This was the front page of today's Melbourne Herald Sun, the largest newspaper in the area. Its funny how big of a deal it is in other countries when the President of the United States visits. Half of this newspaper was devoted to articles about Obama. Some bad, but mostly very good. They talked about his charming personality, touchy-feely (they describe as almost intimate) relationship with Australia's PM, and his bright "American teeth." They love him over here, and from the reactions I've received from people in other parts of the world they love him everywhere. He is seen as the antithesis of George Bush, whom it seems like everyone hated with a fiery passion.
One thing I've realized on this trip is just how much people in other parts of the world pay attention to the United States. Everyone is always talking about us, and everyone has an opinion on us. Our president goes to other countries and gets treated like a rock star. If Julia Gillard (Australia's Prime Minister) came to the US it would probably make the ticker on the bottom of CNN but it wouldn't be a big deal. People have been buzzing about Obama's visit for weeks. We really are seen as the pillar of the free world, and as corny as it is to say, it makes me very proud to be an American.
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