Obama: Hot or Flip-flop?

Special Column: Guest bloggers

by Wimar Witoelar on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

A good female (non-American) friend I have not seen in a long time sent me three text messages out of the blue:

Wimar, what is this! I’m pro-hilary!

Despite being the hottest man in modern politics, obama is a pling-plang flip flopper!

:-) everyone has gone obama crazy!

Obama FAQ by Wimar Witoelar

Who do you like, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama?
Both, actually. Anyone other than George W. Bush gives me relief. But the further away from Bush we can get, the better. That is why Obama is better than Clinton and Clinton is better than McCain.
What would be the most important message from an Obama victory?
That the majority of Americans do have common sense after all.
Do you think Obama is a great man?
He is an extremely skilled politician and a polished public speaker. He will be a great man if greatness is thrust upon him by the American people.
Are you excited that someone who lived in Indonesia could be the next US president?
To be honest it gives us quite a thrill. We find it difficult to produce great leaders for ourselves so it will be great to produce a President of the USA. I hope he will invite an Indonesian to his inauguration, and I hope it will be me.
How will Obama be a better US president because of his Indonesian experience?
We are sure he will be conscious of the fact that Indonesia is a place of people, of pluralistic values which no doubt have contributed to Obama’s own pluralistic values. He will respect the Indonesian people as much as the Indonesian government.
Do you mind terribly that Obama’s Indonesian background is being used against him?
I don’t take it personally. It is part of the barrier of exclusivity that President George W. Bush built up since September 11.
What effect do you think Obama’s election would have on the US image?
It would immediately improve America’s popularity rating. The George W. Bush years will seem like a bad dream. It will reaffirm our faith that America is the land of great people and great ideas.
So how emotional do you get over Obama?
He gives me a nice feeling of hope and world peace. But personally I am more driven my issues which are not in the realm of politics, let alone American elections where I am not a voter. Let Americans get back to their senses and I will accept the results happily. In the meantime, we have plenty of problems around here. Not to mention my own complicated, albeit happy, life. :)

So, dear J, chill out.

This article was firstly published by Perspektif Online. Re-posted for Asia Blogging with permission. Thank you Pak Wimar!

Wimar Witoelar was a regular panelist during the entire life span of the ABC TV Asia Pacific current affairs weekly show 'The Editors' broadcast from Singapore, written articles and quotes in Time, Newsweek, The International Herald Tribune, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Straits Times, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian Financial Review.

There are 12 comments for this entry. Add yours

JaF

Agree! Watching this Obama phenomenon gave us quite a thrill even for non Americans. He brought hope for a better America, for a better world. He is the true American Dream (and nightmare for Hillary)..

But come to think of it, I have a feeling he will stay as a dream.. It’s just too good to be true..

February 14th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
ghan

actually i don’t know anything about obama, but seeing his charisma in front of people make me feel that obama can be more than bush, if i’m not mistake he ever live in Indonesia isn’t he?
Viva la Obama…

February 18th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Herman Saksono

I’ve always been an Obama supporter, especially due to all the hype about him. However I haven’t seen Obama producing his speech in public, so my judgement has been from the hype.

On the other hand, I saw a brief interview with Hillary, and I though she was quite a charming lady and a strong minded leader. I’m still in favor for Obama though.

February 19th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Jed

I support Hillary Clinton since I believe that she has what is necessary to restore US credibility post-Bush era. Barrack Obama is just good at words. He needs to get more experience before he can be the next president.

February 21st, 2008 at 10:22 am
syed

And the fact he is somehow connected to indonesian. right?

February 21st, 2008 at 6:49 pm
tom

i support u

March 1st, 2008 at 5:32 pm
wesley

Go Mr. Obama!!
Make your dreams coming true, and as an indonesian, i hope your way of leadership can be an example for ours.

March 6th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
antown

mantap ya. Di indonesia orang tidak akan bangga memakai kaos dengan gambar calon pemimpinnya. Justru mereka bangga pake kaos che guevara

March 29th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
arie

Go Obama!

April 4th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
balidreamhome

I’ve been in a relax discussion with my Canadian friend about possibility of Obama win against McCain, our final conclusion was we both think will be ideal for US to have Black and White leader at the same time, so it could be Obama and White vice president or McCain with Black vice president that may please all voters…and…
once you’re go black, you’re never come back :-)

April 11th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
dudung

nice pic… :P

April 25th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Pink

Hillary no, Obama yes, give way to a new Starter with a brighter future of US of A,He needs to get more experience before he can be the next president. as people says but he got he’s experiences from the Bush bad Govt. Go Obama and make the Oil price go down.

May 7th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

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