It shouldn't.

Isn't it just a bit presumptuous to be putting this in the "White House" forum?


In regard to what Europe thinks of Obama, it is quite relevant. George W. Bush has been the face of American foreign policy and diplomacy for the last 8 years and if you think Bush is unpopular in America...

So there is great foreign interest in Obama who seems to have a much different diplomatic outlook and ideological disposition. The interest is mainly self interest as foreign countries and foreign peoples would prefer that American diplomacy not be conducted at gunpoint.

I think foreigners may take the election of Obama as a rejection of the Bush Doctrine by the American People.... and conversely, might see the election of McCain as an endorsement of Bush's foreign policy.

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Screw Change!! Let's have a Seamless Transition of Power and Policy.. John McSame in 2008!

The enthusiasm for Obama around the world is amazing. All these different foreign dignitaries and leaders and diplomats have been gushing and saying things like, "it's like the biggest thing since JFK, even if it's not exactly the same, that's the feeling".

It's nice to have an American leader go abroad and not incite bombings and riots and the largest protests since Vietnam. That so many people see Obama as what America could be isn't going to hurt him one bit.

And what with the White House reversing itself on Iran, and forming an exit strategy out of Iraq with a timetable for withdrawal, that lends Obama instead cred in terms of foreign policy, not matter what Lieberman and Giuliani say while Obama is out of the country. Which is in poor taste if you ask me. I thought that was something people don't do.

Maybe, I did not mean this as an offence.. I was not sure which part of this forum would be appropriate.

Well, to say that Bush is just unpopular , is - at least with regard to Europe
the understatement of the year.

It is certainly self-interest that plays a role in here. But at the same time it is much more. Bush's foreign policy is regarded as being aggressive even towards countries that are not opposed to the US.
Think of the construction of "Old" and "New Europe" - that was directly targeted to those who did not agree with Bush's policy.

Now if you think of the wave of sympathy that flooded Europe after 9/11, this US Administration has admirably succeeded in giving away this advantage.

That's right. Which might be a misunderstanding from the European view.

Well, I would be surprised if Americans actually knew who 'my' leader is. After all, my country is quite insignificant in terms of world politics, it's just a small country.

And in the end, any opinion of an American about 'my' leader could not be worse than my opinion on him.

Yeah, but much to my astonishment this is shared by ordinary people. Can't think of an American politician who caused the same emotions.

It is, but let's not forget that he is not yet elected.

I am sorry, but what did Giuliani and Lieberman say?

I didn'y say that, i said Germany would be more at threat under Obama, not so sure if Croatia is though, its hardly a formidable and important country now is it?

In fact i'd say with Obama the possibility war would break out under Obama is not likely at all, he'd be much more likely to raise the white flag.

I personally have not so strong feelings for Obama or against McCain... My perception of McCain is one of a reasonable and moderate politician...
Who is seriously old and not always very good at self management

Obama on the other hand has the pros and cons of a unwritten book. He sure sounds good, but that doesn't mean much... Considering that many Presidents campaign on one program and realize a completly different one... for example Reagan and the current Bush are very famous for that.

I dunno too much about the general European opinion or even the general German opinion... but I guess people like Obama because he seems so "New and Shiny"... And as people are not so much involved into US Politics, the fact that he is "Not White, Young and a Democrat (not Bushs party)" is a great argument in his favour.

This is most likly due to the fact that most democracies in Europe work quite different compared to the "US version".
We usually have not so much Personalized Elections and we usually have more than two parties.
This means, that Usually the people in power are representatives of a political party, which means that their decisions are most of the time guided by party policy.

If you aware of this, it is not that surprising that many Europeans fall for that "misunderstanding"... since McCain is a member of Bushs party... and that Party "made all those unpopular decisions" => "Big dislike for the GOP in general"

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The only threat Germany faces under Obama is, that with him being in Power, Germany will not so easily get of the hook when it comes to a bigger involvement in Afghanistan.

When Obama becomes President, he will most definatly ask Germany for a greater involvement... and unlike the Bush administration that disqualified themselves in diplomacy and transatlantic relations, Obamas call will be heared.
There is a Saying in Germany: "Der Ton macht die Music" (Sound makes the Music)... which means, that while his policy regarding some issues will be not as different as many might think... his success will be much bigger simply due to a more wise and diplomatic aproach...

As to Security Issues... Germany had terror plots before, German troops got attacked with IEDs and suecide bombers before, Germany had Anti-Terrorism Raids and Trials of Suspected Terrorists who now serve their time in prision just as the common criminals they are... (a lesson from the RAF time => big attention for terrorists creates what is called "the second wave" of terrorism)

If the security situation gets worse for Germany, it will be due to the fact that under a Obama US Administration, Germany will get more involved in the war on Terror... this is hardly bad for the US and a German Decision in the end...

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Under threat by whom?

And I know that Croatia is just a small country.. perfectly okay with that.
It might not be 'formidable' for you, but certainly for me and my fellow citizens.

Sounds like willingly upholding a worst case scenario that is not justified.

that is exactly the point. your chancellor is also more america-friendly than the previous government, isn't she?

Well, she is but it's not so much the person... the conservative CDU/CSU Party is openly known to be a supporter of strong transatlantic ties...
But since the current US Administration is soooo far "out of the mainstream" the "new" German government only changed the sound in German-US relations... since eventhough the opposite side of the political spectrum gained a strong role in government, there are still few similarities with the current US foreign policy.

For example: Eventhough the Green Party is no longer part of the German Government, Fighting Climate Change and reducing CO2 emissions is a bigger objective in German domestic and foreign policy than ever before.

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The enemies we all face today, so far several European countries have been attacked by terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and its sympathisers and you're not too far off the Turkey that have a lot of problems with domestic and homegrown terror.

Good for you...though as i recollect Wallaroo called it Piss-ant and that's coming from a Dane.

Well let's wait and see, either way its not like Croatia is gonna have a big role to play in world affairs anytime soon, so you can cheer from the sidelines without worry.

Seems like you can't decide what exactly the risks are (terror/Iran/??) and I'm still waiting why Obama ( or McCain) will thus increase our risks.

My prediction is nothing big will change and so your hope for disaster (for whatever reasons) is unfounded.

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"bellum omnium contra omnes; atque in eo bello jus esse omnibus in omnia."
Thomas Hobbes

"Homo Homini Lupus"
Thomas Hobbes

The problem between Turks and Kurds is more complex and does not really fit into the Al Quaida scenario. Nor Croatia or any of its neighbours is threatened by this.
The last terrorist act in Spain, by the way, was carried out not by Al quaida but by the ETA. But you knew that already, didn't you..

He was so kind to apologize for that.. but you have to be insulting, I guess, because you have no real arguments.

Enjoy the frontline.