International Reaction to the Election Results
I was scanning some Chinese news sources after the election. I began reading one and decided to translate it. I offer it here without comment, though I will note that reading the Chinese perspective on American politics is interesting and perhaps a bit entertaining. However, we would do well to keep in mind the extent to which this election has been followed around the world and the fact that often people in other countries are affected more strongly by our elections than we the electorate.
Original link (from the Xinhua news agency):
http://news.xinhuanet.com/
What is the meaning of Obama’s Victory?
Liu Huidang
1st: This year the American economy has begun to decline, which was not beneficial for the republican candidate McCain. In September of this month, the American financial crisis became an economic depression, consumerism shrunk and unemployment expanded. Therefore the American government adopted measures to prevent the crisis. However, the effects of these measures have yet to be felt. The trust of the American people is difficult to obtain. The financial crisis may continue for two or three years.
2nd: Since 9-11, the war against terror has emerged. The Bush administration used an antagonistic strategy as their starting point. The serious mistake of invading Iraq made the administration lose much of the confidence of the people.
History has shown that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction, and consequently that the Bush administration’s excuse for the invasion was preposterous. Furthermore, after the invasion, American forces found themselves in a serious quagmire. The invasion has cost billions of tax dollars and the lives of more than three thousand American soldiers. The American anti-terror policies have not only not been realized, but to the contrary have led to increased terror, and have failed to obtain peace for the whole world.
3rd: American voters are fickle; eight years of Republican rule seems too long. They wish to change the flavor, they want the democratic party to take over and turn over a new leaf. They want America to be able to extricate itself from its financial and diplomatic difficulties.
4th: Another reason for the Democratic victory is opposition to the Bush administration by the American public. Bush has ruled for eight years, and whether in domestic or international affairs, has demonstrated sub-par performance. The American people had their patience tested too far and thus used their ballots to pass judgment on the last eight years.
5th: This election demonstrates that American voters were not discriminatory. At one time, racial discrimination was a serious problem in the U.S., especially for African Americans. The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 is just one example of this. Recently, the U.S. has made considerable progress with regard to racial discrimination. Both Powell and Rice, ethnically black Americans of diverse backgrounds, have assumed positions of international importance. American voters, by choosing an man of African heritage to run the country, have made a miracle of historical nature.
6th: Obama’s youth is of consequence. He appears handsome, which helped him obtain the support of women and youth. He was born in August of 1961 and at 47 is full of vigorous energy. McCain is 72, and seems a bit old.
Obama will begin governance on January 1st. He will face no few problems. He must adopt measures to moderate the financial crisis and stop the degrading economic situation. He must resolve the military situation in Iraq. In the election, Obama’s attitude regarding Iraq was perfectly clear: he means to withdraw American forces as quickly as possible.
Obama’s policy regarding China will almost certainly follow Bush’s lead of encouraging friendship between the two countries.
March 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Only two arguments with the author:
1) Americans may be fickle, but this election had nothing to do with that.
2) Inauguration was not January 1.
Here’s a tip of the hat to the reporter.