Obama's Victory - Local Perspective II

I thought I'd share some article summaries from yesterday's newspaper so you can get an idea how Obama's victory is portrayed here.  One thing is clear.  The world has a lot of hope placed on Obama's presidency.  With such high expectations, it's hard to imagine anything but disappointment resulting.  Let's hope not.  Read on...

Cover: 
CHANGE HAS COME
"He's already changed America by becoming the first black man to win the White House.  His challenge is to change the course of its government and guide it through hard times an past the financial crisis he inherits as he takes office.  And deliver on his promise of a new dawn for the world."

Page two:
PM: World hopes for positive change
Malaysia's prime minister, Datuk Seri Abdulla Ahmad Badawi talks about the expectations the world has for this new leader and the hope that he will address issues in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Palestine.  "He also hoped that Obama would be fair in dealings with Islamic countries and groups."  He also spoke about hopes for improved relations between the US and Malaysia specifically.  He feels that Obama's ties in Indonesia and Malaysia (he has a Malaysian brother-in-law) will be a positive influence in the relationship.  Further, "Although I don't share all his foreign policy prescriptions, I think he represents change in the YS and he is willing to engage in meaningful dialogue." 

KL looks forward to better relations
More hopes for improved relations with Malaysia.  "Malaysia welcomes his victory as a new beacon in the struggle for democracy."  Interestingly, Malaysians are also interested in the fact that we finally have a black president:  "...as the first African-American president, Obama's victory proved that Americans were able to look beyond race and religious beliefs in electing their leader."  Interesting.  Did they also get those email forwards about Obama being a Muslim? 

Page four:
'Obama Boleh' spirit abounds in KL
People have previously tried to explain the Malaysian concept of "boleh" in the past, but I still don't get it.  It's some kind of rah-rah-rah spirit though.  Like "Yay!  Go Obama!" or something to that effect.  Pictured are three "staunch Obama supporters" dressed in Obama-boleh tees (I so need one) while attending the election-watch/party at the US embassy.  WHY didn't I know that was going on?  We missed out on that too!?!?!?    And it sounds like it would have been so fun!  "It was the worst kept secret as to who most of those who attended supported, with Malaysians and their foreign friends loudly cheering and clapping jubilantly every time a result came in from an US state where Obama had won.  When it was finally clear he was victorious, the hall erupted into a delightful frenzy.  The packed hall at the Renaissance Hotel was decked out in blue, red, and white, with a festive feel to the occasion courtesy of balloons, banners, colourful hats and even life-size cut outs of both Obama and Republican candidate John McCain."

IT'S A LANDSLIDE VICTORY
A reuters article.  It's a basic summary of the victory, race issues, his background, his promises, etc..

Page 24:
Enter Obama, at a time of stark choices.
Discussion of the US's dire economic situation and that the "talk now is of a global recession." Someone is going to have to explain that one to me, because I know diddly about economics.  But how can there be a global recession?  If one country is in debt, doesn't that make another country rich?  The article seems to put a lot of weight in the US's position in the world even if we no longer  have the "privilege of having the largest, most dynamic economy, and one that acted as a world creditor."  I find it kind of funny that they refer to Bush as a "lame duck president."

Obama's story captures their imagination
Someone with a very Indian-looking name reports from Grant Park, Chicago, and beautifully describes the overwhelming emotion of Obama's victory as he actually experiences Obama's victory speech in person.  He must be American though because it's hard to imagine a Malaysian or other nationality get this excited about it:  "So stand up.  Holler.  Scream, at the top of your lungs.  Call your friends.  Call your families.  Wake up your children.  They're going to want to see this.  And don't forget where you are right now, right this minute, because years from now, people are going to ask you:  where were you when Barack Obama became president of the United States of America?  In this life of ours, it's is truly a rare thing when can genuinely claim to have witnessed history. I do not believe that it is possible to overstate the importance of what just happened and I am truly convinced that this will be the defining moment not just for American history, but for all our histories."  He also talks about race:  "I am under no illusion that Obama's victory means all is well with race relations in America.  It does, however, show progress."  He goes on to say that he liked McCain but didn't think it was the former, truer McCain that campaigned. 

On the emotions of the event:  "Obama is speaking now.  The people around me are weeping.  They're clapping.  I'm having a hard time comprehending what he's saying.  The strength of the feeling around me is just unbearable. I'm going to have to go home and read a transcript.  But somehow I feel reassured.  There is something about the sound of his voice that tells me everything is going to be all right.  It's irrational, I know.  But rationality is for another time.  Tonight I am not cool, collected, or objective, as I stand here, surrounded by these people, I find it impossibly hard to be.  As I stand here, in the only country in the world founded entirely on ideas, with no common ancestry, religion, or even ideology, I finally understand why for generations people have flocked to these strands."

Page 28:
Asia pins hopes on Obama
China hopes for stronger ties. Australia's prime minister is excited about the progress in American race relations. Pakistan's premier hopes Obama will promote peace and stability in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's president is all excited about the race thing too. India:  "Obama's youthful energy [is] in tunes with the dynamism of the emerging country. [India's  ruling party is] confident that that rapidly warming ties [will] grow stronger under Obama's leadership.  South Korea hopes for better relations and the Philippines hopes for "greater cooperation."  Indonesia hopes the change will "boost the fight against the global economic crisis."

New dawn of American leadership
An AFP article from Washington.  Summaries of Obama's foreign policy goals. Mentions of people around the globe celebrating his victory and their increased hope.

Page 29:
They rejoice for the man whose middle name is... HUSSEIN"
An AFP article from London.  Mostly discusses the celebrations around the world, including the US embassy party in London (aargh, apparently they are commonplace!  Did everyone know about these but us?)!  A 29-year-old Thai man says, "He had an Asian childhood, African parentage and has a Middle Eastern name.  He is a truly global president."    An American in London says, "It would be nice to have a president who is celebrated when he goes abroad and his effigy is not burned."

 Ex-classmates in Indonesia very proud of 'Barry'
Talks about the kids who currently go to Obama's old school in Indonesia, and his former classmates' pride in him.  They mention how he mastered the language and how smart he was.  "Even as a young boy, he was good at using persuasion to settle his little fights with other boys."  And... "He has been a global person since he was a little boy.  He lived in Indonesia, he understands and shares Asian culture."


Page 30:
'I'm excited... he's going to pull us from over here... If McCain had won, we'd be over here for years, and I mean years and years.'
Reuters.  US soldiers in Iraq share how happy they are at the news.

Iraq does not expect hasty change
Reuters.  Iraqi leaders aren't getting their hopes up too much.

Page 31:
McCain diehards fear the worst
Oh what a sad portrait to paint of us to other countries.  "I just don't think America is quite ready for an African-American president." And the big doozy... "I don't think we'll have to worry about another African-American president in four year's time, because after what's going to happen in the next four years under Obama, we'll never elect an African-American again."  Sigh.

Page 50:
Obama win buoys sentiment
Hopes that his election will bring "a fresh stimulus" to various Asian economies.

Page 5 of the People section:
Obama's strongwoman
Basically behind every great man is a great woman and this one is so great because of her fashion sense and because she knows her place.  Hmmmm....