# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![grayhairedmomma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@grayhairedmomma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grayhairedmomma)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/61 "2008-10-29T15:42:21Z")
> [@3acresandatruck](#): > > Ha, I love your party idea! But I have a question: there are _white_ M&M’s?? I’ve never seen such a thing. Is it a special designer color or something? They’re made for valentine’s day (pink & white). ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/62 "2008-10-29T15:45:59Z")
We can get them at Christmas time, too. ---
**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, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/63 "2008-10-29T15:47:44Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > This was totally underappreciated. Well done. I’d just gotten that stupid song out of my head after two hours. Thanks a lot, **Richard Parker**. Thanks for ruining my day. hmmm..hmmm…We can dance if we want to…[SIZE=“2”]Aaauughh!!![/SIZE] ---
**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, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/64 "2008-10-29T16:22:53Z")
I truly appreciate the responses. I just really didn’t know that the world cared that much or that the US influenced it in the ways I am learning that it does. Thanks again. -kjckjc ---
**Author:** ![IClaudius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c37758/32.png) [@IClaudius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IClaudius)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/65 "2008-10-29T16:26:00Z")
> [@kjckjc](#): > > I truly appreciate the responses. I just really didn’t know that the world cared that much or that the US influenced it in the ways I am learning that it does. Thanks again. > > -kjckjc If you have time, as it’s a long read, [this](http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=912) is quite a good summary of the implications of US foreign policy direction under either candidate from an Australian middle-power state perspective. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/66 "2008-10-29T17:19:10Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > I assume so. Much of the rest of the world looks upon Obama as someone who will consider their interests too. What’s lost upon them is the fact that an American President is duty bound to govern in the interests of the US and to put his own country’s interests first. > > They’ll learn. We understand that, but a competent foreign policy doesn’t alienate your allies or invade countries on spurious pretexts. Obama can both consider US interests _and_ make foreigners happy - well, happi_er_. I personally will be raising a glass and texting friends. Not dancing in the street though. And seriously, if McCain wins, I will have to conclude that around half of you lot are nucking futs. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/67 "2008-10-29T17:32:02Z")
I don’t know how accurate this is, and I don’t know if it indicates much dancing if Obama wins, but I think it implies that 85% of the internet-using planet will be pretty annoyed if McCain wins… [http://www.iftheworldcouldvote.com/results](http://www.iftheworldcouldvote.com/results) ---
**Author:** ![Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fake_Tales_of_San_Francisco)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/68 "2008-10-29T17:38:14Z")
I think any celebration will be premature until we find out how well he’ll do in office. Or maybe I’m just a little too pessimistic. I and others I know will be more happy with Obama in than McCain, but we’re not gonna start dancing in the streets. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/69 "2008-10-29T17:43:32Z")
> [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](#): > > I think any celebration will be premature until we find out how well he’ll do in office. Or maybe I’m just a little too pessimistic. I and others I know will be more happy with Obama in than McCain, but we’re not gonna start dancing in the streets. I see the celebrating more as an end to the Bush trainwreck and not expecting yet another four years of their brand of bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/70 "2008-10-29T18:01:09Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I don’t know how accurate this is, and I don’t know if it indicates much dancing if Obama wins, but I think it implies that 85% of the internet-using planet will be pretty annoyed if McCain wins… > > [http://www.iftheworldcouldvote.com/results](http://www.iftheworldcouldvote.com/results) McCain is running surprisingly strong in Lesotho and the Czech Republic… :dubious: ---
**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, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/71 "2008-10-29T19:39:19Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > McCain is running surprisingly strong in Lesotho and the Czech Republic… :dubious: I just voted a few times for a couple of countries. I always liked polls best where you can vote any number of times. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/72 "2008-10-29T22:22:05Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I see the celebrating more as an end to the Bush trainwreck and not expecting yet another four years of their brand of bullshit. Exactly. No dancing in the streets as such, and we don’t expect the world will suddenly be all right and perfect. But a bit less scary! 😃 Too cold out there for dancing, but I hope the result will serve as an excuse for a midweek bit of wine or whisky. Of course, the day after your election there will be lots of fireworks and merriment in Britain, so lets just pretend they’re all for Obama, eh? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/73 "2008-10-29T22:37:17Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I don’t know how accurate this is… Well, it’s worth noting that American voters in that poll went 80% for Obama, which of course would happen in an actual election only if it were fixed. So I think we can assume it’s not the most accurate methodology. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/74 "2008-10-30T02:21:35Z")
You’ve got to be kidding me. Most non-US citizens will give the story a glance, shrug and go on. Only places where there might be huge demonstrations of support will be areas controlled be Islamic extremist or in places where the current governing body is seeing visions of boat loads of US $$$ coming their way… ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/75 "2008-10-30T02:39:10Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > Only places where there might be huge demonstrations of support will be areas controlled be Islamic extremist or in places where the current governing body is seeing visions of boat loads of US $$$ coming their way… What makes you think that one has to be an Islamic extremist to hate what America has been doing ? Oh, that’s right; people in other countries aren’t human enough to care about threats, invasions, bombing, torture, or the threat of same. They are emotionless killing machines who only care about Islam. When we kill their families, or drag their brother off to be tortured, we don’t need to worry about them resenting it at all. And they CERTAINLY don’t care if that happens to someone in another country ! Nor do they care what we do to the world economy; only Americans worry about their livelihoods. Or what we do to to the environment; only Americans worry about pollution and such. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/76 "2008-10-30T02:49:24Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > What makes you think that one has to be an Islamic extremist to hate what America has been doing ? Oh, that’s right; people in other countries aren’t human enough to care about threats, invasions, bombing, torture, or the threat of same. They are emotionless killing machines who only care about Islam. When we kill their families, or drag their brother off to be tortured, we don’t need to worry about them resenting it at all. > > And they CERTAINLY don’t care if that happens to someone in another country ! Nor do they care what we do to the world economy; only Americans worry about their livelihoods. Or what we do to to the environment; only Americans worry about pollution and such. _yawn_ If you notice I said the only places where I suspected there would be huge demonstrations. The reason I selected area controlled by Islamic extremist is that they would interpret (right or wrong) the election as a victory. Other, level minded citizens, will take note, read about it, offer opinions, discuss, but mass demonstration - I think not ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/77 "2008-10-30T02:54:57Z")
I expect an avalanche of editorials worldwide, cautiously optimistic in hopes for a better America, especially as regards America’s attitude towards \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, America’s trade relations with \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, and American policy towards \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. The people of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ are hopeful as a new day dawns and so forth. But it does mark a division, and that is important if only because people tend to see things that way. If we are going to embark on a program of seeking to heal our relations with the world at large, it is helpful. It allows the moderates of any given political climate a talking point, they can say, well, yeah, that was America V 1.0, the upgrade is much improved, coming out in beta… ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/78 "2008-10-30T02:56:38Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > If you notice I said the only places where I suspected there would be huge demonstrations. The reason I selected area controlled by Islamic extremist is that they would interpret (right or wrong) the election as a victory. 😕 Why would Islamic extremists interpret an Obama win as a victory? Have they bought into the US loony-right propaganda that Obama is actually an America-hating, pro-terrorist, closet Muslim? If anything, I would think that Islamic extremists would be somewhat disappointed by an Obama win. If American foreign policy becomes more rational and US relations with the rest of the world improve, that’s **bad** for Islamic extremists. Islamic extremists **want** us to go trampling all over the place like a rogue elephant, recklessly killing civilians and destroying infrastructure and making moderate Muslims loathe us. Enmity and polarization between Muslim societies and the West, especially the US as the _de facto_ leader of the West, is exactly what Islamic extremists seek. In any case, would you care to be more specific about the nations or regions where you predict there will be “huge demonstrations” of joy if Obama wins? ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/79 "2008-10-30T03:02:17Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > 😕 Why would Islamic extremists interpret an Obama win as a victory? Have they bought into the US loony-right propaganda that Obama is actually an America-hating, pro-terrorist, closet Muslim? > > If anything, I would think that Islamic extremists would be somewhat disappointed by an Obama win. If American foreign policy becomes more rational and US relations with the rest of the world improve, that’s **bad** for Islamic extremists. Islamic extremists **want** us to go trampling all over the place like a rogue elephant, recklessly killing civilians and destroying infrastructure and making moderate Muslims loathe us. Enmity and polarization between Muslim societies and the West, especially the US as the _de facto_ leader of the West, is exactly what Islamic extremists seek. > > In any case, would you care to be more specific about the nations or regions where you predict there will be “huge demonstrations” of joy if Obama wins? Not necessarily because of the victory, but because the regime that has been treating them so “mean” has been defeated. ---
**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 30, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027/80 "2008-10-30T03:07:27Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > You’ve got to be kidding me. Most non-US citizens will give the story a glance, shrug and go on. I think you’re wrong. Look back at my post #37 in this thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027.md?page=5)