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One Day, the World Will Hate Him

The envy empire inspires is a great leveler

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2008 4:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – Should he win the White House, the rest of the world will one day see Barack Obama as a villain, David Aaronovitch writes in the London Times. The spectacle of empire and popularity drives the country's allies to both anger and envy, he argues, and every American president has come to be depicted “as a cowboy astride a phallic missile.”

The US is forever the draw for ”the most ambitious of the world’s migrants," Aaronovitch contends. Although Europe haughtily equates “change” with “decline,” it is actually endlessly jealous. Obama will learn that two-pronged anti-Americanism is inevitable and can’t be cured by replacing President Bush’s “flat iteration” with “emotional literacy.”

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill. arrives for a election night rally with his wife Michelle.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill. arrives for a election night rally with his wife Michelle.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., right, arrive at Marka Airport in Amman, Jordan.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., right, arrive at Marka Airport in Amman, Jordan.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
 Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., acknowledges the cheers of supporters and receives a hug from his wife, Michelle.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., acknowledges the cheers of supporters and receives a hug from his wife, Michelle.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his wife, Michelle, acknowledge applause after his speech at a primary night rally.
Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his wife, Michelle, acknowledge applause after his speech at a primary night rally.   (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
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