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Why Should We Care About America's Presidential Election? (de Volkskrant, The Netherlands)

"I couldnt find a single mention of Ohio in Wednesdays Volkskrant, so it seems I'm not the only one who has yet to be seized by U.S. election fever. ... The importance of America has declined; a giant with feet of clay and a $16 trillion debt - a bankrupt country that has its hands too full with its own problems to remain involved with the rest of the world. ... Why should I care under which president it lives?"

By Bert Wagendorp

Translated By Marion Pini

September 28, 2012

The Netherlands - de Volkskrant  Original Article (Dutch)

The rumble in Denver: Must-see viewing for the rest of the world? BBC NEWS VIDEO, Obama and Romney campaign feverishly in Ohio, Sept. 30, 00:03:12

I have finished Paul Brills 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (All About the American Elections), I conscientiously read the latest election news on The New York Times Web site, I surf Politico.com and RealClearPolitics.com, I call my American brother for news from the front and I read every column that Arie Elshout, our man on the ground, writes about the Romney-Obama duel.

There is no more I can do.

But on Tuesday, Anouchka van Miltenburg was elected the 70th President of the House of Representatives since Jan Elias Nicholas Lynden Hoevelaken became the first person to fill the post in 1815.

Then I caught myself reading the story of the VVDs smiling blabbermouth [Miltenburg] with more interest than articles I've been reading about the miraculous developments in the state of Ohio, where Barack Obama is already deciding the race for the presidency.

And of which, by the way, I couldnt find a single mention in Wednesdays Volkskrant, so it seems I'm not the only one who has yet to be seized by U.S. election fever.

Ohio: Fatal

In short: According to the polls, Obama leads by 8 to 10 percentage points in the battleground state of Ohio - and the Romney campaign seems to have given up the fight there. That is fatal. Never in American history has a Republican candidate lost Ohio and still managed to become president. Furthermore, the people of Ohio have voted for the winner of the last twelve presidential elections.

The finding of deadly patterns can safely be left to American media - though it may soon be shown that Ohio miraculously votes for the loser every twelve elections, provided his name starts with an R.

Four years ago, the question of whether America would choose its first Black president made the election special. Moreover, Barack Obama promised change and convincingly shouted "Yes We Can." He had hope on offer, which is always attractive, and he had a catchy sales pitch as well.

Maybe thats why in August last time around, I was already on the edge of my seat.

Perhaps it is disappointment that change hasnt really occurred that is tempering interest in Obamas reelection - even if of course it is nice that he's the first Black president running for a second term, and one never knows whether in the end he might still make that "change."

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Perhaps in 2008, I was still a politically naïve dreamer, and during the last four years, I have become a "Realcolumnist." A man who has seen it all and knows: even the most powerful man in the world is a rubber duck on the waves of history - and that concept of power is highly overrated.

One Cairo speech does not make a spring - and even in 2009, I thought the Nobel Peace Prize was curious.

Posted by Worldmeets.US

And it could also be this: an intuitive feeling that the importance of America has declined; a giant with feet of clay and a $16 trillion debt - a bankrupt country that has its hands too full with its own problems to remain involved with the rest of the world. Why should I care under which president it lives?

On Wednesday, at three oclock in the morning, the first Romney-Obama debate will be held in Denver. Total concentration, six-pack of Budweiser to hand. If even then it doesnt grab me, something has definitely changed.

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