When I first realized I would be out of the country during my first presidential election as a voter, I was really disappointed. I mean, how exciting must it be to live on an American college campus now?? Every time I get emails from College Democrats or see announcements about the Election Night viewing parties going on around campus, I get a little jealous. However, since moving to Spain, I realized that being abroad during the election is a really cool opportunity. I feel like Americans always wonder about how other countries perceive us (and our politicians) and now I have the perfect chance to find out.
The thing you probably wouldn’t believe is how much foreigners really do care about American politics – especially now during election season. When I moved to Spain, I couldn’t even tell you the name of the Spanish president (it’s Zapatero, for the record), but I was shocked to see Bush, Obama, McCain and Palin on the news here every single day. People here definitely know a lot more about American politics than we know about Europe – they also love to hear about it first person from Americans.
Whenever people find out I am American, this is inevitably followed by one of two questions.
1) “What do you think of Bush?”
2) “Who is going to win the election?”
To the first question, it is appropriate to tell your new European pal, “Don’t worry, we don’t like Bush either.” This will immediately cement your friendship….ha, but in seriousness, they don’t seem to like Bush or the war in Iraq too much.
When it comes to the second question, you better believe that they want to hear about Barack Obama. I don’t remember the exact numbers, but in a recent poll of Spaniards, something like 70% of them said they want Obama to win.
I don’t know if you’ll even believe how excited people are here about Obama. They talk about him all the time and he is constantly on the news. When I went to Barcelona, I even saw Obama posters in the store fronts.
During our Barcelona trip, we had everyone from drag queens in a bar to museum officials ask us if we were voting for Obama. When I told them that yes, I was an Obama supporter, the women in the museum said, “Thank God!” and went off on a rant about how much Sarah Palin scares them.
Tonight, on Mira Quien Baile – Spain’s version of Dancing with the Stars – one of the judges took a Spanish song with the lyrics “O Mama!” and changed it into an impromptu serenade of “Obama!” Everyone joined in singing and clapping and I swear this lasted for at least three solid minutes of singing Obama’s name over and over. People here already seem to be celebrating Obama as the new president. I really hope that they’re right, but I know that no matter what kind of lead he has, Americans still need to turn out and vote tomorrow before we can say anything.
Tomorrow we are having a mock election at my school – which the Madrid tv and radio stations are coming to cover! There will be one tally of the American student’s votes and another of the Spaniard’s. My friend Nate is pretty sure he will be the only one voting for McCain. I think he may be right – a group of American college students and Spaniards almost guarantees a Barack victory.
My history professor is so excited to get to “vote.” He told me that he thinks the whole world should get to vote in this election, because it affects everyone, not just Americans.
My German friend advocates the same idea… he actually thinks that results of the election are MORE important to the rest of the world than to us. “Either candidate’s domestic policies will be the same for you at home,” he told me. “But the way the Democrats and Republicans handle international policy makes a big difference to us.” I disagree that the parties don’t make a difference at home, but it is interesting that he feels this way.
In any case, no matter what your political opinions are, I hope you take advantage of being around during this historic election. It’s really cool to see our country – and the international community – get so excited about politics.
I will leave you with a thought from my Spanish art history prof:
“The president of the United State is essentially the president of the world. Choose wisely.”
The world is watching you today – exercise your privilege as an American citizen and VOTE!
Posted
Nov 03 2008, 05:52 PM
by
ChristinaL