Living in Obamalandia.

Oh well, I'll just continue with the topic of politics. Besides the economic crisis, there is obviously another main topic in the news here - and all over the world - The Elections, with only three weeks to go. It annoys me a little bit that I'm here, in the heartland of the Obama zone with no real competition from McCain, which makes discussions quite boring. As for the campaign paraphernalia, Harlem is definitely the ultimate place for Obama-shopping, you can find practically everything around the 125th street...

Particularly Sarah Palin is relentlessly mocked in the NY free newspapers (yes, unfortunately I don't have time to read the NY Times during my subway ride to work, so I must content myself with the free ones) - but you've surely had the chance to read all about her in Finnish or whatever countries' newspapers. It seems that the US elections are perhaps even more passionately followed abroad, or at least Obama is embraced with an amazing fervour.

I attended today a panel discussion at the Columbia University, just around the block (or a few blocks) from my home in their International Relations department. The panel consisted of foreign newspaper correspondents from all around the world, including The Guardian, Le Monde or Le Sud Quotidien (a Senegalese newspaper), the topic being "Through Foreign Eyes: How Foreign Journalists View U.S. Election Coverage" (PDF brochure). The discussion was fairly interesting - plus that they offered free pizza and coke, very American - and at one point it turned to the question of the image of the US abroad, something that I briefly touched in the previous post. The Italian journalist claimed that most likely 90 % of Europeans would prefer to see Obama as the next president, and that the relations between the US and European countries would change significantly if this happens.

Mr. Dame Babou, the Senegalese correspondent continued to tell how people in Senegal are praying for Obama's victory, how they watch the debates until 4am and inquire about the recent poll results in the US. The whole issue of the possible Obama presidency is quite controversial in African countries: some believe that him being chosen would really change something and bring more aid to Africa, whereas some fear that he would not be able to express any support towards African countries so that he wouldn't be regarded as favouring Africa because of his roots. I doubt that any substantial changes would happen anyway, since Obama hasn't
exactly been very active on the African front even before. However, there are still some fervent Obamaniacs out there: just check this video "Obama campaign reaches Zanzibar" which I, for one, thought to be hilarious. At least it will be for those who have been in Zanzibar...

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