Obama must curb our enthusiasm

[IndianaGreen]

A point of view from across the pond, and a sad commentary on our insularity.

Obama must curb our enthusiasm

While the world wants to show its support for the Democrats' nominee, foreign popularity is no votewinner in the US

Jonathan Freedland
guardian.co.uk,
Sunday July 20, 2008

There will be much jostling for position in the chancelleries of Europe and the Middle East this week, as political types from London to Jerusalem compete for the hottest ticket of 2008: the chance to sit down with Barack Obama. David Cameron's team wasted no time in bellowing their delight that they had bagged a meeting with the Democrats' anointed leader, scheduled for July 26, announcing it before Downing Street had so much as opened its mouth. The distracted newspaper reader could be forgiven for thinking that Obama is crossing the Atlantic solely to meet the leader of the Conservative party, leaving Gordon Brown out in the cold.

There'll be versions of that little drama played out everywhere the Democratic nominee goes on his grand tour, as local pols compete like kids in the playground to show that they're Obama's bestest best friend.

What of the rest of us? The US media is assuming that we'll be turning out in massive numbers, all but throwing street parades for the new American saviour. Setting the bar high, Obama's team is said to be encouraging parallels between the candidate's upcoming visit to Germany and John F Kennedy's legendary Ich Bin Ein Berliner address in 1963.

Obviously a warm reception can only be good for the Illinois senator. But maybe not that warm. After all, one of the hoariest Republican attack lines deployed against Democratic opponents is that they are vaguely foreign, somehow more comfortable abroad, and therefore likely to put America's interests second – after those of their elitist friends in Europe. Remember the Republican nickname for the Democratic nominee of 2004? They called him "Jean Cherie".

If Europeans really want to help Barack Obama next week they should repress their enthusiasm for him – and stay home. Ensure those crowds are thin and lethargic; maybe even offer the odd heckle, perhaps while brandishing a hostile placard. Let the travelling US press report that Obama is not so popular with foreigners after all: nothing will endear him more to the American public.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/20/barackobama.eu

[Skittles]

1. I think that's crap

the contrast between the attention Bush and McSame receive and the attention Obama receives is something the American public NEEDS TO SEE

[Quantess]

2. Unless Larry David wrote it,

and we can tell he didn't, because it isn't funny. Lets NOT curb your enthusiasm, LOL.