Obama's win opportunity to improve US global standing:US media

Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington, Nov 6 (PTI) The U.S. media hailed
President-elect Barack Obama's victory as an opportunity to
improve America's standing in the world, but warned that he
"inherits a terrible legacy" and the people should not
overburden the Democrat with expectations.

Describing the election of the first African American
to the U.S. presidency as a new dawn in the country's long
struggle to bridge the racial divide, The Washington Post
hailed the historic event, calling it momentous "for the
opportunity it presents to put the country on a new and better
path".

It called on Obama to seize the opportunity to reverse
some of the damage wrought by President George W. Bush to
America's reputation.

"Mr. Obama cannot erase Mr. Bush's legacy, but he has
a chance to improve America's standing in the world, ending
such noxious practices as torture and indefinite detention
with minimal review that have diminished this country in the
eyes of its allies," stressed The Post.

The New York Times, however, said that people should
not overburden 47-year-old Obama with expectation, saying he
"inherits a terrible legacy".

"The nation's many challenges are beyond the reach
of any one man, or any one political party," The Times noted.

At a time when America's standing in much of the world
is at an all time low, the election of Obama, The Post noted,
gives a chance to improve the perception notably by ending
practices of torture and indefinite detention with minimal
review--a clear reference to what went on during the Iraq war
and generally by the war on terrorism and the Guantanamo Naval
base facility.

The Post brought out the reality of race and
discrimination in American life, saying "how could Americans
not be moved by the reality of an African American president?"

"Hardly anyone then -- in truth, hardly anyone even a
few years ago -- would have predicted this day," it added.

"...race is hugely relevant to this moment. The stain
of slavery and discrimination can never be obliterated, and no
single day can mark a nation's progress into some mythical
"post-racial" era. Yet how could Americans not be moved by the
reality of an African American president?" the paper posed.

It highlighted Obama's capacity to "manage a
government beset by problems of unimaginable complexity".
"And his combination of intelligence and eloquence, along with
his evident instincts for consensus, offers hope that he can
provide the leadership the nation so badly needs," The Post
noted.

The victory of Obama brought out "the unhappiness" of
the people in the policies of the Bush administration as well
as the anxiety linked to the economy.

"He has the opportunity finally to set the country on
a path to help reduce global warming. He has far-reaching
plans on energy, health care and education, but also a
realistic understanding that the state of the economy will
delimit his ambitions," The Post said.