Barack Obama dominates in new poll -- of folks who can't vote here

This is the way matters have been going of late for Barack Obama. New poll numbers are in that give him an overwhelming advantage over John McCain -- and it will help him not one whit.

Indeed, Republicans will probably figure out a way to spin the results against him.

The BBC World Service poll gauged attitudes toward the U.S. presidential race in 22 other countries -- and found Obama the preference in every one, in many cases by overwhelming margins.

Obama's best showing was in Kenya -- his father's home country. There, a whopping 87% supported him, whereas 5% backed McCain.

Italy emerged as his second hotbed of support; Obama was favored there over McCain, 76% to 12%.

The Democrat's overseas trip this summer that included stops in France, Germany and Britain may have sparked taunts from the GOP, but it paid off in this poll. In each of those countries, support for Obama swamped McCain's showing.

The findings for America's two closest neighbors? Canada: Obama 66%, McCain, 14%. Mexico: Obama 54%, McCain 16%.

The race was closest in India, where the figures were Obama 24%, McCain 15%. As those figures indicate, a large number of India's citizens did not care to make a pick between the two candidates -- an attitude that was even more pronounced in ...

... Russia. There, fully 75% did not express a preference; among those who did, the findings were Obama 18%, McCain 7%.

Overall, among the 22,000 foreigners interviewed, Obama was backed by 49% and McCain by 12%, with the rest of the respondents taking a pass.

The survey also found that in 17 of the 22 nations, the most common view is that with Obama in the White House, "America's relations with the rest of the world are likely to get better." Under a President McCain, in 19 of the countries the prevailing opinion is that "relations will stay about the same as they are now."

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[John T]

Foreigners can have Obama. He should run for president of France. I officially nominate him today.

[yours truly, Johnny Dollar]

after reviewing the latest polls, No'Bama is taking a line
from Clevon Little in Blazing Saddles....
"Where are the White Women."

And Biden is still asking people to
"Stand up for Chuck."

[yours truly, Johnny Dollar]

No-bama, the Messiah.....turning water into whine

[Adam]

I'm disgusted that so many American voters are out of sync with the global community. It undermines our standing in the world and does not bode well for our future as a nation. Obama criticized for polling well overseas? C'mon! We need as many allies as we can get. This should be a huge selling point for his candicacy, especially the Iraqi PM's endorsement of his withdrawal plan. Since when does a presidential candidate undermine an existing president's rationale for even continuing a war? This shows pluck and leadership. Can America see itself in Obama's strength or will they pick McCain because they relate with his reactive and unproductive platform?

[dave]

why even bother any longer to keep up the semblance of offering in this blog, a biased perspective on the neocon right wing (malcolm) as well as on the neolib left (frederick) - when the bias of your bias keeps drifting to the right
(the headline says it all)?
are you planning a 'magical disappearing act' of sorts?
(interesting how you even bother to gradually tone down the skin color of one of the establishment's phony puppet candidates - going at that rate, you'll fade out black in black his image, in no time at all.)

the candidate for president who says what he means and means what he says, and consistently defends the constitution, the freedom of the people, and the sovereignty of the nation, is RON PAUL.

[elisabeth]

true, it won''t help him a bit! those Americans who favor the GOP dont care or worse, dont know that there is a world outside their own. Idiots in the true sense of the word....just looking at Palin and McCain (listening is impossible for an educated, civilized individual) gives you an idea what the term "ugly American" truly means....

[L]

Keep in mind these are also the same foreigners who don't believe that 9/11 was perpetrated by Islamist terrorists. They can have Obama!

[anonymous]

America has been a laughing stock globally for a long time. Many countries hate us as citizens because of what our government does.

For the first time in a very long time, I was PROUD to be an American when I heard Obama speak overseas.

I'd really like to be proud of my country again. Right now I'm ashamed!

Go Obama!

[L]

I'd really like to be proud of my country again. Right now I'm ashamed!

Go Obama!

Posted by: anonymous | September 11, 2008 at 12:37 PM

Is that you Michelle??

[Sarah]

I suggest Barack Hussein Obama move to His father's country Kenya, help his people there, then run for president of the world's lesser and inferior countries. Good-by Obama, we don't need an affirmative action unqualified person like you trying to lead this country. The economy is in crises, the world is at war and dangerous, and you want to sit and talk with our enemies without a plan. You just don't get it.

[B]

"America has been a laughing stock globally for a long time. Many countries hate us as citizens because of what our government does.

"For the first time in a very long time, I was PROUD to be an American when I heard Obama speak overseas.

"I'd really like to be proud of my country again. Right now I'm ashamed!"

Thanks, Michelle Obama. But we've already heard these lines before.

[yours truly, Johnny Dollar]

Dear Adam, America is different from all the other countries in the world; that is why everyone continues
to swim toward America. e pluribus unum.
Viva la difference.

[yours truly, Johnny Dollar]

Definition of Community Organizer.....
"one who locks up after Midnight Basketball."

[Isaac Ntiamoah]

I think Obama is the best man to lead Americans at this crucial moment. Americans deserve to be recognised once again and there is no other person who can do that than Obama. He's got all the leadership qualities. God bless USA.

[Dave]

She's hot.

McCain/Palin 2008!

[Mark O]

Consider how foolish it would be to take polls of who Americans would want to be President of Kenya or Russia. A case can be made that 50% or more of those who will vote this election couldn't pass an 8th grade test on American Government and History. If we had a test to see who knows how many branches of government there are and what their roles are, what the Constitution says and what it means to us and why it was written, how Government is funded, the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen. But, when elections are run like American Idol pandering to the lowest denominator but the highest ratings, well it is amazing. I wonder how many of thse who want us to consider what other Nations think who would be the best candidate could even locate 50% of those Nations on a globe.

PS Does anyone want to live in Kenya?, Germany? Russia? etc? Hell, they can't even run their own countries.

[stephanie carroll]

america is no longer black and white , for your infomation the right will be left behind because of there ignorance as to who really lives here now in the 21st century , we are not in the 1800`s and the way your ralleys and your convention looked you have been sleeping , but a giant is about to wake up and stomp all over your old world and you will be forced to except a new, or you can get on the BOAT that brought your ancesters over!

[Eric]

Yes, the world see us becoming weak if Obama is elected. The world would truly enjoy a weak US.

[Kathy]

Obama dominates in polls overseas-and we care because......?

[tom]

Sarah Palin will be the next Stalin

So most of you are proud of Bush politics in the World !!!!

Ihihihihi so funny... are you stupid or what ???.

[tom]

>Yes, the world see us becoming weak if Obama is >elected. The world would truly enjoy a weak US.

The world will simply see USA as a democratic and a peacefull country like european... nothing more...

it's time to wake up

[Stefanie]

Whoever writes this blog is an IDIOT!!!!