Today we see the start of Obama’s trip abroad. He plans on visiting multiple countries in the Middle East and Europe. Am I the only one asking why he is doing this? I really don’t understand why this is happening and I think it sets a dangerous precedent. I will put this into simple terms, going to Afghanistan or Iraq I can 100% understand given we have massive troops there fighting an American war and he is there on a fact finding mission, yet what about the rest of his trip? Why is he coming here to Europe campaigning?
To be honest he should not be here doing this. Am I the only one that detects a hint of absolute arrogance in thinking that Europeans what to become another American battle ground state for public opinion? I assure you they do not. In the end they cannot vote in the election and if Europeans think Americans care about their public opinion they are crazy. Americans could care less if Germans or the French liked or disliked their president. I think the last 8 years has proven that much.
In continuance, if he were coming here to Europe for reasons related to his duties as senator, I would give him the credit of doing so, yet he is not. He is coming to smile and shake hands with presidents and prime ministers and give campaign speeches. Am I the only one seeing this as a dangerous precedent for all Europeans to accept? Once all the leaders of Europe meet with a presidential candidate are they not setting a precedent to have to do the same for all of the candidates now and in the future? Imagine if McCain goes to Europe next month and all of a sudden PM Brown cannot fit him into his schedule. What would that mean? I can hear the media buzz already. Imagine what kind of campaigns will we have in 4 years, worldwide trips an all 7 continents (there is a science station in Antarctica) looking to prove that everyone else on Earth like me the most so elect me? No, I say. Campaigning is supposed to be on American issues and we have a lot of those right now to say the least. Candidates are not supposed to be running around the world proving their popularity, yet rather trying to prove to Americans they can solve the problems at hand.
I don’t want to seem condemning of Obama and my issue is not with him directly. It is with the fact that any presidential campaign thinks they have the right to do this. I would be saying the same if McCain where coming to England. To prove my point, do we see the candidates of any other country visiting other countries and their leaders and would leaders greet them and give them an audience? The brief answer is no. So why would people accept this? Europeans talk about making the USA understand they are part of the world like the rest of us, yet in doing this they are once again playing to the USA mentality of superiority and that our campaign means more than the rest of the world’s campaigns. I think it is a disgrace and Obama should reconsider what he is doing. I also think European leaders and citizens should think twice about the signal they are sending to the world and American citizens mentality and views.
I completely agree.
Yes, it does not reflect a genuine interest in German politics, French views of Middle East policy (who cares anyway) or what have you. Only the juicy JKFesque photo opportunity in Berlin counts and with it the ability to say back home – like a child – I have visited all of the states in the USA and 39 countries in the world (imagine the staffers who were counting all the countries Hillary had been to as first lady in order to boost her foreign policy credentials).
In any event, I am European and I hope McCain wins. But maybe Obama’s world tour will swing me over – haha.
I think you are right in a lot of your ideas. You are right in the sense that Europeans do not participate and are electoral system. They have asked to vote and the US response is Pay US taxes first. Its a good point. Secondly, Obama’s visits to the middle east have been as A senator not as a presidential candidate. He made sure to say this. I am not saying this in regards to Europe as that is completely different. The BBC reported him meeting in Afghanistan with leaders to discuss the current and future situations. I do admit at one point reading that he had told them if he was elected president his plans for the American presence. Of course we know he only wants to send 2 more battalions there instead of McCain’s promised 3. Neither is right or wrong. Moving on to the European issue, Obama in my opinion is visiting these countries to show the US that he is a strong politician in the International sense. In other words he wants to gain more US support for those who advocate we be more internationally involved. Look at the ending comment, he says, “In any event, I am European and I hope McCain wins. But maybe Obama’s world tour will swing me over – haha.” (Interesting) Something McCain does not seem to be doing. Maybe because he does not have to, or dare I say, he might be a realist. (Just a idea for debate I do not believe it) After studying abroad I know how important it is to keep friends in foreign countries for the long term. The point is McCain is being favored in the polls and it cant hurt Obama’s campaign to go to Europe. Does it hurt McCain’s campaign? Who knows probably not. Next, you bring up the idea that it will be a requirement for all presidential hopeful’s to travel overseas during their time campaigning. I think you are right in this sense. Should the past politicians have started this ideal before? Also maybe not. However, if Obama wants to go to Europe and give speeches in Germany, UK, France and else where instead of campaigning in those important swing states that’s his loss. It may lead to his defeat, or it could lead to his victory. Time will tell. Also the US press will be following him everywhere even traveling with him. So to sum it up Obama’s presence in Europe is to show the US an the rest of the world that he is capable of handling international relations. His time in The middle east according to him, believe what you want is as senator, and as a way to pitch his if i am president i will do this. One thing to mention is perhaps McCain should be traveling to IRAQ or Iran if Obama is going to afghanistan. Wow think of all the support he could get if he went to Iran and started negotiating with the people about their possession of nuclear weapons. CNN and fox would have a hay day.
sorry to misquote the post. I meant to quote Nikolaj.