As far as I remember, the only coverage we used to get of American presidential elections up to 2000 was in July/August when there were the D/R conventions. Straw hats, zillions of flags and candidates kissing their wives and children... hardly did we know the process that had led them in this final stage.
This sort of superficial coverage is over now; it belongs to the past. Since the beginning of this campaign (that is at least one year ago) every European knows about everything there is to know re the caucuses, the delegates and super-delegates...
State by State we are entitled to learn how each candidate did perform, how many votes he/she has garnered, who's leading the pack, what are the chances left for each candidate etc.
I see three reasons for that overwhelming stream of information:
- Media globalisation on a scale unprecedented until now. But this isn't the main reason.
- Two unexpected candidates in the Democratic camp. A woman, a coloured man. But that isn't the main reason either.
- A world impatience to know who will get the world rid of one of the worst disastrous American President ever.
Even those among the American citizens who think the Euros despise them, should acknowledge that this world interest in the outcome of their presidential elections can be read as a sign of sympathy toward their country. Because, globally speaking, whoever is elected, that won't make any change in our everyday life. Except of course, if you're an Iranian ("Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" used to hum McCain...)
On a side note, it will be hard for ill-informed Americans to maintain that Europeans know nothing about their political procedure.
And, in order to defuse any suspicion, I can' t see any specific complacency in the Euro media vis à vis one candidate over the others.
This sort of superficial coverage is over now; it belongs to the past. Since the beginning of this campaign (that is at least one year ago) every European knows about everything there is to know re the caucuses, the delegates and super-delegates...
State by State we are entitled to learn how each candidate did perform, how many votes he/she has garnered, who's leading the pack, what are the chances left for each candidate etc.
I see three reasons for that overwhelming stream of information:
- Media globalisation on a scale unprecedented until now. But this isn't the main reason.
- Two unexpected candidates in the Democratic camp. A woman, a coloured man. But that isn't the main reason either.
- A world impatience to know who will get the world rid of one of the worst disastrous American President ever.
Even those among the American citizens who think the Euros despise them, should acknowledge that this world interest in the outcome of their presidential elections can be read as a sign of sympathy toward their country. Because, globally speaking, whoever is elected, that won't make any change in our everyday life. Except of course, if you're an Iranian ("Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" used to hum McCain...)
On a side note, it will be hard for ill-informed Americans to maintain that Europeans know nothing about their political procedure.
And, in order to defuse any suspicion, I can' t see any specific complacency in the Euro media vis à vis one candidate over the others.
8 commentaires:
Nice little post. I do agree with most of your post but I think elections all over the world are becoming more and more important. Seems that I am noticing them more on the television screen lately.
But, with all that said. Ther American Political System is outdated and needs an overhaul. With this part selection then the primaries, then the vote. It is take a couple of years just to elect a president.
This primaries need to be streamlined to populace vote. (period) These delegate and superdelegates really play with my head.
Then you have the to top contendors, the independants, the gree party (but mostly it has always been republican and democrat)
Oh, Well, who am to change the current system...
Also, I do think the American Election has become more important world wide since the last 7 years.
O.k., I will stop rambling now..
Thanks for the post. I might use it on my little blog later after the primary.
Would that be o.k., if I had a guest post by you?
(if not, I understand)
Flocon,
The reason that I did not comment on your post at SF, because I offered a good comment here. There it would get manipulated, mutilated, twisted and misunderstood.
kd,
I didn't know you had a blog. Why don't you give the URL?
Flocon,
because they just now fixed the link where I can paste the URL, it is on Architecture and Culture in America. It covers pre-colonial, colonial and post colonial times.
Oh, I did it for my friends to show the history of America because they use to tease me all the time about America not having a history.
Stop in and leave a comment!
this will change my ID from KD to kendalnite
NEWS Flash.....
Global Primary Results
FINALLY, we have the results of the worldwide Democrats Abroad Presidential primary:
Obama 65%
Clinton 32.7%
In France, roughly 2500 votes were caste and about 900 were by internet.
Worldwide almost 25,000 Americans took part--making our event bigger than many caucuses or
primaries in the States, outnumbering, for example, Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota or Montana.
Not bad for the diaspora of U.S. citizens around the world!
When I say they tease me. They did it in a non-harmful way. (having fun with me, because they always love the learning something new)
Kendal
Thanks for your invitation to write a post for your nice blog. What you could do is to delve into my archives and try to find something to your taste but I can't see how any of my posts could fit with your blog???
Anyway, I have an idea for you. I'll write a very short post here tomorrow and if it pleases you you'll just have to cut and paste on "America's castles"...
Flocon,
Thank You, I will be doing an election post when it gets close the election in October. I need to try and encourage people to get and vote.
I want to show an impact of what other views are on the other side of the world without being confortational, something to make people thing.
Yes, I need to vote!
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