of the international community, it would be Mr. Fighter Pilot himself.

Ironically, I don't see anyone here b!tching about how we ourselves try and at times, succeed in interfering with other democracies. That reeks of hypocrisy, but since its 'our interests' involved then its perfectly excusable. While in this particular case its NOT a case of other nations subverting our democracy but rahter people voicing favorable opinions of one candidate based upon a desire to see the USA become a partner to the rest of the world. Yes, that place.

yay for the world. who cares?

So I guess there won't be an imminent global test on Obama if he is elected. So much for the new carrion fowl offal coming from McCain then on the matter of international relations.

Unfortunately, the world is made up of individual nations which are not usually supposed to interfere with other nations' elections (though obviously, this has been honoured in-breach).

And you've got several who are willing to "sass" the US president immediately post-election, including:

• Nejad of Iran
• Beitullah Mehsud (albeit he's not actually the head of a recognised nation) of Waziristan
• (saving the worst of the bunch for last) mad czar Vlad Putin

Before you can even talk about interfering, your own President just had ordered killed another President that the U.S. government installed. This person tortured his own people and was once a threat to other bordering nations.

When the U.S. can stop interfering with other nations, especially sovereign ones (note the rhetoric on Abkhazia and South Ossetia, like it's part of Georgia, or the raids into Pakistan soil), then you can talk with some validity. If you're gonna be the world police, I'll take key advice southern family likes to give people -- you sure as #### better clean up your own back yard first before looking into someone else's.

All perfectly valid examples. Gracias.

[rocks 494]

Its a strange argument - but one I've heard before in other contexts: that having expressing an opinion is some sort of infringement on the free speech of others.

meanwhile it is fine to have the opinion that the rest of the world is irrelevant... and people wonder why america isn't the most popular country in the world.

[HAL 9000 96]

Its a strange argument - but one I've heard before in other contexts: that having expressing an opinion is some sort of infringement on the free speech of others.

meanwhile it is fine to have the opinion that the rest of the world is irrelevant... and people wonder why america isn't the most popular country in the world.

Well we are always ready to go and bomb anyone that disagrees with us. What a shining beacon of hope to think that way...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Its a strange argument - but one I've heard before in other contexts: that having expressing an opinion is some sort of infringement on the free speech of others.

meanwhile it is fine to have the opinion that the rest of the world is irrelevant... and people wonder why america isn't the most popular country in the world.

I think there is a long-held perception in Europe that the US is rather arrogant in the way it conducts its business and imposes its will on the rest of the world. In many respects the US is still in the place that Britain was during the Empire period of the 18th and 19th century - utterly convinced of its own right to rule and manifest destiny.

Of course this is coming from someone who is perceived to be apparently by some Americans (I'm talking about me here - but I do know other Europeans who have experienced this) so doubtless there is a clash of world views at work here.

That said of course I have many American friends who are concerned with the direction their country has taken over the last 8 years and who have a broader, nuanced perspective on their country's current place in the world than the usual sort of flag-waving chest-beaters you often hear from.

Edited October 23, 2008 by Paul Daniels

[AlHayatZween 2]

Who would you personally rather see elected president of the United States?

Obama McCain

Britain 60% 15%

Canada 67% 27%

Chile 43% 9%

France 64% 4%

Georgia 15% 23%

Germany 62% 10%

Japan 66% 15%

Kenya 89% 3%

Laos 24% 25%

Mexico 27% 9%

Philippines 20% 28%

Rwanda 57% 12%

Note: Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...y/International

Only 67% Canada??????

Yes, but you have to take these polls with a grain of salt:

Everyone knows that Socialists and Rwandans hate old people.