The obvious reaction to Barack Obama’s Presidential victory to me is, that the United States has crossed the threshold from a hypocritical nation that preaches equality to others across the world, to a nation that finally practices what it preaches.
After many years of struggle, prejudice and double standards, it seems that the majority of our nation is finally able to judge a man by the content of his character, the strength of his ideals, and leave petty differences and fears at the back door in order to forge the best path forward for the betterment of all Americans.
World reaction to Barack Obama’s victory seems to echo that sentiment.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibakicalled Obama’s victory in the US presidential election a “momentous” day for Kenya, where Obama’s father was born. Kibaki declared Thursday a public holiday for Kenyans to “celebrate the historic achievement by Senator Obama and our country.”
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said, “The election of Senator Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States has taken the American people and the rest of the world with them into a new era - an era where race, colour and ethnicity, I hope, will also disappear… in politics in the rest of the world,”
Mexican President Felipe Calderon congratulated Obama. “Calderon today sent a letter in the name of the people and government of Mexico to Senator Barack Obama congratulating him for his triumph in the presidential elections in the United States,”
French President Nicolas Sarkozy: “I give you my warmest congratulations and, through me, those of all French people,” Sarkozy told Obama in a letter made public by the French presidency. “Your brilliant victory rewards a tireless commitment to serve the American people.”
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd: “Twenty-five years ago Martin Luther King had a dream of an America where men and women would be judged not on the colour of their skin but on the content of their character,” Rudd told reporters. “Today what America has done is turn that dream into a reality.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark : “Senator Obama will be taking office at a critical juncture,” she said. “There are many pressing challenges facing the international community, including the global financial crisis and global warming.”
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso:”This is a time for a renewed commitment between Europe and the United States of America,” Barroso said in a statement. “We need to change the current crisis into a new opportunity. We need a new deal for a new world.”
But many in troubled areas of the world met Obama’s victory with skepticism:
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari:“We believe this is the decision of American voters. We respect their will. But there are many upcoming challenges,” said Zebari. “We don’t think there will be change in policy overnight. There won’t be quick disengagement here. A great deal is at stake here.”
The Pakistaniembassy in Washington, D.C., issued a statement : “President (Asif Ali) Zardari expressed the hope that Pakistan-U.S. relations will be enhanced under the new American leadership that received a popular mandate in Tuesday’s poll.”
China also welcomed Obama and the excitement of his victory filtered down to the streets of Beijing, where ordinary Chinese citizens who have never voted themselves and some who could not even name the candidates embraced Obama’s message of change.
From the L.A. Times, The NY Times, The Washington Post, and newspapers around the world, President Elect Barack Obama has stirred jubilation, and hope for many around the world. Many everywhere are weary, and tired of how the last 8 years of President George Bush has changed the world, and in the eyes of many, created more instability than every before.
The Sun.co.uk has a great slide show of reaction photos from around the world. Here.
Barack Obama inherits a wealthof economic and foreign policy nightmares with the Presidency, and restoring America to the Humanitarian, and Economic leader in the world will be difficult, but judging by the reaction of others around the world, many stand ready to cooperate, and work side by side with The United States 44th President to help get the job done.
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