Elections questions and answers

At present the american econmy is under severe pressure of collapsing because of various reasons.I personally feel that it is a result of continuous wars and the expenditure on it.It has not concentrated on it's internal matters.Also the finance companies have lent the money only to housing sector.Inlike in India where our banks will lent to various sector.This type of lending only to housing sector led to the collapse of the economy.

Now everybody is hoping towards the elections of USA,wherein they are expecting a change and the new incumbent will have a tough time to take decsions.But i feel that Obama will be elected and his intentions are very clear and he is of the opinion that with wars we will not achieve anything.It will be through dialogue that we can solve problems.He said that with the money spent on 1 day war,we can give free primary education to american children.

Once this tendency of war eases then most of the countries have a big relief and they can concentrate on their internal issues.

Certainly the USA predential elections will have an positive impact on the world economy and the new president decisions will help a lot.

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should have had the right to participate as the decision is bound to affect their own lives as well as American

ones. Some living in democracies believe the Americans are too uncouth to be entrusted with such an important

decision while those living in dictatorship are filled with hopeless wonder. Too many in the under developed world

believe that America stands between them and an opportunity to made a similar choice. For in these difficult times

the presidential candidates do offer Americans a real choice and it is a choice which will be understood by both

friend and foe alike.

The poll suggests that America is still a nation that inspires—even at a time when many abroad disapprove of some of

most visible policies. To much of the world, an African American presidential candidate serves as a reminder of

America's promise and of the soaring ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Moreover, this particular

African American-born in Hawaii, with a father from Kenya, raised partly in Indonesia—is truly a citizen of the

world.

In seven nations, the environment comes out on top as a major concern. Global poverty, which tallied a minuscule 4

percent among Americans, is the No. 1 issue in six nations—and second in six others. While the low ranking of global

poverty in America could be interpreted as indifference, another explanation is more likely: In the United States,

that concern is often accompanied by a plea for more foreign aid. Most Americans believe world poverty is better

addressed by a thriving global economy, which explains its position atop America's list. On this subject, we are

most like respondents in Asia: In India, Indonesia, and Taiwan, the global economy also ranks high.

This view certainly prevails in India. Some 73 percent of respondents there express interest in relocating to the

United States, which begs the question of where we'd put another, oh, 800 million people. Perhaps there's some room

in Canada, even though only about 25 percent of the Canadians surveyed say they'd consider moving south. The rest of

the world—to see whom U.S. voters choose as their next president.

The Issues That Unite and Divide: Country by country, the priorities are, well, all over the map. Which of these

global issues is most important to you? Russia is the only country in which fear of terrorism ranks higher than in

America; India, Indonesia, and South Africa are the only ones in which the environment falls low on the fix-it

lists. Environmental protection and global poverty top all the other rankings. Nuclear proliferation rated low

everywhere. Asians and Africans consider the United States a path out of poverty. And while most Eastern Europeans

would stay at home land of second chances.

Yes, the world is watching for much would depend on the choice the American people make. And the fate of most of the

world is depending upon the citizens of U.S.A.

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The United States is without question the most dominant country on the world’s stage, and its every move has an impact on the rest of the world far greater than any other single country. This influence is felt on all levels of society politics, economics, environment, military, culture and even religion. The US is facing two ongoing wars, an energy crisis and an economic recession. Given the US influence over the rest of the world, this election is of paramount importance to the planet.

US as the msot powerful super power in world, its lookouts and responsibilities and also their interests in international issues and crisis are too high. Hence a change in policies due to the ability of a person and also the party who nomiated his to the presidential nominee- the policies of the party - etc. very much going to be felt in the coming months after election. though it is not the president who makes the policies in US but their administrations – the advisors they recruit but a chnage is expected of Mr.Obama come in Office.

Also, political and economic realities might severely limit the new president's freedom to implement bold policy initiatives, which may affect the worl economy and international politics and inter-country relations not wit US and countries but the politics and diplomacy between countries especially asian countries.

The election of Obama would be more likely to improve the image of the U.S. as this election is considered by US people and international community as a test/gallop pole on Bush's international policies and wars faught and even now carrying on many parts of the world under the leadership of US and their allies for self interests and also for internaional interests to a certain limits.

* Because of his father was a Muslim Mr. Obama will show more sympathy with Muslims in World particularly on Arab issues, at the forefront of which is the Palestinian cause.Eight hundred million Africans would get a tremendous boost to their self-esteem and cultural pride. A son of their soil would, for the first time, occupy the White House, and many would whisper, approvingly, "Only in America." though Obama is not a Muslim, but the 1.2 billion Muslims around the world would take great interest in his middle name Hussein.

* There is a tendency in the Russian media to support Barack Obama since his approach to Russia seems to be more cooperative than some anti-Russian pronouncements of John McCain. South Africa is the only country where the election of McCain would have a slightly more positive impact on the image of the U.S. Globally, the most important issues are the economy, poverty, and the environment.

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American Elections are important to the world economy because many countries treat USA as a Big brother.The economies of many smaller countries depend on the decisions taken by the president of America.

At present the situation even in America is very bad,bcos of the worst policies and war tendencies of the present government.So people are looking for a change and they are attracted towards Obama.Many hopes are kept on him and people are attracted by his speeches.

This elections may lead to the change in policies and many countries are expecting that the Iraq war will come to an end.

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It is really astonishing in this situation as American elections have global effect. The economy is down to earth there and it has great influence on all global markets. And now it is the time for the electing president over there and this is creating more and more hung in the global markets. As US is most forward and highly developed country any situation or crisis raised there has its great influence all over the world. At the same time INFLATION matters all over the world which also effects all the world globally.

Relying on the American National Election Studies, how electoral contexts of a given election in?uence the extent to which individuals feel politically e?cacious after the election. The electoral contexts have independent e?ects on perceptions of political e?cacy. Specifically, we ?nd that, as the election becomes less competitive and the volume of campaign spending increases, individuals tend to show higher internal political e?cacy but lower external political e?cacy. In addition, we ?nd that the size of contextual e?ect varies depending on individuals level of electoral engagement as well as on the electoral fortune of their preferred candidates.

BARACK OBAMA is the most prodigious fund-raiser in the history of American politics. In March, the latest month for which figures are available he raised $41m. Compare the freshman senator’s haul with that of the former first lady, Hillary Clinton, who is on first-name terms with more than a few billionaires. She raised $20m, an outstanding figure in any other context.

A further contrast is provided with John McCain. The Republicans traditionally enjoy a fund-raising advantage, but not this year (especially not if the Democrats’ pots of money are eventually combined). The Arizonan senator raised just $15m in March and has just seen a senior fund-raiser quit over links to lobbyists. Mr McCain will probably join the public financing system for the general election, which provides public money but puts limits on his spending. Mr Obama will thus have far more to throw around, although Mr McCain may embarrass his rival for backing away from saying last year that he would “aggressively pursue” an agreement between candidates for both to take public financing.

We may face many problems regarding tax. The rate would would be highly increased as soon as the elections in US gets over.

Guiora is the author of numerous works on Middle Eastern policy, security, and international law and morality in armed conflict. His books including Fundamentals of Counterterrorism, Constitutional Limits on Coercive Interrogation, and Global Perspectives on Counterterrorism. He served in senior positions for 19 years in the Israeli Defense Forces Judge Advocate General's Corp., and is frequently quoted as an expert by national and international news outlets.

So Elections of US are more important and it has a great influence and impact over the rest of the world. Wait for the situation and lets hope for the best for whole world.....

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The 2008 US elections are also the most wide-open of any recent election in modern history. Political control is at stake for the Presidency and both houses of Congress. For the Presidency, for the first time in 80 years, there is no incumbent President or Vice President running for election. In both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the two bodies that make up Congress, the Democrats hold a slim majority over the Republicans. The elections could swing control of each of the two houses both ways, creating a scenario where either party could end up with control of none or all of these three key bodies of US government.

With an extremely unpopular President and widespread discontent with Congress, the need for change is a significant undercurrent in this election. The atmosphere may finally be in place for such a monumental shift to take place.

Traditionally, US politics focuses on domestic issues. This includes issues such as taxes, economic development, and crime. However, with the war in Iraq approaching its fifth year, foreign policy is taking priority for the first time in thirty years. People in the United States are becoming conscious of the impact their nation’s foreign policies have on people around the world. In the arena of foreign policy, it is the War in Iraq that is the top issue in most people’s minds and discussed frequently by all the Presidential candidates. Recent polls indicate that 65% of the US population opposes the war in Iraq and 63% think the war was not worth fighting. What will be done in response to this growing sentiment? What will the spillover be within the broader foreign policy framework? How will the experience in Iraq change the role the US plays globally? The Iraq War serves as a starting point for discussions on foreign policy that have not taken place in much of the United States for decades.

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Here is a rundown of the various reasons why there is such an intense interest in these elections, which reflect how the United States is generally viewed in this world.

The United States remains the primary world power. With a three hundred million population, and a $14 trillion GDP, how is it possible to remain indifferent to the events which unfold over here? As long as dollar is the principal currency of exchange in the world, as long as tales of the private life of a president animate the gossiping classes, the world will continue to be interested in the next star.

American policy also has an effect on the world economy. Historically, the dollar is stronger under a Democratic president than under a Republican one. The Conservatives tend to utilize larger budgets and cause greater deficits. Imported goods become more expensive and buying power declines.

Similarly, the future President will chart the denouement in other important issues, such as foreign policy and environmental questions, which in their turn affect global economy and international diplomacy.

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Thanks for posting a hot question. According to Funny saying by a journalist"When the U.S. sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold," is becoming true .

The economic slowdown along with channels and websites flasing news with competition has created huge importance to US elections.Because of Obama it has created huge impact in Africa as he is the first African American elected candidate.This has created a huge interest in African people's mind.

Russian people are amazed at the process and they are keenly waiting to see what the next adminstaration is going to do.

When Obama visited germany huge crowd was ready to hear his speech on foreign policy . They are amazed to see Obama and his new policy and consider Mccain as routine one .

Ofcourse there is one country which depends its whole income from U.S." CHINA "the st country because of U.S. Economic Drawback . The coverage of U.S. is dominating all channels and places .

With this election process people and other country learn lot that a friendly deed with all countries may create a better world rather then saying other countries as competitor .

American elections have also thought how to use money and how to save for future and what economic policies should be followed ..

Shobana

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A Democratic victory would be beneficial for our country,as we have many Dominicans living in the United States,who have seen their profits dwindle due to poor Republican policies.Consequently, they have seen their immigrant remittances reduced considerably.It would be masochistic to have yet again another Republican.They only think of creating wars and conflicts on a worldwide scale,just to benefit a small minority and also make immigration promises which they have yet to keep.Tell me who were the first to put obstacles denying entry into their country? Luis,Santo Domingo,Dominican Republic

There won't be any change.Everything will remain the same or perhaps get worse.Obama & McCain will say what their people want to hear.It's the same demagoguery which keeps Latin America in ruins.

McCain represents experience,a tough stance on international politics & free trade.Obama has good intentions,but no experience.His long term promises are not sound.Concerning Bolivia mcCain will put Chavez(President of Venezuela)in his place & will weaken his influence in Latin America.McCain will be a tough nut for Arabs,Russians,Chinese & Europeans to crack.Whilst Obama will be easier because,whilst trying to make a good impression abroad,he will forget the US's international role just so that he can fix social security,education & health back home.The USA represents freedom,opportunity,fulfilment,strength,class inequality,racism & power.All that won't change in November,we can only do this through education.José Fernández,Boston,USA

I think that if Obama wins the US presidency,we may be able to reach an understanding with other countries,like those in Latin America.Also,we would not be coming up against a new & powerful country,because the policies of "invasion",such as the case of Iraq,would be abandoned.Also, conflicts like Georgia-Russia would not happen, as they are mainly provoked by the US.I have hope for change with Obama,also with respect to Cuba.That's what I hope.

Looking back into the recent past,I see the tiny figure of Aznar standing between Blair & Bush in the Azores & see the consequences it had on Spain when it entered that "ideological friendship" concerning the war in Iraq.If McCain wins in the US,relations will worsen with our left-wing government.They have incompatible views.If Obama wins,it would strengthen bonds which are currently very weak.I think this would apply to almost all of Europe.If we use our logic,it would be better with Obama,but if he wins,will they allow him to apply any progressive policies?The Americans are antiquated,imperialistic & need wars in order to survive.Their history speaks for itself.

If These elections won by John McCain,and with a difference that no one can foresee.It's the most ingenious idea to chose a young woman,although conservative,who's an enterprising mother(Women's rights),who's got a son going to Iraq(Key factor:Patriotism)& who's got a newly born son with Down's syndrome(Key factor: Anti-abortion).She totally represents McCain's political agenda!

Obama has chosen an older senator as his vice presidential candidate to project an image of experience which he lacks.McCain has chosen as his vice presidential candidate a young governor to project an image of youth which he lacks.More of the same.

From a long term point of view view in China,it would be better if Obama won the US election. Whoever is elected,my opinion about America will not change:America is a free,fair,democratic country in which people are the masters of their own destiny.

I generally prefer Obama,as he better meets modern society's expectations of what makes a good politician and reflects society's wishes: this is what younger people want.His ability to govern is not the most important thing:lack of experience will not be an obstacle as he can rely on able advisors.Obama has already chosen an older and more experienced politician to be his deputy.Today's society requires someone with the physical stamina of Obama.Furthermore,Obama & the Democrats' attitude towards China is encouraging.We can all remember that Sino-US relations were very good when Clinton was president.Even though there were problems in the relationship,they were always resolved quickly through negotiation.President Clinton also raised sensitive issues such as human rights & freedom with Chinese leaders in a friendly way.I believe that a Democrat government will be able to resolve many complex domestic & international problems-especially problems in Sino-US relations.

I hope that America can have a black president. If this happens,it will show that Americans are truly democratic,civilized & lovable.

Whoever is elected,it won't make any fundamental difference to America's China policy.Over last few years America's policy towards China has been very clear:to contain China militarily,to limit China's economic development & to demonise China politically.At the same time America uses China as a pawn in the game of solving its own international problems.It uses China's economy as a crutch to prop up its own economy.These policies are unlikely to change within the foreseeable future.

Obama's victory is certain.But if the right wing conservative element of the Republican party succeeds in drumming up the politics of fear,& invade yet another country(this could also happen as a result of yet another foolish ill-inspired Taliban action),then it maybe possible to incite the American people in name of religion & security & blackmail their way into power.

American policy is based on bullying weaker nations to best serve their own interests.

Its not really going to make any difference to india & Pakistan also.No matter who wins, everything is going to remain the same.American policies never really change.

India should focus more on its own foreign policy than American elections.Doesn't matter who becomes the President,he will have to take care of India's interests.India should not bother much because no President can afford to ignore India anymore,as it is one of the biggest emerging markets.

US Democrats have always preferred interests of Israel to those of America.Therefore,election of McCain is more beneficial to Iran.

If Obama is elected,he has to fulfil his promise given at the Democratic Convention not to resort to force in foreign politics.

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This was just one of the remarkable findings in a new Reader's Digest Global Poll in which we asked people in 17 countries, including the United States, to name the issues they care about most and tell how they feel about the United States and the presidential contenders. (For an explanation of the poll methodology, see below.)

"It's Obama by a landslide—except in the country in which he's actually running for president," says John Fredricks, director of polling and research for Reader's Digest. "What is most striking is the margin of his support."

In the Netherlands, Obamamania surpasses 90 percent. In Germany, it's at 85 percent-numbers not usually seen in political polling. Indeed, Obama plays well in every country we surveyed (see If the World Could Vote chart).

The lopsided result abroad is a measure partly of the widespread disaffection with George W. Bush. A negative consensus about the American president first gained momentum abroad with Bush's dismissal of global warming. The disapproval rate intensified with the invasion of Iraq. As a staunch supporter of that war, McCain symbolizes the Bush status quo—and an era the world wants to leave behind.

"Obama represents something different," says Klas Bergman, director of communications for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. "He seems ready to listen rather than dictate. That he's African American only adds to the mystique."

Other factors are at play as well. For starters, the media elite, especially in Europe, tends to be liberal, and its news coverage of the U.S. election reflects this slant. The upshot is that the ordinary Dutchman or Englishwoman—or Indonesian, for that matter—receives a steady diet of positive Obama coverage. Also, in fairness to the GOP nominee, the Republican party is organized around a set of conservative attitudes and principles that are distinctly American in nature. These range from support for gun rights and low taxes to antipathy to legal abortion and centralized governmental control. In addition, youth and charisma are as compelling on the world stage as they are at home. Domestically, Obama runs strongest among young voters, who helped him emerge as the winner in the Democratic primaries. The same skew is evident abroad, where McCain's strongest support is among voters 55 and over.

The poll suggests that America is still a nation that inspires—even at a time when many abroad disapprove of some of our most visible policies. To much of the world, an African American presidential candidate serves as a reminder of America's promise and of the soaring ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Moreover, this particular African American-born in Hawaii, with a father from Kenya, raised partly in Indonesia—is truly a citizen of the world. International Concerns "This is most poignant in Africa, where people look at him and say, 'He's one of us,'" says Bruce Stokes, a member of the Pew Global Attitudes Project research team. "But it's true in Asia and other places as well. There is a fascination with his lineage."

All of which raises the question: Will Obama's popularity in other countries persuade American voters that he's the right choice in November? It's an argument that Obama wants to make, albeit delicately. After his acclaimed July sojourn to the Middle East and Europe (our poll was completed before that trip), Obama told a Washington journalist that the adoring throngs who greeted him abroad "may not be decisive for the average voter right now, given our economic troubles, but it's knowledge they can store in the back of their minds for when they go into the polling place later."

For his part, John McCain does not minimize the international dimensions of the 2008 presidential election either. Having vanquished the isolationist elements in their own party during the primaries, the McCain-led Republicans came out of their Minnesota convention looking outward. The call for victory in Iraq is accompanied by the belief that pulling out our military troops prematurely would erode American prestige in the world as well as harm other U.S. interests abroad. In other words, both of these nominees are on the record as possessing what Thomas Jefferson called "a decent respect to the opinions of mankind"—language in the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, reminding us that Americans have always sought the world's approbation.

Our poll also shows that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all worldview and that priorities differ dramatically among countries. We presented eight issues for consideration: terrorism, the war in Iraq, the global economy, global poverty, human rights, the environment, international trade, and nuclear proliferation. Among Americans, the global economy ranks first; terrorism, second; and Iraq, third. The latter is understandable—it's our war—yet the contrast with other nations is stark. Only Russians are more concerned than Americans with terrorism.

In seven nations, the environment comes out on top as a major concern. Global poverty, which tallied a minuscule 4 percent among Americans, is the No. 1 issue in six nations—and second in six others. While the low ranking of global poverty in America could be interpreted as indifference, another explanation is more likely: In the United States, that concern is often accompanied by a plea for more foreign aid. Most Americans believe world poverty is better addressed by a thriving global economy, which explains its position atop America's list. On this subject, we are most like respondents in Asia: In India, Indonesia, and Taiwan, the global economy also ranks high.

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If Obama wins, I guess there will be some decicions to end the war. It would help save millions of dollars spend on soldiers to strenthen the ecocnomy.

Obama I guess has better polocies to end the housing market crisis. It may help to bounce the US economy in another 10 or more months. It will have a ripple effect on other economies around the world. Once economy goes well, Infaltion will decrease. More Jobs in US and less job cuts or retrenchment across the world.

Creation of more jobs in US could occur with democrats. It means more inflow of people to US. People may have more money to spend and the ripple effect may be seen thorough out the world.

With Obama, the first African American President, Anti-American sentiments would decrease around the world.

Best wishes.

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President Bush finishes his second term, the new president elected in 2008 will be the first president in 184 years to take office after multiple consecutive two-term presidential administrations. Bush's predecessor, Democrat Bill Clinton also served two full terms. Globally, the most important issues are the economy, poverty, and the environment. The election of Obama would be more likely to improve the image of the U.S. A CBS poll conducted after the debate on independent voters found that 38% felt it was a draw, 40% felt Obama had won, and 22% thought that McCain had won. Voters and analysts agreed that Obama had won on the economy, but that McCain had done better on foreign policy issues, which were the focus of the debate. However, Obama had a more substantial lead on the economy than McCain did on foreign policy.Traditionally, US politics focuses on domestic issues. This includes issues such as taxes, economic development, and crime. However, with the war in Iraq approaching its fifth year, foreign policy is taking priority for the first time in thirty years. People in the United States are becoming conscious of the impact their nation’s foreign policies have on people around the world, including Latin America. Recent polls indicate that 65% of the US population opposes the war in Iraq and 63% think the war was not worth fighting.

Let us wait for 2 days for the best days!!!

Good luck!!!

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Political analysts are now looking to a multipolar world. This would have implications for the Philippines which has been seen as tied to America’s apron strings and it is true with its leaders as it is with ordinary Filipinos. This persisting colonial relationship has not been good for us and one of the reasons the Philippines is not taken seriously either by its own neighbors and the rest of the world.

It would take more than a column to trace how the Philippines developed a foreign policy that is no more than an echo of the American’s. It is time we confront the fact that we have not developed our own, and why we are regarded as pitifully subservient to what America says is good for us. Some of our leaders have tried to develop a more independent foreign policy but this is immediately cut down and penalized by withdrawing support from the incumbent government.

* * *

It is this perspective that may be more relevant to us whoever wins in the US elections. How should the Philippines regard its relations not only with the US but with other countries as well in a multi-polar world. To my mind, it cannot be bad for us. In a multipolar world, there would be more room to cobble our own foreign policy without fear of American displeasure as it has been since we became independent in 1946.

* * *

In that coming multi-polar world, Filipino leaders should start looking at new directions in this changed world. Here is a piece written by Michael Lind for the Financial Times sometime ago that I have excerpted:

“The US is not considered the “leader of the free world” in any meaningful sense by anybody outside its borders. Thus, the US no longer commands global hegemony — BUT, it is still the world’s most powerful nation.

What struck me on my return to the UK was not “anti-Americanism” but the relative invisibility of America and things American. For instance, the only major new American presence I could detect was a proliferation of Starbucks in London…

What’s more, what surprised me was just how invisible the Iraq War was in the media. Simply, I think the Iraq War is not really something the British public feels it “owns” in the way I think it is something that the US public “owns…”

In a second inaugural address tinged with evangelical zeal, George W. Bush declared: “Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world.” The peoples of the world, however, do not seem to be listening. A new world order is indeed emerging — but its architecture is being drafted in Asia and Europe, at meetings to which Americans have not been invited…

Consider Asean Plus Three (APT), which unites the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations with China, Japan and South Korea. This group has the potential to be the world’s largest trade bloc, dwarfing the European Union and North American Free Trade Association. The deepening ties of the APT member states represent a major diplomatic defeat for the US, which hoped to use the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum to limit the growth of Asian economic regionalism at American expense. In the same way, recent moves by South American countries to bolster an economic community represent a clear rejection of US aims to dominate a western-hemisphere free trade zone….

The participation of China in Europe’s Galileo project has alarmed the US military. But China shares an interest with other aspiring space powers in preventing American control of space for military and commercial uses. Even while collaborating with Europe on Galileo, China is partnering Brazil to launch satellites. And in an unprecedented move, China recently agreed to host Russian forces for joint Russo-Chinese military exercises.

The US is being sidelined even in the area that Mr. Bush identified in last week’s address as America’s mission: the promotion of democracy and human rights. The EU has devoted far more resources to consolidating democracy in post-communist Europe than has the US.

A decade ago, American triumphalists mocked those who argued that the world was becoming multipolar, rather than unipolar. Where was the evidence of balancing against the US, they asked. Today the evidence of foreign co-operation to reduce American primacy is everywhere — from the increasing importance of regional trade blocs that exclude the US to international space projects and military exercises in which the US is conspicuous by its absence... It is true that the US remains the only country capable of projecting military power throughout the world. But unipolarity in the military sphere, narrowly defined, is not preventing the rapid development of multipolarity in the geopolitical and economic arenas — far from it. And the other great powers are content to let the US waste blood and treasure on its doomed attempt to recreate the post-first world war British imperium in the Middle East...

That the rest of the world is building institutions and alliances that shut out the US should come as no surprise. The view that American leaders can be trusted to use a monopoly of military and economic power for the good of humanity has never been widely shared outside of the US. The trend toward multipolarity has probably been accelerated by the truculent unilateralism of the Bush administration, whose motto seems to be that of the Hollywood mogul: “Include me out.”

In recent memory, nothing could be done without the US. Today, however, practically all new international institution-building of any long-term importance in global diplomacy and trade occurs without American participation.

In 1998 Madeleine Albright, then US secretary of state, said of the US: “We are the indispensable nation.” By backfiring, the unilateralism of Mr. Bush has proven her wrong. The US, it turns out, is a dispensable nation…

The bullying approach of the Bush administration has ensured that the US will not be invited to take part in designing the international architecture of Europe and Asia in the 21st century. This time, the US is absent at the creation.”

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I listen to public radio a lot and a LOT of countries are waiting patiently on this election. China is especially following the election. They interviewed some students in a China college class and they knew more facts than an lot of US citizens.

I think other countries are looking for change just like the US is. Africans relate to Obama because his parents are African. The US will take a huge step toward more racial equality if Obama is elected. Beleive it or not, there are some parts of this country where blacks and whites still do not mix.

I am glad the world is following our nation. We cannot ignore them. I hope we do not disappoint anyone. All 22 countries covered in the poll would prefer to see Senator Obama elected US president ahead of Republican John McCain.

In 17 of the 22 nations, people expect relations between the US and the rest of the world to improve if Senator Obama wins.

More than 22,000 people were questioned by pollster GlobeScan in countries ranging from Australia to India and across Africa, Europe and South America.

The margin in favour of Senator Obama ranged from 9 per cent in India to 82 per cent in Kenya, while an average of 49 per cent across the 22 countries preferred Senator Obama compared with 12 per cent preferring Senator McCain. Some four in 10 did not take a view.

"Large numbers of people around the world clearly like what Barack Obama represents," GlobeScan chairman Doug Miller said.

"Given how negative America's international image is at present, it is quite striking that only one in five think a McCain presidency would improve on the Bush administration's relations with the world."

In the United States, three polls taken since the Republican party convention ended on Thursday (local time) show Senator McCain with a lead of 1 to 4 percentage points - within the margin of error - and two others show the two neck-and-neck.

The countries most optimistic that an Obama presidency would improve relations were America's NATO allies, including Australia (62 per cent).

A similar BBC/Globescan poll conducted ahead of the 2004 U.S presidential election found that, of 35 countries polled, 30 would have preferred to see Democratic nominee John Kerry, rather than the incumbent George Bush, who was elected.

A total of 23,531 people in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, the UAE, Britain and the United States were interviewed face-to-face or by telephone in July and August 2008 for the poll. The US Presidential elections is followed not just by Americans but much to the surprise of most Americans, the rest of the world as well. I had plenty of discussions during my conference in New York on that topic. It was a great bunch of people more than half of the 24 in my group were Americans and the rest from all over the world. When discussions went to Obama and McCain, I posed a fact to them, whether they knew that the rest of the world have actually voted on the US elections already. They were surprised. To me, I am very confident that the rest of the world has voted Obama in by a massive landslide. The ROW is always in a predicament, we value the US as the sheriff for the democratic world, we even like American culture and their people, but darn it, we absolutely hate their foreign policies. While I may be making generalisations here, the gist of my arguments stand.

The ROW wants Obama, firstly because he is not Republican. We want a discontinuation of the Bush-Bush-Cheney regime. We want the US to have a new face, a new policy maker to MEND ties all around the world. We need new engagement with countries like North Korea and Russia. We need more fairness in dealing with Israel, not always Israel first, Israel at all cost kind of policy. We need the silly war to end properly and swiftly. We need new faces to engage Iran and Iraq. There are plenty of frayed nerves with respect to dealing with Islamic extremism. We need to engage more neutral Islamic countries to deal with that.

On trade, we need the US to lessen substantially their farm subsidies. We want a US that makes shrinking their deficit a priority. We want a US that takes the lead in emissions and environemntal issues. We want Al Gore to be appointed as lead negotiator in that. We need tough medicine to solve US social security and healthcare. We need a deliberate scaledown in US military budget, do it via more deliberate engagement with "troubling" nations.

Yes, the ROW has already voted in Obama in their hearts and minds. I hope America makes the right choice as well. The US have made enough enemies all over the world under the Republicans. It's time to make some friends.

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As far as the effects depending on the outcome. Coming from my personal opinion without speaking on my personal beliefs and or political stand point; either the world is going to become rejuvanated or it's going to crumble right before our eyes. None of us knows what direction this country is going to take, all we can do is trust and believe that what has been told to us will happen in our favors.

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The first thing that is expected of Obama is that he will end the unnecessary war and focus on the tethering US economy which in turn affects the entire world. The meltdown we are experiencing is the result of unscrupulous republican policies in favor of corporations. So if Mccain wins the scene will still be dismal. Obama shows some hope in tackling terrorism, whereas with McCain it will only aggravate.

So the US elections are going to effect the entire world in some way or the other. Just today Obama gave his view on the Kashmir issue, he expressed his views and said he would like to tackle it as soon. So it seems that India is going to face the effect of election results in US very soon. We are all awaiting Obama's win.

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Fairly or not, these results are seen as reflecting the essential American national character and as a summation of American attitudes towards the rest of the world. If Obama wins by even a razor thin margin, people the world over will view America as an open-minded and progressive nation. Conversely, if McCain scrapes to victory, America will be seen as deeply conservative and racist.

The result of this election will see more than just national image at stake. At the end of eight years of President George W. Bush, America’s global prestige and even its security alliances are on the line. However much of the world still seems open to American politicians and even American global leadership as illustrated by the 200,000 Germans who turned out to see Barack Obama in Berlin. An Obama win could see global publics prepared to give America a second chance after a relationship breakdown during the Bush years.

On the other hand, a Republican victory would cause utter bewilderment and anger around the world, leading to an increased surge in anti-Americanism and making alliance management even more difficult.

Despite McCain's attempts to distance himself from George W. Bush, foreigners would tend to see another Republican in the Oval Office as an endorsement of economic, foreign and environmental policies they have largely seen as abject failures. Some would blame an Obama loss on lingering American racism, but given the lack of minority leaders in Western nations this response would likely be short lived.

More profound would be the recognition that America is even more conservative and insular than previously realised. And then there is how people would feel about vice president Sarah Palin.

International newspapers have been full of stories on Governor Palin. Just as she symbolises for many Americans the mythical small town hero, she also fits the stereotype of the know-nothing frontiersperson for many around the world. This same caricature of the American national image was also applied to George W. Bush who has been so easily and widely scorned. However, Bush had a flip side: the East Coast establishment dad, degrees from Yale and Harvard, and impressive connections. Palin’s fans can claim her as more genuine and untainted, but this also makes her more ignorant and therefore more worrying than Bush to much of the world.

Of course if a McCain/Palin administration were to adopt a moderate foreign policy, much of the foreign trepidation could be allayed. However, if they were to bomb Iran or support Israel doing the same, America could become increasingly isolated. Even getting more NATO or Australian troops to serve in Afghanistan could become problematic.

Will it all be different if Obama wins? The short answer is yes, which illustrates just how important perceptions are in politics. It is fairly likely that an Obama administration would follow many of the same global policies promoted by the Bush administration. However, in matters of style there would be significant differences and this should not be underestimated.

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