The World Reacts to Obama's Victory

The World Reacts to Obama's Victory

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Check out the global response to our new President.

There's no doubt about it, last night made history. Tens of thousands of people cheered Barack Obama's Presidential victory at his home base in Chicago, Illinois, and in New York, thousands charged down Broadway from Columbia University to Obama's campaign office at 105th Street chanting "O-ba-ma!"

At least 1,000 people gathered in front of the White House, shouting "Obama! Obama!" and "Yes we can!"

Uniformed Secret Service officers were even overheard saying they'd never seen anything like it.

But how is the rest of the world reacting? Here's a look.

•Obama's relatives in Kenya exploded in cheers and song in the streets of Kogelo, where Obama's late father was born. And Obama's half-brother, Abongo Malik Obama was overheard saying, "For the folks in Kogelo, it wasn't a matter of whether Obama would win, just when they could start celebrating." Talk about family support!

•In Obama, a small coastal town in southern Japan, supporters sported "I Love Obama" T-shirts. "I really think this is going to change the world," one was overheard saying.

•José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European commission, said it was "time for a renewed commitment between Europe and the United States of America."

•Angela Merkel, Germany's chancellor says she's "convinced that Europe and the United States will work closely and in a spirit of mutual trust together to confront new dangers and risks and will seize the opportunities presented by our global world."

•And Nicolas Sarkozy, France's president - and a noted conservative - called the election a brilliant victory adding, "With the world in turmoil and doubt, the American people, faithful to the values that have always defined America's identity, have expressed with force their faith in progress and the future."

•India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh said Obama's "extraordinary journey to the White House will inspire people not only in your country but also around the world".

•Iranian politicians were as much celebrating the end of Bush's presidency as welcoming Obama. "Obama's victory is... evidence that Bush's policies have failed," said philosopher Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel. "Americans have no option but to change their policies to save themselves from the quagmire Bush has created for them."

•The election "marks a new chapter in the remarkable history of the United States", said Pakistan's prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani.

•The Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, said he wanted to "applaud the American people for their great decision."

•Mexican President Felipe Calderon congratulated Obama on his "triumph" in the U.S. presidential elections and invited him to Mexico.

•Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Obama had turned Martin Luther King's dream into a reality.

Tell us -- how do you feel?

9 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

I think it is the most terrible thing to ever happen. He is the antichrist.

- Anonymous

Posted 11/05/08 09:17 PM

I don’t know if HE is the antichrist, but I do think that we are getting close to that time. How close, noone knows, but I do believe the Bible and that there are people in the US that are financially controlling our economy to make things turn out how they need them making the perfect circumstances for the antichrist to come in. He will then be the miracle working supposed savior of the world to people. If we are Christians we need to not worry about who the antichrist is. God said taht we would should be about his business, helping others in need, loving our neighbors like he loves us, and telling the world that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that we can have eternal life through him. That is all we need to be concerned about. The world is falling apart. God is still over all. I have serious concerns that Obama is a marxist. Social medicine is not the answer as well as taking away the capitalism that has made this country great. I don’t trust him with my freedom. He may compromise our freedom when he is talking to other countries’ leaders.It is very scary.

- Melissa Barlow

Posted 11/05/08 10:59 PM

11/05/2008 - MOSCOW (AP) — Russia will deploy short-range missiles near Poland to counter U.S. military plans in Eastern Europe… They want to counter our military plans in nations that welcome us… They welcome us because they need our support to keep an ever increasing Russian military out of their countries. This is a statement from Russia to the US… and the undertone of that statement says that Russia thinks we picked a weak president… It seems there is no longer a need to worry about global warming because the Cold War is back…

- Test One?

Posted 11/05/08 11:09 PM

I think it is absolutely amazing. I feel blessed that I not only witnessed, but was able to participate in this historic election. He is the FIRST NON WHITE president EVER in the history of america. It’s truly amazing. This generation, my generation, of young people care about human rights, civil rights, equality. It’s up to our generation to fix what previous generations have done. And those generations have seriously messed things up for us. Not only should the left side be happy, but the right side too, that we were all able to witniss this historical moment. You may not have voted for Obama, but be proud to call yourself an american and that you participated the in the election that shatter the glass ceiling for African Americans. Be proud you saw the day that Abe Lincoln and the winning of the civil war brought to light. Be an awe, as an american that you live in a country that has produced great men such as Dr Martin Luther King Jr and that his dream of equality will so soon become a reality with this election and the FIRST EVER African American president. Hopefully this promotes equality, and deters racism, bigotry, and hate. We are all brothers and sisters in the eyes of God, black, white, left and right wing. Give Barack and chance before you judge his abilities.

- hannah

Posted 11/06/08 01:49 PM

Rebuttal to Melissa Barlow Blog on November 5, 2008 10:59PM Why do you worry about the Antichrist if you consider yourself a Christian then why do you fear. I believe the scripture tells us to fear no man but fear God and if God be for us who can be against us. It is so mind boggling that the Christian of today are so afraid. The fist Century church was not afraid of persecution. I guess when you water down God and not know him in the power of his resurrection then you should be afraid.

- Elseta Beckford

Posted 11/06/08 02:19 PM

I don’t think she does. She wrote just about what you wrote.

- Anonymous

Posted 11/07/08 12:27 PM

Melissa Barlow, be thankful that the majority of the American People elected Obama. Here in Luxembourg, the reputation of the American people is so bad that even most of us shut down or changed channel everytime we saw the face of Bush inside the screen. Your words doesn`t sound that you are one of Jesus follower. You sound like a christian hypocrites who think the only one who could to heaven.

- Anonymous

Posted 11/09/08 09:49 AM

He is not the Antichrist he is a Christian you who do not like him must be racist and if you haven’t noticed most of the time presidents do talk with other world leaders isn’t that what we need is world peace anyway President Bush was more antichrist materal and his family was in business with Bin Ladens Family than you know he was a member of the shull and bones society.

- Anonymous

Posted 11/09/08 04:54 PM

He actually claimed to not be a Christian. I am the one who wrote the comment that he is the antichrist, and I still think he is. I am saved, totally not afraid, not worried, just stating that I think he is the one that the Bible prophesizes about. That is all I said, please don’t look further into it, as God’s will will be done. Period. I am not racist one bit, don’t care what color he is. I do care about the fact that he is a Muslim, and he claims that we are no longer a nation of Christians, which are the ideals that this nation was founded upon originally. It is just terrible, that’s all. The Bible also says that a “true” Christian (although I am not one to judge, as that is GOD’S place) can see things that are happening according to the Bible, while those around him will remain ignorant.

- Anonymous

Posted 11/10/08 10:32 PM