Barack Obama's world tour

I was just wondering what our American members felt about Barack Obama's tour of Europe. Whilst he is certainly popular over here (I confess I like the man myself), I can't help feeling that he is either campaigning in the wrong continent, or has forgotten that he isn't actually president yet.

I think it is just an effort on his part to make it look like he "cares" about other countries.

The same people that hammer at his supposed lack of foreign policy know-how seem to be the same ones who criticize his international efforts. So maybe it wasn't a hugely thorough fact-finding trip, but I think it is important because it sets a tone for how he is going to interact with other world leaders if he is elected. Since he does seem to be rather popular, the outlook appears positive.

Morella wrote:

Since he does seem to be rather popular

That's the odd thing. He does seem to be very popular, yet he seemed to have an inordinate amount of difficulty in getting selected over Hilary Clinton.

I'm still trying to work out if that is a good or a bad thing for John McCain. He strolled into his candidacy largely unopposed, but as a result of that, he seems to have had far less media attention than Obama, who struggled every inch of the way.

Well, I'd vote for him. I think he's nice

Love
GWE
XXX

I thought Hillary backed out. Honestly, I don't care for either candidate. Obama talks a lot about "change" but never does he specify in his speeches what he intends on changing and how he going to go about doing it. I do agree that he is a charming fellow, but he has only been in the senate for 2 years; I think he needs a few more years under his belt before I would consider him experienced enough for the presidency.

But 'experienced' can often mean 'indoctrinated'. Perhaps his lack of experience will make change more likely. We can only wait and see, I suppose.

I was watching the other day a CNN International report about how biased is the media on favor of Obama, being the greatest example how little information has been said about McCain doing the same thing that Obama. Personally, this is a no win situation. You either choose the popular and inexperienced or the wise conservative

Ginger_Snaps wrote:

I thought Hillary backed out. Honestly, I don't care for either candidate. Obama talks a lot about "change" but never does he specify in his speeches what he intends on changing and how he going to go about doing it.

That is what worries me about him. I enjoy fine rhetoric, and it has its place in the leadership of a nation, but we have heard little in the way of specific policy from Obama. I had wondered if America had heard more of that than us (since it isn't our election), but it seems not.

What scares the hell out of me is the fear that he can win this race for the reason that he's...

"charming."

Well, if that doesn't qualify you to fight a war, I don't know what does.

Oh, and he's tall. I predicted long, long ago, before there was a Republican nominee or the war between him and Hilary started that he would win because he's the tallest contender. That prediction's doing well. The tall guy usually wins. True story. Check the record.

I still insist I don't like either of the candidates, but I dislike McCain slightly less.

The joy of democracy: so often it comes down to the lesser of two evils!

(Though in Britain we often have a wider choice of crap candidates to choose from!)

EvilHippyEmperor wrote:

The joy of democracy: so often it comes down to the lesser of two evils!

(Though in Britain we often have a wider choice of crap candidates to choose from!)

There a candidate wins and everybody accepts it

Here a candidate wins and suddenly everyone is a member of his party

Maxmordon wrote:

I was watching the other day a CNN International report about how biased is the media on favor of Obama, being the greatest example how little information has been said about McCain doing the same thing that Obama. Personally, this is a no win situation. You either choose the popular and inexperienced or the wise conservative

Judging as how the older, more experienced conservatives have wrecked havoc on America and the world for the past eight years, I'm sure one can understand how the former is appealing to many people.

GWE wrote:

Well, I'd vote for him. I think he's nice

Love
GWE
XXX

I think he's rather sweet too

I know nothing about politics but I am a fully paid up member of the Blah! party!

Like a lot of us here in the US, I think both the candidates are lacking. However, Obama makes me mysteriously nervous. I cant really say why, but there is something about him that is un-nerving. Maybe I like McCain better because he looks post mortem.... haha!

blackorchid wrote:

However, Obama makes me mysteriously nervous. I cant really say why, but there is something about him that is un-nerving.

Never trust a smiling politician.

Wow, I was sitting here reading EHE's response and had a huge dose of deja vu. That is so incredibly weird when it happens.

And yes, never, ever trust a smiling politician. Or any politician for that fact... does McCain, even smile? I think he has gone stiff already. Obama just advanced thru the ranks way too fast. Suspicious I tell you.... (hear that James Bond music off in the background?) Who is this guy? Gomez was right, he IS TALL, and quite charasmatic....young, and no doubt, our next prez. I dont like it. strange, I tell you, strange...

blackorchid wrote:

Obama just advanced thru the ranks way too fast.

blackorchid wrote:

...does McCain, even smile? I think he has gone stiff already...

The quick and the dead?

That was funny... plus I just wanted an excuse to post the party again.... My favorite smily.

Well in that case:

EvilHippyEmperor wrote:

Though in Britain we often have a wider choice of crap candidates to choose from!

The only man for the UK!

Meanwhile...
I used to like McCain 8 years ago when he was a progressive reformer.
Republican, sure, but he realized things needed to get done that were above politics, like reforming our campaign contribution system.
I could get behind a guy who thought along those lines! Had he made it to the Texan primaries I would've voted for him in spite of my being a Democrat.
Then something happened & now he's as politically conservative as they come, making allegiances with Bush Voldermort.

Obama seems like a nice guy. An inexperienced outsider who says whatever pretty things his speech writers come up with.
Gee, I seem to recall when Bush was the inexperienced outsider who charmed the masses with the charmingly dumb lunk personality...til people realized that, no, he IS that stupid.

Anyway, like its been written: he has little experience and he's not so detailed on what precisely he intends to change. Plus he was so adamant about Iraq til he actually went & saw the situation first hand. Now, who'd a guessed?, he's "changed course". Uh huh. So if he makes it to the White House will there be another "course correction"?

More importantly....WHO THE HECK IS DOING THEIR JOBS?!?

As far I know, they didn't resign from the Senate. So who's representing thier constituents? I'd be pretty peeved if my senator was out doing his own thing on my time! I'd rather he (or McCain) give up his office while they campaign.
Then again, I'd rather have other candidates to choose from.

darkwave_71 wrote:

EvilHippyEmperor wrote:

Though in Britain we often have a wider choice of crap candidates to choose from!

The only man for the UK!

Hey, I voted for Harriet Jones! (MP: Flydale North)

Carlos Mencia did a pit on why he wouldn't vote for McCain; it wasn't because of his politics but because he was a pow in Vietnam, and sooner or later he will snap which would probably happen in the office (at best) or in a Congressional meeting.

I supported Ron Paul in the primaries this year, even going so far as to change my registration from Libertarian to Republican so i could vote for him (now I'm back as a Libertarian). McCain and Obama scare me even more than George W. Bush, and I never thought that would be possible!

I'll vote a straight Libertarian ticket this year, but more than likely, I will give up voting after November. Ambrose Bierce once said that elections are an advance auction of stolen goods. Another saying is this: Don't vote. It only encourages them.

Withdrawing my consent to be governed is the likely route I will take.

semyaza wrote:

I supported Ron Paul in the primaries this year, even going so far as to change my registration from Libertarian to Republican so i could vote for him (now I'm back as a Libertarian). McCain and Obama scare me even more than George W. Bush, and I never thought that would be possible!

Why is that? Over here we got to watch the Clinton/Obama circus, and McCain got a few mentions, but we do not hear much about their actual policies (if they have any!)

semyaza wrote:

I'll vote a straight Libertarian ticket this year, but more than likely, I will give up voting after November. Ambrose Bierce once said that elections are an advance auction of stolen goods. Another saying is this: Don't vote. It only encourages them.

Whoever you vote for, the politicians always get in.