French view of the elections today

[reggie the dog]

All the talk on talk radio here, left or right, is about the USA and the elections. Right now they are going on now saying how great it is that the USA seperated religion and state in its constitution and how we swear oaths on religious books too. They all, left or right, endorse Obama. They explained that even very rich people like George Soros support Obama because the rich know that the system must accept much more regulation or it risks collapsing into communism again. THE POLITICAL ANALYISTS ARE SAYING THAT THIS ELECTION REPRESENTS A PEACEFULL REVOLUTION IN THE USA AKIN TO THE ELECTIONS OF REAGAN OR FDR! As I said they are all for Obama, it is so reassuring, how are things going over there in the USA? it is about 8 am GMT or 9 am here in France. I voted Obama by mail, rode my bike from a little village up in the mountains up into town to go to the post office. Today I am wearing all blue capped off by my old University of Illinois at Chicago sweatshirt. Folks around town in the shops I go to frequently are all asking me questions about the election. I repeat I am NOT IN THE USA! Peace and good luck from Draguignan, Var, France.

[girl gone mad]

1. Thanks for your story.

We are all hoping for a landslide. I think many sense that this is a once in a generation election, and a victory for Obama would signify a peaceful revolution and true generational change.

Hard times lie ahead, but Obama is an inspiring, historic figure. We hope he can unify us and we can pull through.

[lutherj]

2. You are one lucky dude. I wish I was in southern France. nt

[OffWithTheirHeads]

3. I'm trying to download patriotic songs from i-tunes

Like Fleetwood mack "Don't stop thinking about tomorrow" and I keep getting timed out. I think this is a good thing!

[flygal]

11. I can't get that song out of my head

It's our 1992 all over again :bounce:

[Greyhound]

15. Lets hope it doesn't end up as a repeat of that administration.

Compared to the travesty of the last 8 years it was great, but overall Clinton's was even less democratic that Carter's and set up the last maladministration.
:kick:

[flygal]

16. And on that I'll agree with you on

but it was fun to win in '92! :)

[Greyhound]

19. Indeed.

[TahitiNut]

4. Tell me about it! That'd be a terrific place to live ... easy drive to Cannes, Nice and Marseilles.

The somewhat warmer Mediterranean climate and the back country air ... wonderful. This old fart would give body parts to live there.

(sigh)

[reggie the dog]

5. I drive about seven miles

then take the train to all of those cities you mention, it is much easier than driving all the way.

[TahitiNut]

6. I loved taking the train in France. They're a pleasure ... and convenient.

I was surprised at how contrary to stereotype the people behave - France vs. Germany - though. In France, folks tend to keep to themselves and not make eye contact unless greeted first. In Germany, folks enter the compartment and gregariously say "Guten Tag! Wie geht es Ihnen?" looking at the others. As an American, I was like a kid in a candy shop ... like being in an adult liberal's version of Disneyland. No matter where I went in France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg, or Belgium, people were engaging, interesting, helpful, welcoming, and pleasant when I introduced myself (making the maximum attempt to speak the local language that I was able). During the months I worked just outside Paris, not a day went by that I wasn't presented with another fascinating perspective. I adore France. Paris, Normandy, the Jura, the Loire, the champagne district, everywhere I traveled ... I was met as an adult by adults ... pleasant, direct, humorous, and intelligent.

[The Doctor.]

7. The differences between Paris and Nice are huge.

Parisiennes tend to be closer to our stereotypes while Niciennes are actually pretty laid back and 'nice'. All in all they are far nicer than most Americans think.

I LOVE swimming in the Mediterranean too.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

13. I spent a year in Nice in 1999

It's hard to believe a place on Earth can be so beautiful. And I miss those pan bagnas, soupe de poissons avec rouille, salade Niçoise, the incredible pizza, and of course the greatest bread in the world. I envy you.

[The Doctor.]

17. Actually, I was there nearly ten years before that.

I don't recommend buying fruit from the street vendors, and I can say that they rival Los Vegas in pickpockets, but EVERYTHING else was SO perfect.

The best part was being so bouyant in the Mediterranean. We literally treaded water for hours with so little effort hundreds of yards out. It was just wonderful.

[barbtries]

8. it's looking very good from all i've heard

obama's got a big lead in the polls and i believe that the republicans will not be able to steal this one.

[FlaGatorJD]

10. I love that area . . . . .

My favorite is Cap D'Antibe, but St. Tropez, Cannes, and Nice are all great.
I also enjoyed Avignon.

Thanks for the update from the other side of the pond.

[nichomachus]

9. I just talked to a US friend who is in London on business

He said that's all people are talking about. Cab drivers want to know right away if he voted. He says he did. They're telling him it's important for everyone to vote because Bush has done so much damage and the US needs to change course.

I think that, other than Israel and Saudia Arabia, Bush is pretty much despised and those two countries only say nice things because they're still using him.

[2Design]

12. ok - how do I get to live in France - that is where I want to be

I must work too

[Barack_Obama]

14. Sarkozy-Palin Phone Call

All I know about French politics is what I learned from the famous Sarkozy-Palin phone call:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbEwKcs-7Hc

[gula]

18. They're NOT French, but Quebeckers from Montreal, Canada

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

20. I'm watching the French TV station TV5 that I get on Dish Network

They've suspended regular programming and are devoting all their air time to the U.S. election. They've had background reports on John McCain and Barack Obama and they've been interviewing lots of economists, journalists, writers, and political personalities from France and throughout Europe. They just had Bernard-Henry Levy on, who's written extensively about the United States. They've also been covering the immense interest in this election in the continent of Africa. It seems that not only Europe is euphoric about this election. People across the African continent are celebrating. They're covering this election non-stop with talking heads like you would see in America right now on cable news networks.