US Presidential Election 美大選
On Thursday the Stage Committee sent an additional notice to their daily news for the ‘US Election Party’ organised by American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels. They got the 20 tickets but later announced more than 80 stagiaires applied for.
Last night at one of the bars I went to with my friends, there was a leaflet of ‘OBAMA NIGHT’. ‘Belgium for Obama’ hosts this event and I guess they’d decided to make it Obama Night whatever the real outcome would be that night.
I also found a music video for Obama, featuring a lot of American entertainers including my favourite male singer John Legend. (He also sang on the stage for Obama campaign.) Thank you, Elisabeth!
The reason why I think some of the outside the US support Obama is their expectation that the relationship with the US could be changed from a phase of confrontation to cooperation. Of course, because of each state’s own interests, it won’t be possible to make one voice over the issues at stake all the time. If the government’s mind-set is already based on sharing, however, wouldn’t it be a little easier to go towards cooperation?
KML:
This movie created quite a wave of interest when it came out. Some say, however, that the attention of musical performers and movie stars can sometimes hurt a candidate by adding to their “elitist” or “hollywood” support and therefor a lack of “connection with the mainstream” America.
I think you are right about why the Europeans and others in the world have taken an interest in Obama’s candidacy. I am a staunch supporter myself and optimistic that things will change for the better, even as I am realistic about the limits placed on any president to make changes during their administration. Obama is pragmatic and knows he lives in a very conservative country which is adverse to radical change. He will do what he can, but he has prepped up the populace so much there will undoubtedly be some disappointment. That is politics…but it matters and he is by far the better candidate.
2 November 2008, 4:43 amElisabeth:
No problem!
Most of the U.S. Americans I’ve talked to are also eager for a change in our international relationships. It’s embarrassing, honestly, what’s been done in the past eight years. No one I know, or have talked to, or have even heard on the radio/TV think that Bush has done a good job with international relations. I think people will embrace swift change with a new administration, but I know the war, Palestine, and Russia are going to be sticking points.
4 November 2008, 9:51 pmSunkyoung:
KML - Right after Obama was elected, one of the common comments was to brace ourselves for the disappointment. Pak Noja even clearly said he doesn’t welcome Obama’s election as much as the whole world seems to. There is another worry that, because his success was hugely due to the young generation’s support which was efficiently gathered through interactive technological gadgets such as web (facebook, twitter, blogs etc.), it will prevent the older generation from integration. Nevertheless, I think he’s been elected for the right moment, when the world is getting smaller, when its population is filled with more various identities, when working together is ever needed.
Elisabeth - When it comes to the USA’s international relations, many foresees the situations will not get better any soon. However, at least, he will not only follow the same way as Bush did. It’s already a change.
16 November 2008, 9:51 pm