World celebrates Barack Obama victory

[Whoa_Nelly]

Source: Times Obline UK

World leaders rushed to congratulate Barack Obama today, basking in the reflected glory of his election as America's first black president and looking forward to a new, less confrontational era in US foreign policy.

Their citizens, and thousands of American expats, ignored any such niceties – partying on the beach in Rio, filling a hotel ballroom in Sydney and cheering to the rafters in Obama, Japan, when their namesake's victory was confirmed.

“What an inspiration. He is the first truly global US president the world has ever had,” said Pracha Kanjananont, a 29-year-old Thai sitting at a Starbucks in Bangkok. “He had an Asian childhood, African parentage and has a Middle Eastern name. He is a truly global president.”

<snip>
“By choosing you, the American people have chosen change, openness and optimism,” President Sarkozy of France wrote in a letter to Mr Obama, praising him for a “brilliant victory” and astute electoral campaign. “At a time when all of us must face huge challenges together, your election raises great hope in France, in Europe and elsewhere in the world."

Read more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_amer...

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and more statements from all over the globe.

[coffeenap]

1. This represents the MOST important reason he needed to win

We progressives have our work to do to bring him our way, but his election gives us a chance to continue to exist!

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. And Obama will be Presidential on the world stage

We won't have to be embarrassed anymore when OUR PRESIDENT attends global gatherings.

[FailureToCommunicate]

2. The Nightmare is over! May the rest of the world

once again see that much of America is NOT like Bush/Cheney and
give us another chance to redeem ourselves.

[JPurciller]

4. YEAAA!!

Fantastic!

Now we'll finally be able to charge Gee Dubya with war crimes!!

[VaYallaDawg]

5. Welcome to DU on a great day in America!!

[Herman74]

6. Hey Caribou Barbie; That was the REAL President Sarkozy of France....

...congratulating President-elect Barack Obama.

[JDwho]

7. Not only has Obama renewed our hope, but the hope of others all over the world.

God be with him for what he will face in the next four to eight years. It will be nice to have the support of other countries and regain our lost allies.
I am in awe of this celebration in other parts of the world.

[FVZA_Colonel]

8. Any other nerds out there remember the end of Return of the Jedi?

(The first "special edition" at least?)

[ForPeace]

11. Return of the King

That scene last night reminded me of the end of Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King. Stryker and friends standing on the stage and huge crowds cheering them. Hope returns to the Shire!

[sakabatou]

9. America, once again after 8 long years

has gotten back it's respect.

[Herman74]

10. Hey Caribou Barbie; That was the REAL President Sarkozy of France....

...congratulating President-Elect Obama.

[DeepModem Mom]

12. K&R

[nomorenomore08]

13. See, even a conservative like Sarkozy loves the guy!

Then again, I guess "conservative" is a relative thing here - I'm reminded of someone who said they spoke to a British Tory around the time of the last election, and were told something like, "Kerry is the sort of conservative we like. YOUR conservatives are frightening."

Hopefully with Obama in charge, we can join the rest of the industrialized world by shifting away from the right.

[uppityperson]

14. They met a couple yrs ago, here's pict and description.

September 12, 2006. French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama smile as they answer questions from reporters after a meetingon Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Sarkozy, a candidate of the French presidential election in 2007, was in the U.S. to participate in ceremony to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

[KakistocracyHater]

15. now we'll see where we're heading

by Obama's cabinet choices, just like when Bush chose his cabal-it reveals quite a bit about the general direction. Any historians here? Maybe they say it better.

[sofa king]

16. Yay! We love you too, world!

Sorry about that eight years of being total pricks.