Do Foreigners Like Our President More Than We Do?
October 21, 2009 
29 Comments
On the surface it is obvious that Barack Obama is a revolutionary figure in American politics. He is young, eloquent, and, namely, the first black president of the United States. But his election signified much more than a racial victory. The eight years preceding the Obama Administration included the collapse of the one of the world’s most powerful economies, the instigation of two seemingly interminable wars, and a tremendous loss of national credibility both at home and abroad. With gifted skills as an orator and a relatable sense of conviction, Obama captured the world’s attention as a savior for the American people—who were heading down a dubious path. His message of hope and belief permeated a global society stricken with conflict, resonating with all looking simply for a better world.
Recently, President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming just the third sitting president to do so. The Norwegian Committee cited the optimism he created and the progressive attitude towards international diplomacy his administration has engendered as the justifications for their decision. Though audible gasps permeated the room as the decision was announced, the harshest criticism came not from the foreign diplomats, but rather Americans, who chose to berate their president, rather than share in the nationalistic pride and positive sentiment such an award could bring to the Obama Administration, and the country as a whole. But what has caused this disheartening disparity between the international perception of the 44th president and the way he is received at home, as notably different viewpoints have emerged since the beginning of his time in office.
President Obama Makes a Statement on Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize
In the months leading up to his election, Obama undoubtedly gained status as an international superstar. A series of polls conducted across the globe, showed our current president sweeping the board. All 22 countries surveyed in a BBC World Service poll endorsed Obama as their choice for the United States presidency. A 73 country Gallup poll reported the international support for Obama to be more than three times that of Senator John McCain. The international community was tired of the policies of the Bush Administration. The United States, for the previous eight years, had employed its “isolate and punish” strategy with respect to foreign policy. Everyone, everyone, was ready for a change, an upheaval within the system of US international relations. Obama soon symbolized this hope to a community of nations abroad. Upon his election, congratulations from hundreds of nations poured in, wishing the President good luck and expressing their desire to work with the United States to strengthen their diplomatic relations. This was the change to which the Nobel Committee was referring, this was the dramatic shift in the international climate which propelled Obama to center stage within the matters of international politics. But of course, how does any of this help us Americans, struggling to make mortgage payments?
Just a few days ago, President Obama visited New Orleans, stopping at a charter school to hold a town hall meeting. As the event came to a close, Tyren Scott – a fourth grader – was given the opportunity to ask the president a final question. He asked, “Why do people hate you? And why, aren’t they supposed to love you, if God is love?” Before responding, Obama laughed, and patted Tyren on the shoulder. He replied with his trademarked tongue-in-cheek manner, “First of all, I did get elected president, so not everybody hates me; I got a whole lot of votes,” but then continued, “But people are worried about their own lives. A lot of people are losing their jobs right now. They’re losing their health care or they lost their homes to foreclosure and they’re feeling frustrated, and when you’re president of the United States, you’ve got to deal with all of it. You get some of the credit when things are going good, but when things are going bad, you get some of the blame.”
Domestically, Obama is receiving too much of the blame. The country was plagued with problems, economically, politically, and militarily since before he ascended to the job of Commander-In-Chief. It seems so cliché, but the urgency to assuage these conflicts has become so prevalent, that people are still looking to find an overnight fix. That is simply and utterly an impossibility. The scope of these issues is tremendous, mind-blowing even. The economy, health-care, and other such issues require a greater collective consciousness than, as the president said, people only worrying about their own lives. Months, even years, will be necessary to solve these problems effectively. Sacrifices must be made and Americans must be willing to make them, including those in government. Stalling every attempt at progress will help no one – perpetuating a system adverse to development helps no one. Obama is not the bad guy here, no one person is responsible for the current situation and no one person can be hampered down with all the blame.
That being said, Obama does have a large support group within the United States. But in the direction our future is heading, all Americans should take the cue from their foreign counterparts. We all believed in change and progress last November, and though we are still waiting for many improvements, it is not the time to give up now. Barack Obama is a man that can turn this country in the right direction. But, he needs time, resources, and collective cooperation. Just as the Norwegian committee did when presenting President Obama with the Nobel Peace Prize, we should not be afraid to take a leap of faith. Instead of distrust and criticism, Americans must revive the sentiment of hope for an improved nation. This will be battle, our country has to bridge the gaps and commit to a plan of action.
The road ahead is tough, but this doesn’t faze Obama. In his final remarks to young Tyren he concluded, “I’m a pretty tough guy. Are you a tough guy? You look pretty tough. So you’ve just got to keep going on going, even when folks are criticizing you, when you know you’re doing it for other people.”
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/violentz/ / CC BY 2.0
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“My issue with social Republicans is that they seem to strike down every progressive reform that is introduced because of personal beliefs they impose on others.” Thank you Drucker.
In an election, getting 46% of the vote is considered a bad loss to me. The Republican Party has deeply rooted support in this country, so it’s not like Obama was going to win by a landslide anyway. Republicans got 46% of the vote because the Republican Party is a HUGE party, so I don’t really understand your point there Ethan.
And don’t give me anything with Regan-era politics. You can trace our current financial collapse correctly to his desk. Hmpf, Reganomics By de-regulizing the banking industry started the slippery slope towards financial ruin. Granted, Clinton only helped it in the 1990′s, and shame on him for not fixing the issue. He was the only Democratic President between Regan and GW Bush, so AGAIN shame on him for not making it a Democratic Party responsibility to correct Regan’s wrong. Also, Regan started the “war on drugs”, one that has been a disaster on all fronts, but that’s for another day.
The idea of voting on party lines can only stop when politicians can finally be moderate, progressive reformers and stop forcing Americans to vote on party lines. The NJ Governorship is a perfect example. Sure, Gov. Corzine has sucked, but Republican Chris Cristie is a total snake. Thus, as most in this state would say “When in doubt, vote for the Democrat”.
Ethan please edit and correct your spelling and grammar mistakes in your comments. They’re very annoying to decode.
yes i totally agree with you on that point, but it works both ways. If true reform is to occur then the idea of voting on party lines needs to stop.
Hmm. Regan-era politics. As we can see, that’s gone fantastically. My issue with social Republicans is that they seem to strike down every progressive reform that is introduced because of personal beliefs they impose on others. Some sacrifice must be involved in public policy. Not every government policy will appeal to every person. It is counterproductive to respond by blocking everything that might help someone other than yourself.
i believe abortion should be legalized, but to some i see it totally valid that they take the issue of abortion over the economy. If you truly believe that abortion is killing babies, then isn’t more important then what is going on with the economy. Also i mi spoke when i said democratic principals. I should of said that Europe is more liberal then America. also Justin your belief that conservatives are out of touch with America, well then why did Conservatives get 46 percent of the presidential vote. If it was not for the hellacious job Bush had done McCain could have easily won. Justin you also are mixing fiscal Republicans with far right Republicans. Just, because many Republicans have chosen to become far right does not mean that is what the party is. I believe soon the party will slowly start moving back to more Regan era like politics, as they see that this whole moral issue plan is not really working
“I believe the true reason why American’s do not like are President as much as foreign nations, is that foreign nations all live under Democratic principals. America on the other hand still has a strong Republican following.”
It seems like you’re getting political parties and political definition mixed up Ethan. Just a note.
The people that hate Obama in America (the ones that hold up racist Obama signs and called him a Nazi), are just truly ignorant, and have been, in my mind, brainwashed. It’s incomprehensible that someone can ACTUALLY think that Obama is a socialist, a Nazi or whatever one may call him. As a whole, like Drucker said, the United States is a conservative country compared to Europe, and it seems to me that, out of touch and out of date conservative thinking has crossed paths with ignorant and ethically wrong thinking.
It seems to me that many foreigners, namely Europeans do like Obama for what he represents. Of course the fact that most of the world is liberal does play a part in it too.
Most of the international community supported Obama because the majority of the world is relatively liberal. The United States sadly has a huge group of people who are socially conservative, and therefore ally themselves with the Republican Party. I have no issue with true Republicans, but I cannot comprehend a person who can place their view that abortion should be prohibited before the economy and our international relations.
Nevertheless, I think awarding him the Nobel Peace Prize was premature. I don’t deny the effect his personality has had, I just think there are people more deserving. I can understand considering him for the Nobel Prize, but I find it hard to imagine that there was no one else who deserved the prize more, at least this year. If some of Obama’s policies succeed later in his presidency, he should be awarded the Nobel Prize then. However, bringing hope does not win one the peace prize, in my opinion.
Obama is not to blame for what was wrong before he entered office. But there are few successes that can be attributed to him either. I sincerely hope that many of his plans succeed, and I don’t think there is any reason to distrust Obama. Whether or not he deserved the Nobel Prize, we should continue to heed his message that things will not fix themselves, and that general activism is needed.
^^ I don’t really agree.
All foreign nations live under Democratic prinicples? I don’t think so.
Also, of course Obama is getting criticism for the “economic downfall”.
He is the president. People always need someone to blame.
I believe the true reason why American’s do not like are President as much as foreign nations, is that foreign nations all live under Democratic principals. America on the other hand still has a strong Republican following.
Also i do agree that Obama is getting a little to much criticism for the economic downfall ( the same way Bush did) but his criticism warrants considerations, because he has made so many significant changes that is costing are country A LOT of money.
Great piece Ben. I get annoyed when people trash Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize. He couldn’t help it! Obama’s ethos just brings about messages of hope, change and peace, messages, although somewhat cliche, leaders tend to forget about.