Reaction from around the world/Do you even care?
 

Hey folks, thought I'd post this just to show you what some of the rest
of the world's reaction is to the election results.
My own country's leader reaction, Stephen Harper, was lukewarm
at best. But then again, he's the most conservative leader we've had
in fifty or so years.

Does this make any difference to you guys?

Original article here:
BBC NEWS | Americas | US Elections 2008 | In quotes: US election reaction

I added the original links to other stories which expand on certain areas
of the world and their reaction to the election results.

In quotes: US election reaction

Democratic Senator Barack Obama will take his place in the White House after a long and hard-fought campaign, defeating Republican rival John McCain to become the first black president of the United States.

Leaders from around the globe have been giving their reaction to this historic victory.

REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER JOHN McCAIN

"We have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken and they have spoken clearly.

"This campaign was and will remain the great honour of my life. My heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience, and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honour of leading us for the next four years."

US PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH

"Mr President-elect, congratulations to you. What an awesome night for you, your family and your supporters.

"I promise to make this a smooth transition. You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself."

UK PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN

"This is a moment that will live in history as long as history books are written.

"Barack Obama ran an inspirational campaign, energising politics with his progressive values and his vision for the future."
BBC NEWS | UK | UK Politics | Brown and Cameron in Obama clash

EUROPEAN COMMISSION CHIEF JOSE MANUEL BARROSO

"This is a time for a renewed commitment between Europe and the United States of America. We need to change the current crisis into a new opportunity. We need a new deal for a new world.

"I sincerely hope that with the leadership of President Obama, the United States of America will join forces with Europe to drive this new deal - for the benefit of our societies, for the benefit of the world."

BBC NEWS | Europe | Europe leaders hail Obama victory

KENYAN PRESIDENT MWAI KIBAKI

"The victory of Senator Obama is our own victory because of his roots here in Kenya. As a country, we are full of pride for his success.

"I am confident that your presidency shall herald a new chapter of dialogue between the American people and the world at large."

BBC NEWS | Africa | Kenya declares holiday for Obama

FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA

"Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place.

"We wish you strength and fortitude in the challenging days and years that lie ahead."

ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER TZIPI LIVNI

"Israel expects the close strategic co-operation with the new administration, president and Congress will continue along with the continued strengthening of the special and unshakeable special relationship between the two countries."
BBC NEWS | Americas | US Elections 2008 | Mid-East leaders welcome Obama

PALESTINIAN LEADER MAHMOUD ABBAS

"President Abbas congratulates US President-elect Barack Obama in his name and in the name of the Palestinian people, and hopes he will speed up efforts to achieve peace, particularly since a resolution of the Palestinian problem and the Israeli-Arab conflict is key to world peace."

ADVISER TO IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NOURI MALIKI, SADEQ RIQABI

"The American people have presented a tremendous example to the world by ignoring racist attitudes - and this is an unprecedented example of democracy.

"We in Iraq, with our newly-born democracy, look forward to working with the United States."

AIDE TO IRAN'S AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI, ALI AGHAMOHAMMADI

"The president-elect has promised changes in policies. There is a capacity for the improvement of ties between America and Iran if Obama pursues his campaign promises, including not confronting other countries as Bush did in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also concentrating on America's state matters and removing the American people's concerns."

ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY GENERAL AMR MUSA
"I stress the importance of the message that Mr Obama has never ceased to send, which is we all need change and that is what we do expect from the new leader of the United States.

"We need an American policy based on honest brokership."

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH
"Your extraordinary journey to the White House will inspire people not only in your country but also around the world."

South Asia hails Obama's victory

PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER YOUSUF RAZA GILANI

"Your election marks a new chapter in the remarkable history of the United States. For long, the ideas of democracy, liberty and freedom espoused by the United States has been a source of inspiration. I hope that under your dynamic leadership, the United States will continue to be a source of global peace and new ideas for humanity."

AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI

"I applaud the American people for their great decision and I hope that this new administration in the United States of America, and the fact of the massive show of concern for human beings and lack of interest in race and colour while electing the president, will go a long way in bringing the same values to the rest of world sooner or later.

"I [hope] President Obama's coming into office will bring peace to Afghanistan, life to Afghanistan and prosperity to the Afghan people and to the rest of the world."

POPE BENEDICT'S SPOKESMAN REV FEDERICO LOMBARDI
"Believers are praying that God will enlighten him and help him in his great responsibility, which is enormous because of the global importance of the United States. We hope Obama can fulfil the expectations and hopes that many have in him."

RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER GRIGORY KARASIN

"The news we are receiving on the results of the American presidential election shows that everyone has the right to hope for a freshening of US approaches to all the most complex issues, including foreign policy and therefore relations with the Russian Federation as well."

FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY

"I give you my warmest congratulations and, through me, those of all French people. Your brilliant victory rewards a tireless commitment to serve the American people.

"By choosing you, the American people have chosen change, openness and optimism. At a time when all of us must face huge challenges together, your election raises great hope in France, in Europe and elsewhere in the world."

GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL

"The world faces significant challenges at the start of your term. I am convinced that Europe and the United States will work closely and in a spirit of mutual trust together to confront new dangers and risks and will seize the opportunities presented by our global world."

DUTCH PRIME MINISTER JAN PETER BALKENENDE

"The necessity for co-operation between Europe and the United States is bigger than ever. Only by close transatlantic co-operation can we face the world's challenges."

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER

"I look forward to meeting with the president-elect so that we can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the United States."

CHINESE PRESIDENT HU JINTAO

"In a new historical era, I look forward to taking our bilateral relationship of constructive co-operation to a new level."

BBC NEWS | South Asia | South Asia hails Obama's victory

AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER KEVIN RUDD

"Forty-five years ago Martin Luther King had a dream of an America where men and women would be judged not on the colour of their skin but on the content of their character.

"Today what America has done is turn that dream into a reality."

NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER HELEN CLARK

"Senator Obama will be taking office at a critical juncture. There are many pressing challenges facing the international community, including the global financial crisis and global warming.

"We look forward to working closely with President-elect Obama and his team to address these challenges."

JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER TARO ASO

"As the world faces many difficult issues, I am sure that the United States, under the excellent leadership of President-elect Obama, will move further forward while co-operating with the international community.

"With President-elect Obama, I will strengthen the Japan-US alliance further and work towards resolving global issues such as the world economy, terror and the environment."

INDONESIAN PRESIDENT SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO

"Indonesia especially hopes that the US, under new leadership, will stand in the front and take real action to overcome the global financial crisis, especially since the crisis was triggered by the financial conditions in the US."

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

"We welcome his triumph in the same vein that we place the integrity of the US electoral process and the choices made by the American people in high regard. We likewise note the making of history with the election of Senator Obama as the first African-American president of the United States."

SUDANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ALI AL-SADIG

"We don't expect any change through our previous experience with the Democrats. When it comes to foreign policy there is no difference between the Republicans and the Democrats."

SOMALI PRESIDENT ABDULLAHI YUSUF AHMED

"I am hopeful that [Barack Obama] will help end major crises in the world, particularly the endless conflict in my country Somalia.

"This was a historic election in which a proper leader was elected. This is a great moment for America and Africa."

SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT KGALEMA MOTLANTHE

"Africa, which today stands proud of your achievements, can only but look forward to a fruitful working relationship with you both at a bilateral and multilateral levels in our endeavour to create a better world for all who live in it."

"Awesome"?

Jebus. how HOW did we elect this guy TWICE?

He is a very international president-elect. Part Kenyan, born in Hawaii, raised for several years in Indonesia - a big departure from the mold. I think this, along with extreme dislike of the Bush regime, is why he is so popular outside the US.

Yes I care. These are the people that we work with and we are all living on the same planet.

Yes, we care. The fact that we've seen that one man can begin to make a difference now has huge meaning and gives us hope for renewal of our image and even an idealistic hope for unity on an international level.

Those Sudanese... Maybe if they got their house in order, they would learn to expect a different reaction from foreign policy.

Obama being an internationalist was of the top 3 reasons that I voted for him, so yes, I care as someone living in abroad (with 2 passports), and I care as an American who has been living in shame of one of her countries for the last 8 years. I wanted international redemption, and we got it. I feel as if a massive burden has been lifted off my shoulders, as someone who is the only natural-born citizen in her entire family and with close friends in a multitude of countries. This is my kind of president.

Sorry about the title, it was a tad disingenous on my part
 

Title kinda says it all. I pulled the trigger a wee bit quick, no offence meant.
I suppose I wonder what it must be like to be in the fishbowl called the
States.
It's a fact that as a giant you might step on (comparative) fleas and not even
notice. Believe me, the fleas notice.
I actual like the Sudanese reaction, in that they cut through normal lyin....
I mean, diplomacy, and said something not often heard on the world stage.

Look at what my Prime Minister said:
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER

"I look forward to meeting with the president-elect so that we can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the United States."

Proper, diplomatic, and sure to mention the words "special bond".

Here's China:
CHINESE PRESIDENT HU JINTAO

"In a new historical era, I look forward to taking our bilateral relationship of constructive co-operation to a new level."

Proper, diplomatic, and sure to implicitly state their equality with
the U.S.

Essentially, the Sudanese are saying, either way, they will fuck us.

I'm not saying I agree with the Sudanese Gov't in any way, shape, or form.
I just appreciate that they are being brazen about their indifference to what
we (Hell, Canada is close enough) think.

I care, but caring has to take a back seat to 4 years of very, very hard work. We've got fences to mend and broken systems to fix.

I personally don't give a damn what other world leaders think, especially from countries like china. Our goal isn't to do what other countries think we should do, especially in light of the supposed one world government that the UN is pushing, but to provide an opportunity for individual freedom. We certainly can't do that if communist governments approve of our new president elect.

mend the fences, fix the system. If Obama and the dems can decrease the political divide in this nation with persuasion instead of forced policies, i'll be impressed.

"the one world government that the un is pushing"?
you on the lookout for black helicopters?
is that still fashionable?

whether you like or admit it or not, the united states is not and has not really ever been isolated, separate from the rest of the world.
so of course it matters what other countries think of the situation in the us.
congratulatory messages right on top of an election are not necessarily the best indicator of anything--except perhaps as a measure of the sigh of relief experienced in most places that the bush administration is now closer than ever to being a thing of the past. i'm thinking about having a good bye party for the bush people.

I do care because it means it will make traveling easier/less hostile for Americans. I care because it will help bridge gaps with international politics, and put the US in a better light to other countries.

That's for sure. I have probably traveled more internationally during the Bush years (my 20s) than during any other administration before it (and also lived abroad for 3 years), and I have witnessed a great deal of change in the attitudes towards Americans while abroad. I remember on 9/11 going to the US embassy in Iceland to sign the book of condolences that the Icelandic nation was preparing to send to the US. There was a line of people stretching for several blocks down the street, waiting patiently just to sign their name. Most of them were Icelanders. It blew my mind.

But from that point on, the sympathy and support for the US slowly eroded, to the point where it just became easier to use my Icelandic passport to cross many borders. I look forward to no longer being ashamed (or afraid!) of my American passport. What a relief it is to feel the shame lifted off our shoulders as a nation again, and to hear the sincere joy in the voices of others countries' citizens as they congratulate us on our vote!

tin foil is all the rage now. :rolleyes:
seriously, how long have you been an adult? How long have you been paying ANY attention to international politics? Or do you just discount anything that doesn't fit in with your perceptions?

no it doesn't. does it matter what we think of china? they obviously don't care so why should it be our onus?

It mattered what you thought of Iraq, didn't it?

I don't understand how anyone can't care even just a little bit about what others think of the U.S. Do you not realize the importance of global trade, of international relations, of diplomacy outside of your borders?

Are you suggesting that having foreign diplomats is a waste of time and resources?

What are you saying, exactly?

DK, don't make me break out my abaya_suddeth guns on you!... let's keep things civil around here.

I'm saying 'we are who we are'. Nothing more, nothing less. If countries don't like us, fine. If they want to do business and trade with us, fine. But I see absolutely no reason to change who we are as a nation so people will be happy with us.
-----Added 7/11/2008 at 12 : 32 : 31-----
I'm not in the mood to have my attitude changed to laughter. Don't do me like that. :)

Let's just call it a friendly warning, aimed at defusing the heated tone of this conversation.

Straight up: your remarks directed at roachboy were unhelpful and bordered on flaming. Let's keep it civil, gentlemen.

We can't go around saying "screw the rest of the world, we're Americans hear us roar!" We just end up looking like a bunch of arroagnt money grubbing whores. We should care what the rest of the worl thinks of us because it not like we can secede from the planet. We are all on one planet and if nothing else we need to at least try to get along.

I know some may say well other countries don't try but all of our mothers have taught us to be the bigger person and set an example for others. Its called respect treat others the way you want to be treated. If only everyone remembered that one simple word.

What the rest of the world thinks is important to a certain point. However, if they don't want us telling them what to do then we should take the same approach.

Every nation is different. We shouldn't be doing things other countries suggest or demand just so they like us.

There's the usual diplomatic courtesy, and then you have this from Berlusconi.

Nicely said. And yet, that is exactly what so many would like to believe we can do... hearkening back to ye olde days of isolationism, or the more modern days of unilateral action. I wonder sometimes if some Americans really *would* like us to secede from the rest of the world... and if they have thought through what the ramifications of such an action would be.

True abaya, sometimes I feel like we should get out of the UN but then other times I worry what that would cause. I hate that we feel like we always have to be the police men and/or big brother to the rest of the world and on the same note I hate the fact that some parts of the world have started to expect this kind of action from us.

We're damned if we do and damned if we don't.

I am super excited about Obama. Although initially unimpressed with opening the trade agreement, I could possibly forsee this working more for Canada. Also, I really want the US' reputation throughout the world to improve, as I have family and have lived in the US for a significant time, there are people in the US not like the way the world views them. Although there are some of the bad ones too, its a good country.

I don't think it's a good thing to care about what countries like Iran think about the United States. The United States will always be hated to some degree because of our power relative to the rest of the world, and I'm OK with that. Whether we are hated or loved means very little.

Although not a country, I'm sure Al Qaeda welcomes our new leader. Anybody who promises to pull U.S. forces out of Iraq based on an artificial timeline, regardless of conditions on the ground, gives Al Qaeda some time to lay low and prepare to consolidate their gains as soon as we leave.

I don't take a lot of stock in canned political responses right after an election. It's nice, I guess, that they send they're "grats" towards Obama, but I don't think that changes much.

We'll see what their responses are when America asks them to put away nuclear arms or let us inspect this or that.

Business as usual.

Because we have such an international economy now, it is important what other nations' leaders think of us in terms of diplomacy. I couldn't care less if a leader is like for his/her hairstyle, family, etc but it is important to at least be on speaking terms with these countries. With a nation as large as America (size, economically, population), we are going to hear reaction from other countries. Hearing good things is better than hearing negative things.

I found Iran's comments to sound like "that is great as long as it gets something for us". Not as happy as some of the others.

I'm sure that with Obama winning, much of the world is cautiously optimistic that they won't have to deal with another "cowboy". I still think that the average poster on these forums could have predicted if not written their responses.

Nice that the rest of the world is ready to talk to us again? Sure, why not. Any new democratic elected President would likely have gotten the same response, imo.

Interesting responses folks, well worth the read. I started a long winded diatribe about how we had better address the wrongs of the past towards other cultures before they (inevitably) get the upper hand. About how we had better appreciate that a lot our present ascendancy is due to our ability to make war and exploit resources. But then again, that's not even close to all of truth.
Why do I think it belongs here? Are Grolsch's meds kicking in again? (Answer: well, yes)
Here's the point. As Nations, I think we all have a responsibility to be good neighbours. To respect other cultures, to not take advantage of their weaknesses (or at least to minimize it). The best reason why is self preservation. To wit: remember little Timmy from Grade 2 who everybody picked on? Well, he's been doing MMA for the past 20 years and he's looking to even things up. Nations have long memories.
That's why I think it matters, what others think. It helps me by getting a view from outside my narrow little world. Of course you weigh their opinions carefully, and consider the source.
For those of you who think it doesn't matter, read a little history. You have heard of Rome, right?

No one clicked on the Berlusconi link? It's an English subtitled video showing his «È giovane, è bello e anche abbronzato» remark and a few reactions to it.

I'm curious to know what people think of it, because it seems to have touched off a little controversy in Italy itself.

I do care. just another reason I didn't vote for an old waspy angry POS.

bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran....oh that would have been AWSOME ???

it'll be nice to know, when my President goes abroad, representing my country he isn't a total idiot, can speak intelligently, has some grace and sophistication, is capable of learning some phrases (at least) of other languages...etc.

Berlusconi has always been an ass and it doesn't seem like he has any intention to stop.

I clicked on it. I was quite interested by the reactions of the people that were shown.
They were mildly irritated, sort like a parent to an erring child. His comments were (to me)
comically irritating, until I remember that he's supposed to represent a fairly large country.
Seems they have there own Bush Jr., don't they?
Berlusconi's gaffes are even worse than Bush's sometimes. Here's a few from the Chinese Communist
Party's website (I read a lot of papers, it seems LOL google) ;
Italian PM Berlusconi's gaffes and quips

Here are some memorable quotes from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's time in office:

*February 2006: "I am the Jesus Christ of politics," Italian media quoted him as telling supporters.

*September 2004: "Mussolini never killed anyone," Berlusconi tells the Spectator magazine, replying "yes" when asked if he thought the World War II dictator was "benign."

*October 2002: "Rasmussen is not only a great colleague, he's also the best-looking prime minister in Europe," Berlusconi said of his Danish counterpart, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Source:China Daily

It feels good to be liked, of course. But it's not the most important thing.

While the world hugs us, let's keep our hands on our wallet and our powder dry.

I think all of these quotes illustrate how important our influence is to the rest of the world. Isolation is not the answer when so many depend on us.