# Will there be massive public celebrations worldwide if Obama wins? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 29, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027 "2008-10-29T01:59:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/21 "2008-10-29T08:55:14Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > Given how much Bush is hated across the world, do you think there will be dancing in the streets all over the world if his fellow Republican is defeated? Al Qaeda don’t dance. But I do hope he can live up to my expectation, because I have a toothache I expect him to cure. And my wife bitch too much. I’ll like if he could look into that also. > [@even\_sven](#): > > Cameroon will be quite happy. People there generally like America and think that Obama will bridge many divides in American and around the world. A not insignificant number of people also beleive Obama will make it easier for them get visas. > > China seems fairly indifferent, though most people I know express mild support for Obama. Bush has done more for Africa than any other US president. A number of polls have shown him to be quite popular in Africa. And Obama wanted Bush to boycott the Olympics. How does that sit which the Chinese? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/22 "2008-10-29T09:29:00Z")
I might have a small sherry, but the street party is reserved for a manned Mars landing, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/23 "2008-10-29T09:33:54Z")
With those here in Germany who feel strongly about it (quite a few) this will be more a case of “rise a glass - the world has dodged a bullet this time”. This time it was an inspiring harmless guy against the scary guy, last time it was an uninspiring harmless guy against the scary guy. It think what we look forward to isn’t a messianic figure but a return to the Clinton era where we had the usual sort of friendly disagreements. ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/24 "2008-10-29T09:43:58Z")
Oh, now, Mr. Dibble, come on, we all know from watching movies what horrible things will happen should men ever land on Mars!!! I really think most around the world will just heave that huge sigh (and batter our Gulf coast, which has has quite ENOUGH battering for the time being, thank you very much!) but there are always that small minority who will feel the need to celebrate and be very public about it (sort of like the looters/vandals, lol!) AWWWW, I am still not absolutely certain on this one, tho’ I tend to be very good at predicting these things. Almost certain, but not quite. A weird one, this. Still up in the air, regardless of polls. But it is worth a party, imo, if we get the expected result. (and worth a riot if we don’t) ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/25 "2008-10-29T10:45:36Z")
Well there will be celebrating for sure, but obviously it won’t be as coordinated as say, New Year’s Eve. The nature and fervor of the celebration will likely depend on the manner in which the election results are announced. If all the networks declare a clear victory around the same time, there will be a bigger buzz. If it drags on past midnight or the results aren’t so clear cut, the buzz will be lesser. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/26 "2008-10-29T11:07:19Z")
> [@Yumblie](#): > > Come on now. I’m an Obama supporter but this is kinda over-the-top. Will worldwide happiness increase when Obama wins? Will 10,000 angels get their wings when Obama wins? Will crotchety old man McGee down the street crack a smile for the first time in years when Obama wins? > > It’ll mean much more commenting on it afterward. Speculating, or _debating_ about such a thing before-hand just seems overly saccharine. I dunno…I talk with folks in Brazil, China, Europe, India and Mexico through the course of my work day. Most of them are rootin’ for Obama. I think Bush has done so much damage in his eight years that the rest of the planet is as ready for change as the US seems to be. ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/27 "2008-10-29T11:15:57Z")
Hey come on. I think most people will be very pleased if Obama wins, but spontaneous street parties? It is a working day the day after and most people will be in bed long before the results are out. You do realise that Europe is several hours ahead of the US 😉 ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/28 "2008-10-29T11:28:55Z")
I have to work early the following day so I won’t be doing any celebrating. My mother wants to put €100 on McCain winning. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/29 "2008-10-29T11:33:09Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > I have to work early the following day so I won’t be doing any celebrating. My mother wants to put €100 on McCain winning. Give her 2 to 1 and take her money yourself. Then, when he has lost, give her the money back, with a knowing wink. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/30 "2008-10-29T11:48:23Z")
I, and everybody I know who cares, will let out a huge sigh of relief. And I will personally raise a glass of wine to Mr. Obama’s health and successful administration. Or drink the whole bottle should McCain win. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/31 "2008-10-29T11:58:44Z")
A clink of the glass and a “welcome back to civilization, old chums, now see about cleaning up your mess” would be my guess. ---
**Author:** ![kjckjc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@kjckjc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjckjc)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/32 "2008-10-29T12:04:34Z")
I need some of my ignorance fought. Why do they care? I can see how any of the people in countries we had somehow magicly linked to bin Laden would not like us. And maybe the Russians, Germans and French for daring to have a dissenting opinion. But what have we done to Poland…or Sweden…or NZ in the past 8 years that they feel oppressed? Or is it more of a “Hey, good for them (Americans), they will be much better off now.” type of happiness? -kjckjc ---
**Author:** ![TequilaSunrise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@TequilaSunrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TequilaSunrise)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/33 "2008-10-29T12:15:09Z")
There will be some. I’ll be doing my part here in Ireland with a bunch of European friends from other countries 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/34 "2008-10-29T12:30:56Z")
> [@kjckjc](#): > > I need some of my ignorance fought. Why do they care? I can see how any of the people in countries we had somehow magicly linked to bin Laden would not like us. And maybe the Russians, Germans and French for daring to have a dissenting opinion. But what have we done to Poland…or Sweden…or NZ in the past 8 years that they feel oppressed? Or is it more of a “Hey, good for them (Americans), they will be much better off now.” type of happiness? > > -kjckjc More like, “Oh, thank GOD! Someone sane, intelligent and relatively ethical is running the most influential (for good AND bad) country in the world again!” ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/35 "2008-10-29T12:41:54Z")
> [@kjckjc](#): > > I need some of my ignorance fought. Why do they care? I can see how any of the people in countries we had somehow magicly linked to bin Laden would not like us. And maybe the Russians, Germans and French for daring to have a dissenting opinion. But what have we done to Poland…or Sweden…or NZ in the past 8 years that they feel oppressed? Or is it more of a “Hey, good for them (Americans), they will be much better off now.” type of happiness? > > -kjckjc America through it’s Ambassador basically told Ireland there would be real financial consequences if we don’t allow troops etc. through Shannon airport. We are meant to be neutral but buckled. That’s just a small example. The world is a more dangerous place thanks to Bush. I have travelled quite extensively around the world and although not American I’m white and western which for a lot of people is good enough. There are real consequences to the world as a result of your election. Financial, security and lots more. Also people are just interested in the big story. It’s headline news over here. ---
**Author:** ![sinical\_brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/48db29/32.png) [@sinical\_brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinical_brit)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/36 "2008-10-29T12:52:15Z")
Regardless of how many people around the world can actually can be arsed to ‘party in the streets’, the media will find some shots of it to show Americans. It will then be brought up on blogs everywhere as justification for something or other. See Iranians celebrating on 911 etc… On a personal note, i shall be drinking to your new boss - whoever he is. I am sure he wont be as embarrasing as your old one. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/37 "2008-10-29T13:04:00Z")
> [@kjckjc](#): > > I need some of my ignorance fought. Why do they care? I can see how any of the people in countries we had somehow magicly linked to bin Laden would not like us. And maybe the Russians, Germans and French for daring to have a dissenting opinion. But what have we done to Poland…or Sweden…or NZ in the past 8 years that they feel oppressed? Or is it more of a “Hey, good for them (Americans), they will be much better off now.” type of happiness? > > -kjckjc This may help. **Source: Results of recent Readers Digest Global Presidential Poll** [Global Poll: How the World Sees the 2008 Election](http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/global-poll-how-the-world-sees-the-2008-election/article102257.html) [[QUOTE=RD.com](http://QUOTE=RD.com)] It’s a good thing for John McCain that only American citizens can vote in U.S. presidential elections. If the election were held overseas, or even in the rest of North America, the Republican nominee wouldn’t stand a chance. This was just one of the remarkable findings in a new Reader’s Digest Global Poll in which we asked people in 17 countries, including the United States, to name the issues they care about most and tell how they feel about the United States and the presidential contenders. (For an explanation of the poll methodology, see below.) “It’s Obama by a landslide—except in the country in which he’s actually running for president,” says John Fredricks, director of polling and research for Reader’s Digest. “What is most striking is the margin of his support.” –more– [/QUOTE] Videos [Global Poll Overview](http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/global-poll-video-gallery/gallery102268.html?videoId=1840656722) [Who would you vote for, and why?](http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/global-poll-video-gallery/gallery102268.html?videoId=1827939757) [What global issues are important to you?](http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/global-poll-video-gallery/gallery102268.html?videoId=1827939763) ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/38 "2008-10-29T13:08:51Z")
> [@kjckjc](#): > > I need some of my ignorance fought. Why do they care? I can see how any of the people in countries we had somehow magicly linked to bin Laden would not like us. And maybe the Russians, Germans and French for daring to have a dissenting opinion. But what have we done to Poland…or Sweden…or NZ in the past 8 years that they feel oppressed? Or is it more of a “Hey, good for them (Americans), they will be much better off now.” type of happiness? > > -kjckjc The campaigns have been in the news for the last 2 (feels like 20) years, so of course I’m interested. Also, with the US being the biggest power in the World, the elections affect everybody (be it directly on indirectly). ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/39 "2008-10-29T13:11:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Will there be massive public celebrations worldwide if Obama wins? > > * * * > > Given how much Bush is hated across the world, do you think there will be dancing in the streets all over the world if his fellow Republican is defeated? You mean like at the end of Lucas’ revamped version of **The Return of the Jedi**? Maybe. I could live with that. As long as they don’t start singing that “Yub Yub” crap. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/40 "2008-10-29T13:13:04Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > Al Qaeda don’t dance. And if they don’t dance, well…they’re no friends of mine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027.md?page=3)