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Obamamania Takes Hold of the World
November 05, 2008 10:37 AM
By Ammu Kannampilly, ABC News London
When the world woke up to the news of Barack Obama’s win, it quickly became apparent just how much hope people from all over the world had invested in the U.S. president-elect.
Some, like 52-year-old Sara Joseph from the South Indian city of Kochi had even signed up to Obama’s Web site more than 20 months ago. All this for a candidate fighting an election in a country she has yet to visit. Why take the trouble?
Joseph said, “What Bush was doing to Iraq and one of the world's oldest civilizations angered me a lot. …I was on the lookout for someone who could at least offer to make a change.”
The freelance writer could not make any donations because she is not a U.S. citizen but she’s followed the campaign intently from February 2007.
And today she got her wish – a victory for Obama, and this letter from the campaign headquarters:
sara --
I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.
We just made history.
And I don't want you to forget how we did it.
You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.
I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.
We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.
But I want to be very clear about one thing...
All of this happened because of you.
Thank you,
Barack
Reading the news, Joseph said, was like feeling “a whole new world opening without all the lies and politics of hatred that we have been reading about” for the last eight years.
Read more blogs by Ammu Kannampilly
November 5, 2008 in Ammu Kannampilly | Permalink | User Comments (53)
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Here is my version of what it meant to me:
It has been like reading a book, the last eight chapters have been the very sad part of the book, the part where people of the United States of America have been a war, we have lost over 4,000 of our children based on lies, we have lost our jobs, health care, we are living in tent cities, gas price up, food prices out of reach, our markets dropping and a recession. Then you turn the page, and on that next page is a sun ray, a warming comes over you that makes you believe that this next chapter of that book will be the one that takes you out of that sad part of the book into a new part of hope, dreams and prayers answered!
Posted by: becky (the real one) | Nov 5, 2008 10:56:35 AM
YESSSSS WE DID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: AutoCadSkills | Nov 5, 2008 11:10:41 AM
We love you Obama.
Posted by: Tanya | Nov 5, 2008 11:21:27 AM
One man said what is on my mind: “We showed the world that here, in America, no matter who you are and where you come from, you are a human being”.
And, in the words of my Mom who was raising me in the hopeless oppressive days of then the USSR, teaching me that freedom is the most important thing every person should have: “This is why we came here 21 years ago…”
About a year ago my half-Jewish, half-Indian daughter, with an "uncommon" last name asked me if she one day could become president. I told her yes but I lied. I did not believe that she ever could. But today I KNOW that yes she can just as much as anyone else.
I am so proud to be an American today!
Posted by: Olga | Nov 5, 2008 11:24:19 AM
It makes me excited and touched to see how inspired people are from all around the world. Incredibly moving. We are headed to a better place. I'm thankful.
Posted by: Mary Pat | Nov 5, 2008 11:29:35 AM
if the rest of the world wants obama, they can gladly have him: his socialist leanings will fit in well with the rest of those losers--most of whom want to immigrate to this country.
Posted by: ron | Nov 5, 2008 11:34:19 AM
Obama won Hamilton County!!
(the county where super conservitive Cincinnati is located) The unofficial total is Obama 208,802 McCain 187,862 This is the first time the Democratic Presidential Candidate has carried Hamilton County since 1964.
In 2004 the southwest corner of Ohio let America down and gave us for more years of Bush. We have all been working hard to not let this happen agaian in 2008. OHIO IS BLUE!!!
Posted by: Eric from Ohio | Nov 5, 2008 11:37:09 AM
no 60 votes in the senate for democrats, so we will block everything he tries to accomplish. checkmate to all you who drink the obama koolaid
Posted by: ron | Nov 5, 2008 11:37:56 AM
A dream came true, finally!
We (as the world) have a black and white house.
Thank you, we've been crying all day
Posted by: From Sweden , with joy | Nov 5, 2008 11:38:46 AM
Generation X finally did something right!!! No longer we will go down in history as the most useless and apathetic generation.
Posted by: Jen | Nov 5, 2008 11:38:48 AM
i was just joking about obama koolaid... just trying to show you all how ignorant SOME of us still are!
Posted by: ron | Nov 5, 2008 11:42:37 AM
For the first time in 8 years I'm proud of my country and see hope for it's future.
Thank you.
Posted by: JR | Nov 5, 2008 11:43:56 AM
We will regain our Respect again from the World OH HAPPY DAYS!
Posted by: Angie in PA | Nov 5, 2008 11:44:51 AM
Ron, you lost. That makes YOU the loser, by definition. Nobody cares about your ignorant views any more. Last night proved that. You and your type are history.
Posted by: Token Brit | Nov 5, 2008 11:45:05 AM
Oh, sorry, guys - I just checked the headlines, and it appears I'm the loser this time - turns out President Elect Obama and his supporters were the winners.
Also, I take back my threat to block all of President Elect Obama's legislative agenda - as a patriotic American, we'll support any legislation that's good for the USA - I'm not THAT small minded.
Posted by: ron | Nov 5, 2008 11:47:13 AM
Americans - whites, blacks, brown, yellow, red, hispanic, religious, atheist, gays, republicans, democrats, independents -
The silent majority is no longer silent.
America spoke LOUD AND CLEAR!
And it feels good!
Obama is our President and Biden is our Vice President
If you do not like it then--- suffer for eight years like we had too!
Or go to Utal or Alaska and be happy.
Posted by: GHM | Nov 5, 2008 11:48:27 AM
Smell the victory.
Posted by: FourCentsAndANickel | Nov 5, 2008 11:48:37 AM
No, Ron .... the not getting to 60 will not bog us down, because if you try to kill everything that "we the most of the people want" the Rep.'s will lose even more seats the next election. You will benefit from Obama if you are not too stupid to see it when it happens.
Posted by: Albert | Nov 5, 2008 11:51:17 AM
I'm speechless. Looking out into the diverse crowd last night in Chicago where Obama spoke gave me chills. Although Palin doesn't consider that "real America", our voices and our call for change is resonating around the world. America is beautiful!
Also, much props to John McCain for an incredible speech last night. That was actually the John McCain that I have always admired... He truly is an American hero!
Posted by: Time For Change | Nov 5, 2008 11:57:53 AM
A few months ago I started saying I wanted to leave the US and move to Europe. To those who told me that I was unpatriotic I said no I am realistic this America doesn't care about me or it's people and we have no say. I said, why support a country who doesn't support me but today with elated emotions in my heart I can say that I am proud of us and I am proud to be an American once again because we proved our say (the people)does matter. Thanks soo much for restoring my faith in our country. Like our new chief said we are not blue states or red but UNITED. Lets come together and bring this nation back to it's glory. Last night we showed that we don't care what color you are the real question is what are you the RIGHT person for this job?
Posted by: Texas Hopeful | Nov 5, 2008 12:11:13 PM
Did you notice the difference in the crowds at the two venues last evening? That shows the differences and why the Republicans didn't win.
Posted by: eiolg | Nov 5, 2008 12:11:20 PM
I am a 55 year old white female and a grandmother to a beautiful little girl. I am proud that she will grow up in a country where anything is possible to achieve!! What makes this country special is we are all descendants of immigrants - be proud of your heritage and celebrate it!! Be proud of our new president and celebrate it!!
Posted by: sawyersmother | Nov 5, 2008 12:11:32 PM
Ron,
Get over the hatred man. It's over. No more smears, no more lies. Give the man the chance to prove what he has been saying for the past two years. No longer should division and hatred be spoken. Let the country heal and our great name be restored.
Posted by: jwc | Nov 5, 2008 12:11:39 PM
no 60 votes in the senate for democrats, so we will block everything he tries to accomplish. checkmate to all you who drink the obama koolaid
Posted by: ron
Your forgetting your so called hero, Sen. Leiberman is independent and loves grapes
Posted by: spacerook1 | Nov 5, 2008 12:12:39 PM
I am a 55 year old white female and a grandmother to a beautiful little girl. I am proud that she will grow up in a country where anything is possible to achieve!! What makes this country special is we are all descendants of immigrants - be proud of your heritage and celebrate it!! Be proud of our new president and celebrate it!!
Posted by: sawyersmother | Nov 5, 2008 12:14:35 PM
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