Obamamania

Obamamania

The ballots have been cast, history has been made: Obama is the president-elect. The Democratic Party takes over again after eight years, and Americans find themselves on the brink of a new administration.   Cambiamento. Change. For Italians, the word goes hand in hand with the mention of Barack

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Thu 13 Nov 2008 1:00 AM

The ballots have been cast, history has been
made: Obama is the president-elect. The Democratic Party takes over again after
eight years, and Americans find themselves on the brink of a new
administration.

 

Cambiamento. Change. For Italians, the word goes hand in hand with the mention of
Barack Obama. But what does this ‘change’ mean for Italians? And what do they
hope to gain from a new president in another country?

 

‘It was a great thing, I couldn’t believe it was
possible. It was time to change, and I think Americans chose the right person,’
Roberta Mugelli said.

 

Professor Federico Romero of the University of
Florence said that what many Italians are looking for is a change in foreign
policy. ‘A lot of people would certainly be happy with a less unilateral and
belligerent foreign policy, including more dialogue with allies as well as other
regimes, from Iran to Russia, and less “either with us or against us” polarization,’
he said.

 

Romero also pointed out that today’s global issues are
undoubtedly relevant in Italy. He said that many would appreciate U.S.
leadership on issues such as ‘global warming and restructuring of financial
norms and institutions.’

 

For some, domestic policy in the U.S. is
irrelevant. ‘I’m just for foreign policy, I don’t know what’s going on inside
America,’ Marco Pintucci said. This surface-level attention to American
politics seems to be a trend, as many Italians completely dismissed McCain, not
even interested in familiarizing themselves with his potential policies. ‘He is
just a name,’ Niccolò Usberti said. ‘If there is an Italian who is interested
in America, he is for Obama.’

 

Not everyone agrees with Usberti, however.
Florentine Lorenzo Bigalli knows the U.S. well: he is married to an American.
He supported McCain because of the courageous and heroic way he has served his
country. However, though his man did not win, Bigalli said he believes that
Obama will lead the country well-as it always has been, regardless of the
individual in the White House.

 

Regarding McCain’s choice of running mate, Mugelli
echoed the sentiments of many when she said she believed McCain made a big
mistake by choosing Sarah Palin. ‘Italian women don’t like Sarah Palin because
she could not portray clear ideas.’

 

As are many Americans, Italians are drawn to the idea
of a young and energetic president. Though many believe themselves to be more
politically minded than Americans, Usberti said, ‘we need to wake up in some
ways because some young people are not interested in politics in Italy. Right
now we don’t care so much and we need an example of a young politician like
Obama.’

 

Part of Italians’ keen interest in Obama could be
attributed to the way he invokes a contrast of feelings to the current
political leader of Italy, prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. According to
Massimillano Innocenti, ‘in Italy, in the political class, there are lots of
thieves; people work for politicians instead of politicians working for people.
Obama is a really good stepping stone for America, his mind is open, and I hope
he will change foreign policy.’

 

Although most unconditionally supported Obama, this is
not to say they are without fears or doubts about the president-elect. ‘Before
I judge, I would like to see what he will do,’ Innocenti said. And although
Mugelli thinks that ‘the color of his skin has positive meaning, even for
Italians,’ she worries about Obama’s safety. ‘I’m afraid for his life because
after 9/11 anything can happen,’ she said. ‘But, his aesthetic figure, the way
he talks, smiles and debates has a way of making you feel secure.’

 

It is daunting to think about what lies ahead for
Obama, America, Italy and the rest of the world. However, it’s good to know
that positive political thoughts have reemerged on this side of the Atlantic,
too. 

 

 

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