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November 5, 2008 |  2 comments |  Print | E-Mail Your Opinion  

From the Editorial Team

A New Day Rising After Election Night

From the Editorial Team: We spent the election night at a number of parties throughout Berlin. In light of the blithe atmosphere surrounding these events, we decided to ask fellow revelers a few questions regarding their election thoughts.

1) Obviously this election is keeping you up at night. What makes it so significant to you?
A large portion of people asked mentioned the chance for the first non-white president or that they wanted to celebrate a "regime change" in America. Here are some interesting answers:

  • "Worked hard at voter registration; Optimistic about results. Worthwhile party to be at. Don't want to miss the 'significant' moment."
    - Alan Benson from the USA

  • "I am here because the very message of hope is at stake. The past fifty years of American imperialism may come to an end."
    - Anonymus from the USA

  • "The US needs to improve its image according to the action it takes. Bush policies only favor a small percent of the population."
    - Anonymus from Israel/USA


2) Aside from the requisite State of the Union Address, what are the first two things the new president should do upon winning the oval office?
An overwhelming number of answers said the president should first close Guantanamo, fix or nationalize health care and end the Iraq War. Here are some more:

  • "1. State of the World Address - you owe us that. 2. A trip to Europe."
    - Julia from Germany/France

  • "1. Rethink the plan of stationing weapons in Poland. 2. Talk to the Iranian Government."
    - Benjamin from Germany

  • "What should they or what would they do? They will first re-evaluate the number of promises they will have made and because of such they reduce their to-do-list considerably or face bust. What should they do? Learn from the onset to set out with their promises without thought of re-election. Ok, this is a bit utopian."
    - Oliver B. from the USA

3) If you could construct a super-president using features from U.S. and European leaders, what would this president be like?
This was a tough question for most people but these answers definitely are worth a look:

  • "Smart like Angela with a big social-consience and a will for revolution like Joschka Fischer."
    - Tolga and Daniel from Germany

  • "A mild mixture of Willy Brandt and Benjamin Franklin!"
    - Edgar from Poland

  • "Dress well like Sarkozy, stick to his guns like Putin, search for dialog like Merkel, avoid gaffs like Berlusconi, have a fun yet dignified demeanor like Queen Beatrix, and have challenging, real life-experience which both Obama and McCain have had."
    - Oliver from the USA

  • "Just send in a wise Native-American chief and be done with it. Or Gandhi."
    - Paul B. from Ireland


4) What do you hope to see from a post-Bush world?
Lots of answers here included better environmental standards, the end of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and, above all, more peace and better cooperation:

  • "A better and softer approach to world issues. Respect for human life as well must give America a face-lift."
    - Harry Kambom from Zambia

  • "A better understanding and cooperation between Europe and the US."
    - Björn from Germany

  • "More international cooperation, which should benefit the US a great deal, too. Less isolationism on the part of the US. More willingness on part of the Europeans to follow the US into armed conflicts."
    - Sascha from Germany

  • "New international alliances, less fear mongering, a recognition that the actions of one country can effect so many others, a new sense of 'us,' an interrelatedness."
    - Ryan T. from the USA

  • "I can be proud of my country again!"
    - Raquel C. from the USA


Dear members: Now it is your turn. Tell us what you think, answer the questions or discuss what is mentioned here.

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Marek  Swierczynski

November 5, 2008

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I like this comment! What's this?
Europe's fascination with "Obama The Candidate" may quickly turn into disappointment with "Obama The President". Given Obama's agenda and the realities that he will take over from Bush, his attention will focus entirely on US internal problems, which of course are so a great extent the world's problems. But it seems clear that his willingness to cooperation and multilateralism will mean outsourcing the trouble-shooting capabilities from Europe, international bodies and elsewhere. And that will mean more burden and responsibility on Europe and international bodies, not less. If that's to be refunded by his charm, we'll see. Surely, he will enjoy the honeymoon period and much will be promised to him in Europe. But whether as much will be delivered, remains to be seen. Anyway, he may be charming but equally a demanding partner.
Tags: | charm vs burden |
 
Donald  Stadler

November 5, 2008

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I like this comment! What's this?
"I can be proud of my country again!"

I have always been proud of my country, although less proud of certain things like this statement. Tonight I am even more proud, if a little apprehensive.

Marek, I think you will eventually be proved correct, but only after a honeymoon and the first crisis effecting Europe or European attitudes.
 

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