Comment from Parubin
Time: November 5, 2008, 11:41 am

For the first time in like 800 years (Genghis Khan??) the world’s most powerful man is not white.

If, only for this (though not only for this), we all have to congratulate ourselves. This is a very strong message sent to all totalitarians in this world. A true milestone in world’s history.

Not being American I still am proud of Obama’s victory and I still feel part of it.

Comment from bill (Legazpi)
Time: November 5, 2008, 12:34 pm

@Parubin

I think it’s a time to congratulate the USA rather than ourselves. Only the Americans voted for Obama, not us Europeans. And as much as Europe has tended to back Obama, we should remember that it is a hell of a lot easier to choose somebody else’s leader than your own. Maybe now is the time to turn the spotlight back on ourselves? We are still a long way off having a non-white leader of a European country.

Comment from Ben
Time: November 5, 2008, 12:44 pm

@bill - “We are still a long way off having a non-white leader of a European country.” - Good point!

Comment from Parubin
Time: November 5, 2008, 12:57 pm

@ Bill & Ben :
Indeed, though history of minorities in Europe doesn´t go as far back as in the US, which is a country founded and entirely made out of immigration from all continents.

Look at Spain, we barely had any non-Spaniard living with us 15 years ago. Immigration is a new phenomenon to us, we still don´t even have second generation minorities in Spain. The UK is still 40-50 years ahead of Spain, but still it is not forseable a non-white PM in the near future.

I think the point is that everyone everywhere has to know that pigmentation is not an issue anymore. That is something we can all celebrate (even us Europeans). Some other issues concern us too (environmental policies, multilateralism, etc…).

Anyway, I’d like to point out that not everyone celebrated yesterday. Californians voted for a cut in civil liberties, meaning that in their State Constitution ‘marriage’ will only be defined as the union between couples of different sex. A step backwards on what they had before and a move against the tide of civil liberties, which I’m sure will be repaired again sometime in the future.

Comment from US Bob
Time: November 5, 2008, 1:46 pm

¡Hola! Well, that’s done; we have elected a new president. We will all now get about the business of our normal lives. The democrats have a stronger (but not unilateral) position in the federal government. Checks and balances are built into U.S. constitution, and most folks like that.

@Ben. Re your question about the impact on Spain. I see that 20minutos has asked that question, and that “No creo”is the most frequent response.

Why not repeat that question at this time next year?

Best regards to all.

Comment from Beckett
Time: November 5, 2008, 1:47 pm

@Legazpi, my thoughts exactly. Thanks for making that comment before I did.

Comment from luke
Time: November 5, 2008, 1:47 pm

@Bill
‘long way off having a non-white leader of a European country’

That is true but a prime minster of Britain was elected from a minority group. Benjamin Disraeli was elected in the 19th century and was, of course, Jewish. Sarkosy also has Jewish roots.

I hope we can get over the fact that Obama has African ancestry and celebrate the fact that his policies will be better for us all. After all if Condeleezza Rice or Colin Powell had become president, would we be happy just because they have African heritage or would we be more concerned that they are continuing the legacy of Bush?

Comment from Beckett
Time: November 5, 2008, 1:49 pm

@Parubin,
The gypsies don’t count as an ethnic minority in Europe?

Comment from Parubin
Time: November 5, 2008, 2:07 pm

@ Beckett :
One out of every four Americans is not white.
Many of that significant 25% percent have a tradition whitin the nation that goes back more than one generation.

In Spain the only ethnic minority group with a tradition are the gypsies, but still they only account for little less than 1% of the total population. The rest of minorities came mainly in the last decade.

Comment from bill (Legazpi)
Time: November 5, 2008, 3:43 pm

@Parubin

I agree that the Spanish demographic does not lend itself to a non-white leader at the moment. When I made my comment I had in mind countries such as the UK, France and Holland, which have many second and third generation non-white immigrants, but practically none of them take up government positions. If that is still the case in say 10 years time then serious questions need to be asked.

Comment from ryan
Time: November 5, 2008, 4:14 pm

I’m happy. Not because he’s black. Because he’s a breathe of fresh air. A new face. A new perspective. A fresh start! Time for a new look, and we got one.
I Can’t wait till Jan, when this thing will be fully over!

Comment from Parubin
Time: November 5, 2008, 4:37 pm

@ Ryan :
Indeed, skin colour doesn´t matter one bit, but we all needed someone black to prove it to those who wouldn´t listen.

Comment from RaysAdventures
Time: November 5, 2008, 4:53 pm

I am very proud of my country for electing Obama, not only because of his ethnicity but more importantly he is extremely intelligent, a great orator, and humane. Yes we can.

Comment from kathy
Time: November 5, 2008, 5:26 pm

Even though I didn’t vote for Obama, I’m still proud to call him my president now just for what he represents in this country and in the world…and it doesn’t hurt that relations between America and the rest of the world will probably be a lot better!

Comment from Northernlight
Time: November 5, 2008, 5:26 pm

Yes, congraturlation to USA for electing a democratic president, and one who seems to have the skills to have that position.

But I dont consider him or any other american president for that mattter, to be the president of the world. Those days are long gone, nobody believes that, not in this century. Sure the war actions of Bush has impacts on the rest of the world, as it also would have had if for example China, or any other country made war in Irak.

BUT, Obamma seems to be a president that can handle himself and act on behalf of the americans in the world - beeing able to cooperate with Europe and the rest of the world.

Guess there is need for a lot of change inside USA, but it will be interesting to see if he can bring change to how USA handels themelves in the world:
- Will they pick up their bill to the UN
- Will they accept and ratify conventions on human rights
- will they end the war in Irak - and not start others!
- and a million other things…

Comment from jwill999
Time: November 5, 2008, 6:05 pm

Its not for me to get emotional about Politics, however today is that exception. It fills me with joy as I watch this historic moment. To think what is, and what was. Nobody could of imagined this day arriving and the possibilities it could hold for the world.

I sit back and look in hope at what could be. May today be the change the world has been waiting for.

Comment from troy
Time: November 5, 2008, 6:21 pm

as a first time voter and a biracial american, this election has inspired me and my fellow youth voters… Si se Puede! America finally lives up to its creed…

Comment from raytibbitts
Time: November 5, 2008, 7:20 pm

Long live the American Dream.

Comment from jon hundt
Time: November 5, 2008, 8:26 pm

@ Parubin:

“Indeed, though history of minorities in Europe doesn´t go as far back as in the US, which is a country founded and entirely made out of immigration from all continents.

Look at Spain, we barely had any non-Spaniard living with us 15 years ago. Immigration is a new phenomenon to us, we still don´t even have second generation minorities in Spain. The UK is still 40-50 years ahead of Spain, but still it is not forseable a non-white PM in the near future.”

I think that Spain has had a lot of immigrants, dating back about a thousand years or more. The UK shares the same history of conquest/domination/slavery as Spain and to a lesser extent the USA. Remember who bought and sold the slaves… who “discovered” America and brought back human beings as toys to display at the royal court… who “colonized” America and India and Africa etc…

don’t act like your country is not part of this game of racial politics. The USA has a past which we are constantly confronting… and this is one of our finer moments. But Europe created the institutions and was at the root of all the social conditions that the USA is confronting now.

What I see is this: many Europeans seem to think that “race” is a USA issue, while blindly ignoring the blatant race problems in the European community.

Comment from pat
Time: November 5, 2008, 9:08 pm

On behalf all the Americans I know and myself, I’d like to thank the people abroad who saw the gap between government and the people over the last 8 years. I can say with complete honesty and sense of hope that I have faith in my country and, for the first time ever, ever, I’m proud to be an American. Here we go.

Comment from John Ross
Time: November 5, 2008, 9:44 pm

@jon hundt

>>I think that Spain has had a lot of immigrants, dating back about a thousand years or more.<>The UK shares the same history of conquest/domination/slavery as Spain and to a lesser extent the USA.<>What I see is this: many Europeans seem to think that “race” is a USA issue, while blindly ignoring the blatant race problems in the European community.<<

I think in the UK it’s just too big an issue and it’s been around too long for anyone to pretend it doesn’t exist (and thank goodness things are a lot less conflictive there then they used to be - you won’t remember Enoch Powell foaming at the mouth about “rivers of blood,” I do.). But it’s true that Spaniards are having trouble coming round to recognizing that there is an issue to address at all, and that the first thing that needs tackling is their own perceptions and attitudes. Spaniards being Spaniards, though, what you can be sure of is that once they do recognize that there is an issue, they’ll get on with it straight away.

Comment from John Ross
Time: November 5, 2008, 9:52 pm

Ignore the above, it got garbled. Instead of rewriting it, on the subject of tolerance, I’ll point out that it’s Guy Fawkes’ Night! Our friends and relations in England will be happily engaged in the traditional family holiday activity of burning effigies of Catholics.

Comment from Brandon William Pyle
Time: November 5, 2008, 9:58 pm

One of the hopes I have for the Obama administration is that it will go a long way to strengthen our ties with Europe. America will always be defined by its independence, but it’s good to have a few friends! Here’s to the new president, new opportunities, and a new way of looking at the world! Salud!

Comment from Maria S.
Time: November 5, 2008, 10:09 pm

Europe got its own racial problems, but a lot of it stems from the fact that these immigrants DO not want to become immersed. Some of them come here for a better life, e.g., live on welfare as they heard you could live here for free, of course depending on what country you are coming from. Racial problems in Europe are more of an economical problem.

In the U.S., there is no support for poor immigrants. In Germany, poor immigrants get free loans, subsidized housing, free education, etc.

In the U.S., the racial problem is one of equality. In Europe, it is one of financing. Remember - we have socialism here.

But America can be very proud today. I am happy to see that “All men are created equal”.

Comment from Bill (Legazpi)
Time: November 5, 2008, 11:42 pm

@jon hundt

I think Parubin is quite correct in saying there were barely any none Spanish living in Spain 15 years ago. That is not the same as denying that Spain has had mass immigration over the centuries, it just implies that those immigrants have either been kicked out at some point, or have integrated, or both.

Neither is it denying that Spain has had a role in slavery, etc, and neither is it acting like Spain is not part of this game of racial politics. He simply made an empirical statement. If you think there was a large number of immigrants living in Spain 15 years ago then feel free to say so, though I’d be interested in what evidence you have.

Comment from raytibbitts
Time: November 6, 2008, 12:59 am

@ Maria: It is important for you to understand that many immigrants in the U.S., including and especially those who have arrived illegally, are most certainly supported.
Hospitals attend to them, schools teach them, banks loan them money, government agencies speak to them in their own language, and look the other way when they use multiple social security numbers and aliases, and such.

Among poor U.S. citizens vs poor immigrants in the U.S. there is plenty of equality, and the finances behind much of that equality are running out for both.

Comment from luke
Time: November 6, 2008, 11:53 am

@ John Ross “burning effigies of Catholics”
It’s interesting that the largest long term ethnic minority in the UK (Irish Catholics) have never had a representative as prime minister. There has never even been a Catholic prime minister and I believe, under the present system, it would be difficult since the monarch is not supposed to take advise from a Catholic. Tony Blair waited until his office expired to become a Catholic. So it seems the UK is behind the US in this respect too. Although we did beat them by having a female prime minister (lucky us!).

Comment from Maria S.
Time: November 6, 2008, 1:12 pm

@Ray
I guess I never saw that side of support when I lived there. But then again, my immigrant situation was different.
As a green card holder I had to sign a written affidavit promising never to apply for welfare, food stamps or any other benefits from the U.S. government. But I also entered the U.S. from an industrialized country without having refugee status and such.

In regards to equality - I had meant that in regards to racial equality with Obama having become president-elect and giving hope to other minorities.

Comment from James
Time: November 6, 2008, 3:29 pm

¡Si se pudo! (Yes we did!)

Is this even correct?

Comment from bill (Legazpi)
Time: November 6, 2008, 5:17 pm

@Luke

Look up Leopoldo O’Donnell on wikipedia and you’ll see that the Spanish were way ahead in terms of having a Prime Minister of Irish descent. Unfortunately any kudos for this is soon lost when you read about his exploits in Cuba.

Comment from Parubin
Time: November 6, 2008, 7:57 pm

@ Bill :
True, O’Donnell was a key figure in Spanish politics in the s.XIX. Spanish (from the Canary Islands) of Irish ancestry. He gives his name to one of the main streets in central Madrid.

In return, we gave the Irish Eámon De Valera. Arguably the most important President of Ireland, leader of the independence from the UK, of the leading roles in the writing of today’s Irish Constitution and founder of Fianna Fáil, the largest political party in Ireland. His father was Spanish (Spanish born in Cuba).

And yes, I said nothing about not having racial issues in Spain (sure we do). I just said that the probability today of a non-white Spanish Head of Government is almost nonexistent as practically all non-white Spanish born citizens are still underage (except for gypsies, who represent less than 1% of total population).

Comment from ecam
Time: November 7, 2008, 3:51 am

I wonder if obama will be the next jfk. How long will he keep his resolute desk? Only time will tell.

Comment from jon hundt
Time: November 7, 2008, 10:21 am

Parubin and Bill - I did some research about recent immigration to Spain, and I see that you are indeed quite correct in saying that Spain had almost no immigration throughout most of the 20th century. I stand corrected on that, thank you.

The point I really wanted to make was more historical, and that is that over 2000+ years there have been waves of immigration to Spain, coming from all directions. This is also true of the rest of Europe. Racial and cultural purity is a fiction. Over the long term immigrant groups become part of the national culture.

Comment from Pepino
Time: November 7, 2008, 11:39 am

Hi. I don´t quite understand Ecam´s comment. Do you mean that he will end up being assasinated? I know there´s a big danger of this, but that´s true of any American president, no? Not just because he´s black surely? JFK only served a couple of short years in the job before he was killed so who knows what would´ve happened if his administration had lasted.

Btw, are there any McCain supporters out there who have an opinion about the election result? Over here in Spain, I´ve not met an single person who supported him in the campaign. Is it social suicide outside of, I dunno, “Bucksnort Idaho” to be a republican these days?

Comment from raytibbitts
Time: November 7, 2008, 10:56 pm

@Pepino:
I wasn’t sure about the Resolute Desks, then I came across this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Resolute_(1850)#The_Resolute_desks
Apparently they are desks made from the timbers of a salvaged British ship, the HMS Resolute, one of which the U.K. gifted to U.S. President Hayes.
He has certainly fulfilled the first step of becoming like Kennedy. He is very popular, and is seen as being a ‘cultural outsider’ (Kennedy as a Catholic, Obama as black.)
Step two would be to actually become president, and begin to disillusion, to some extent, the dream-like hope that got him elected.
Step three would be to be assassinated by an evil and possibly insane person.

As much as I doubt that it will go this way, I still fear that it might, and I pray that the Lord protects him, and that He softens the hearts and minds of anyone who might be planning or hoping for him to die.
It wouldn’t be so surprising, looking at it statistically. Of just 44 presidents, 4 of them have been murdered in office, and six others have survived attempts on their lives. Those who didn’t believe that Reagan broke Tecumseh’s Curse, believed that Bush Jr. would have been assassinated (and he still might.)

As far as McCain supporters’ reactions; if I had been able to vote in the last few days of the elections I would have switched from Ron Paul to McCain, simply because I was disgusted with the hypocrisy in the media over their treatment of Governor Palin. (I was also disgusted with they way they chose to treat Joe Wurzelbacher.)
Despite the fact that I do not agree with Obama’s political theories and policies (the few that he has chosen to divulge) I look forward to my new President taking office. I do not feel it is appropriate to be a ’sore loser’ (or even worse, a ’sore winner’) and keep perpetuating divisiveness, as many did, as they followed the motto: “Bush is not MY president.”
In January, despite that I feel my politics are irreconcilable with his, I still will proclaim, “Obama is my president.” It is the honorable thing to say, it is the right thing to say,

but more importantly, it is the way I truly feel.

I also have things much, much more important going on in my life than political opinions.

Comment from Palmer
Time: November 7, 2008, 11:21 pm

The Republican Party is in a shambles now after this election and indeed had been heading down that road for a couple of years now. The religious right hijacked the party over a decade ago and people are now realising how narrow the focus of the party’s platform had become. It was not the compassionate conservatism that Bush promised. The democrats are the party of inclusion while the republicans are the party of exclusion. The party of Abraham Lincoln (republican) is unrecognizable today. They need to regroup to their original tenets of small government and economic frugality.

Comment from raytibbitts
Time: November 8, 2008, 8:18 am

Which is it? Bush and McCain become presidential nominees of the Republican Party during this last decade, and the moral majority went along with the compromise; OR “the religious right hijacked the party over a decade ago” and forced everybody to follow their lead?
If the religious right had won in 2000 Alan Keyes would have been the first black president, and the party of Lincoln would still look more like the party of Lincoln.

Comment from Edith
Time: November 8, 2008, 11:29 am

@ Raytibbitts,

If Kennedy and Obama are still seen as ‘cultural outsiders’ by some, I’d like to ask who these people are. WASPS, I suppose, and possibly WASP males who feel threatened by this change in the status quo?

How many people in America are actually WASP?

After all, America was meant to be a melting pot, and a melting pot it has become… or am I wrong?

Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: November 8, 2008, 12:47 pm

@ Edith: To answer your question on how many WASPs are there in America, one only has to observe the attendance of the Republican Conventions.

Comment from raytibbitts
Time: November 8, 2008, 9:33 pm

Kennedy was seen as being culturally outside the culture of the typical high-powered politician.
Obama is also seen as being outside this same range of cultural background.

I did not mean to imply that I believe that either actually lies outside the true cultural norm of the general population, but was trying to paraphrase what I have read from others who have compared the two leaders.

Sorry for the confusion.

Comment from raytibbitts
Time: November 8, 2008, 9:40 pm

Oh, and I would be a WASP if my Irish grandfather would not disown me for the A. and the S. and if the P.’s would have me.
The first time I ever voted it was for Alan Keyes, a Black and a Catholic.
No, I don’t feel threatened by any Status Quo, nor lack thereof.

Comment from Tom
Time: November 9, 2008, 11:37 am

Re: Catholics becoming PM, yes this is technically impossible. The UK has an established, state religion (the Church of England) which is intimately tied to the structures of Government. The head of state, the Queen, is also head of the church. She appoints the PM and the PM appoints the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church’s most senior priest.

That said, all you have to do is pretend you’re not a Catholic and then there’s no problem. Or better still, reform the whole mess, drop the Queen and the Church and take the country one step closer to democracy.

Comment from Edith
Time: November 9, 2008, 6:14 pm

@ Raytibbits,

No, I didn’t imply you felt threatened by any status quo. I was thinking of conservative Republicans, especially elderly ones.

Comment from raytibbitts
Time: November 10, 2008, 4:05 am

I guess I just consider myself a Conservative Republican, more so than I consider Bush or McCain to fit that moniker.
I’ll be 35 soon, so not elderly, though.

Comment from Paul
Time: November 18, 2008, 4:35 am

With all due respect to those in Europe, there are many, though clearly not all of us in the US, who are more concerned with our own opinion about the US President than what folks from other countries think. Would Spain or other countries welcome US opinion polls calling their elected leaders caustic names? Many Americans do welcome those remarks, but many do not. What’s really embarrassing as an American is that it provides some sort of major guidepost to some American voters - “my gosh, the French don’t like our leader!” It’s like America is taking on the inferiority complex that has consumed Europe since WWII.

I didn’t vote for him, but I hope Obama is a great president. I also hope that, if he isn’t, there’s more news to report than the latest derogatory opinion polls from Europe calling Obama names. And, let’s hope there isn’t hand wringing in the US about what the Europeans think of him. It’s really unseemly for people on both sides of the Atlantic.