pátek 25. července 2008

Obama as Messiah in Europe. False or right?

"Ich bin ein Berliner."
"Mr. Gorbachov, tear down that wall."
"In this new century, Americans and Europeans alike will be required to do more – not less. Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the only way, the only way to protect our common security and advance our common humanity."
These are three American quotes from Berlin. First two are coldwar symbols of free world, the third one is a message in globalized century. Yes, I know, it is hard to compare highly symbolical and already many times interpreted words of JFK and Ronald Reagan with fresh and not yet digested words of 46-old Senator who might be once President of the USA. But this will not be quote for historical textbooks, I am almost sure.
Europeans have been desperate to see and hear Barack Obama like Messiah. There were about 200 000 people gathered, more than at any US rally, says Politico (my favourite online source on US politics). Europe seems to be fed up by Mr. Bush and his handling of international affairs.
But will there be any difference, if Oval office will be occupied for the first time in American history by Afroamerican?
It seems to me that not so much. Obama called in Berlin for closer cooperation between US and Europe. What does that mean for Europe? More European soldiers and helicopters in Afghanistan and Darfur, unified European position in dealing with China or Russia, stronger European voice in trade talks. I doubt that crowd in Berlin, where we could see posters like "Obama for Kanzler", was aware of what is the content of message which nicely speaking man in front of them is telling.
America has its own problems nowadays, nicely described in leading article of the last issue of The Economist. It is hard to imagine that new US president will have as a priority to improve his relations with Europe, especialy in case that leftleaning Obama should deal with rightleaning majority of European leaders, who are absorbed by their own problems with Lisbon treaty, immigrants and economic slowdown.
I have serious doubts that there are going to be a big differencies in the US-European relations after November. We live in a world, where globalisation is forcing leaders of Western world to defensive rather than offensive positions, we can see that for example in business where more and more companies from emerging economies is buying good old brands in "old world". Obama does not seem to offer any new revolutionary idea how to reverse this trend.
Even Obama is now darling not only of American, but also of European media, he still has brand of anti-free trade politicians with suspiciously often changed opinions. We should be aware of him as a leader, even he could do better than George W. Bush.
And final note for European left: Many people like to compare Obama to JFK, even he did not make A QUOTE in Berlin. But do not forget that was JFK who increased number of US soldiers in Vietnam from 800 advisors to 16 000 combat troops and who did not dare to get engaged with Soviet Union over missile base in Cuba.

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