Talking a big talk

People in Paris-even those not living in France-have a unique fascination with American politics. So much so, that this fierce curiosity seems to outshine those who are directly involved in the American election process. French media sources always have pictures of American political figures on the magazines and newspapers. Their curiosity is more superficial then even that of some American citizens.

At school, foreign students are always asking who I like for the election. They always ask why I like said choice & then tell me who they like (this is typically always the same answer). However, they really can't state many reasons WHY they like Obama-just that he isn't Bush. Its a bit curious that everyone in the EU-generalization obviously-are infatuated with someone just because he isn't a Republican candidate. They know the general platforms, like universal healthcare & a strong anti-Iraq position from the beginning, but are very inept when it comes to real details or how he stacks up against Clinton and McCain. This is a bit frustrating especially when papers report a near 60% of French citizens supporting Obama. Also, those who do support a liberal candidate say they don't support Hillary because she IS A WOMAN...

For a country that speaks so highly of their liberal notions, they sure don't back it up...

I've also had people tell me that they don't support McCain because he is "an old, white guy like George Bush." In principal, we don't vote on gender or race. What good were the suffrage movements if they only got us this far?

A particularly obnoxious French man tried to argue a global vote in the US elections. His only backing point was that US politics affect everyone in the world & that, being the most country in the world, we needed to share the responsibility. That really made me mad.

Thank God my passport is American.