Obama wins over hearts and minds in Europe

"BERLIN (Reuters) - Barack Obama's presidential candidacy is winning over hearts and minds in Europe, where his race, youth and promise of change are raising hopes for an America the world can like again.

Obama's bid for the U.S. presidency suffered a setback on Tuesday when he failed to clinch the Democratic nomination, losing crucial contests in Ohio and Texas to rival Hillary Clinton.

But in Europe he has emerged as a favorite of the people and media, political analysts say, after a brief European infatuation with the better-known Clinton last year.

Influential German weekly magazine Der Spiegel put a picture of the Illinois Senator on its cover in February under the headline "The Messiah Factor - Barack Obama and the Yearning for a new America".

Inside, the magazine described Obama as a symbol of America's rejection of the George W. Bush era, a period linked in the minds of many Europeans to the Iraq war, Abu Ghraib prison scandal and go-it-alone U.S. diplomacy.

"Germans are in love with Obama," said Volker Perthes, head of the Berlin-based SWP foreign policy think tank. "His election would show America is capable of renewing itself, of self-correcting after the Bush years."

Germany

Obama thanks supporters in namesake Japanese town

"TOKYO (Reuters) - The mayor of the sleepy Japanese fishing port of Obama received a letter of thanks from the presidential candidate who shares its name for supporting his White House bid, domestic media said on Tuesday.

Hoping to capitalize on their common name to boost tourism, Mayor Toshio Murakami of Obama city, in central Japan, has written to Barack Obama twice in the past year, enclosing gifts of chopsticks and a good luck charm.

"I am touched by your friendly gesture," Kyodo news agency quoted the candidate as saying in a letter to Murakami. "We share more than a common name; we share a common planet and common responsibilities."

The town of 32,500 will host a support rally for Obama on Wednesday Japan time, as the latest results come through in his hotly contended race against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party nomination.

Obama has known for some time about the small city that bears his name and has even encountered a former resident.

He once said that during a visit to Japan, the immigration officer took a look at his passport and said to him: "I'm from Obama."

Japan

Clinton faces Kenya cattle fine over Obama photo

"NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan elders may impose a fine on U.S. presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, payable in livestock, after a photo of her rival Barack Obama in robes dragged their people into the race for the White House.

The picture, which appeared on a U.S. Web site, showed the Illinois senator in a white headdress and traditional Somali attire during a 2006 visit to Wajir in Kenya's remote northeast.

Obama has battled a whispering campaign by fringe elements who wrongly say he is Muslim and his aides accused Clinton's campaign of "the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering" after the photograph was published.

Wajir elders resolved to file an official complaint with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, dropping earlier plans to hold a protest after Friday prayers.

They said they would also convene a traditional Somali court to investigate the matter. It can impose fines that are payable in cattle, goats or camels.

"We will go ahead with this case whether Senator Clinton or Democratic party leaders turn up or not," said Mohamed Ibrahim, a member of the clan that hosted Obama during his trip. "But this whole thing can be avoided if only an apology is made."

Kenya

Its president of the US, I can see McCains ads now, who you going to vote for, the Guy who served his country in war and peace, or the guy the leftist Europeans want.

Well, I like the Europeans.

Also, the Bush years are just horrible. They are saying Obama looks good for us. We can recover from that and stand strong again.

There is nothing wrong with that.

Having been to Europe twice in the past 2 years you hear and read the same sentiment. European's are intellectually savvy and have no problems with American's. They have a problem with Bush and Company.

IMHO, those people saying, "those Europeans" either haven't met or spoken to them, or are just trying to prop up a bad thing, for whatever reason.

We have really sucked huge these last two cycles.

Bet the world is watching big! If we continue on this path, some things are gonna have to be done and we are highly likely to bear the brunt of that.

Want to cut down on terror and be secure both physically and financially?

Vote for people who are not gonna piss the world off. It really is that simple to start.