The US Election

Finally, the election is almost here.  The polls close in only a matter of hours and I can't wait for it to be done.  I have gotten my fair share of election information here, mostly by choice, from the internet--no nagging TV commercials or phone calls.  However, I have gotten more than my fair share of questions about the election.  Ever since I arrived in Europe on August 29, I have been bombarded with questions about it.  Whenever I meet someone new, regardless of age or nationality, they first ask me where I'm from, and that's always followed by the exact same question.  They don't ask things like my name or what state I'm from or why I'm in the Czech Republic.  The main thing they want to know is "Obama or McCain?"  They don't even take time to make it a full sentence.  Some just say, "Obama?" or "McCain?" and leave it at that.  I've gotten mixed responses when I have said I am voting for/have voted for McCain.  

As you may know, Europeans have a weird love affair with Obama.  His "rock star" status is almost as prevalent here as it is at home.  While most Europeans would be Democrats (even Europe's "conservative" parties more closely resemble the American left), there are some that like McCain.  The professor of my History of the American Presidential Elections class likes McCain and identifies herself as a Republican.  A French student here told me he liked McCain also, and then said the US and France are/should be such great friends because of the French helping us during the Revolutionary War.  While all the Europeans seem to have their choices about who should win, some have acknowledged that they don't really know the issues that face our country.  They admit that they can say who they like better, but they aren't concerned with many of the issues in the US, primarily the domestic issues.  

They are always interested in hearing what we have to say, however.  My pres. election history class is overflowing because so many students I suppose hoped there would be much discussion about the current race.  When a professor from Mizzou came to talk here, I was the only other American in the room.  They had a translator and everyone who wanted could get a headset and have her talk translated into Czech.  That room was also overflowing.  The sad thing is, though, that we all feel election fatigue.  I do and I'm a political science major and even have an interest in all this (granted, being from Iowa, I've had to deal with it months longer than any other Americans here).  The non-Americans who ask us who we favor when we are in groups are always in for a nasty surprise--we don't all agree!  Some of us are Republicans, others Democrats, some Independents, and some who couldn't care less.  The other night, we got into a heated debate which involved people yelling and screaming.  However, reflecting upon that, someone pointed out that it is great that we live in a country where we can do that.  We can yell and debate who we want to lead and not always agree, but have our opinions heard (even if we have to raise our voices to do so).  I think I would be okay with either candidate winning, having spent several days pouring over the policies of both candidates.  The whole world will be watching with rapt attention, and it will be interesting to see the reactions.  On a side note, the Canadian elections for prime minister were held last week and no one noticed.  I only realized this because I read the international news online.  I will be here in Brno on Wednesday to see reactions, but I leave for London on Thursday and so I'll get to see what the Brits think of the results.  Oh, if anyone knows of a continuously updating feed or internet broadcast of the election, I would like to know so I can follow it.  I plan to stay up into the wee hours of Wednesday morning to hear the results (I'm 7 hours ahead, so however late it is for you at home, it will be 7 hours later for me, but I'm that interested).