At about 2:50 AM EST Wednesday morning, MSNBC went live to NBC News reporter Dawna Friesen in London for world reaction to Barack Obama's election and she triumphantly declared: “It's not an overstatement to say that this is what the world wanted. Poll after poll done in countries around the world over the past few months has showed that people wanted Barack Obama to win.”
After blurry video of Kenyans dancing and singing a song which “had only two words, 'Obama' and 'miracle,'” Friesen held up the front page of London's left of center The Independent and explained how the newspaper's headline “dubbed” Obama "The history man." She also decided to highlight:
The diplomatic editor of The Independent interestingly writing that now is the time to undo the damage done by George W. Bush. I think much of the world does see this as really turning a page, moving on from George Bush. And the diplomatic editor says there's a global yearning for a seismic shift in American foreign policy.
For the article, “Farewell Dubya. Now to undo the damage done...; There’s a global yearning for a seismic shift in American foreign policy -- but Barack Obama will be hamstrung by high expectations,” by Anne Penketh.
My NewsBusters item on Friesen's October 17 NBC Nightly News story, “NBC: 'If World Had a Vote, Barack Obama Would Win in a Landslide,'” recounted Friesen's earlier touting of world attitudes:
Friday's NBC Nightly News devoted a story to how around the world “people want to turn a page on the Bush years” and, as if it's relevant, “if the world had a vote, Barack Obama would win in a landslide.” A suggestion to viewers on what they must do to restore America's honor? Reporter Dawna Friesen warned that the next President “faces a grim reality: Much of the world deeply distrusts, even dislikes, the United States” and she rued “much of the sympathy and solidarity that existed after 9/11 evaporated during the Bush years.”
Pointing to Iraq as the primary culprit (“so many believed it was invaded on false pretenses”), Friesen also highlighted “other reasons,” such as how “after Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. is perceived by many as a violator rather than an upholder of human rights” and “America is seen contributing, but not doing much to solve, global warming.” From Istanbul, she concluded:
Here in Turkey, as in much of the world, people want to turn a page on the Bush years. In fact, polls show the image of the U.S. has improved slightly this year simply because President Bush is leaving. And, that if the world had a vote, Barack Obama would win in a landslide. Regardless of who wins, the world is clamoring for a new America in 2009.
Friesen, live from London on MSNBC at about 2:50 AM EST on Wednesday, November 5:
You know, it's not an overstatement to say that this is what the world wanted. Poll after poll done in countries around the world over the past few months has showed that people wanted Barack Obama to win. And in Kenya, overnight -- that is the country that is the ancestral home of Obama's late father -- overnight, they were all up in the little village where his extended family still lives watching the results come in. And when they realized that their favorite son was going to become America's 44th President, the dancing, the singing began. Apparently the song had only two words, "Obama" and "miracle." Kenya's President has announced that tomorrow will be a national holiday in honor of Barack Obama.
This morning, reaction is beginning to come in from around the world, from world leaders. French President Nicholas Sarkozy issuing a statement saying: “At a time when we must face huge challenges together, your election has raised enormous hopes in France, in Europe, and beyond." And from Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan, he said, "I applaud the American people for the great decision and I hope the massive show of concern for human beings and a lack of interest in race and color while electing the President will go along way in bringing the same values to the rest of the world sooner or later."
And as people in Britain wake and up head to work this morning, their morning papers show the face, pretty much, of one man. This is the cover of The Independent this morning. They've dubbed him "The history man." It's the headline. The diplomatic editor of The Independent interestingly writing that now is the time to undo the damage done by George W. Bush. I think much of the world does see this as really turning a page, moving on from George Bush. And the diplomatic editor says there's a global yearning for a seismic shift in American foreign policy.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
»→ Market says otherwise.
November 5, 2008 - 04:17 ET by Cool ArrowThe European market is selling off, as expected.
These are the votes we should believe, and interpret.
Ok...Nice Answer.
November 5, 2008 - 04:20 ET by TheSterGood Answer.
Ster.
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government.
the euro markets..the dax
November 5, 2008 - 10:25 ET by patmac49the euro markets..the dax ftse ect have been in trouble for weeks..and now it is obama fault..just face the fact that a majority of america just does not buy into it...and that is how we elect our officials..when george w was elected,his backers claimed it was our duty to get behind the pres and commander in chief..guarantee people on the other side of this will have no use for that theory now
the world wants
November 5, 2008 - 04:26 ET by WesenThe rejoicing world wants a weaker America. What they forget is what will they do when we can't help anymore?
"Hey Michelle, for the first time in my life I am ashamed of my Country."
C'mon now, you weren't
November 5, 2008 - 09:44 ET by winston smithC'mon now, you weren't ashamed when Carter and Clinton were President?
yes congrats to osama bin
November 5, 2008 - 11:36 ET by TruthMongeryes congrats to osama bin laden and al-queda/taliban fans everywhere, hugo chavez, ahmadinadinnerjacket, castro, kim dong il, the chicoms...
and hats off to america for vindicating mikey moore, rev wright, bill ayers, air america - fantastic
Government is the "greedy capitalism" of marxists
I seriously hate these
November 5, 2008 - 04:32 ET by liberal_bug_zapperI seriously hate these people. They bring nothing but vapid platitudes and sophistry to the table and I'm sick of them. I feel I'm surrounded by morons, and it scares me and pisses me off at the same time.
____________________________________________________
"I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine." ~ Ayn Rand
Yes, the seismic shift
November 5, 2008 - 04:36 ET by ArchConservativeYes, the seismic shift in American foreign policy is anti-Israel, anti-business, and no pressure on any country that means us ill. It means that we will now back pedal in Iraq and Afghanistan, talk with Iran and be the spineless weasles we were back in the Carter days. Hostages being held for 444 days is nothing compared to what is going to happen before 2012.
President Bush took a hard stand against the surge of world wide terrorism. Obama will not.
Obama will try to destroy business, talk radio, and the GOP minority. He will give a pass to the enemies of our country.
We are a weaker country today. The world now knows that we have no stomach for a long entrenched war against those who want to destroy us. The world wanted Obama because they were (and are) to weak-minded themselves. They hate seeing a country that's confident and strong willed. Now that we have been brought down to their level (instead of being brought up to ours), the world is a much dangerous place.
We have just decided that equality is better than freedom. Equality only means we are the same. Well, the world community is all the same now. Weak lambs ready for slaughter.
You support the troops by supporting the mission! If you don't support the mission, have the guts to say you don't support the troops.
Obama: Not my President. Ever.
you really have no clue, do you?
November 5, 2008 - 06:04 ET by abeautifulpersonyou need to get out in the world. using an image of a couple kenyans is really dishonest. the world breathed a sigh of relief.
a vote against YOU is NOT a vote against israel or business. america's foot on the throat of many countries DOES need to be rethought. AND the rest of the world now needs to grow up.
now is the time for america to stop making enemies. the queue for who doesn't approve of how america behaves on the world stage is long. but its not the american people who are at the heart of it. big business and the military industrial complex from america are now going to have to behave differently.
what you see is a weak president. what the world sees is the removal of a president who drives around in an armoured car with missile firing drones flying overhead.
the goal now for america is to begin to extract it military tentacles, mend fences and make friends.
... or you can sit in your basement polishing your automatic weapon waiting for THEM to take you away...
if i were to speak in your language, YOU are the enemy of america. the majority has spoken loud and clear that they are done with war, growing disparities in wealth and failed foreign policies.
i kept hearing "america's the greatest democracy in the world". well, america talks the talk. let's see if it walks the walk. obama is your president as long as you live in america. get used to it.
abeautifulperson, The
November 5, 2008 - 06:19 ET by ConservativeRexabeautifulperson, The truth of the matter is, Europe is scared shitless about right now. The zombies, illegals and dead people who voted here for the half white guy, voted in someone just like them!!
Now who the hell is going to keep the wolf at the door of Europe? Their worst kept fears have come true. America elected a true Socialist. Just like them. One who doesn't believe in any kind of defense. No offensive against the bad guys of the world. Now what Europe? Is the Eurotrash going to have to protect themselves?
They don't know how! Maybe the brave people of Poland and Ukraine do, but the rest? Huge pussies on the world stage. Obami isn't going to help you. Bring all our troops home, leave Europe to the wolves of Russia and the Middle East they love so much. Keep kissing their asses like you have been doing.
That may save you, but probably not. George Bush is done saving your sorry asses. Good! Call Saudi Arabia now when you need help. As America retreats into it's protectionist shell, Europe will be left out in the cold once again. Good, maybe it's time Europe began to appreciate a strong America again.
But I doubt it. When that time does come. 75% of Europe will be on their knees 5 times a day facing Mecca, too late then Eurotrash.
»→ ConRex
November 5, 2008 - 06:26 ET by Cool ArrowThe canine act of surrender is the vanquished dog rolling over on his back presenting his testicles to the victor.
Most of Europe is quite familiar with performing this maneuver.
All of Europe is coming to the realization that an Obama Presidency signifies an open door to that wolf you mentioned.
abp....whose interests do
November 5, 2008 - 06:53 ET by motherbeltabp....whose interests do you think those other countries are looking out for?
what you see is a weak president.
And what the world sees is a weak President.
A President who will worry more about being friends and not making enemies, who will sit down and talk while the missile-firing drones of other countries fly overhead.
Who, when Russia invaded Georgia, called for BOTH sides to exercise restraint.
Who will help to make America less, in order to fit in better with the rest of the world.
The road to socialism is paved with good intentions.
I weep for my children. And for my country.
Hey, Skindeep (you don't
November 5, 2008 - 09:29 ET by HockeyKidHey, Skindeep (you don't mind the truth, do you?), you speak as though you are not American. If you are American, then your words reveal you as a hypocrite. If you are not an American, then you have no capacity to understand our country, according to your own logic.
So, American or not, today you reveal yourself as inconsequential. Nicely done.
abp, it is you who is clueless, you freedom-hating twit.
November 5, 2008 - 12:21 ET by R D HelmSure, the spineless wussies like you of the world are jumping for joy now, but sooner or later (probably sooner, given the events of yesterday) the next Adolf Hitler is going to jump onto the world stage.
When that happens, the USSA may have a sufficient military left to defend itself, but it will not be able to come to the aid of the other nations that will be threatened (perhaps the very one in which you reside), as it was able to do twice in the last century.
When the henchmen of the next Hitler come and cart you off to the concentration camp or the gas chamber, I hope you will remember that it was people like you the world over, and right here in America, who helped put you in that sad predicament.
Its going to be big fun to watch. :-)
-Dave
Resist the Obamatons.
Well put
November 5, 2008 - 13:04 ET by man_from_outer_spaceI could not agree more. These people are full of cheap platitudes, but when it is really time to put country first - as McCain put it, well, you can see what they really think.
MFos,
November 5, 2008 - 18:11 ET by R D HelmActually, the country we intend to put first is the America that believes in true freedom and economic popportunity for all of its citizens, not the Amerika that Obama wishes to turn into a Marxist hell-hole, in which no one is free and prosperity for some comes at the expense of others.
-Dave
Resist the Obamatons.
mfos
November 5, 2008 - 18:18 ET by RESTLESS 1I thought dissent was the truest form of patriotism. I think you'll see a whole hell of a lot of patriotism now.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
lets hold hands
November 5, 2008 - 14:48 ET by WesenKumbaya O lord, Kumbaya.
We should ignore abp's idiocy
November 5, 2008 - 18:05 ET by BlondeHe is a bloody foreigner.
Ignore the troll....his opinion doesn't matter one iota.
Wow. You truly are an ignorant ant-military Bush hater.
November 7, 2008 - 14:18 ET by ArchConservativeI have gotten out in the world. I have been to Iraq. I have fought for my country. I have put 20 years into the military and seen more things and more countries than you ever will.
Obama IS anti-business: he wants to tax the hell out of everyone over $120,000 and make sure that "big business" is taxed to nth degree also. His enemies are Wal-Mart and Exxon. Not Islamo-terrorists.
Obama IS anti-Israel: when the tape surfaces of him toasting a known antisemite you will find out. But since you don't think that Rev. Wright's sermons for 20 years shaped him or his thinking at all, you are lost.
And you think I'm the enemy of America by not supporting the president elect? Isn't it you and people like you who have compared Bush to Hitler? Drawn Ms Rice like an 1800's black charicature, compared her to an Uncle Tom? Yes it is.
For you to even say that we have our foot on the throat of other countries is laughable. We have our foot on the throat of terrorism but not anymore. Not since your messiah has won.
Hey, I'm glad you got your guy. But as an African-American, I am not. I'm sure your white guilt played a role in your vote. You're a liberal. You hate the military. You hate Bush. Enjoy your victory.
And to mis-quote several bumper stickers I've seen: Freedom Day is 01-20-2013.
Oh and by the way, when did I use an image of Kenyans. You are loopier than most.
You support the troops by supporting the mission! If you don't support the mission, have the guts to say you don't support the troops.
Obama: Not my President. Ever.
Do you really believe this
November 7, 2008 - 14:46 ET by dtaDo you really believe this enemy of the world nonsense?
I think its laughable. Go compare Iraq before and after. Go have a look at the situation in North Korea. Now come back and tell me its great to give brutal dictators a free reign over millions of people.
What do you think the "world" will think if Obama places trade barriers up?
As for the old complaint on how the pie is divided in America: the people of america made the choice on how its divided with our buying choices. The people have spoken, and you advocate government tyranny over our national priorities instead. You might also note on the long term, the US GDP consistently grows. Or have a look at this (http://en.wikipedia....) graph showing consistent growth in household income.
What the world gets with Obama
November 5, 2008 - 04:56 ET by nkviking75The tyrants of the world got a president they can push around, and the rest of the world got a president who won't upset the apple cart by daring to actually stand up to terrorists. Castro can die in peace. Iran can speed up their nuke program, as can North Korea. Mexico and the Latin American countries can continue to send the dregs of their societies to draw American paychecks and send them over the border while. The terrorists at Gitmo will soon be back at their old jobs. Terrorists eagerly plot attacks on the US, knowing Obama will handicap intelligence gathering and tie the hands of the American military.
We conservatives have a mountain of hard work ahead. If we fail, it's no longer morning in America. It's sunset.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
delete double
November 5, 2008 - 05:48 ET by motherbeltdelete double
The money quote comes at
November 5, 2008 - 05:47 ET by motherbeltThe money quote comes at the end:
there's a global yearning for a seismic shift in American foreign policy.
I will repeat the same question that I asked yesterday:
Whose interests do you think the other countries' leaders are looking out for?
These idiots should think about that before they get all exicited about the world being happy.
»→ Morning Motherbelt
November 5, 2008 - 05:52 ET by Cool ArrowThe world lobbied for Tinkie-Winkie. They are laughing at us today.
I think I heard Sarkozy proclaim:
Maybe this is what America needs...
November 5, 2008 - 06:39 ET by HeavyChevya lesson for voting with their emotions. After Bambi F**ks us over I serious doubt another lib will ever grace the hollow halls of the White...err I'm sorry "Black" house ever again.
Let the libs, MSM, hell even these freaking trolls bask in their minor glory. in one year they will be spending more time defending his majesty's insane policies then gloating.
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
Amazing naivete
November 5, 2008 - 13:06 ET by man_from_outer_spaceHave you ever been outside of the US? Or even your hometown? Basement?
Which part of my post offends thee..
November 5, 2008 - 17:55 ET by HeavyChevyOh great man_from_outer_space?
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
MFOS, Noel was right, your SN fits you to a "T"
November 5, 2008 - 18:02 ET by R D HelmNow, why don't you do us a favor and fly to off Uranus.
-Dave
Resist the Obamatons.
"The History Man"? No.
November 5, 2008 - 05:48 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls"The History Man"? No. Obama is "The Trash Man'. He will trash America as he promised, he will trash our economy as he promised and he will trash our standing in the world as promised. Carter gave us gas shortages, rationing, sky high interest rates, bottom of the barrel world respect, what will the big eared buffoon Obama shove down our throats?
Obama won, America lost.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Hamas celebrates by
November 5, 2008 - 07:21 ET by CrashHamas celebrates by launching missiles into Israel.
Did they forget that Bush still has the launch codes?
No/You really do not have a clue
November 5, 2008 - 08:56 ET by KarlaWhoever wrote that America needs to "extract it's military tentacles around the world." should realize that in part those military tentacles are what has kept us safe.
Well everyone wanted this president because they want change/my grandmother had two things she use to tell me that I always think of before I act and while they are simple they almost always work
If something sounds too good to be true it usually is.
Be careful what you wish you may just get it
People are speaking of how "thrilled" they were to vote in this election or vote for the 1st time yet they are well past the voting age.
I am thrilled every election that I vote in and have been thrilled since my 1st vote in 1972. I vote in all those silly county and state elections every year that folks look at me crazy when I say I voted.
Lastly I have been horrified how many have spoken of Pres Bush over the years. He is our president and while I do not always agree with him there is a certain amount of respect that comes with that position. He has kept us safe. I lived in Cyprus in 1974 when the Turks staged a coup and had to be airlifted out. I went back after it was safe but people who speak of certain things and the situation in Iraq have no clue what a country of unrest is like until you have lived there. After the coup I was never able to cross the green line and go into the occupied part of Cyprus. United Nations Peace keeping forces drove in the street in white tanks and patrolled.
The shoe is on the other foot so when the bloom is off the rose do not cry foul when the same things happen to the President-elect.
For everyone who has
November 5, 2008 - 09:00 ET by motherbeltFor everyone who has claimed that President Bush has no accomplishment and has ruined our country and our standing around the world, I have only this to say:
No terrorist attacks since 2001.
'Nuff said.
Here here!!!
November 5, 2008 - 11:57 ET by attorneygirlI agree.
Bush kept this country safe.
For that I am thankful.
I think Bush did a great job with the war in Iraq.
I think he dropped the ball on illegal immigration and on the economy. There are no excuses--repeat--no excuses--for not protecting our borders better. He kept bowing to the Hispanic vote.
Screw that. If you're illegal, get the hell out. Why is that so damn hard?
so what?
November 5, 2008 - 09:15 ET by ginagwen7I don't give a hoot what the world wants. I guess it was a popularity contest, just like the meaningless class president elections in school.
Much of the world deeply
November 5, 2008 - 09:27 ET by SeashellMuch of the world deeply distrusts, even dislikes, the United States” and she rued “much of the sympathy and solidarity that existed after 9/11 evaporated during the Bush years.”
I keep hearing this. I think alot of it is manufactured and promoted by the press. What have we done to deserve this? The war in Iraq? When all the intelligence around the world agreed with us? “after Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. is perceived by many as a violator rather than an upholder of human rights” What did we do here that was so bad? I know there were a few incidents that were not good but overall I think these prisoners were treated better than they deserved. (There are bad apples in every organization. Prisons are no exception)
One other thing about Friesen's piece that irked me was this: And in Kenya, overnight -- that is the country that is the ancestral home of Obama's late father --
Wasn't this the home of Obama himself for several years?
Perception is Reality
November 5, 2008 - 09:31 ET by HockeyKidMake no mistake, this is the Year the Media Won the White House.
What Should Governor Sarah Palin do Now Poll
November 5, 2008 - 09:48 ET by lareeThere is a Poll here, the bright side this election is finally over...and I hope that the two partys never put the American Public through two years of campaigning again. I feel like I have been released.
http://sarah-palin-2008.blogspot.com/
Poll above what should Sarah Palin do now?
Dawna Friesen: "The
November 5, 2008 - 10:42 ET by TEDawna Friesen: "The diplomatic editor of The Independent interestingly writing ...."
"[I]nterestingly writing" according to whom? Answer: Militant America-hating leftists like Dawna Friesen. Noboby other than militant America-hating leftists like Dawna Friesen gives a flying @#$% about the "diplomatic editor of The Independent". This again demonstrates one of the most often used techniques used by leftists of the American press corps like Dawna Friesen: selectively using the words of other people, in this case, the "diplomatic editor", in a failed attempt to disguise her own views. Don't count on Friesen dutifully quoting some "diplomatic editor" from a paper denouncing Obama as a thoroughly unqualified, anti-America leftist fanatic.
Screw what the "world" wants
November 5, 2008 - 11:54 ET by attorneygirlScrew what the rest of the world wants--this isn't their country!
Obama will squander our resources; he is untested; he is a Marxist; he will ruin our economy.
I do not want a president who will meet with Axis of Evil world leaders. I do not want a leader who will tax me to death (yup, small business owner here).
I do not want Jeremiah Wright in the Lincoln Bedroom.
I do not want Michelle Obama anywhere near the White House. She does not love this country.
They want to overthrow this country and turn it into a Marxist state, while they drink champagne in the halls of power.
This was all about race. Always was.
America is coming to a close--to an end.
My Vote didn't count....
November 5, 2008 - 12:09 ET by semolina_filcherMy sentiments exactly. Round up the illegals and deport them now. My hard-earned, meager wages will support a lot of unemployables and welfare recipients that the illegals staying here...enough is enough!
One last thought: How in the world did my fu##in' vote did not count? Immediately after the polls closed here in CA, the fuck&*n" media crowns Obama? I should have voted for Alan Keyes, at least a black man I can trust!
sf... That was one of the
November 5, 2008 - 12:32 ET by bigtimersf...
That was one of the biggest problems we conservatives had with McC...illegal immigration, if he would of run on that issue, drilling including ANWR and national security we would have won...period...the poll numbers for drilling and illegal immigration among all the population is/was HUGE!
...but no, McC wouldn't go there...being the RINO he always has been anyway, plus the silly little notion he would carry the illegal and legal hispanic vote....
Conservatives won, RINOs in most instances lost...Sununu is a prime example, Smith may lose also, Coleman may... Bachmann stood by her conservative values, she WON...when is the wishy-washy repub party ever going to learn?
We are in such dire straights now....I may not be around to ever see it change either...Sad day in hell we are in now with a total leftist whose associates hate this country that was just elected by a bunch of mindless robots...lemmings...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Pe-lousy's ugly mug is
November 5, 2008 - 12:12 ET by semolina_filcherPe-lousy's ugly mug is gracing Fox News as I type this...the Botox filled, ugly face is smirking and is gloating (as well she should)...but too much is not enough?!
I could give a rats rear
November 5, 2008 - 12:23 ET by bigtimerI could give a rats rear less what the global world wants or thinks of us...in fact I am sick of paying one more penny of our tax dollars to anyone else world-wide...I am sick of always being the first to anyone's aid world-wide while at the same time they thumb there nose at us, or fight us...
I am just sick and tired of all of this global BS...including the UN by the way...which we should of got out of long ago.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
No Leaders In America
November 6, 2008 - 11:52 ET by iveseenitallThe stongest leaders in the world right now are Sarkozy and Putin. One is our friend, one is not. But they have something in common. They are conservatives who know how to lead and who will ultimately make their countries stronger. America is weak and getting weaker. The MSM and the Congress have played a major role in this demise. Of course our enemies want Obama. The enemies within, as well as the enemies without, can use him for their own ends. And those ends are selfish, not pure.Why else would they have cast aside and demonized a strong leader who has kept us safe? Why else would they have hastened our economic decline through the insane ideology of socialistic mortgage policies? We are in such trouble right now it is freightening. What's even more freightening is that millions of Americans know it and appear helpless in the face of imminent disaster. We need a strong leader, yet were given such a poor choice in this election. The questions now are "when" and "how far" will we fall? And how far up will other nations, like Russia and China, rise? It's sad when people like Drudge are the only ones to sound the alarm. The "liberals" may be deluding themselves, but you should not. The party's over. Protect yourselves any way you can. Your "leaders" will not.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"