Barack Obama Has Captivated the World (Dominates Newspaper Front Pages Abroad Wednesday)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Barack Obama has captivated the world

Newspaper front pages and TV newscasts feature photos and footage of 'the political giant slayer,' who is intensely popular across the globe. But not everyone is pleased with all his positions.

By Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 5, 2008
BEIRUT -- No one's tossing confetti or releasing balloons, but U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's ascent to likely Democratic Party presidential nominee has captivated many of those watching the American political contest abroad. Newspaper front pages and television newscasts throughout the world Wednesday featured photographs and footage of the smiling Illinois lawmaker, who a day earlier clinched the Democratic nomination by winning enough delegates to edge out Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The conservative French daily, Le Figaro, described him as "the man in a hurry who dethroned Hillary." The left-leaning London-based Guardian called him "a political giant slayer" who defeated his own party's entrenched interest. And in Mexico, an editorial cartoon in the daily Reforma depicted him as a Christ-like figure atop the Democratic donkey on Palm Sunday. "Obama's America on the doorstep of history," said a headline on the front page of As Safir, here in Lebanon.

Obama remains intensely popular throughout the world. According to a poll released this week by the pan-Arab Qatar-based Al Jazeera news channel, more than half of those interviewed in 22 countries preferred Obama over Clinton or Republican John McCain, who was the least recognized and least preferred presidential candidate. Even in stridently anti-American Iran, state-controlled television showed footage of Obama making a speech behind a podium bearing a placard reading, "Change."

"It's a matter of the heart. It's a matter of affiliation," said Radwan Abdullah, a professor of international relations at the University of Jordan in Amman. "He's a minority African American from the Third World. He was the underdog. People identify with his type."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-fg-worldreax5-2008jun05,0,1170616.story

[biscotti]

1. I had dinner Monday night

with a business colleague from over seas. He came right out and asked about the election and who I was supporting. I told him Obama. He said people
across the world are watching and hoping for a Democratic administration because The U.S. is a very powerful country and when we get in trouble economically the whole world shares the effects. Also that the esteem for our country has been tarnished or the last 7&1/2 years. I told him that on tuesday the last of the primary elections will be finished and that I was sure that Barack Obama would be the candidate and that Hilary would step aside (got one part right). He then talked about the 90's and how well the Clinton administration performed economically and involved allies in matters of foreign policies. He was thrilled at the prospect of a President Obama and felt that he would bring fresh reinvigorating healthy inter action with others across the world.

[peoli]

2. would love to see pics of them all

[greyl]

7. You may find them at newseum.org:

www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/

[Terre]

3. Last night on Daily Kos

Meteor Blades posted a diary titled: A Baker's Dozen of Int'l Headlines for Obama
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/4/04215/64856/30/528828

[Catch2.2]

4. Well...

Kind of backs up the Obama will restore America's reputation around the world better then McCain will theory.

[stillcool]

8. that was a great read. Thanks!

[Sam Ervin jret]

5. When (and I will dare say when) obama takes the oath of office there will be a sigh of relief heard

round the world that will ring like blessed angels singing.

It's been a LONG Bush administration for the whole world.

[matt007]

10. Jan 20 2009

I will take the next day off and get completely wasted partying. I will feel unbridled joy like I havent felt in years. God I can't wait.

[uppityperson]

6. Here's a link to "Today's Front Pages"

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/

[matt007]

9. God Damn I hope we dont screw this one up.

[Baby Snooks]

11. He captivated some of us as well!

He is the road to the future. For us. And for the world.

[JawJaw]

12. Good Feeling

Most of the news networks available in the UK were relaying Obama's speech live - albeit at about 3 in the morning. I was having trouble sleeping & turned on the TV out of boredom. Quite apart from the content of the speech I was struck by the natural delivery he had. If he was using a teleprompter, he is bloody good at it. Nothing like the fake grinning automatons one usually sees (See McCain's speech the same night.....).

It was *such* a pleasure to watch FoxNews squirming in the aftermath.