"Good Morning America" foreign correspondent Jim Sciutto rhapsodized about international reaction to Barack Obama's victory on Wednesday and described the president-elect as "the winner who's capturing the world's heart." Sciutto described much of the foreign response with the phrase "only in America."
Then, taking a shot at President Bush, he then added, "That's what we keep hearing in so many places around the world, a sense that Barack Obama embodies the American dream, a dream that, frankly, has been tarnished overseas in recent years by a very unpopular war in Iraq, a very unpopular president in President Bush."
After highlighting the joyous reaction around the world, Sciutto summed the glowing critique up by reading an e-mail from an Italian woman received in ABC's Rome bureau. He recited, "Dear friends, your country has renewed faith that all is possible. Welcome back, American dream." Sciutto closed by asserting, "It's that kind of emotion around the world now." Co-host Robin Roberts concurred, "It's that kind of emotion, Jim."
The MRC's Brent Baker noted a similar sentiment during the election night coverage on MSNBC. In the early morning of November 5, reporter Donna Friesen exclaimed, "It's not an overstatement to say that this is what the world wanted."
A transcript of the segment, which aired at 8:02am on November 5, follows:
ROBIN ROBERTS: And, Diane, as many people were saying, The world was watching America last night. And you can see, a lot of international press still here today at Grant Park because all eyes were on the new president-elect of the United States of America, Barack Obama. So, what does this mean, worldwide? Well, our senior foreign correspondent, Jim Sciutto, he has a world's eye view from London this morning. Good morning, Jim.
JIM SCIUTTO: Good morning, Robin. Only in America. That's what we keep hearing in so many places around the world, a sense that Barack Obama embodies the American dream, a dream that, frankly, has been tarnished overseas in recent years by a very unpopular war in Iraq, a very unpopular president in President Bush. But there's clearly something different, something special, even without knowing a lot about him, that many overseas people see in Barack Obama. It was an election that captured the world's attention, now, with the winner who's capturing the world's heart.
UNIDENTIFIED FOREIGN REPORTER: Dream comes true. America has its first black president, as Barack Obama-
SCIUTTO: There was praise from world leaders.
HAMID KARZAI: I applaud the American people for their courage and for the great morality that they showed.
SCIUTTO: And from average people.
CROWDS: Obama! Obama!
SCIUTTO: From Pakistan-
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have once again shown that and proved that the USA is the land of all possibilities.
SCIUTTO: To Italy.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: I think he'll make a better president. He's younger. He's very exciting.
SCIUTTO: To U.S. soldiers on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.
UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: And I feel like, it's change because it's an African-American.
SCIUTTO: With Obama's international upbringing, the celebration overseas was often very personal. This was the scene at the school he attended as a child in Indonesia.
SECOND UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm speechless. I'm very grateful. Thank God for him that finally he reached- achieved what he's been seeking all this time.
SCIUTTO: And nowhere was it more emotional than in his father's home village in Kenya. Alma [sic] is Obama's half-sister.
MAYA SOETORO-NG: I mean, I did have somebody come in and say, ooh. I'm going to shake the hand of the lady who is mentioned by of the president of the United States of America.
SCIUTTO: We thought the excitement was embodied by this e-mail received in our Rome bureau from a Italian woman. It said "Dear friends, your country has renewed faith that all is possible. Welcome back American dream." It's that kind of emotion around the world now. Robin?
ROBERTS: It is that kind of emotion, Jim. Thank you so much.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Sooner or later, not only
November 5, 2008 - 17:56 ET by Chris NormanSooner or later, not only conservatives are going to get tired of all this sickening rhapsodizing of Obama from the media - even the fickle and mushy "moderates". We're going to need about 150,000,000 barf bags.
McNotObama '08
Good Grief
November 5, 2008 - 17:58 ET by Lamb-chopCaptured the world's heart. Pure puke.
Good evening Lamb-chop
November 5, 2008 - 19:14 ET by cocodrieHe even captured Hanoi John's purple heart.Of course the world loves his. He is a muslim for the muslims, a socialist for the socialists, unchristian for the christian haters, anti-jewish for the jew haters, one world government for the America haters. What's not for them to like. Wonder who will be the first visitors to the Kremlin in D.C.
U.N. resolution # 588 by now?
November 5, 2008 - 18:04 ET by Mica the MagnificentLet's see. The United Nations would be up to resolution # 588 by now, insisting Saddam Hussein allow the inspectors in. Millions more Iraqis would be slaughtered if it wasn't for Bush.
Since the world hates the liberation of the Iraqi people from a tyrant, I say, not to worry.
Under Barack, we promise not to assist anyone under attack from anybody.
When the terrorists or Putin decide to attack your countries, we'll sit back, open a bottle of Merlot, cut up some Arugula, and know that this is what 'the world wanted.'
Oh hell, now they're all
November 5, 2008 - 18:23 ET by TN MomOh hell, now they're all gonna want to move here, to the USA. you know, Home of the FREE (BAIL-OUTS). Quick, someone shut all the gates!
These 'reporters' are going to get mighty restless when Pres Bush isn't around to for them to kick/slap/punch. Their next target: Pelosi! gonna be a hoot!
Last Night Was the Party...Today is the Hangover
November 5, 2008 - 18:54 ET by dodecahedronEveryone was so happy with Obama's election that they immediately pulled their money out of the U.S. markets today, causing the DOW to lose 486 points today.
I really doubt all of that money stayed in the U.S. No wonder the rest of the world loves Obama.
Doesn't matter whether the
November 5, 2008 - 18:40 ET by zfDoesn't matter whether the rest of the world is wrong, as long as that is what they want, huh? Makes me sick. The press is acting like a giddy schoolgirl whose boyfriend just became the Prom King.
Don't you mean
November 5, 2008 - 18:46 ET by BobAnthonyGiddy schoolBOY?!
For the record, I am NOT RECOGNIZING BARRACK HUSSEIN OBAMA ODINGA AS
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! I would like to become part of a
secession front!
No, in this instance I think
November 5, 2008 - 18:49 ET by zfNo, in this instance I think 'girl' is more apropos.
Really? "BARRACK HUSSEIN
November 5, 2008 - 18:51 ET by balboaReally? "BARRACK HUSSEIN OBAMA ODINGA"? Very mature outlook.
Don't let the door hit ya
November 5, 2008 - 18:58 ET by goldbarDon't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya! Buh-Bye...
BOYCOTT
November 5, 2008 - 18:44 ET by BobAnthonyI am boycotting all media, even Fox News, for their atrocious as always conduct in this election cycle. From now on, my news comes from talk radio (NOT NPR OR PACIFICA), Sirius Patriot, Sirius Indie, One News Now and News With Views. I will still listen to Fox News Talk, just not the audio feeds of FNC's TV programs.
For the record, I am NOT RECOGNIZING BARRACK HUSSEIN OBAMA ODINGA AS
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! I would like to become part of a
secession front!
Me too
November 5, 2008 - 18:49 ET by Dee Bunkall media is gone except for Lost and Desperate Housewives. When it comes to films - I'm watching Foreign ones only. They are not nearly as anti-American and they are more creative also.
Also no G.E. products
Bob Dee Bunk Anthony, Me Three, no Alphabet Networks til '09
November 5, 2008 - 20:47 ET by JayTeeThen after June '09, I will surface to see if the BHO Honeymoon is Over.
Meanwhile, I contract at the DOD and await Defense Cuts...tic...tic....tic...tic
Bangalor contractors go first, Please.....then Americans.
Thank you President Bush, for your Courage and Leadership.
poor jim
November 5, 2008 - 19:00 ET by sawing battastill trying to get an invite to the inaugural...poor little puppy.
give it up, sycophant.
Help.
November 5, 2008 - 19:38 ET by ahusserI need more insulin. I think I am going into shock.
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
Does this mean...
November 5, 2008 - 19:50 ET by RR GOP...that they'll quit killing Americans whenever they get the chance?
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
If the world loves this guy
November 5, 2008 - 20:20 ET by Clear thinkerIf the world loves this guy so much, they can have him. At the very least, we know that 50% of our country doesn't want anything to do with him.
An Open Letter To The Secret Service/FBI
your math is off
November 6, 2008 - 13:11 ET by abeautifulperson50% of america? try again.
YES, the vast majority of the world is very pleased with the decision of the majority of voting americans. and with the best turnout in a century.
and PLEASE, run palin for president in 2012. every left leaning person hopes the GOP chooses her to represent.
uh sorry, but arithmetic is not subject to your emotionalism
November 6, 2008 - 14:58 ET by lotrThe latest, according to CNN:
Obama = 64,266,124 (53%)
McCain = 56,649,164 (46%)
Other = 100% - (53% + 46%) = 1%
therefore NotObama = 46% + 1% = 47%
While Obama did win by a comfortable margin in the popular vote, 53% does not a "vast majority" make. And there isn't a heck of a lot of difference between the turnout in this election and the 2004 election.
And if you wouldn't mind, please provide a rational explanation as to why exactly "the vast majority of the world is very pleased with the decision." I find this a very curious phenomenon, to be honest, and I'm not altogether sure why it would be so. I mean, has "the rest of the world" met either Mr. Bush or Mr. Obama? And since when has "the rest of the world" suddenly become so concerned about the welfare of the American People? Curious indeed.
And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all. -- Edgar Allan Poe
+ voter fraud of 3% = 50%
November 6, 2008 - 15:02 ET by Dee Bunkvoted against Obama
Can I ask just one question...
November 5, 2008 - 20:27 ET by PA ConservativeWho give a flying f*%k what the world thinks? What is this obssession with how the people WHO DON'T LIVE IN OUR COUNTRY perceive us? This makes me want to throw up.
sorry, that was actually two questions. Good lord, what a crappy day in Conservative land.
It only takes 20 years for a liberal to become a conservative without changing a single idea.
Robert Anton
Well, BHO certainly Captured some World Visa Card Contributions
November 5, 2008 - 20:43 ET by JayTeeAs far as "Captured Hearts" go, I think OBama has a LONG way to go before he captures as Many Hearts as President BUSH has in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Some day, a Statue of President Bush will be Built in Iraq.....count on it, Dude.
Thank you President Bush, for your Courage and Leadership.
They ALL love a weak America
November 5, 2008 - 20:52 ET by UnsaneOf course the world loves Obama!
That's because they know that he will make America WEAK. And the world loves America best when it is WEAK.
Other than that, all this shows me is that journalists are helplessly imprisoned in a high-school world view. "Yeah, we're gonna be cool because Obama is going to be President!!!"
"THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!!! A WAR ON FREEWILL IS COMING!!!" - Nevermore, "Bittersweet Feast", from This Godless Endeavor (2005)
What a country
November 5, 2008 - 21:20 ET by nkviking75Yes, only in America can a black man with nearly no accomplishments to his name, who is known to support letting children who somehow survive abortions starve to death in closets, who spends 20 years in a black racist church and somehow doesn't notice the racist bilge slapping him in the face, whose biggest politcal mentor is a terrorist and murderer whose only regret is not terrorizing more, whose wife couldn't muster any love for her country until her husband became a candidate for president, who can't speak without a teleprompter, who needs an ever vigilant media to bury his massive gaffes in an Olympic size catbox, become the president-elect. What a country!
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Of course, some would say
November 5, 2008 - 21:31 ET by balboaOf course, some would say the same thing about a hack actor best known for performances with monkeys and the marble-mouthed party-boy son of a former president who once owned the Texas Rangers.
Stop drinking
November 5, 2008 - 21:55 ET by TheAssessorStop drinking out of the fish tank Bal. You're unattractive enough already.
It's America, not Omerica
TA, you know what the funny
November 5, 2008 - 22:02 ET by BlazerTA, you know what the funny thing is about our moderate-centrist liberal-friends who we converse here daily with is?
4 yrs. from now even they will be like "WTF did we do?".
O.K. I know that's just stupid, it will be more like 6 months.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
lol Blazer
November 5, 2008 - 22:22 ET by TheAssessorI don't think they even understand what this means. I mean what would be the reference point? Carter?
It's America, not Omerica
"I mean what would be the
November 5, 2008 - 22:30 ET by Blazer"I mean what would be the reference point? Carter? "
I was thinking Stalin or Kruschev.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Obama's "test"
November 5, 2008 - 22:49 ET by ckbennetttnMy suspicion is that Obama will be tested. However, the test starts even before 01/20/09. Somebody, Al Qaeda, or whoever, does something bad and the Bush administration responds with force. Then, Obama's hand is forced when he's inaugurated. Will he continue with the response or does he "meet without conditions," or "exercise restraint" like he advised Georgia while they were attacked by Russia?
“I am the latte-sipping, New York Times-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, politically correct, arrogant liberal.” --Barack Obama
balboa
November 5, 2008 - 22:19 ET by well99Maybe you could point out the racist church those two attended?Also which friends of theirs were terrorist?Did they have a friend like Rezko buy land right next to them on the same day they purchase a house?Which they got 300k knocked off the price?Enlighten me.
well99, all I'm saying is
November 5, 2008 - 23:13 ET by balboawell99, all I'm saying is that you can say outrageous things about any president, as demonstrated by my post and the one it responded to.
Yeah, but one side
November 6, 2008 - 03:27 ET by ckc1227Yeah, but one side typically has to make up their outrageous things. Your side.
Obama's Economic plan: more taxes, more spending, more regulation. Prosperity here we come.
Don't you dare state that filth!!!
November 5, 2008 - 23:05 ET by ckbennetttnBalboa, you need to step off RIGHT NOW! Go to DailyKos or HuffPo with your ilk and make jokes about Republicans but bad-mouthing Reagan here is just not cool. Mark my words you will rue the day you cast your vote for this spineless socialist and then wish you had Ronald Reagan or W to put the smack down.
“I am the latte-sipping, New York Times-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, politically correct, arrogant liberal.” --Barack Obama
Please. My comments were
November 5, 2008 - 23:14 ET by balboaPlease. My comments were just as "even-keeled" as the ones made in the post I responded to.
no room for dissenting views around here.
November 6, 2008 - 13:23 ET by abeautifulpersonbah.
reagan was a good speech reader but some of the greatest crimes happened on his watch, under his nose.
the iran-contra affair is a blotch which blows any phony rewriting of history to call him a great president.
either he was involved or he was oblivious. either way, it illustrates ineptitude. ollie north should be rotting in jail for the crimes he committed.
You are a blithering
November 6, 2008 - 00:17 ET by UnsaneYou are a blithering f#$!ing idiot, balboa. Reagan was also the governor of CA for eight years, among other things. He proved his leadership time and time again before even making the effort to run for the White House.
Your true colors are surely coming out...nothing more than some loser pop-culture addict who needs to sponge off of and steal from the producers and successful of this country just to get by! Pathetic.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
My characterization of
November 6, 2008 - 09:31 ET by balboaMy characterization of Reagan and Bush is just as simplistic as nviking's of Obama.
You're right, Bal
November 6, 2008 - 13:05 ET by panzerakcI'm sure your descriptions of their qualities is the reason the Iranian hostages, the ones the non-acting, non-monkey hanging with (Oh, and for the record, chimps are apes, not monkeys. If you're going to fling insults, at least try to get the details right.) Carter couldn't get released were turned loose the very second Reagan was inaugurated.
And I'm equally sure the marble-mouthed partying is why there have been no further terrorist attacks on US soil since 9/11.
I'd also like to point out that your descriptions were written in hindsight. We're still waiting on Obama to do something to be characterized in any fashion at all.
So now TheWorlds having a
November 5, 2008 - 21:43 ET by BlazerSo now TheWorlds having a love affair with America because we elected our first black marxist president.
So forgive me if I point out the obvious here, just how many black presidents has Europe had?
Today, Israel and Hamas have been exchanging rocket and gunfire for the first time in months.
Hugo Chavez congratulated racist America for electing it's first black president and bringing South American style change to America's doorstep.
Russia anounced it would be placing nuclear missiles on the E.U. border.
Iran refuses to release American student activist and places her in infamous torture prison.
Iran makes direct threats against U.S. military.
Medvedev doesn't mention Barack Obama in his entire 85 minute state of the nation address. Translation:
"Before America bows down to it's new Communist overlord Barack, you must bow down to yours."
The stock market tanked on the news of an Obama victory.
Yea, a whole lot of love going down in the world right now for America. The world loves Barack Obama because they know better than us that he will be very bad for America.
Oh yea, I almost forgot, when is the world gonna' buy us a Coke™?
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Poor President Bush
November 6, 2008 - 08:31 ET by ahusserApparently the world thinks obama is president now and don't understand that he wont be crowned err inaugurated until January and Pres. Bush will have to deal with the obama fallout until then.
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
He HAS captured their hearts!
November 5, 2008 - 22:01 ET by ChesterBogusThere is a town in Japan called Obama. It means "Little Beach" in
Japanese. They have been selling "I love Obama" shirts and practicing
the hula in his honor for months now.
When I told my
students (I don't live anywhere near Obama), "Today, we're choosing a
new President," they all cheered, "OBAMA!" The children all know his
name, and they cheer for him. You don't even have to mention him, just
say, "President" and the children cheer, "OBAMA!"
I admit,
I use Obama in my lessons because I find him funny. Anyway, it's hard
to find pictures of people that Japanese children have heard of!
Toshiro Mifune is persona non grata with seven-year-olds. But anytime I
hold up a picture of Obama, every child in the room shouts, "OBAMA!"
They never just say his name - they shout it.
It is a very, very good feeling to hear you President's
name cheered by you students. My coworkers all smiled when I said he
had won.
It is an amazing feeling.
Chester, that will quickly
November 5, 2008 - 22:04 ET by BlazerChester, that will quickly change when Barack raises all of our taxes and we have to stop buying all of those cool Japanese toy's.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Oh and by the way
November 5, 2008 - 22:34 ET by BlazerOh and by the way Chester, if you are indeed a teacher, judging from the way you write your posts, it's no wonder those children are stupid.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Blazer
November 5, 2008 - 22:50 ET by RESTLESS 1It's a new program where they give the Special Needs kids self esteem by giving them a teacher with which they are on the same intellectual plane.
(BTW, I voted for Carter as a seven year old. With any brains, these kids will grow out of it.)
"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
Great!!!
November 5, 2008 - 22:40 ET by RESTLESS 1Now we are choosing our leader based on their appeal to seven year olds????
"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
Mock elections in school
November 5, 2008 - 22:58 ET by ckbennetttnAs I recall, Carter won our elementary school election too. We sure wised up by 1980 though, Reagan won in a landslide in 9th grade, despite out stupid liberal social studies teacher. I remember the day after the election she tried to downplay Reagan's win and the whole class laughed. I think that was the last year she taught.
“I am the latte-sipping, New York Times-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, politically correct, arrogant liberal.” --Barack Obama
Captured the world's heart--Who says that?
November 5, 2008 - 23:04 ET by ckbennetttnWho the heck says stuff like that? Shirley Temple, Baby Jessica, Mary Lou Retton captured the world's heart. Not a politician, and certainly not this one.
“I am the latte-sipping, New York Times-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, politically correct, arrogant liberal.” --Barack Obama
He certainly didn't capture
November 5, 2008 - 23:10 ET by BlazerHe certainly didn't capture too many hearts on Wallstreet today, thats for sure, that is unless their also counting heart-attacks.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Cool, the world loves us
November 6, 2008 - 03:34 ET by ckc1227Cool, the world loves us again. Most likely because they know they can crap on us now and our response will be "thank you sir, can I have another".
Obama's Economic plan: more taxes, more spending, more regulation. Prosperity here we come.
Pure media-driven
November 6, 2008 - 09:49 ET by lotrPure media-driven sensationalism and liberal-sentimental drivel.
And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all. -- Edgar Allan Poe