Barack Obama, John McCain and the 'global vote' for president

What would happen if the whole world could vote in next month's U.S. presidential election?

The folks at the Economist have launched an international poll asking just that. And they're taking this hypothetical seriously -- they've even redrawn the electoral map.

In the Britain-based magazine's Global Electoral College, each country is given at least three electoral-college votes. Countries are allocated more votes in proportion to their population size. Under the system, for example, the United States has 432 votes. China has 1,900. Iran has 104.

So let's get back to the big question: Who would win the global vote, John McCain or Barack Obama? Well, voting in the Global Electoral College doesn't close until Nov. 1, but early returns show Obama with a massive lead.

The Democrat has 8,482 electoral-college votes. The Republican has just 16.

The only countries leaning toward McCain, according to the poll, are Macedonia and Georgia. McCain will probably lose this imaginary election, but at least his "We are all Georgians" line worked.

-- Kate Linthicum

Speaking of voting, how are you going to decide without reading every Ticket item? You can get alerts for each item sent instantly to your cell for free by registering here at Twitter.

Graphic credit: The Economist

Comments

[VJ Machiavelli]

I wonder how many would really vote for Obama if he was running for say head of Russia, China, Iran, Turkey,France, England, India, etc,etc.

I guess it is easy to vote in make up elections how about the real think, Would any country elect him their leader ??

BTW

I wonder why you have not posted a comment on the latest BUZZ regarding Nancy Pelosi Video that NBC & SNL pulled from their website for a number of hours and then returned they only problem is that the "CENSORED" the video it is not longer the same as what appeared live on saturday.

Now I am sure many reporters and bloggers would be on in "FINGERS" if they did that to a SNL Sarah Palin Video.

Come on check it out and comment if you dare

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[Andrew]

Hey, cool! Saw a notice for this in the second to last issue I got. One of the reasons I have an Economist subscription is because of its global perspective. Of course, I'm not sure how accurate it is--it's basically a poll of Economist readers that bothered to go online and vote.

Still, it's a pretty interesting widget.

[steve rodriguez]

Who cares about the global vote! I care only about the vote for president with the USA! It's a liberal world anyway, I know who they want to win! I'm sure that FDR, Ronald Regan and Abe Lincoln wouldn't have won the world vote either!

Go Sarah Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[steve rodriguez]

Yeah the world loves this young inexperienced community organizer with his high-taxed liberal social program agenda! The world knows that they're not the ones who will have to pay the heavy taxes of an Obama administration!

[Jon]

Do you people even read? Everything that's been said so far is a blatant fallacy.

The rest of the world wants Obama because the world depends on America, and he's the most dependable leader and the biggest advocate for real change in this election.

A vote for McCain would be for more of the same.

[Michael L. Tucker]

It is un important who the world wants as President of the United States. Though it has already been stated we know who they want. They want somebody that will let them walk all over the United States, with no fear of retaliation. That is why Obama is their man, and that reason alone iif it were the only one is why I wouldn't votefor Barak Obama. He is all talk no action!

[Michael L. Tucker]

Yes, Obama means change.
The change Obama wants to bring is making the United States a socailist third world country.
Where you have the haves and the have nots and no in betweens. Sounds kind of like Russia don't it. NO! NO WAY! Not for me. Spend your own money not mine.

[Michael L. Tucker]

Obama may be a citizen of the world, but I am not and proud of it. The United States should pull out of the UN and tell the rest of the world to sink or swim.
Then I guess Obama and the rest of the world would have a real reason to say the bad, bad USA. I am American and proud of it.

[Kevin]

Obama reminds me of Jimmy Cater who has poor judgements about America and the world. Jimmy Carter would talk to anyone without preconditions and was used by some countries for their propaganda.

[JCARIZONA]

Of course the world would like to see the greatest country in the world brought down to their level.

[Adam]

Considering the action the US has taken Internationally in recent years and its belief that it has a role as the worlds police force, perhaps the world should vote on the US Presidency.

[dhardy1]

"The rest of the world wants Obama because the world depends on America, and he's the most dependable leader and the biggest advocate for real change in this election."

well said john.

many americans don't understand how intrinsically tied together they are with the whole world. they can't, as much as they'd love to be, inward focused only. it's just not an option anymore.

[progressiveliberal]

I don't know about Reagan (too close in time) but I think the rest of the world would have voted for FDR. Remember the entire world was affected by the great depression, not just the US. People everywhere would have seen FDR as a "game-changer", to use a cliche.

As for Lincoln, he prolly would have gotten the support of the British empire and French-based interests, since they both had divested themselves of slavery and its more nefarious qualities by 1838. A lot of other issues would have made this a harder "world" election to call.

However, these comparisons seem rather ridiculous in a way because the world is so different today from what it was in the 1930s or 1850s. Even the Republican Party is no longer what it was then.

[Kerri]

I find it hard to believe Russians would vote 'strongly' for Obama. I'd say this is either one person's opinion or a big joke.

[JOSEPH]

Am I the only one that caught it. None of the after debate review said it. Obama repeated the first debate almost word for word. I could mimick many of his answers, where I could remember the first debate. One of you computer people: overlay the second debate over the first, line up the beginning of the paragraphs and I think you will see almost a match. It is unbelieveable that anyone would want a person to be president, when that person would do something like this. Could this guy not speak on his own.
Thanks, McCain for bringing some new information to the debate. Thanks, for not repeating the words of the first debate as Obama did.
After seeing the clone type (repeat them again) answers of Obama, it is now clear that only one person is qualified to be president.
McCain, your debate was not perfect because you did not tell the american people about the terrorist/bomber friends of your apponent. You did not tell the american people about your apponents finance person taking 90 million away in the economic scandal. Maybe it is not your place to have to advise people of the low character of your opponent. Sarah Palin is good at breaking the news to us.
jjsjr

[Deeg]

If you actually applied some brain while reading the economic policies proposed by the presidential candidates you would understand that Obama does not support higher taxes, i am no Obama fan but the facts are facts. Also he always stood up for more regulation and as all of us are finding out so horribly, that is the right way even in bulls market.
So open your eyes and minds and think before you speak/write.

[Durrin]

With regards to Europeans: They would vote for Obama because even the Dems would be considered right-wing in most European countries. The Republicans' policies are simply so far to the right of what most European countries regard as acceptable that it would be almost unthinkable for them to have any significant level of support.

[progressiveliberal]

Steve, I have a feeling you don't have much of a clue as to how the "world" sees George Bush. He has been a bully in international politics, while seeming unwilling to genuinely help anyone, not even his own people (e. g. the bumbling response to the effects of Katrina). McCain would seem like more of the same to lots of non-Americans, while Obama would seem like a breath of fresh air. At least Obama gives the appearance of respecting other countries, which the Republican party just hasn't been able to do in the last 8 years.

Do also remember that quite a few world countries have already had either women or social/cultural minority leaders over the last 20 years. That novelty factor wouldn't be that important to them.

Basically most world residents would support Obama for very similar reasons to those that are influencing many Americans.

[William]

Ridiculous. It's articles and insanely slanted polls like this that remind me why I should vote for McCain.

[shoemaker]

Perhaps the global vote went that way because word got out that the parties' theme songs are thus:

Democrats: Battle Hymn of the Republic

Republicans: Dixie

Ain't it ironic?

[spazdaq]

It would be a shame if I had to put away my science books and logic and dig up my fairy tale bible. Go Sarah Go indeed. Go home Sarah!

[fortunelawman]

Obama represent the poor, the workers, the societism/communism, the idealism, and he can't keep clear of terrorism.
Mccain represent the rich, the bourgeois, the capitalism, the realism, and he can't keep clear of bushism.
Who can represent the world? Obama, of course.
Who can represent the USA? Mccain, of course.
Who should we choose as the president of USA?
See what happened and happens in the societism countries in the world.
We should choose Mccain, of course!

[Jeremiah]

Since the whole world hates America, including Israel (they only tolerate us because we fulfill a current need), I say, who cares? The hatred is not generated by any logical reason or fault of America, it is simply envy. People always hate those with more, even if they give, they are distained.

[Jerry Ulibarri]

After watching last night's debate in Tennessee, those Macedonians and Georgians may have changed their minds.

The "undecideds" in this country sure did.

[Jeremiah]

Jon,
I read, I evaluate, I watch, I understand. Vote for change and that is exactly what you will end up with. There is a real possibility that .50 out of every dollar YOU earn will go toward social welfare and entitlements. Folks like YOU have no problem spending MY money. I am a contributor to social programs, almost 30% of my income goes for charitble organizations that I choose, not the government.

[Marcus]

i'm from australia and it's correct that obama is heavily favoured here. he is moderate, deliberative and intelligent and more like the political leaders we are used to, as opposed to the current US president. However it is not unusual for an internationally liked leader to be disliked at home. Mikhail Gorbachev was loved by the west but was soundly flogged in democratic elections by an erratic drunkard in Boris Yeltsin. I think most of the world would prefer a moderate and intelligent USA rather than a blundering, hubristic and dangerous USA. We wait in hope. Good luck USA - please vote wisely.

[Nel]

Maybe I can provide some of you yanks with a unique perspective of why this foreigner wants Obama to win.

Firstly, my background. I'm a Zimbabwean living in England. I work in IT, I'm in my 20's. I'm "white" (yes you get white Zimbabweans). I'm conservative on some matters and liberal on a few others so I guess that puts me somewhere in the middle of the political spectrum.

I've paid closer to this US election than I have to any election since South Africa's first democratic election in '94 - and whilst that is partly down to Obama, it's also down to the fact that America scares me. Let me explain...

The economic disaster that started in the US has shaken the world economy. We're feeling it here in the UK.

The threat of terrorism is arguably greater now than ever before and America's foreign policies plus the invasion of Iraq under false pretenses got us into a huge mess. We're in your war now whether we like it or not.

Now here's why I'd vote for Obama if I could.

McCain has convinced me that he's got no new or original ideas and that he'd be more of the last 8 years under George W.

McCain has convinced me that he's irrational, short-tempered and has poor judgement - so much so that I am convinced that he'd be more likely to attack another foreign nation and possibly launch the world into another major war. He and Palin strike me as war-mongers.

Obama on the other hand seems more reasoned, more measured and more level headed - something which I think the world needs as the head of the free world right now. What we don't need is McCain threatening Putin or Iran because he's in a bad mood...

I want Obama to lead your country because I think he'll be better for America, and in turn better for the world.

I want a strong America because it typically means a stronger world. If you believe otherwise then you have no grasp of economics. I repeat - a strong American economy usually means a strong world economy i.e. more buck in my pocket.

Obama has the respect and admiration of leaders and people around the world - so the world will be more willing to embrace alliances with the US if he's in charge....and right now the US needs as many international friends as it can get.

If McCain gets into power then expect the US to become ever more isolated and alienated.

I sincerely hope that America chooses Obama - I believe you'll see a bright new era in American and world politics under him.

[pogo]

why doesn't somebody do a nice little call-in to the State of Washington to find out how much Hanford Clean-up costs Washington State-- and whether you can build a nuclear plant in a single term of presidential office without it defaulting or failing security test-- like minor details s the right grade of sand for the cement. and then go over and call--well, you'd have to call lots of folks because there is a special panel of clean-up for the Hood Canal and Columbia River between all kinds of special interest groups that are coordinated together--yup, coordinated together--to bring tghe Columbia back to health and make a healthy environment for SALMON-- yup those things Bush would rather farm than fish. That should give lots of telephone calls with lots of basic, hard fact responses in dollar counts,.

and then you can inform McCain how cheap and how safe nuclear energy is.

And then ask him what his buddy Liddy was doing jup in Alaska this summer regarding the Drill Babay Drill campaign and how much crude oil is still seeping onto the Alaskan coastline. Who needs to drill when you can turn over a rock on the beach?

and do a little fact check-- who is president over in Russia? not Putin.

and who kept the US space program alive? Soyuz or Soyuz?

Who warned GW not to invade Iraq, Afghanistan, etc?

and who is the real turkey in this show

definitely not Putin.

McCain is in a serious time warp, trying to imitate a Ronald Reagan script with platitudes and "my friends" and sounds like a Japanese soldier just emerged fro an isolated cave on some South Sea Island, "you mean the war is over?"

You betcha.

And who loved deficit spending and Tom Stockman burgers? and sent thousands of ill, aged Americans out into the streets without medical coverage... shutting them out of nursing homes.

Did McCain open any of his houses to the homeless from Katrina?

how far did that 10,000 compensation go to recovery for any katrina victim. So what's this about 5000 for medical rebate? When was the last time he talked to a homeless person on the street about living with bad teeth or broken bones or no home and no hope.

How much was the tax write off for Bill gates from GW admin-- i think it was something like the combined State budges of WA, OR and Idaho... but go find out.

McCain has no sense of reality. and the word "I" is his favorite pronoun. he talks about his track record, but he has nothing concrete to show... absolutely nothing and he's just as bad as Palin in circumventing questions.

And he can like his fiend from eBAY, but eBAY is known for fraud and it sidesteps all responsibility of any legal liabilities. eBAY is greed at its absolute worst. how much money laundering and illegal marketing goes onn through it?

McCain loves his friends... but he seems to be totally lacking in substance or knowledgeable in any major issues. Alternate energy should be hot air... he's full of it.

Go find out how much Hanford cost Washington State on the initial estimates of the 5 nuclear reactors and the ongoing costs for clean-up today. And it defaulted more than 20years ago.

That's nuclear energy, but i suppose nobody ever heard of Chernobyol, Three Mile Island or the Tennessee Valley Authority or UK's porblems over with the Northsea ...

and which state governor, which state is going to welcome the storage of nuclear waste?

Any? If you know some, please inform the State of Washington. They've got problems.

[Carrie]

Do any of you really care what the other countires think. They never like us until they need us. The President of the U.S. is just one man and if you know anything about politics then you know voting for one evil over the other doesn't make any difference unless we make changes all the way through the goverment branches. I wish the American people would pull their heads out of the sand long enough to really think about what is going on here.

[Kathy]

It's ridiculous to have a global poll in regard to a Us election period. The bias of the media is also ridiculous.

[featuredplayer]

who cares what the world wants. their socialists..

[Linda]

Why on earth would we want the whole world to vote for our president? Obama has interesting things to say about our government. His ideas about religion proove that he does not understand that we have already established freedom of religion. The list just grows. His wife is just now proud to be an American? He thinks he is more qualified than McCain? McCain has certainly paid a price for freedom. Obama has expressed no loyalties to the USA.

[Brenda]

I'm from Canada. You remember the country beside you that makes up part of North America and one of your countries allies). I have been closely following the US presidential campaign since January 08.

You bet globally people are interested in who will be the next President because it will effect us all globally. Most countries are looking for a leader who in they trust, to show good negotiating skills (with friends and foes)and one who has a wide breadth of knowledge on all issues (not just foreign affairs). A president who remains calm at the helm. One who won't fly into a country on a whim to start a full blown war (because they think there is weapons of mass destruction without proof) . One who will use every and all analysis available within your National Security measures and including from allies, NATO, and the G-8 before going into war as a last resort.

In my opinion I would say so far to date it is Obama who has shown this type of leadership through out the campaign.

What type of leadership will the McCain/Pallin ticket have when they have shown to there own citizens and the world they are flipping back and forth on nearly every issue and putting a stop on the campaign during a time of crises. Picture this, Maverick McCain and Baracuda Sarah going in for talks and negotiations with other countries looks pretty unprofessional not to mention laughable (without trying). Are these heads of states actually going to take them seriously!

Experience aside (since lets face it both teams have someone who has a lack of experience) Don't you think the team/ ticket should at least have a strong knowledge base on all issues, if they are going to be sitting in the White House? Sexism aside, Although Palin seems to be a nice, bubbly, pretty women. She certainly lacks the knowledge base for that of anyone running for Vice President of the USA. Whether you love her or hate her. It is for this reason I believe the McCain/Palin ticket is by far the more weaker ticket and the Obama/Biden ticket the stronger ticket through a depth of knowledge on all issues period!

Remember most of us from out of country have family and friends in the USA and abroad who are following the Presidential Election and who are deeply affected by what is going on within your country.

Just one of many global opinions

Brenda

[Ann]

V J MachIavelli: You've misinterpreted the question; Obama is not running for "the head of Russia" et al.

The reason most of the world wants Obama to win is because they hate our foreign policy; we look like the Playground Bully to the rest of the world.

I'm a world traveler and embrace all humans, not just Americans, so I care what other countries think.

[Ilona J Maxson]

Of course the foreign countries would like to see Obama as president of the United States. They do not know what the United States needs. They have their own problems to solve. We need McCain as President, he understands the United States as well as the world. He is a true American who loves his country.

[Joseph]

I love of the jingo-bots who "Don't give a damned about what anybody but the USA thinks!" How do they power their legs with such little brains?

[Straight Talk]

The whole world sees John McCain as just another term for the failed Bush administration.

[susan]

The real issue is not how well Obama or McCain might do state-by-state or country-by-country, but that we shouldn't have battleground states and spectator states in the first place. Every vote in every state should be politically relevant in a presidential election. And, every vote should be equal. We should have a national popular vote for President in which the White House goes to the candidate who gets the most popular votes in all 50 states.

The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC). The bill would take effect only when enacted, in identical form, by states possessing a majority of the electoral vote -- that is, enough electoral votes to elect a President (270 of 538). When the bill comes into effect, all the electoral votes from those states would be awarded to the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC).

Because of state-by-state enacted rules for winner-take-all awarding of their electoral votes, recent candidates with limited funds have concentrated their attention on a handful of closely divided "battleground" states. In 2004 two-thirds of the visits and money were focused in just six states; 88% on 9 states, and 99% of the money went to just 16 states. Two-thirds of the states and people have been merely spectators to the presidential election.

Another shortcoming of the current system is that a candidate can win the Presidency without winning the most popular votes nationwide.

The National Popular Vote bill has passed 21 state legislative chambers, including one house in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, North Carolina, and Washington, and both houses in California, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The bill has been enacted by Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and Maryland. These four states possess 50 electoral votes-- 19% of the 270 necessary to bring the law into effect.

See http://www.NationalPopularVote.com

[steve rodriguez]

Refresh my memory who's the peanut farmer from Plains Georgia, Jimmy Carter or Barrack Obama? I can't tell the difference between them!

[Lilly_Jay]

Obama Rocks He will WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sharon]

Since WHEN does the United States of America fit the mold of the rest of the world? I find Obama extremely socialistic and that is why I WILL NOT vote for him. I want to keep my freedom and he (with his associates) will sell us to the highest bidder!

[pemdun]

I report to all of you from Jakarta Indonesia, that people here are closely following the news about US election. I often found my friends and many people everywhere talking about it and US financial crisis . Our newspapers and TV channels reported every developments in daily basis.

I think we are electing a new president of the world.

And sure my country will almost 100 percent will vote for Obama, if only he lives ini my country he will be president. it is so difficult to find a good president candidate.

[Ashwin]

I really think McCain should be president.

[Ashwin]

I mean I don`t know who should really be president.