World Watches U.S. Election with Excitement

World Watches U.S. Election with Excitement

Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his wife Michelle, cast their votes at a polling place in Chicago, Nov. 4, 2008. The world is closely watching the U.S. presidential election, with many people celebrating a new era in U.S. relations after eight years of a George W. Bush presidency. World opinion polls show Democratic candidate, Senator Barack Obama is the favorite over his Republican rival, Senator John McCain. In Kenya, people are praying and preparing celebrations for Obama, whose late father was born in the East African nation. Police tightened security in the village of Kogelo, where Obama's grandmother lives. And in Kisamu, hundreds of people cast ballots in a mock election staged by two comedians. Obama also enjoys widespread support in Europe, where fans praise his positive message of hope and change. McCain has support from many in Israel, where his tough stance on Iran is appreciated. Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and his wife Cindy, vote in Phoenix, Ariz., Nov. 4, 2008. McCain says his military experience and long service in the Senate give him the experience to manage delicate relations with Iran, as well as the war in Iraq. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown declined to tell reporters Tuesday who he is supporting, but told Al-Arabiya television that whoever wins, "history has been made in this campaign." Obama would be the United States' first African-American president. At 72, McCain would be the oldest person elected president for a first term. For many people, Obama represents an ideological shift from President Bush, who has drawn outrage from human rights defenders around the world for the mistreatment of prisoners at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison and at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. VOA News