World hopes for a 'less arrogant America'(Obama-mania)

news.yahoo.com ^ | 110408 | WILLIAM J. KOLE and MATT MOORE

[VU4G10]

BERLIN – A world weary of eight years of George W. Bush was riveted Tuesday by the drama unfolding in the United States. Many were inspired by Barack Obama's focus on hope, or simply relieved that — whoever wins — the current administration is coming to an end.

From Berlin's Brandenburg Gate to the small town of Obama, Japan, the world gears up to celebrate a fresh start for America.

In Germany, where more than 200,000 flocked to see Obama this summer as he moved to burnish his foreign policy credentials during a trip to the Middle East and Europe, the election dominated television ticker crawls, newspaper headlines and Web sites.

Hundreds of thousands prepared to party through the night to watch the outcome of an election having an impact far beyond America's shores. Among the more irreverent festivities planned in Paris: a "Goodbye George" party to bid farewell to Bush.

"Like many French people, I would like Obama to win because it would really be a sign of change," said Vanessa Doubine, shopping Tuesday on the Champs-Elysees. "I deeply hope for America's image that it will be Obama."

Obama-mania was evident not only across Europe, where millions geared up for all-night vigils, but even in much of the Islamic world, where Muslims expressed hope that the Democrat would seek compromise rather than confrontation.

The Bush administration alienated Muslims by mistreating prisoners at its detention center for terrorism

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

America did not become head-and-shoulders above EVERY other nation in the world by following them or asking their approval.

That's what REALLY galls them.

[Yaelle]

If the world wants less arrogance, then they want John McCain. Barack Obama is far more arrogant than Bush. In fact, he may be one of the most arrogant candidates we’ve had. He does arrogance better than the inept John Kerry, who did, to his credit, try very hard at arrogance.