EurObamamania

The continental European media swelled with excitement as Democratic presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, clinched the nomination. Here are some of the headlines:

France

• France-Soir Elections US – Le message Barack Obama (U.S. Elections – The Message of Barack Obama)
  
• La Nouvelle République Barack Obama premier Noir à pouvoir être élu président’ (Barack Obama First Black with the Power to be Elected President)
• Le Figaro Barroso salue la victoire d’Obama (Barroso Welcomes Victory of Obama)
• Le Figaro Choix Obama: révolution des mentalités (The Choice of Obama: Revolution of Mindsets)
• Le Figaro Obama, candidat historique (Obama, Historic Candidate)
• Libération Barack Obama, premier Noir à pouvoir briguer la Maison Blanche (Barack Obama, First Black to be able to aspire to the White House)

Germany

• Frankfurter Allgemeine Episch, historisch, einzigartig (Epic, Historic, Unique)
• Der Süddeutschen Zeitung Oh ja, Obama (Oh Yes, Obama)
• Die Zeit Obama: Mehr Softpower (Obama: More Soft Power)

Denmark

• B.T. Lykketoft: Obama kan begejstre ([Foreign Minister] Lykketoft: Obama can create excitement)

But while Obama's victory is widely hailed, there remains some skepticism in both the British and the Continental media about Obama’s ability to win the general election and whether an Obama presidency would necessarily improve transatlantic relations:

United Kingdom

• The Guardian Obama is Europe’s dream candidate, but we may have to settle for McSame
• The Times Barack Obama could win a landslide; there’s only one problem – he has to convince the American public of his patriotism.

Denmark

• Politiken Obama kæmper med fire svage punkter (Obama Fights Against Four Weak Points)

Sweden

• Svenska Dagbladet För Obama väntar svåra utmaningar (Difficult Challenges Await Obama

Germany

• Der Süddeutschen Zeitung Barack Obama: Enttäuschung programmiert (Barack Obama: Programmed Disappointment) Der Süddeutschen Zeitung says that while Barack Obama creates euphoria in Europe, he will put American interests first if he wins the Presidency.
• Die Zeit Obama, der Erlöser? (Obama, the Savior?) "Obama may come, but the superpower will remain – Obama is not a savior for transatlantic relations."

Other interesting items in recent European and world U.S. election coverage:

• The Guardian reports the following comment by international media tycoon Rupert Murdoch: "We're on the verge of a complete phenomenon. Politicians are at an all-time low and are despised by 80 percent of the public, and then you've got a candidate trying to put himself out above it all. He's become a rock star. It's fantastic.”
• Most headlines in Europe and the United States have tended to soften their coverage of Hillary Clinton, as she has approached the end of her race. A notable exception is the English language web version of a major Israeli newspaper, Yediot Ahronot, which published an article with the following headline, Defeated and pathetic – Hillary’s arrogance, lust for power shames not only her but also women who backed her .

Ola Ulmo contributed to this post.