Reply #82: As a european I say:

[dbmk]

You are wrong. Immensely wrong. Most people I talk to here all recognize what a historical significance it will be if Hillary is elected. But female heads of state is not exactly a rare thing, uncommon but not rare, in these parts, so she is first and foremost seen as a politician. And not exactly as an unusual one, at that. With all that carries of connotations.

Obama on the other hand. To the rest of the world, that is the breaking of a glass ceiling that will be heard and seen as more significant than you can imagine.

Add to that the fact that the guy seems to be smart, deliberate, even tempered, has a good sense of right and wrong and the ability to deliver the message.

He will be loved. Instantly.
And the opinion of the US and the way the US is thought of in the world will change drastically as a result.

EDIT: I think that Frenchies husband knows that that fact alone is not enough to qualify him for the office. So do I. But I have no doubt, and neither does he, I suspect - along with a significant part of the US population apparently, that Obama has what it takes to act as your president in all the capacities required - on top of that.