Picking a U.S. President: Voices From the Arab World

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 10, 2008 -- They may not have a vote, but civic-minded people in the Middle East are watching the U.S. presidential race closely, and some have already chosen their favorite candidate.

"My favorite is unquestionably Sen. [Barack] Obama. He presents a new face of America to the Middle East, and to the world at large," Hafed Al Ghwell, a Libyan-American with the Dubai School of Government, told ABC News.

"I think [Obama] is capable of restoring the image of America as a beacon of democracy," said Fadi Salem, a Syrian engineer, also with the DSG.

The Illinios Democrat seems to have captured the hearts, minds and newspaper pages of the Middle East.

Even before winning in Iowa, Obama appeared to be the local favorite, as evidenced in the region's English language press. An op-ed in Egypt's Daily News called him "a breath of fresh air." Another, in the Daily Star of Lebanon, said he is "a global candidate for a global age."

"To see an African-American come this close to the White House, less than 50 years after the end of segregation ... is an accomplishment for which all Americans can be proud," wrote an editorial in Arab News, a Saudi Arabian newspaper. "Democrats, in particular, must quietly feel glad that the days of the Birmingham Barons and Bull Connor are behind the party."

Though Obama is, himself, a Christian, his father's Muslim heritage, and his own multiracial makeup, are seen as a huge plus — a sign to many here that he may be able to understand the region and what it would take to achieve peace and stability.

In one editorial, Lebanese political analyst Chibli Mallat pointed out that the name Barack is short for "Mubarak," an Arabic word, meaning "the blessed one." In a point of unsolicited advice, Mallat suggested Obama should highlight, not bury, that heritage.

"You should be proud of your Muslim legacy," wrote Mallat. "Make it a central plank of your campaign to become world leader. There is no contradiction between this and the Christian convictions you have. ... Become a uniquely ecumenical president, in a world increasingly in the throes of religious strife."

New York Sen. Hilary Clinton has equal or greater name recognition in the Arab world, but her popularity seems scant. Despite widespread admiration for her husband and nostalgia for his foreign policy, Clinton does not benefit much from his reflected glow.

"As a candidate for that high office, she has left a lot to be desired, and it is getting worse," wrote Tom Plate in Dubai's Khaleej Times.

"Take her recent retreat on global trade — her apparently newfound doubts about the value of all free-trade deals. What a disgusting display of dime store grandstanding," he wrote.

On the Republican side, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are still relative unknowns, while local columnist Linda Heard called former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani the "Middle East's worst nightmare." Even though Giuliani has business ties to the Arab world, those are outweighed by what is perceived as a commitment to the Bush administration's foreign policy.

"Whereas, post 9-11, Giuliani was generally considered a competent, nice guy, keen to roll up his sleeves in order to put his city to rights, in recent months, the mask has come off," Heard wrote in Gulf News, a paper printed in the United Arab Emirates.

Ghaleb Darabya, a Palestinian executive education specialist, noted that Arabs still take offense at Giuliani's decision to return a multimillion-dollar gift from Saudi Arabia's Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal, to a relief fund for the victims of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"Giuliani is known for his tough stance and his leadership after 9/11 — he was able to bring people together. But if you ask people in this region, they know him for rejecting the donations that were made by Arabs who wanted to help American families," Darabya told ABC News.

Arizona Sen. John McCain resonates with Darabya as the candidate of character.

"[McCain] represents some honesty and integrity ... He has what it takes to lead the Republican party," Darabya said.

When asked what the new American president's priorities should be, experts in the Middle East point to a handful of perennial, predictable issues: the Iraq War, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and resolving diplomatic standoffs with Syria and Iran. But while the issues may be the same as in the last political cycle, the feeling in the region is that they are much more critical now.

"These already dangerous times are becoming even more dangerous. We can only stand by helplessly as the American people decide their fate and ours," Heard wrote. "With the future of the planet in their hands, it's time they made the right choice."

Maryam Shahabi contributed to this article.