Euro Reaction to Obama Victory
Obama Fan
It was pretty amazing to see the reaction to Obama’s victory, all over Europe. I spent the week in Cannes, and heard multiple stories about airplanes breaking out in cheers when the news was announced. All of the papers were full of news and analysis, and the “Financial Times” devoted several pages to the story, even including a full-page biography.
After living in Europe and experiencing first-hand the increasingly negative perception of America, I gotta say it was nice seeing Brand America getting such a boost.
Speaking of boost, I was in a Lebanese restaurant with 3 co-workers when these 3 bright young things in halter tops and hot pants came jiggling into our little restaurant, chanting “Oh-Ba-Ma; Oh-Ba-Ma; Oh-Ba-Ma!” They went up to the counter of the restaurant, and started dancing with the staff, which turned off the sound on the soccer game and turned on dance music. This went on for awhile, until it dawned on me that they came from the ‘club’ two doors down. Mark remarked “It must be a slow night,” while Tom grabbed the above and a couple other hurried shots on his phone.
I told Mark that it was important to explain to the ladies that we were not only Americans, but had actually voted for Obama. Mark got kind of a mischievous grin, and started waving them over to our table. It took several tries, but the blond (above) eventually seemed to get it, leaning down and giving Mark a big smooch on the cheek. Tom and I haven’t washed our bald spots since that night.
Its nice to see people getting excited about politics again.
November 11th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Golly!!
Last week after the election I heard a US radio call-in show in which people from around the world called in and rejoiced at the Obama victory. Some said they wanted the US to take a leadership role in the world, but that they wanted smart and competent US leadership, not ignorant and blinkered ideology.