First And Second Chances
by digby
There are many things to be said about Obama's victory and people much more erudite and talented than I will be writing about all of it over the next few days. For me, there are twp things that are important and deserve at least a passing mention this morning after.
The first, of course, is what I referenced below. The election of the first African American president is inspiring for all the obvious reasons. I was never one who believed that we wouldn't ever elect a black president. But I assumed that he would have to be a conservative Republican in order to win --- a sort of Nixon/China deal. It is a sign of something very, very promising that this country elected a black Democrat.
The other thing is this: "Your election raises great hopes in France, Europe and the rest of the world," French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a letter to the president-elect. "I have just sent my warmest congratulations to Sen. Obama," said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown from his office at 10 Downing Street, before pointing to his country's "special relationship" with America. "I have talked to Sen. Obama on many occasions and I know that he is a true friend of Britain."
Newspapers around the world seemed upbeat, and the most positive press in Britain appeared to come from the two papers owned by News Corp. (nyse: NWS - news - people ) owner Rupert Murdoch. "One Giant Leap For Mankind," proclaimed The Sun, a right-wing tabloid that is widely read in Britain, while The Times of London had a picture of Obama with the headline "The New World."
"Historic" seemed to be the buzzword of the day, used in the headlines for the South China Morning Post, the Times of India and El Mundo of Spain. Many papers like Le Monde of France and Spain's El Pais also referred to a fulfillment of the "American Dream."
An article in Indian newspaper The Hindu suggested that Obama's election could help resolve the separatist issue in Kashmir, while Pierre Avril, a blogger for France's Figaro newspaper, said that Brussels would now want to "forget the Bush years."
Abdul Rahman, a reporter for the Iraqi satellite TV channel Al Sharqiya, told Forbes.com that there were two different reactions to Obama's win in Iraq. "Those who are against the political process are optimistic," while others are more concerned about future political changes. "The rumor is that Obama will change the whole political process."
Obama had said in his speech that "to those who would tear this world down--we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security--we support you."
One of the most frustrating missed opportunities of the last eight years was rejecting the outpouring of support from around the world after 9/11 and failing to create a new regime of cooperation and common purpose in the age of globalization.
It looks like America might just be given another chance. Let's hope we get it right this time.
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