Obama and the World

Tonight, it’s Barack Obama in the big stadium next door. Las night it was Joe Biden and Bill Clinton, arguing that America needs Barack Obama, and so does the world.

We’ve got all fifty states represented here this week, but the whole world is watching, too. At press conferences around Denver, and from the buzz of TV and radio reporters all over, you hear the lilt of Italian, the sounds of German, Chinese, Arabic, Urdu.

American presidential politics always draw the world’s ear. Barack Obama’s candidacy has drawn more: real, intense interest in a different kind of candidate, at a time when American global standing has fallen stunningly low.

This hour, On Point: We’re talking with journalists from around the world gathered here in Denver about how the world sees Obama and America’s global challenge now.

You can join the conversation. International listeners, how do you see Barack Obama? American listeners: How do you weigh your presidential options for a face to show the world … McCain versus Obama? Tell us what you think.Guests:

Janine Zacharia, diplomatic correspondent for Bloomberg News.

Cordula Meyer, senior correspondent for Der Spiegel, the big German weekly news magazine. She's been writing from Washington for the past year, tracking American politics.

Sergio Davila, Washington correspondent for Folha de Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest daily newspaper.

Aziz Haniffa, managing editor and political correspondent for India Abroad, which circulates in North America. He has interviewed Barack Obama and President Bush, and has traveled in the White House press corps.

Susan Rice, senior foreign policy advisor to Barack Obama, leading his foreign policy team. She was assistant secretary of state under President Bill Clinton.