Barack Obama got a global standing ovation long before he was elected president. But in a fickle and fast-moving world, the overseas reviews are already turning mixed.
Though much of the world will party tonight after Obama is sworn in as America's 44th president-just as it did when he was elected-there are signs the ardour is cooling as the sheer is cooling as the sheer weight of his challenges sinks in.
A deepening global recession, new hostilities in the Middle East, complications in closing the Guantanamo Bay prison, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan-an impatient world has a stake in all of the, and is asking how much change Obama can deliver.
Muslims want to know why Obama hasn't joined the chorus of international criticism of Israel's Gaza offensive. Last week posters of him were set on fire in Tehran to shouts of "Death to Obama" !
By the time Obama takes office, hundreds or thousands more will be killed in Gaza and it will be too late for Obama to act. Obama has expressed concern about Gaza, but says he's reluctant to say much more until his inauguration.
Meanwhile, the global economic collapse is already closing in on him. Around the world, leaders and their publics are waiting to see what he does to calm roiled markets ad restore confidence.
What I think :
The United States can't solve all the world's problems. It doesn't have enough money or military power. And the president is constrained by congress and constitution.
There's plenty of Obamamania overseas particularly in Europe where George W.Bush is highly unpopular. They have high expectations on him.
He will not be just an American president, but a person who will spread justice around the world.
I feel sorry for Obama. People want him to be a saviour, some kind of messiah. You just can't become president and change everything when there's no money.
MARY J. BLIGE LEAN ON ME ON OBAMA INAUGURAL DAY CONCERT JAN 18TH, 2009
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