John Liebhardt

I am a freelance journalist living in Suva, Fiji.

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Latest posts by John Liebhardt

International bloggers weigh in on Powell endorsement

  October 20, 2008

International bloggers have begun registering their feelings and opinions on Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama. Speaking during a Sunday morning public affairs program, Powell, Secretary of State during President George W. Bush’s first term, called Obama “a transformational figure” who would reach out in a more diverse, inclusive way across the United States.

Cracking ACORN

  October 14, 2008

International bloggers have begun to file their opinions on ACORN, a 38-year-old community organizing group which registers voters across the United States that has come under attack for allegedly creating fraudulent voter registrations cards.

Global: Do negative campaigns help?

  October 7, 2008

With less than a month to go before the U.S. presidential election, it looks as if the gloves are beginning to come off and both campaigns are trying to get low-down and personal. With accusations flying about the pasts of Democratic contender Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain, sparks could fly at Tuesday night's debate -- the second of three times the presidential candidates will meet face-to-face.

Global: Let the financial sector eat cake?

  September 29, 2008

In Japan, people have seen the election of four Prime Ministers in the past two years. The process has been described as “remarkably well-governed” because the professionalism of the so-called professional class, the bureaucrats who actually run the country. What would people say about the United States? Have the regulators, these so-called professional bureaucrats who work above the political fray handled the economy better than the political class?

Global: Scenes from a bailout

  September 22, 2008

In what U.S. Treasury Secretary admitted was a “humbling, humbling time” for the country, Congressional members of America’s two major political parties spent the weekend hammering out a rescue package for the nation’s financial beleaguered system. The plan, if ratified as expected by Congress, calls on the U.S. government to spend up to $700 billion purchasing “troubled mortgage assets of crippled financial firms.”

A Global Review of the U.S. Election

  September 15, 2008

The death of a postmodern novelist. Teetering Wall Street Banks. A hurricane wreaking havoc in Texas. Yet, the Jewish blogger PatriotMissive points out that the top five stories E-mailed from the New York Times this weekend are either accounts about Sarah Palin (who earns the top spots) or her running mate, John McCain. Is America — and the rest of the world — going election mad? Inquiring minds want know.

Global: Early reviews on John McCain's acceptance speech

  September 5, 2008

“Fight for what's right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people. Fight for our children's future. Fight for justice and opportunity for all. Stand up to defend our country from its enemies. Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America,” that’s how John McCain basically wrapped up his acceptance speech for the Republican Nomination to run for President of the United States. So, how did he do? Bloggers and Twitterers from around the world took their first cracks at the newly minted Republican candidate as he received his time in the limelight.

Sarah Palin’s Wikipedia page locked

  September 5, 2008

This just in: The online battle for the US presidency continues apace. Sarah Palin’s Wikipedia page, the subject of much hacking since she became John McCain’s running mate, has been locked until September 8.

Global: All Palin all the time

  September 4, 2008

What has changed in the US election scene since 2000? John Liebhardt takes us on a personal journey - and points out how there is very little interest in the Republican convention today. When international bloggers talk about Republicans today - what is it that really stands out? Following are reactions from Jordan, Israel, Egypt and South Africa.

Will Hillary’s supporters ‘get over it’?

  August 28, 2008

Hillary Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention being held in Colorado, Denver, may have hit a home run. For the most part, bloggers pointed out that the first woman to seriously contend for the President of the United States was wholehearted in her plea for party unity. In what could be the biggest question of Election 2008, will Clinton’s supporters heed her call and support Obama in November? Inquiring bloggers want to know.