Election Results, Part V

Noted on November 19, 2008 by Natanya in

A few more comments roll in about the perceptions of the election abroad. Brian Carter shares his input from Malaysia.

Brian Carter, Malaysia: "So I guess the obvious thing to write about and the thing that is most on my mind is the effect of the election. It's been said that Obama is perhaps the first global president, because he is being embraced by the whole global community. Because Americans have decided to elect him so decisively the view of America and Americans has changed or at least begun to change. Although Malaysia is normally very welcoming to Americans it was still hard not to feel ashamed and feel like I needed to defend the states because of the Bush administration. Many Americans felt that way. Now the misconceptions that Americans are racist and focused on war have taken a large blow. A friend of mine has taken the canadian maple leaf off of his backpack and I'm sure so many other Americans are doing the same. I feel safe and proud to tell people where I'm from now and that means a lot. I can't wait to go to Indonesia soon to see what they think. Since Obama lived there for a while I know they're overjoyed."

Tanya Carey, CEC, Costa Rica: “As far as Obama goes, many people down here, that I have talked to, believe that Bush was like the Devil and learned enough about McCain to know that he would be pretty much more of the same. Therefore, they were really happy when Obama won. The kids at the school were really excited election day, mainly because 95% of the teachers here at the CEC are gringos and would distract the teacher from the lesson to talk about the future president and our feelings about it. They, too, all wanted Obama. There were several Election Day parties and the teachers got together to watch the results pour in. Good times.”