Stories Oceania from November, 2008
Obama: Fortune tellers – past and present
Foretelling political fortunes is risky at the best of times - almost as hard as economic predictions. Remember the warnings of oil at $200 a barrel before the end of the year? Kevin Rennie, from Australia, takes a closer look at predictions for the Obama administration.
Social Media and The Making of the President
How influential was the web in this year's presidential election? Many onlookers and supporters of Barack Obama claim the President-Elect's mastery of video, audio and blogs helped him win the vote. A few international bloggers debate the role social media played in Obama's victory.
Three economists and a hoyden
In Australia, where the general euphoria over Obama's election has worn off, this ensemble of (mostly) economic bloggers are beginning to ponder what issues the new administration will address. Also: What is a hoyden, anyway?
The votes are in: An overwhelming loss for mainstream media
Those of the left, right, center, communist or socialist blocks all agree about one thing: The failure of the mainstream media in its coverage of the road to the White House. Is this merely post-election griping? It can't all be. What issues afflict the mainstream media?
Fourth World Voices: We Can Too
African-American politician Barack Obama’s White House victory is seen as their own triumph by many in the world. But what does the marginalized and invisible world – the Fourth World – think of America’s first multicultural president? Indigenous peoples offer watchful hope for change; many adopt the spirit of “Yes we can.â€
Australia welcomes Obama, well most
Australian bloggers found their voices after being glued to the media or live-blogging the election for most of Wednesday our time. Kevin Rennie zooms in on reactions from Down Under.
President-Elect Barack Obama: The blogosphere reacts
After a long election campaign and an equally taxing Election Day, the results are finally in: Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. After following this election for so long, the international blogosphere is now ready with its critique of the new President.
The view from the Pacific (and its environs)
As the first results come in, what are people living in Oceania and Asia thinking about the election? John Liebhardt brings us the latest reactions from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the Philippines.
Why isn't Election Day a Holiday?
As Americans queue up to wait for potentially hours to vote, observers from other countries are wondering why Election Day in the U.S. isn't a holiday. In many countries, voting is mandatory, and the day a holiday to ensure people are able to vote. Although some states do require that businesses give their employees time off to vote, many do not. Jillian C. York looks at reactions from Kenya and Australia.
America votes. American election officials sweat.
A record number of voters in the United States will attempt to cast ballots in Tuesday's election, leading many to worry about the potential for chaos at polling stations across the country. International bloggers look at the problems and some possible solutions.
