Jan 08 2008
Are we about to witness election for a global President?
By Daoud Kuttab
At a time that world problems need an international leader, the single superpower in the world has been running away from a global leadership position. The hawkish and divisiveness of President Bush on political and environmental issues have alienated America in the eyes of the peoples of the world. But the upcoming US elections provide an opportunity for a change. Can the next US president be also a global president?
Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union, people have been considering the fact that American citizens are voting for a president whose powers and influences affect the entire globe. The failure of the Bush administration to honor the Kayota treaty, its rejection of global warming, and its failure to convince the world to join it in an unnecessary war against Iraq has alienated the peoples of the world.
But the upcoming elections might be different. If the Democratic Party’s front runner Barack Obama succeeds in becoming the next president, a unique international situation might in fact take place. No presidential nominee has as much international affiliation with and support for than the man who looks different and talks differently than any other presidential nominee in the history of the United States.
The last time an American won world inspiration was from the sporting arena. When Muhammad Ali won the world boxing championship against Joe Frazier in Zaire Africa and against Foreman in Manilla he excited youths around the world. The peoples of the world felt like Ali was their champion not just America’s. His line “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee†are probably more known by the world’s citizens than the most eloquent of political quotes.
The idea that Americans continue to choosing a global president has really bothered the world. Possibly until now. Born in Hawaii to, a white Christian mother from Kansas and an African Muslim father from Kenya, Barack Obama who grew up in Indonesia can do more to inspire the world than any other candidate.
George Bush has drawn the anger and hatred of many in the world. Will a US president who has not been tainted by the Iraq debacle, with dark skin be seen differently by the world’s seven billion citizens?
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