Rhetoric wins over the world

Obama fever is sweeping the globe. The latest Reader’s Digest poll shows that if the world could vote, democratic candidate Barack Obama would make history as the first black American president.

The results of the 17-nation survey are quite astounding. All but the United States say they would vote Obama into the White House by a landslide, with republican candidate John McCain trailing in the popularity stakes by wide margins. Australians have eagerly caught the Obama wave, with 76 per cent saying if they had a vote he’d be their pick.

But what is it about Obama, and the US elections in general, that awes so many foreigners? The United States may be one of the most powerful nations in the world, yet there is something different about this year’s election. It seems countries with no say in the vote are waiting with even more excitement and expectancy than ever before to see who will take the leadership of the free world.

Certainly, the grandiose manner of both candidates’ campaigns plays a part in their foreign appeal. Australians seem fascinated by the soaring rhetoric and huge election rallies that have taken place across the many states. Never in Australia do we see thousands crowd into sports stadiums filled with singing, cow boot-tapping citizens for a campaign speech. The process is so far removed from our own that even their dramatic television ads seem fascinating.

Yet it seems this rhetoric is working. In many ways the candidates' personalities, not necessarily their policy, is winning over the world. The news reports we see and hear in Australia do not always have the detail needed to fully understand each candidate’s position on policy matters. In a news story limited by time and space, it’s always the best and sharpest quote or fact that makes the final cut. Obama’s charm, soaring speeches and calls for change are making the world tingle with excitement like never before.

Many Americans are also captivated by the Illinois senator. Yet, the poll shows the US is the only country that would not lift Obama to the presidency. Perhaps the focus on personality is wearing thin. Perhaps Americans, at first so excited by a change in leadership, are not so sure after all. Perhaps America, a country well-known for speakers of colourful rhetoric and symbolism, isn’t as convinced by Obama’s words as the latest polls suggest.

November’s election is proving one of the most widely anticipated in history, and Obama has four weeks left to convince American voters he’s the right man with the right policy for the job. Too bad we can’t vote.

Natalie Alexander