Global Media Celebrate Obama Victory -- But Cautious Too

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Global Media Celebrate Obama Victory -- But Cautious Too

The morning after George W. Bush's 2004 re-election, Britain's Daily Mirror famously asked: "How can 59,054,087 people be so DUMB?" The morning after Barack Obama's election, a far more upbeat Daily Mirror gushed "GOBAMA!" on its front page.

Other British papers from across the political spectrum shared the triumphant mood after Barack Obama's decisive win. "Today is for celebration, for happiness and for reflected human glory," proclaimed the left-of-center Guardian. Rupert Murdoch's The Sun echoed the moon landing with a "One Giant Leap For Mankind" headline beneath a photo of a determined Barack Obama jogging toward the camera.

The enthusiasm was hardly limited to Britain—across much of the world, newspapers welcomed Obama's victory. To many, the election showcased what they like about the United States—the vitality of its democracy and the notion of America as a land of opportunity. And just as importantly, President-elect Obama represents a significant change from an administration widely disliked around the globe.

Still, buried in the positive international press coverage of the election were some caveats, concerns, and notes of discord. "He's Just A President. Not the Messiah," read an opinion piece headline in Italy's Il Giornale. While Obama now enjoys considerable goodwill in many nations, journalists, policymakers, and others are starting to focus on pressing concerns—the world economic crisis, the Middle East conflict, ongoing and unpopular wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to name just a few—and their nations will look to President Obama with high expectations.

Read the full report Global Media Celebrate Obama Victory -- But Cautious Too on the Pew Research Center Web site.

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