Europeans Cheer Obama Now but May Complain Later On

Europeans Sentiment for Obama

I think Thomas Grose is right.

I think someone forgot to tell the Europeans that they didn't vote for Obama, Americans did. Before they pat themselves on the back over Obama's election, they'll have to realize that Obama is an American and will act according to American interests. Sure, he may see our interests in a way that Europeans may favor in some cases, but he's not going to pander to them. He may even end up angering them, causing them to question, "Why is a black man so pro-American."

Well, I've never met any black Americans who weren't pro-American. With all the problems they've faced in the US, they're still not fleeing to Europe. They'll defend the US at the drop of the hat. Just look at our military.

Change We Need = A Return to Pragmatism/Realism

I voted for McCain-Palin because I do not trust the liberals in Congress and an untested Obama with an already distressed fiscal state, but do see a lot of promise on the foreign policy front. Hopefully, there are no Neocons lurking in any of Obama's corridors. They took control of Bush's Administration, they did inappropriate and harmful things, and then Karl Rove fired up the fiscal and social conservative bases during 2000 and 2004 with empty rhetoric and broken promises. As a Conservative, it is almost heart-breaking that these radicals and opportunists like Rumsfield, Wolfowitz, and Cheney maligned the Republican party and made it into the party of David Horowitz and others who essentially believe anyone disagreeing with the criminal and unconstitutional activities of this spendthrift administration is "anti-American" and others who didn’t allow for adequate debate time over the passage of the PATRIOT Act and the creation of the inefficient Homeland Security department that contributed to the Katrina disaster.

The euphoria of our Western European and farther left wing American friends may be a bit of overkill in considering what President-elect Obama must deal with. There is no way that he will make everyone happy all at once. We will get through the financial crisis and work internationally to stop its spread. Decisive action with other Treasury ministers and Central bankers will prove to be a great start for the Obama Administration. We will withdraw honorably from Iraq and recognize that we cannot just up and leave the mess that Bush’s empire builders left us; the surge worked, but the situation is reversible and it is not in the interests of world peace to leave immediately. We must see if we can try a more diplomatic approach with Iran – obviously there would have to be a few major pre-conditions. We must also re-evaluate our Afghanistan/Pakistan strategy – President elect Obama must find a way to quell the violence and bring terrorists operating there – options range from reopening talks to escalating forces. On trade, America must remain committed to free trade and the benefits of economic growth and peace that it brings to the world – though, it may not be unreasonable to close tax loopholes on companies that offshore.

If we escalate in Afghanistan, I believe that the EU must stand up to the plate. The terrorists hiding out in Afghanistan and Pakistan and elsewhere are determined to shake up world peace and attack any nation. While I see a continuation of some Bush policies, the War on Terror as we know it ought to change. In making the commitment to invade two hostile countries, the Bush Administration hamstringed us in dealing with any non-Islamic terror emerging threats to world peace and other crises.

Being leader of the free world is a daunting task, even if you keep ideologues in your Administration under control!

Outsoourcing

For those outside the automotive industry, outsourcing is difficult to understand. However, for the domestic automakers to remain competitve, outsourcing must and will continue to grow until our parts can be purchased at the same cost. The pressure on the supply base in the USA for cost reduction is unbelievable. The new world order for a parts supplier is to be competitive on the world stage or die. We now have a glogal economy relative to the automotive industry. Limiting the automakers to purchasing parts from only US suppliers at this point is absurd and will only hasten the end of the big three. If we have trade we must embrace NAFTA. NAFTA while a hard pill to swallow now, is aboslutely neccessary for the long term survival of US industry. The USA will prevail.

Europe? Like the Islamists in England? France that went more Conservative. Lets get one thing straight Obama is an image first then a man. His invented image is so out of proportion to the man that he or anyone could never fulfill it. Obama the PR invention does not exist. Period.

#2 White people who don't like the reality of what is going on now in America elected Obama. Blacks alone could not have elected anyone, it took whites etc.

#3 If Americans just wanted a black president many well qualified black men and women were available such as Colin Powell. They did not want to run or would have.

Message to Dave of IA, John of OR, and Seriously in NYC

After reading all of your comments, all I can say is you guys are thinking the same things I'm thinking!

As someone who voted for McCain (in Massachusetts of all places), I (and perhaps all of us) knew that Obama was going to win the election long before it took place. I voted for McCain because his views were more or less aligned with mine compared to Obama's. Now that the election is over, I have the gut feeling that American and the world's honeymoon with Obama will be short-lived. Before you know it, reality will hit home and deep disillusionment will set in for those who still look up to him as this Messianic figure.

With that said, now that he's my elected President, I'm willing to give him a chance to see what he can do for our country. Yes, I also believe we all have a personal responsibility to make our country better, too. Who knows? Maybe he'll turn out better than we all expected. I'm going to watch him closely. In any case, I'm cautiously optimistic. Ask me in two years to see what I think of him then.

Disillusionment in Brown

quto: Brown says, "a certain amount of disillusionment in him is sure to set in" among Europe's leaders and public alike.

They did say his about bush? If thing don,t work out well. they can always blame it on usa like they always do.

Semblance Sign of Intelligent here.

There are semblance sign of intelligent here. Hallelujah.

MESSAGE FOR DAVE of IA

Are you and I TWINS separated at birth? You wrote what I say to intelligent people around me daily.

I am a registered Democrat (stupid me!) but voted for the person who had the guts to survive - repeat survive, torture and make it this far. A man of wisdom is what we need – to steer us all out of this mess. And, as I don't drink or do drugs, can easily see he was an individual - not Bush! I believe it is childish to tar all Republicans with the same brush!

I feel sad as the prospect of seeing what may very well happen when those with stars in their eyes, wake up in a few months and realize their messiah is just an ordinary man. And he is no Pied Pieper either, to rid us of our self-induced problems related to over-indulgence and greed!

I intend to do whatever it takes to remain gainfully employed and do what I need to go to stay productive and positive. In general, no matter how well intentioned, Obama could not care less about individuals - all 350 million plus.

As citizens of this great country, we all need to accept responsibility for our own lives and not look to 'messiahs' for deliverance, hope and (I hate that word): Change! Not all change is for the betterment of mankind.

Trade

Nice job Dave. I also voted Republican. However, I am sick and tired of those continuing to bash Obama. He was elected and will be our President. Although I don't agree with his philosophy, I am willing to give him a chance. I am trying not to complain until he does something I disagree with. I also have vowed to get more involved politically. I told my son, if you are going to complain, then try to do something about it. I do believe that Obama will bring about a better image of the US globally. Hopefully the Rep. and conservative Dems will help him stay in the middle and not cater to the wackos on the far left, like Pelosi, Reed, Franks, etc..

Of course Europeans will love Obama now, because we look inferior with a president elect who has no military background and lacks national security experiecnce. I hope they don't take advantage of him...