Securing the European vote

We finally have a presidential candidate who is articulate, thoughtful, and respected by much of the world. Only in right-wing land would this be considered a bad thing. I guess they think it was better when our allies in Europe burned President Bush in effigy instead of waving American flags!

 

Better get used to the jibes D-fly. After the pounding that Pres. Bush has taken for two terms, there will be plenty of payback! I'm only surprised that Obama didn't mention to the Germans how his uncle helped to liberate Auschwitz.

 

I am going to be cynical and assume that the unstated point here is that "it doesn't matter what the Europeans, or any other countries, think of the candidates".

It rather obviously does. The US, like any other country, is a member of a community of nations. The American President, or any head of state, does not exist to serve the needs of his country alone. If one is going to take a Christian perspective on such things, the President should be interested in pursuing the welfare of all peoples, not just Americans (although obviously with a central focus on Americans).

At the very heart of the gospel is the deconstruction of tribalism - the idea that God's favour is determined by ethnicity, race, gender, family background etc. If that principle is translated into the geo-political key, heads of state should not promote the interests of their own citizens above those of other nations, at least not unless special conditions apply.

But, you may protest, those nasty French (or whoever) are going to try to put the screws to us economically or otherwise, so we need to look after our own.

Congratulations, you have just bought into the world's model of power.

The Christian church should support a model where leadership should be seen as "in the service of all nations".

 

German citizens do not seek out American approval before they decide who to vote for.

 

Maybe so, but that is not the way of the gospel.

 

Definitely get the :thumbs: from me!

 

Actually, they burned plenty of Clinton's. too. They will hate the U.S. as long as we're independant, even if the Obama myth survives November, DF. They hated Carter, too.

 

You make a good point here, and perhaps I misread your intention in the OP.

 

One can not help but be reminded how the Germans gathered by the thousands to hear another spellbinding charismatic speaker in the 1930s.

Germans are notoriously easily led into disaster.

 

Debatable and non-constructive.

 

Have to wonder if campaign money was used for the trip and how that washes with law????

 

Does that mean that Obama can count on your vote?


I haven't decided yet, but think that I'll vote for the Conservative party in the UK next time around . I get a vote in your elections don't I?

 

The European portion of the trip was paid for with campaign funds.

The purpose of the trip was to rise to the challenge from Senator McCain to show that Senator Obama can operate on the world stage as a potential American president.

As an undecided voter, the adulation of some Europeans will not influence my vote.