Sometimes European support for a particular candidate is often treated with a sense of derision when American’s hear that Europe favors a specific candidate because: “Who likes those European’s anyway…” The truth of the matter is that every single person I have spoken to Ireland has voiced their support for Senator Obama from ad executives in top PR firms, recruiters and your average Irish young adult. The Senator’s message of change has resonated with everyone in Ireland who wish esfor a more transparent EU in the wake of the failed Lisbon referendum. Senator Obama is not only liked in Ireland but in other parts of Europe as well as reported by the latest PEW Global Attitudes Project:
I really wish the Senator would stop in Ireland however I might just be tempted to take the plane over to London to hopefully catch a speech if he is inclined to give one. Some people may ask what is the purpose of popularity abroad? To that I answer that in the dynamic nature of the world we live in, to truly accomplish large goals like climate change, reducing poverty and conserving energy. America needs a leader who is respected by the people of the world as well as their respective leaders, we all know Prime Minister Brown and President Bush are good friends and allies but the fact of the matter is Prime Minister Brown is in a similar situation with record low levels of approval.
Most likely if Senator Obama is elected President, he will be dealing with Prime Minister Cameron who is currently the leader of the Conservative Party in England. David Cameron is also known for his support of the war in Iraq but this is unlikely to damage any potential synergy that he will have with Senator Obama during their meeting this week. A future Prime Minister Cameron would me mindful of the U.K’s low support for the war hence most likely falling in line with an Obama campaign Iraq pull-out strategy. Europe is going to prove to be a critical ally in the coming years as China flex’s its economic power in Africa with the only way to counter that power being closer ties between the EU and the USA.
