Obama Around the World

Editorial

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Rio Times tries to be politically unbiased but I personally am glad that Obama got the nod for four more years. Although conservative in some ways the fundamental Democratic party ideology seems like the path to a brighter, more just world. It also helps that almost every Brazilian, and every other nationality seems to feel the same way.

There were a few expatriate community events last night to watch the elections, I would have gone but was tied to my desk getting our weekly edition out. The Gringo Cafe had a big open party, and the U.S. Consulate and The American Society had a private invite-only affair at one of the country clubs (which closed at 1AM local time).

I strolled over to my local Blue Agave for an after-work beverage and watched the late night results come in.

In Rio there are a lot of Americans working in the oil industry, who are almost always from southern ‘red’ states. Last night there didn’t seem to be any at my bar which made it easier for me to cheer on more Obama time.

There were several Brits, and Irish couple, a few Germans I think, and of course a Cubana and few Brazilians. All were for Obama.

This seems like a telling indication of how the world sees the U.S., and how it sees the party politics, the racial politics, and I wonder if the average Republican back home thinks about this. If they do, and of course many must, how does that register?

A friend posted this on Facebook yesterday and I thought it was worth sharing.