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. 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:

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.

Many more active Russian bloggers, though, seem to support Obama, and everyone has their own reason. Olyapka 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. 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.

Beat-9, in a comment on manonegro, 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.