Internationals and the U.S. Election

The U.S. bites their political fingernails just days before the election, while internationals have mixed views about its significance but a clear choice of a candidate. One thing’s for certain: if the world could weigh on next week’s election, Sen. Obama would receive some serious global support.

According to a recent Gallup Poll surveying 3.2 billon citizens of 73 different countries 24 percent of internationals prefer Obama in contrast to 7 percent who prefer McCain.

Some of the strongest support comes from Europeans whom, if given a stake in the election, would ensure a landslide Obama victory.

“If I could vote I would vote for Obama because for me he represents the change not only of the national direction but international,” said Alberto Arévalo, an international lawyer living in Barcelona. “Normally from experience we’ve learned not to trust presidents, but with Obama I’m sure there will be change.”

More than 60 percent of Europeans believe a new U.S. president will have an impact on their nation and Obama is the favorite with 65 percent of the population preferring him.

The European leg of Obama’s world tour can be credited for the spread of “Obamamania” across the pond. His Berlin speech led to the German press dubbing him the “The New Kennedy” and one Frankfurt editorial screaming the headline “Lincoln, Kennedy, Obama.”

However, the international view of the election is a patchwork of opinions. A whopping 69 percent of world-citizens didn’t state a presidential preference and typically don’t believe the election makes a difference in their country.

“First of all it’s not my country,” said Sienae Kim, an interior design student from Seoul. “It’s not happening in my country and secondly I don’t really know about the political things and third I don’t believe what they’re saying.”

U.S. political attitudes in South Korea have gaping generational differences. The “386-generation,” known for anti-American sentiment and Korean nationalism, are stark contrasts of their war-era parents. Still, Obama fans represent a significant portion of the country. Kim says if made to choose she would pick Obama because she believes McCain equals Bush.

“When you’re disappointed with something you look forward to a new person,” she said.

Others believe the election has proved to be more of a media sensation than anything else.

“It’s kind of horrible how much we do know about the American system,” said Wendi Smallwood, a Canadian English teacher. “We should know more about our own country,” Smallwood said she purposely tries to avoid reading U.S. news but believes Obama would prove a better president.

“It seems like he’s a bit more concerned with education and medical insurance rather than going and bombing the world,” she said. “Obama seems more willing to be a team player in the international community rather than a vigilante.”

Published in University Star, October 29, 2008, Volume 98, No. 27