Obama Fever

Please read the political disclaimer prior to this reading.

“Congratulations! Aren’t you excited?” my flatmate calls after me as I race down the stairs on my way to work.

It was the morning after the presidential elections and as joining one of the all-night U.S. election parties raging throughout London to watch the election results did not seem too appealing on a school night, I had wisely decided to wait until morning, waking up refreshed to discover Obama had won.

“Actually,” I respond honestly, and slightly confused at my own sudden fear, “I am a bit nervous.” and I ran out the door with my flatmate quizzically looking after me.

The whole day I am greeted by my colleagues with congratulatory comments, expressions of hope for the future of the U.S., and a sense of relief that “Americans actually made a right decision for once.” Nobody ever bothered to ask whether or not I had even voted for Obama, they all just assumed.

To eloquently put the opinion of the British and Europeans it would be as such;
Everyone is assumed to support Obama, if you support McCain you are;
1. the devil
2. uneducated and ignorant
3. an enemy to the rest of the world
4. any other negative connotation one can come up with

A supporter of McCain in Europe would NEVER admit that they were for fear of being attacked whether in the office, at a dinner party, or in the local pub. I did not come across one person who voted, or had they been able to vote in the U.S. election, would have voted for McCain…or at least admitted to it.

Photos of the two presidential candidates in the European papers all featured a handsome and smiling Obama alongside an angry, short and stiff-armed MCain. Obama was portrayed as the perfect leader, representing change and hope for a new world. McCain was weak, a protectionist representing a continued Bush regime comprising of policies based on national security formed by the self-interest of the U.S. without consideration for the rest of the world.

During the Democratic run-off, the papers, well the ones I read, would discuss in full detail Clinton and Obama’s various policies providing arguments for both. It was a vicious battle, albeit an excruciating long one, but at least one focused on platforms and policies…then suddenly these were forgotten.

The elections became about the fact that Obama was black, excuse me, half black, and from a poor family. McCain was a war veteran. Sarah Palin was a hockey mom. And who was Joe Biden? It was all about which candidate you could relate to, not who would be the best leader of the free world.

And as I went through my day, just like any other ordinary day, and non-American friend after friend and non-American colleague after colleague congratulated me on Obama’s win, more as a congratulation to themselves—most didn’t even ask who I voted for!- I almost grew uneasy. This devoted loyalty and faith in a man that the British, Europeans, and Americans alike have, simply because of his leadership qualities and great oratory skills was frightening. But Obama can create confidence, national pride, and promote change! But so could Hitler, and by this I do not mean to compare, but merely to make a point. I by no means believe Obama to be the next Hitler, but I am surprised as to how many of us Americans as well as almost all Europeans have based their decision on form over substance, emotion over logic. This statement not being one to necessarily indicate which of the candidates actually did have better substance which is highly debatable, but more to point out that many people’s preferential candidate was based on the wrong criteria.

I voted for Obama. Do I fully understand the majority of his policies? No. Do I even agree with most of them? Maybe some. Did most people who voted for him? Highly unlikely. Did anybody in the UK/Europe? Most certainly not.

Sitting at work that morning watching Obama’s acceptance speech on YouTube I couldn’t help the goose bumps which surfaced from his inspirational speech. His ability to restore confidence in our fearful country, confidence which is so desperately needed, is truly an amazing feat. This is why he won.

I voted for Obama. Of the two candidates, I am glad he won. I look forward to change. But to be honest, I did it for the wrong reasons. As did many others.

Political Disclaimer

Now, I am not a political person. I have opinions based on the information I have been exposed to. But when it comes to political discussions, I can be easily persuaded from side to side. I am a full believer in obtaining as many facts as possible before making a final and hard decision.

Perhaps this stems from my accounting background or the one too many financial due diligence projects I have done. But because of this I am therefore often aware that at times I do not truly have all of the necessary information to make a fully informative judgment and as such, arguing about politics has simply never been my thing. Often times I inherently and subconsciously doubt my own arguments and more than often I use points merely to establish a further idea to consider. I also realise however, that many people have certain views which regardless of a strong opposing argument, will never change.

My own personal guilty admittance which provides a good example of such obstinacy is that I, where while seeing myself as being relatively politically neutral, was shocked at Sarah Palin’s appointment as the Republican party’s vice president nominee. I was quite mortified that my country, the most powerful country in the world, could ever consider this woman, with no understanding of U.S. public policy, economics, and foreign affairs could be qualified to be vice president..and potentially president of the United States of America and by association the most powerful person in the world (something most Americans seem to forget). Nothing anyone could say would ever change my mind on this matter. I am sure she would make an excellent PTA President however, although I would never want to be on her committee.

Some people of course would disagree so strongly on my above opinion that a personal attack on me would be likely should a “friendly political discussion” ensue. I don’t like arguing, never have, and so have avoided most political discussions as sometimes, for the sake of relationships one should, something my parents learned very early on hence why they are still married some 30 years later.

However, many people in the States have been asking me what the European opinion on the elections were and I think the 100% Obama loyalty over here is certainly interesting and worth mentioning. And so, while I have previously avoided any hot topics such as politics, religion, and well, my personal life ;-), I have decided to change that as I think one thing I love about living overseas is not only gaining a new perspective on things but also increasing my understanding of the many different perspectives that are out there—whether they are right or wrong however can only be determined from one’s own frame of reference.

So with this being said, please read any sensitive blog post with a grain of salt. More often than not, they are written less to state fact and more to create insight. Enjoy!