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Russian Bloggers Predict US Vote

· Simon Maghakyan

Categories: Eastern & Central Europe, Russia, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Government & Politics, International Relations, War & Conflict

Anti-Americanism and racism may be big in Russia, but discussions on US presidential elections mostly reflect worldwide reactions: excitement, fear, hope, and some Obamania.

Hours before America votes, many Russian-language bloggers are making predictions about the US race. While most posts are short and, often, sweet, some are still arguing for or against the candidates.

Tyoma-Cat, after criticizing conservative arguments for John McCain, says he would still vote for the Republican candidate [1]. The blog says McCain is not a good choice, but that Democratic nominee Barack Obama is a bad one.

While Tyoma-Cat doesn’t specify distrust for Obama, Sentjao says he is scared with the idea that the Illinois senator will pull out of Iraq [2]:

Раз уж Америка ввязалась в эту войну, даже если это решение было ошибкой, вывод войск без достижения явной победы был бы страшной трагедией для Ближнего Востока, для всего мира и для Америки.

То, что Барак Обама может стать американским президентом – это очень страшно.

Since America got involved in this war, even if this decision was wrong, troop withdrawal without reaching definite victory would be a terrible tragedy for the Middle East, the whole world and the United States.

The fact that Barack Obama can become America’s president is very frightening.

Many more active Russian bloggers, though, seem to support Obama, and everyone has their own reason. Olyapka [3] keeps it short:

Я за Обаму :)) он молодой и симпатичный :))

I am for Obama. He is young and handsome

Balberov has even a shorter entry [4]. His post is titled “My choice,” and the body is one word – “Obama.”

Radioman07 says he has made a bet with a driver at his work. The blogger thinks Obama will win, and has risked 500 Russian rubles (about US $18) for his guess [5].

Beat-9 [6], in a comment on manonegro [7], says that he has witnessed some international support for Obama in Moscow.

вчера беседовал с дипломатами из посольства Индии в Москве.. про США тоже говорили.. Они говорят, что будут рады, если Обама победит..
А я вот всё же думаю: насколько белое население Штатов захочет, чтобы ими правил чернокожий..?

Узох кажется писал о каком-то эффекте, когда выбрали другого кандидата просто потому, что он белый..

я на самом деле тоже за Обаму.. А то уж очень тупой союз получается Маккейн-Пэйлин..

Yesterday I talked to diplomats from the Indian Embassy in Moscow… [We] also discussed the US. They [the Indian diplomats] say that they will be happy if Obama wins.

And I am still thinking: how much will the States’ white population want a black man to rule them?

Uzogh [a Russian-language Armenian blogger] wrote about some kind of an effect [referring to the Bradley effect] that another candidate was chosen just because of being white.

In reality, I am also for Obama. Otherwise, the McCain-Palin ticket becomes a very stupid one.