Question: As an experienced diplomat, can you recall such a level of interest in American politics? How do you think that American diplomacy, and whoever heads the next administration, could seize on this level of interest to work to restore America’s standing in the many places in the world in which the US reputation has fallen?
Response: International interest in the U.S. elections is always high. People around the world feel that the outcome of the presidential race can have a direct impact on them. In every election year that I have served abroad since joining the Foreign Service in the 1980s, a series of programs starting during the primaries and ending with election night result-watching parties and breakfast postmortems have been the rule. In many countries of the world, the party candidates for president are decided behind closed doors. In the United States this process is open and transparent, sometimes chaotic and frenzied, but always interesting and a demonstration of democracy in action. The excitement and interest generated by Election 2008 -- the "reality show" of the year -- has increased participation, improved demographic representation, and strengthened ties between citizens and the candidates.
But there are a number of other factors that are stimulating the increased interest in the election this year – not only in the U.S. but also in Europe and around the world.
For the first time in recent history, there is no obvious incumbent or “natural” successor. "Change" is the buzzword of this election. At first sight, the candidates in this year's that have emerged from the primaries couldn't be more different: a Vietnam veteran, a former first lady, and an African-American senator from Illinois. Republican John McCain's revived campaign is big news in Germany, where he is well-known, because he favors a strong U.S-European relationship. The image of a relatively younger and energetic African-American who combines charisma and a sense of nobility, vying with a high-powered female senator for the planet's most powerful office, carries with it the possibility of something historic for the United States. This electoral campaign symbolizes the democracy and diversity that many see as America's significant contribution to the world. Whoever is chosen as the next president will certainly bring change in how America perceives itself and how the rest of the world reacts to it.
But although change is the buzzword, the implications for a dramatically different foreign policy may not be as great as they seem. Many Europeans are looking for new policy directions from Washington and are therefore watching the primary phase of this election far more closely than in previous years.
As a U.S. government public official, I can neither speculate on the outcome of the election nor characterize the candidates' platforms or opinions. But one thing is certain: issues don't go away just because there is an election campaign underway. The challenges that the current administration faces will be much the same issues faced by the new one. Whoever wins the White House will wind up grappling with the same set of difficult choices. In that sense, when it comes to foreign policy, the new president -- Republican or Democrat -- may not have as much room to maneuver as he or she would like.
A new president is likely to nudge U.S. policy in several areas. Most steps, however, will probably be nuanced and smaller than may be desired by the rest of the world. The transatlantic relationship will, of course, remain strong. The United States and Germany will remain close business partners, political allies and friends. Our shared values and international commitments will remain.
One can read the candidates' policy positions and publications for oneself. It is fair to say that there is a shared view that the U.S. must work with its international partners on critical issues like making progress on stability and reconstruction in Afghanistan, preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, and promoting Middle East peace. In that regard, there is a continuity of interests.
By the same token, the new U.S. administration may expect Europe to make a bigger contribution to sorting out the world’s trouble spots and may call for a Europe that is prepared to run greater risks to solve common problems.
In other words: in 2009 and beyond, Europe and the U.S. will still need patience and understanding for each other’s differing views, but we will also have the opportunity to rededicate ourselves toward our common goals.
