An Obama aside

Most of you probably know my political thoughts and I'd like to say that I called it a long time ago. I wish I had put money on it when the odds where like 500-1, I knew he'd be the next president the moment I finished reading the Audacity of Hope. However you feel about the election it was certainly an historic event. I've read a lot of Brasilian newspaper and magazine articles and translated a few headings and quotes from the articles I thought interesting, just to see the foreigners perspective on the American election and the American democracy.

"Now, at the dawn of the 21st century with the election of Obama, the United States offers the spectacle of its own sublimity. In the space of a little more than a generation, the country has continued to overcome its deaf racism and legalized segregation in several states, a process which culminated in the euphoric acceptance of a black man as the supreme commander of the nation. Barack Hussein Obama has a name, political biography and family history that just a few years ago would've scared any American voter. Last week, 64 million Americans voted for him. With the eyes of the world watching, this triumphed the reconquest by the US as the moral authority based on equal opportunity for all, a fundamental principle of the true revolutionary experience inaugurated by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Ben Franklin in 1776 in Philadelphia."

"The Americans showed that equality is a value that they practice freely, and not just because the law says that they are all equal."

"Obama, the answer!"

"He showed uncommon talent and noble ideas. His victory reaffirms the American power to renew their country and surprise the world."

"Obama proves hope is stronger than fear."

"Does the election of Obama prove the theory of American exceptionalism? You may doubt it but they have raised the bar for anti discrimination for the rest of the world."

"The true test would be if Brasil could elect an Argentinian as president."