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Home > How They See Us > Archives > 2008 > November > 06 > Entry
For America, a post-election boost in Europe
By Shelley Emling | Thursday, November 6, 2008, 07:45 AM
What a difference a day makes. Since Barack Obama’s victory, America has gone from being a pariah in Europe to being a most admired nation. In newspaper after newspaper across Europe, politicians, pundits, and writers welcomed America back to the fold this week.
The lead editorial in London’s Guardian newspaper on Thursday was titled “Welcome Back America.” It said that the world has been waiting patiently to welcome America back into the community of nations.
“The Bush doctrine, which gives America the right to secure itself from international threats, must be turned on its head,” it said. “If the threats facing America - terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change - cannot be faced by one country alone, international coalitions must be genuine.” It added that: “Eight years of failed foreign policy is enough. Enough lives have been lost, enough countries ruined, by doing things the other way. America, welcome back into the world.”
An editorial in London’s Independent newspaper echoed those sentiments, saying that: “For all the cruelties and prejudices of the past, it speaks well of the United States that such a victory came to pass - or, as the President-elect expressed it with more poetry, the true genius of America is that America can change.”
Berlin’s Der Spiegel newspaper also said that America had rediscovered its political calling. “America has reinvented itself by choosing Barack Obama as its new president in an election that has fanned enormous expectations in America and around the world.”
Overall, Europeans say they are looking to Obama to lead the way on climate change, close down the Guantanamo Bay detention center, and ease America out of Iraq without destabilizing the country. Oh, and they hope he fixes the economy, too.

Comments
By Nobama
November 6, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Gee, nothing makes me feel better about our country than knowing European newspapers liked the election results. So much for sovereignty, right?
By Pi$$onaDAWG
November 6, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
GEE, I guess with OBAMA in office he will make all Europe safe from the MUSLINS & TERRORISTS bombings on all forms of TRANSIT.
By Pi$$onaDAWG
November 6, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
OUR POWER made “THE WALL” fall. Now, what can OBANANATION do that is better for EUROPE than that? Are all the MUSLINS in the SLUMS of European cities now going to have jobs and love the rest of the world? No WAIT WAIT WAIT since Obama is going to become the BNIC of the US all the (NWA)Ni&&*2 With Attitudes around the world will find class and become respectable members of your society and culture. I just saw a Young Black Man on the streets of Atlanta today pull his pants up and wear his baseball cap stright on his head. I later passed a White Trash Youth that also had his Ball cap on straight, his pants pulled up, and was looking for a JOB to pay his alimony and child support. DAMN, OBAMA is changing the WORLD even before he has been swarn in.