I am a freelance journalist living in Suva, Fiji.
Latest posts by John Liebhardt
Africa: Florida is not Zimbabwe
When the US presidential campaign began – sometime shortly following the 2000 election – candidates of all stripes promised a thorough debate on issues, both of national and international importance. Yet, for all the hot air generated by the three remaining contenders from the major U.S. political parties, the subject of Africa (and its people) has most often received short shrift. No longer, writes John Liebhardt, who explains how presidential hopefuls are bringing up Africa in their debates, and how Africans view the US elections on their blogs.
Middle East: Obama’s Man in Gaza
Call him Barack Obama’s man in Gaza. Ibrahim Abu Jayyab, a bookish 23-year-old media studies student, gathers friends to try and rally support for the Democratic candidate by calling U.S. voters from a cybercafé in the Gaza strip. John Liebhardt takes a closer look at why Obama may be ... or may be not ... scoring points with supporters in the Middle East.
Global: For Clinton, a new mandate from the ‘Mountain State'?
For those of you who weren’t aware, West Virginia, the 41st-largest state in the United States, broke away from much larger Virginia in 1861, during the U.S. Civil War. It was in the mountain state Tuesday night, where West Virginia’s voters overwhelmingly supported Hillary Clinton 67 to 26 per cent over Democratic front-runner Barack Obama. John Liebhardt brings us the latest world's reactions to newest face off between the Democrats.
Global: Obama Closes the Deal?
They call it a “big step.†That’s what Barack Obama took Tuesday when he won the North Carolina Democratic Primary hands down and was narrowly defeated in Indiana by Senator Hillary Clinton. John Liebhardt brings us the reactions of bloggers around the world commenting early on the two primaries, who say that the show for the Democratic race is nearly over.
Hillary Wins Pennslyvania: Will the ‘Slapfest’ Continue?
Hillary Clinton beat Barack Obama in the hotly contested Pennsylvania primary Tuesday 55 to 45 per cent, further prolonging an already tense and extensive campaign to head the Democratic ticket for President in November, writes John Liebhardt, who brings us the reactions of world bloggers.
A Letter from Africa
African bloggers are busy sending messages to Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain about international relations, trade, religion and their overall expectations from the US presidential elections. John Liebhardt brings us the reactions of bloggers from South Africa, Nigeria and Ethiopia in this post.
Barack Obama is a liar and other campaign news from Africa
Why are some African bloggers calling Barack Obama a liar? And what do they have to say about the presidential hopeful's Race speech, campaign issues and foreign policy. John Liebhardt, who brings us other campaign news, looks into African blogs for reactions.
For African bloggers, the campaign has taken its toll
For African bloggers checking in on the Democratic race, long gone are the pithy remarks about Clinton and Obama and the hopeful interest in U.S. presidential politics. A certain new tone has entered into the fray: Perhaps it’s irritability or defiance. If I had to pick an adjective to tag these posts, I’d label them as “partisan.†You are either for us or against us; it’s as simple as that, writes John Liebhardt in this review of African blogs.
From Africa, ‘Hillary Clinton's Victorious Come Back!’
Hillary Clinton's victorious comeback has sent shock waves through the African blogopshere. John Liebhardt reviews blogger reactions from Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa in this round up.
Is Africa still Obama country?
Since my last post, candidate Barack Obama has won two states – a caucus in Hawaii and a primary in Wisconsin – and seemingly appears the candidate to beat for the Democratic nomination. Some African bloggers are not discounting the chances of Democrat Hillary Clinton from catching Obama, but others are beginning to discuss the possibility of November showdown of Obama versus McCain.
