politics

Obama favored for reelection... in Japan and Europe

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But is there a town in Japan named "Romney"?

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Japanese generally prefer for the person in the office to stay there. This has been true whether the president had a D or an R after their name.

If Japan prefers this, then why do they change PM's at the drop of a hat?

Obama's memorable achievement was to take out the dreadful terrorist bin Laden. I will remember Obama for this,

I agree that this was a great job done by the Seals and authorized by Pres. Obama. But remember this, the Pakistani doctor who helped out the CIA and the US government was sold out by the same Adminstration and sent to prison for 30 years. So much for helping us out. As much money as we have thrown at Pakistan, the least the current adminstration could have done was get this guy out for helping us.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

after 8 years of GB , the thought of Romney as President is an even worse thought.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Don't want to do a U-turn and go back to Republican hell. I'm voting for Obama.

4 ( +14 / -10 )

At the moment I don't really see suitable competition for Obama yet!!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

If the past in an indication, Japanese generally prefer for the person in the office to stay there. This has been true whether the president had a D or an R after their name.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Neither of them are any good.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

China and the Republicans in the same basket - again.

@ Laguna: China just bought up the AMC Movie theater chain in the US, and some of the big studios and producers in Hollywood have agreed to go into agreements with China for some major film projects. So, it would be more like the liberal Hollywood types that are getting close to China too.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

But is there a town in Japan named "Romney"?

No town in Japan but a Japanese railway named Romney instead. Seeing since the U.S is on the totally wrong track with Obama and Romney wants to change track its actually pretty ironic.

The Shuzenji Romney Railway is a 15 in (381 mm) gauge pleasure line located in Niji-no-Sato (Rainbow Park) in Izu, Shizuoka, on the Izu Peninsula in Japan. It is based on the English Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway on the English Channel coast in Kent, which opened in 1925. The railway operates using a mixture of steam and diesel locomotives and enclosed saloon carriages. Its primary two steam engines were built by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in Cumbria, England, and are based on that line's 1976 Northern Rock 2-6-2 steam locomotive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuzenji_Romney_Railway

2 ( +3 / -1 )

it makes total sense that most of liberal Europe would want a weakened Liberal President.

It's quite telling that when the GOP makes gains in elections like we saw last week in Wisconsin, or Rommey may go up in the polls, the markets seem to react in a positive manner. Whenever it seems Obama makes some sort of statement, they seem to fall. But I guess that is what Europe and Japan want. Why have a strong America where their rich can go and see lower overall taxes and take capital out of Europe, when they want a guy like Obama that will basically give people "no place to run" to keep more of their money.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Who cares? They can not vote in the election like me. My guy can vote but says Oklahoma will vote for the Republican.

It matters because foreign policy is important to many Americans when it comes to elections. Many Americans are concerned about how the country gets along with it's foreign partners.

Oh and btw thanks for sharing this. You are an American and not Japanese, it clears things up a lot.!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Yay Obama!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

As a Brit it's easy to look from the outside in and prefer Obama. In general, British people had a very low opinion of the last Republican government, not least for leading our puppy dog leader into the catastrophe of Iraq. Romney....surely not.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

"If Japanese and Europeans could vote"

But they can't. Whew!

"Obama...locked in a neck-and-neck battle with Romney"

How could this be? Doesn't charisma count for anything anymore?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Europeans seem to have a extremely short-term memory. It was not even a month ago that president Obama blamed them for the economic woes in the U.S. But hey it does not matter, European media is FAR worse then American media and paint Obama as the epitome benevolence. When his reality record speaks otherwise.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What chapter are you from I see the black and the gold and the reference to APA

@ kaimycahi: KK

but his popularity is slipping in China and Muslim nations,

Not only there but in North Carolina, the state of the Dem Convention, a new poll out today from the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling shows. The poll finds that Mitt Romney would get 20 percent of the African-American vote if the election were held today, compared with 76 percent for Obama. Overall, Romney has a 48 percent to 46 percent lead on Obama in the crucial swing state. Obama received 95 percent of the support from African-Americans in North Carolina in the 2008 election, compared with just 5 percent for Republican nominee John McCain.

That is a huge drop for Obama, and very important for him to remember. If he is not finding favor in the Muslim nations, remember his first speech overseas as President was in Cairo, and his popularity is dropping in a southern Black state, he really is starting to feel heat for his reelection bid. It will be interesting to see how the Dem convention turns out. There was talk about moving it from NC due to their recent vote to ban gay marriage, and their stance on not making joining a union mandatory, so it will be interesting to see how they get out of having it there.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@yuriotani chan

because it is a reflection of what the international community of developed countries thinks about the political scenario in the USA.

that has a bearing on the future.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

14.3 trillions

People often forget who created the mess? The Republicans and Obama inherited them all when he took office in 2008..

1)Bush went to TWO wars with credit cards- you need to get it streight.

2)Huge tax break to the riches (only 1% of US population) that is going to expire in December 2012. Thank god! While Republicans gave these tax breaks to the riches hoping they would create jobs here in US, jobs went overseas and the riches kept their money..

The Republicans are for Business while Democrats are for the Middle Class Americans. If you go back to US history, you will see all social programs were created by the Democrats to protect YOU. iI cannot list therm all, but you are familiar with Social Security including unemployment and disability benefits, Medicare and Medicaid, Equal Pay, Equal Employment, and Environment Agency.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The choice between Obama or Romney is like choosing between Tweedle-Dee or Tweedle-Dum, lose or lose. Which do the people of Kerflakistan prefer?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It doesn't matter what the people of a country think (including the United Corporations of America) it's the political powers that matter. Just like the elections.....we elect them, and the billionaires give them their orders.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@just-a-bigguy, you can brag about your political system that does not allow you to have a freedom of speech except on JT. Too bad.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I hope next president, and US government will understand that government can succeed only by creating good environment for economic activity, rather than having bad environment and trying to directly create economic activity from government.

Obama's memorable achievement was to take out the dreadful terrorist bin Laden. I will remember Obama for this, and also winning Nobel peace prize before doing anything. Congratulations to him.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Romney by far has way better credentials overall.

Surely you jest. Beware of trolling btw, might become illegal.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

they can have him. fine by me. and by the majority of American voters.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

What chapter are you from I see the black and the gold and the reference to APA

AlphaapeJun. 13, 2012 - 06:07PM JST

it makes total sense that most of liberal Europe would want a weakened Liberal President.

It's quite telling that when the GOP makes gains in elections like we saw last week in Wisconsin, or Rommey may go up in the polls, the markets seem to react in a positive manner. Whenever it seems Obama makes some sort of statement, they seem to fall. But I guess that is what Europe and Japan want. Why have a strong America where their rich can go and see lower overall taxes and take capital out of Europe, when they want a guy like Obama that will basically give people "no place to run" to keep more of their money.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Republicans will try to use Obama's popularity overseas as a negative.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Don't want to do a U-turn and go back to Republican hell. I'm voting for Obama.

Me too. I vote for Obama.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I wonder just how much economic clout China would have, were they to stop undervaluing their currency?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Democrats are for the Middle Class Americans. If you go back to US history, you will see all social programs were created by the Democrats to protect YOU.

@ globalwatcher: You are a bit off. Affirmative Action, that was supposed to level the playing field for minorities in America after years of discriimination was passed by a Repbulican (Nixon), as well as the EPA legislation, and also the OSHA Labor Laws, which held employers accountable for making a safer work place. Why we still have big unions that are run by the Dems is beyond me when we have laws on the books to protect people, but that is another story.

If the Dems are for the Middle Class Americans, why is it then that they are pushing for more welfare and programs that people in the Middle Class can't use because they have too much income. For someone in the Middle Class to benefit from many of the programs that are in place, they have to basically give up all of their income and totally rely on the government. Also, have you noticed that recently Obama has been going to California and other places for fund raisers at the homes of movie stars like George Clooney that costs each person $30K just to enter? If they were really concerned about the poor and the middle class, those who attend those high priced dinners could easily just give that amount of money to a public charity, or just scratch a check to the IRS and pay extra tax. So I am not buying this class warfare you are selling.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Alphaape, you are right and I was wrong. EPA Order 1110.2-signed by Nixon. But everything else has been accomplished by the Demo.

I am not buying this class warfare you are selling.

Actually, the gap between and rich and poor has been widening recently unfortunately. The job of President is not just creating jobs for poor, his focus should be on common Middle Class Americans agenda. Obama has a tough job to do, Alphaape. I am always for under dog who is trying to do the right things for a good cause in society, not for a big business. I just want you to know Obama on the way to the Harvard, he was so poor himself, he slept on the street like these poor homeless people. He understand what is like to be poor. Romney was born with silver spoon as you know.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Alphaape, I am glad to hear both of them did a damn good job. That's American way and very inspirational. I pay all my respects to both of them. Let's vote and see who will be our next president of US.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Alphaape

the question is not about whether you have money or not, but how you got it, G!

obama's been continually putting out the message of american values and the american dream continually, and that is what separates him from all of the politicos whose wealth is derived from the utterly corrupt finance industry.

in fact, we can see a manifestation of this in the recent utterances of bill clinton, telling obama to lay off mr romney, he a hard workin' white-collar criminal!

perhaps this is due to mr clintons association with cretins like rubin and summers.

perhaps it is related to the fact that his new son-in-law is an investment banker--i don't know.

but the fact of the matter is that obama is not against success and its commensurate monetary rewards, but has shown a determined effort to refocus the debate along the lines of opportunity and achievement in any field of the open market, not on the basis of how much you've been able to pocket through corruption and market manipulation behind the scenes.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I actually thought the most compelling piece of this article was that in societies with a free, open press and freedom of speech, President Obama was very popular, while in societies with very limited to no freedom of the press, he was unpopular. That seems to say more about those governments that stifle open expression and limit freedom of the press than it does about the popularity of any individual.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That's all very interesting but who are these respondents

Probably the same people who think China owns a majority of US debt. I'm often astounded at how many people actually think that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

12 years has beeen wasted by Bush and Obama, yet nothing seems saving America from woes! It wasnt the problem of choosing who but the political system itself!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Obama really. i think he wont make 2nd term. he'll have to falsify growth data to get re-elected

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Still do not know why this is important? So they like President Obama but they can not vote.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Seeing as how the US manages to hold a presidential election every 4 years and many times change it's leadership with any sectarian violence or people getting killed it matters to many a country around the world.

Their preferences, even though they don't have a vote, tells the American public, or at least gives the American public a better understanding, for the one's who care that is, about how foreign countries view the leadership of the US. The US has ties with nearly every plant on earth, and who is in office makes a difference to many as well on how those ties are affected, for better or worse.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Romney sends a horse to Europe to compete like an athlete. A horse! That does not sound to fiscally conservative. It souknds like a crazy nut who cares less what he does with money.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

all of the politicos whose wealth is derived from the utterly corrupt finance industry.

@ ubikwit: Not all politicians got money dirty. If you look at Romney's record, he made money from inheritance and work. If you want to talk about political corruption, then ask yourself why Michelle Obama had a $300K/year job at a hospital that made contributions to Dems, and as soon as she leaves for the White House with her husband, the job at the hospital is no longer needed and is closed.

Ask about Nancy Pelosi and her family gettig deals made from her influence with major Chines firms. And we don't even want go get into how Jesse Jackson has managed to get the largest liquor distributor in Chicago area, all along claiming to be a preacher, enabling his family to gain wealth.

You mentioned the Clintons and that is fair, but also you forgot to mention that these same so called "white collar criminals" are giving huge amounts to Obama. So before you go off labeling Romney as a crook, make sure you check to see if your Apple computer device wasn't made in some sweat shop in China at cut rate prices, but sold to you for an enormus mark-up. But that is the way business is run, and I am sure you wouldn't call the late Steve Jobs a "venture capitalist pirate."

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

And we all know how good the Japanese and Europeans are at choosing their politicians. This is like the kiss of death.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

No president has run up more debt in as short a period of time as Obama has - that's even if you take out the $800 billion plus stimulus. Obama has been worse that useless over the last four years. He doesn't have a clue of what he is doing. He has used every Liberal/Socialist policy formulation in the book and the economy remains a shambles. He doesn't care about the economy and jobs. He only wants to create a socialist utopia whereby people are not allowed to have too much money or be too successful - except for himself of course and his corporate cronies, and elitist Lefty buddies in Manhatten, Chicago, and Hollywood. He is a one trick pony with a superficial, ideological, and exceedingly inflexible view of economics and finance.

Obama will lose in November - it's just a matter of whether or not it will be a landslide. I believe the race will be more like the 1980 race between Carter and Reagan. It is a choice between a feckless and impotent President and a challenger that has executive experience and who has been successful outside of government. The race will remain close until October and then it will become evident that Romney will win. Obama is all strawman and no substance.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Who cares? They can not vote in the election like me. My guy can vote but says Oklahoma will vote for the Republican.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

...and what if Mitt Romney gets elected? Japan will be the first to congratulate him :)

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Whoever win the next presidential election, no one can reduce the debt of more than 14.3 trillions. Congress has already approved for raising debt ceiling in February. Default is only an answer.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Japanese probably like him because of his cool name, his TV look, and most of all because they can all say "Yes, we can!" really well!

"Yes, we can" seems to have overtaken "Oh my God!" as the most loved English phrase.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Republicans will try to use Obama's popularity overseas as a negative.

They don't have to do anything, Obama with his crappy polices is already doing a great job at making himself look negative at home. Frankly, it doesn't matter what the world thinks, because they can't vote anyway. Hopefully, he'll be one timer. The last thing we need is more liberal polices that are obliviating the country.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I just want you to know Obama on the way to the Harvard, he was so poor himself, he slept on the street like these poor homeless people. He understand what is like to be poor. Romney was born with silver spoon as you know.

@ globalwatcher: I am not sure where you got your information, but Obama never had to sleep on the street. He went to Occidental and Columbia on scholarships. If you read some of his background information, you will see that while at those schools he hung around a Pakistani student (who overstayed his visa), whom he lived with and partied with. After graduation from college, he moved to Chicago, and was working as a "community organizer" living off the earning from working government programs designed to help the poor. Never did he have to sleep on the streets.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I WILL STILL VOTE FOR RON PAUL BECAUSE HE IS A REAL AMERICAN and one day you will find out that Obama was not born in the USA - he is a phoney running the biggest scam ever pulled on the people of the USA.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

China and the Republicans in the same basket - again.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@ Laguna

Also add to that, it makes total sense that most of liberal Europe would want a weakened Liberal President. Obama and the Dems had controlled all 3 branches of government the first 2 years and how's that hope and change doing so far. No sitting president has ever been reelected with a rating of 7.4% yes, this race is close, too close, but I think people are slowly waking up. Liberalism is killing the country. We are in worst shape now financially than ever. Who is responsible and please don't talk about the previous administration, that argument won't fly. The real Problem is Obama is too far left and won't budge! At least Clinton to his credit was more of a "centrist" and got a lot more done that way and in the end, he turned out to be not so bad. I want a President that can get the country back on its feet, don't care to see my President on Jimmy Fallon or SNL. Romney has a lot more to offer and can accomplish and bring us hopefully out of this financial abyss.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

It's not saying much when romney is the only competition. Obama is probably more popular than hitler, musolini and Stalin as well.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Personally speaking as an American, "None of the above" would be preferable to either candidate.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

@ globalwatcher: So Romney was born with a silver spoon. Isn't that what people are all working for? I go to work and try to save so that some day, my children will have it a little better than I had. If you want to knw about Romney, when he did go to Harvard, he had to pay for it himself. He was just married and starting his family, and what his father did was give him so shares of stock to live on. That may sound like a spoiled rich kid, but look at what he did. He had enough shares to sell off, and from that he had to pay for his Harvard education (4 years), and also that was the only income he had to provide food and shelter for his wife and starting family. So at least this guy knows how to live on a budget. Sure it was a huge budget, but he had the fiscal discipline to do so.

As far as his father giving him the money to go to college and live on, isn't that the whole selling point behind having people invest in college funds for their children? The whole point is to try to save enough so that you can send them to school with minimum impact on your finances.

So I don't see if as him being born with a silver spoon as detrimental. He along with the Kennedy's, Gore, and other big Dems were also that fortunate, and after all, isn't that what the American dream is?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Romney was born with silver spoon as you know

@ globalwatcher: So in a few years when Obama's daughters get ready for college, will you say they have a "silver spoon" after all they go to one of the best schools in the USA, and their parents are rich. But then if Obama did send them wouldn't he, by using your logic, just be one of the "1%" who is out to screw over the poor and is only thinking of themselves.

As I said, class warfare will not work for this election. Both candidates are rich, and both candidates get money from big money donors. What we need to focus on, is which one will do better for the majority of the American people, and not just some special interest group. If Japan and other nations don't like the American choice, well they will have ot live with it for at least 4 years, and then we will change the person out.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

with growing numbers of respondents naming China, not the United States, as the world’s leading economy.

That's all very interesting but who are these respondents, house wives? The retired? Kids? Most people are not at home at the time these surveys take place so, as always, i'd take these polls with a large grain of salt.

Makes sense though, anyone could do better than the Great White Baboon, with little effort; and Obama's been putting more than that into trying to follow the "good path".

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

"Pew Poll"...

The name says it all...

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Another Four more years of Obama, basically means, drive over the cliff with a ton of bricks in your pocket for maximum velocity of total destruction, I try to be a realist, Romney does come off a bit stiff, but taking out the emotion and looking at both politicians in a logical and rational way, Romney by far has way better credentials overall.

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

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