U.N. for Obama

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by JCL

If you separate the UN out, and go to the broader question, is the US more likely to embrace multilateralism under McCain or Obama? Obama speaks about it more, and has a more multi-cultural background, but McCain has spoken about a league of countries (ie not the UN) and his support of free trade fits with the idea of a more open US administration.

My suspicion is that it is the interest in multilateralism that causes many non-US citizens to appear more supportive of Obama, not their interest in the UN as an organization.

My guess is that many non-US citizens view McCain as more Bush, which is not really accurate. I think they have also heard all of the things Obama is promising and it sounds great, but they don't realize that he will never be able to accomplish what he has promised.

You can't make everyone happy, and that is what Obama is trying to do right now, we will see how that plays out when he has to make actual decisions. My guess is that people are going to feel differently.

With all due respect, I wan't to make as many other nations as happy with the U.S. as possible, but I am more interested in us first and I smell too much BS from Obama.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by FSETH

My guess is that many non-US citizens view McCain as more Bush, which is not really accurate. I think they have also heard all of the things Obama is promising and it sounds great, but they don't realize that he will never be able to accomplish what he has promised.

You can't make everyone happy, and that is what Obama is trying to do right now, we will see how that plays out when he has to make actual decisions. My guess is that people are going to feel differently.

With all due respect, I wan't to make as many other nations as happy with the U.S. as possible, but I am more interested in us first and I smell too much BS from Obama.

I think that many non-US citizens don't equate McCain with Bush personally as much as they think of the same party (the associated Republican team) carrying on. Agree that there is an anti-Bush sentiment.

The things Obama is promising in terms of health care, education, or whatever, have little impact outside the US and don't really get our attention. Military policies do matter. I do think that the idea of more open relations with the US, perhaps fairer global policies and a more outward looking view than Bush had, are attractive.

That said, Obama's lack of support for free trade should make those same foreigners nervous. The relations card seems to carry more weight than the fear of economic sanctions.

In no way am I suggesting that you vote to try and make foreigners happy. Your vote has to be about what you believe is best for the US. There are just some suggesting that more getting along, and fewer unilateral approaches to international issues, might be good for the US.

Interesting discussion, thanks.

[stef]

Originally Posted by JCL

However, if the question at hand speaks more to America's relations with the world (and the UN, in this case) then it seems to me that it directly affects those citizens of the world. That is because Americans can then reflect on how they are seen in the world (for all the good, and the bad). For those in the US that don't care about those perceptions, no problem, it is their vote and they can do as they wish. For those that do care, the discussions may be relevant.

Very smart point of view, but in my mind, expressing what in my mind could be the best for a foreign country is nearly ingerance.

Originally Posted by FSETH

My guess is that many non-US citizens view McCain as more Bush, which is not really accurate. I think they have also heard all of the things Obama is promising and it sounds great, but they don't realize that he will never be able to accomplish what he has promised.

With all due respect, I wan't to make as many other nations as happy with the U.S. as possible, but I am more interested in us first and I smell too much BS from Obama.

That's my opinion, it's clear that Mc Cain is very different than Bush despite they are republican. But I'm not sure it's politics will change radically from the actual way of leading the country.

Of course Obama, as every politician in the world says BS, that a part of beeing a politician !

Lots of french people are really interesed in american election, there are TV-debate every weeks about it. Of course I have my own opinion & wish, but I have to stay neutral and respect the american's people vote.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by JCL

I think that many non-US citizens don't equate McCain with Bush personally as much as they think of the same party (the associated Republican team) carrying on.

I agree. That is partially what I meant by more Bush (Republican policy).

I have family in Australia and from what they have told me, Obama is in the news and on TV all the time. It seems like he can do no wrong and McCain isn't on TV or talked about nearly as much. They told me that Palin's $150k in clothes is the biggest story going for McCain.

I would imagine that for outside countries looking in Obama looks like an obvious choice. He is a Democrat, which is completely oppoisite of the Republican party and he is a younger black man as opposed to an older white man. He is about as much different from Bush as you can get, but here are my feelings on the whole situation. I 100% want change from Bush, but Obama may be too drastic of a change in a direction that I don't want to go. Sort of like when you are driving your car and veer off of the road a little. If you turn the wheel all the way in the opposite direction you can lose control, but just a subtle turn of the wheel in the opposite direction can get you safely back on track. That is what I feel McCain brings to the table. Real change to get us back on track. Obama would be a jerk of the wheel, IMO.

[Dannyell]

Originally Posted by stef

I totally agree with that.
I'm a foreigner so I have to respect the american people's vote without expressing myself on who do I think is better for america !

The only people who have to discuss about the best candidate are these who are able to vote.

Why would you say that...especially in US where if not here, then I don't know where you can express yourself...It is not about influencing voters, its about your opinion you can't be wrong for wanting one candidate to over over the other no matter where you are from...

[Scottie]

I'm a foreigner. I don't see McCain as Bush.

I hope who ever gets in next week can deliver on their promises that they have made to Americans.