If Bush's domestic and foreign policies had ruined the American economy alone, I could call this a useful lesson for Americans, on how to not choose an ignorant idiot for president next time. However, the US president is the president of the world as well. If the American economy sneezes or coughs, the world's economy catches a cold, and this is what has actually happened. The subprime mortgage crisis in the US has spilled over the rest of the world.

Anyone who saw Barack Obama at Berlin's Siegessäule on Thursday could recognize that this man will become the 44th president of the United States. He is more than ambitious -- he wants to lay claim to become the president of the world. So what sticks? That Barack Obama is a passionate politician who is fixated on -- and takes very seriously -- his desire for a better world.

On a recent trip to Spain and France, I frequently heard in conversation and in televised political roundtables, and read in political magazines and newspaper commentary, that “the president of the United States is the president of the world”. This phrase was often associated with the passion many Europeans feel for the promise of Sen. Obama’s “change” campaign, and the view that if the United States elects an African-American president, it will transcend many of its historic ills and become an example of 21st-century democracy, and a renewed leader on human rights.

The key to the phrase was not Sen. Obama, however, but rather interest. People across the world are now genuinely interested in who leads the United States, in the campaign and election process, in the meaning of that election for the population of the broader world.

Originally posted by Quazga
reply to post by _Phoenix_

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Well the UK is a special case too.

As an American I used to think that the UK was Europe. But when I was in the UK recently I was told by many Brits that no, The UK is NOT Europe.

I think it has something to do with the importance of soverignty or something.

Originally posted by simon_alex0327
reply to post by Quazga

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Then the phrase still sounds arrogant.
No one likes to be dictated to no matter of their size or importance.

Its the world after all, with global ecconomies etc. We should all get along like good boys and girls.
Can you not see that there should not be talk of "My guns bigger than yours"? Otherwise people are going to irritated before anything can be sorted/settled.

Just my thoughts and maybe im just too idealistic.

[edit on 6-8-2008 by simon_alex0327]

Originally posted by Quazga
reply to post by Wotan

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It's true though.. The president of the US is viewed as the President of the World by many.

I gave several links and quotes to support my position. Do you have any?

[edit on 6-8-2008 by Quazga]

Well the UK is a special case too.

As an American I used to think that the UK was Europe. But when I was in the UK recently I was told by many Brits that no, The UK is NOT Europe.

I think it has something to do with the importance of soverignty or something.