Here's an interesting read from The New Republic titled "Mr. Right" by Bruce Bartlett discussing the phenomenon of conservatives concerned with the direction of the Republican party are rallying around Barak Obama.
I myself have gone back and forth with him. Sometimes some of his "fresh ideas" are just old ones repackaged. On the other hand, if he were to be elected it would certainly do wonders for America's image abroad.
Dear Commentator,
ReplyDeleteIt may be that the US will polish its tarnished reputation abroad if it chooses Barack Obama for president, but I doubt it. In fact, there is reason to doubt that the US's reputation is actually tarnished, at least for the reasons often given by our more liberal peers.
In a 2004 letter to the editor I wrote to the local papers, I noted the following:
'In a recently published op-ed, [name omitted] provides us with a glimpse of the new order of thinking about things. The writer cites a recent poll revealing that, on the international level, John Kerry is the preferred presidential candidate over incumbent George Bush. Europeans, it seems, particularly think John Kerry is a dandy.
'That the writer believes this “instructive” begs the rather inhospitable question whether Americans should care what anyone but an American prefers come Election Day.
'What the writer either deliberately or innocently ignores is that another poll of Europeans reveals that the majority (58%) considers “strong U.S. leadership to be undesirable.” Or so reports the Wall Street journal (Sept. 10), quoting a Marshall Fund study examining European attitudes about America’s role in the world.'
At least in 2004, Europeans equated a John Kerry presidency with weaker leadership, which was their ultimate wish: to see American power recede, at least a bit. Could it be that the world looks to Barack Obama to weaken America's strength on the world stage?
And then there is this really interesting op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal, "Anti-Americanism is Mostly Hype".
Just some thoughts.
I hope all is well.
Peace,
GNADE
Bill, always a pleasure.
ReplyDeleteAs you know from my comments on your blog (and elsewhere), I don't take much stock in what the world thinks about America and I do agree much of Europe's to and fro thoughts about the U.S. is often based on keep American power on a leash - the EU certainly believes it should be a counter to American power.
Here in Canada, the same sort of misguided polls take place.
In the end, it doesn't really matter what anyone thinks except Americans. They should not vote based on what nations think they should do. That's insane.
On the question regarding whether America's image is tarnished or strained or whatever, I'm not so clear.
My pragmatic senses say it's overblown and largely tied into looking at things through "Dubya tunnel vision" (DTV). In other words, it's not coherent. On the other, where there's smoke...?
Can we at least agree there are misconceptions about America? In a moment of generalization, I blame the rise of populism and post modernism.
I might add that there was a poll taken about which candidate did Canadians wish to see as President and Hillary won. Two things came to mind: 1) Canadians aren't to be trusted with polls (joke. Relax) and 2) who cares what we think?
ReplyDeleteIt was a pointless poll.
Dear Commentator,
ReplyDeleteWe need not agree to disagree, or anything of the sort. I know what you meant in your original post; consider my comment directed at others who a priori loath America's current administration.
I've been out of the blogging loop in any serious way for weeks now. Perhaps my comment above was a bit overzealous and is my attempt to reboot myself. There was no real attempt to correct you. Please, forgive my tone. I'm covered in rust.
Be well, dear man.
Gnade
As I write this I'm smiling. Bill, no apology necessary! I didn't even mean it that way.
ReplyDelete