The Obam-a-nator

I am not going to give any kind of political agenda, I am just going to describe some very pro-dominant observations that Joelle and I have encountered in our first month in Asia. It is a simply statement: Barak Obama is a Hollywood celebrity all over the world.

Let me begin by introducing a very diverse group of individuals that Joelle and I have shared some time with. We met a Vietnamese refugee who grew up in Sweden and now is a trader in the UK, a darling Thai-born taxi driver who really couldn't speak a lick of English, an extremely intelligent, thought-provoking Singaporean who works in logistics, a Chinese man who had a daughter our age that he loved showing pictures of on his cell phone, a delightfully funny Swedish couple who woke up at 7:00 am in the morning to wave us farewell off of Tioman Island, a newly engaged London couple who charmed us with words like, "does that fancy you" and "lets go drinks some spirits", a really attractive boy from Switzerland (hey - Switzerland is my favorite country :) ) who had breakfast with us on our rooftop terrace in Kuala Lumpur, and many many other.

Typically, conversation starts with the where are you going, where have you been and where are you from: a standard traveller's introductory dialogue. Once you get past the basics you can move forward to real conversation from there (language permitting of course :) ).

Everyone - and I mean everyones- next conversation headway is "So, Obama's going to win, yes?"

Even the people who couldn't speak English, the ones where you both talk in your native tongue, then sit and smile at one another for long periods of time because you have no idea what they are saying and they have no idea what you are saying, know how to say, "Obama! Win!"

It is amazing what the media can do: Barak Obama is an icon across the world.

I was speaking with one man about it and I was stating my opinion on how I think it will be similar to the last election; a very close race between McCain and Obama all the way to the end. He replied with, "Who's McCain?"

These people don't necessarily understand what the candidates stand for (or who the candidates even are for that matter), or what kind of economical or global policy or reform program each party wants to ignite, I think they simply see Obama as a symbol for change.

I started asking people why they like Obama so much when they throw out that first shriek of excitement, and really, I do not get a legitimized answer. They will say things like, "I don't know, he's cool!"

Hmmm. I wonder what 'cool' means?

It was not until today, on are 5 hour drive to Ko Chang, that I finally got an answer.
In the car, Joelle and I met a boy from a small town in the south of France. (Side note - this boy could not have resembled Abran more. I seriously thought he was sitting next to me.)

Of course the first question he asks Joelle and I was if we watched the 'Obama' debate last night. I took a wild guess and assumed he was a fan so I went about asking why he liked Obama. First he said, and this is no joke, "Obama is cool". I told him he had to give me more. Why is Obama so cool? Why do you like him so much?

Speaking for Europe, he said the whole country is supporting Barak Obama. Whether they are right or left, he is in the newspapers, on their Televisions, billboards, magazines - everything and the Europe would like to see him become the next president. They will associate any republican, whether he is a good politician or not, with President Bush. I think I am stating the obvious here, but I guess I was just assumed at how much enthusiasm I got about American politics.

To sum up, other people throughout this world, from different races and other cultures, do pay close attention to U.S. leadership. Our leadership directly influences not only other country's leadership, but the citizens as well. Reporting live from southeast Asia, I can say, America, that I think almost every country has given their vote to Obama.

Watch out Arnold, the Obam-a-nator is about to take the nomination for best-actor.