I just finished the interview and wow, I think I sucked pretty hard. I just am not good at immediately spitting out answers, I like to think things out a bit more, plus I’d spent the time before the interview perusing the German coverage, so my brain was still in German language mode (shoulda thought of that before surfing over to Spiegel and FAZ). But I also know we are always our own worst critics, so hopefully it’s not as bad as I thought (Rainer was on Tagesschau once and thought he sucked but he was just fine). I’ll post a link as soon as the files available for download (or maybe I won’t if it really, trully sucks!)
Update: I was really being hard on myself. After listening to the broadcast again, I think I did fine, as well as any of the other expat bloggers they had on. And I actually spoke quite a bit, it just didn’t feel that way at the time. Strange how perception is so different from reality. Anyways, you can listen to the show here.
And here are my answers to the questions I was given as prep:
How are you keeping up with American politics?
I tune in to CNN International and BBC World every morning (at least when my cable is working, which it hasn’t for the last week), surf news websites like Washington Post and Spiegel Online, watch full episodes of The Daily Show and the Colbert Report online, and podcasts of Countdown with Keith Olbermann and Meet the Press.
We have pegged you as an “expat blogger” – so what do you blog about when it comes to the election?
I posted once about making my first every campaign donation (to the Obama campaign), again about Obama’s visit to Berlin, and twice about how the German media is covering the election (on Palin just after the vp debate and on the third presidential debate).
What are people saying about American politics in Germany where you live?
Germans are pretty much for Obama. Actually, I think they are more just sick of Bush and his policies and want a change, and see Obama as more likely to bring about that change. Germans I run into are usually very interested to know if I can vote in the election and whether I am voting for the “right” candidate. I was just asked this exactly by the doctor at my child’s checkup yesterday. I asked what she meant by “right,” and she said, “Well isn’t there clearly a right and a wrong choice there?” My German husband volunteered that there definitely is a “wrong” choice. I assured her I made the “right” choice.
Another example: On the local radio station yesterday morning (Bayern3), quite a bit of time was spent making fun of Sarah Palin, from her abstinence education beliefs, to her $150,000 wardrobe, to the fact that she considers being able to see Russia from Alaska as foreign policy experience (that came with a big guffaw). A US expert was then brought on to explain the existence of Americans who believe in her and discuss what it is in their backgrounds that allow them to identify with her. Along with Caribou Barbie, here she has the nickname “Das Dummchen von Alaska,” which translates as “The Silly/Naive Girl from Alaska.”
Still, I think many Germans are worried that Obama won’t win. I hear a lot of discussion of the Bradley Effect and whether America is really ready for a black president, and also about the possibility of, as a political pundit recently put it, an extreme external event changing tide of the election. The Madrid Train Bombings and their effect on the Spanish elections are still fresh in people’s minds here in Europe. They think he will win, but all say that you never know what will happen.
What is the general sense of how we are perceived?
I think, as individuals, Americans are well-perceived. It’s the administration that’s disliked, and there is an incomprehension of how enough of the American public could have voted to reelect Bush.
What are you hearing from your friends and family stateside?
Sadly, I’ve heard repeated many of the mistruths going around about Obama, that he is a Muslim and an Arab terrorist. I’ve done my best to persuade family members otherwise. I’ve also heard worry that the defense industry and defense contractors (who employ a lot of northern Virginians) would suffer under Obama.
Do you wish you were here during this election season?
I’m pretty happy that I’ve been able to view the election thus far from a distance. Especially in Virginia, I imagine if I was home, I would have been constantly inundated by campaign ads. That being said, I’m very excited to be going home for a visit tomorrow and I’m looking forward to being there for the election.
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I’m listening to you right now, and I think you did a fantastic job.
tqe / Adams last blog post..Abgebrochen
I think your answers were WONDERFUL! Congratulations on the interview!
Diane Mandys last blog post..Superstar!
Congratulations on your interview, Christina. You did a great job and it was such an honor that they picked you to share your perspective. I thought the program was very interesting and informative, a great concept. Good luck and safe travels today. I’m sure Oliver will be great. He is so adorable I’m sure he will be instantly forgiven if necessary.
Pam
I think you did great! And, bonus, you said basically everything I would want to say, so this makes me even happier
Isabellas last blog post..2 More Days ’til Halloween
Great job, Christina Did my comment that mentioned “Countdown w/ Keith” get you hooked?
Thanks guys, and yes, JA, it was you who got me hooked to Countdown
I am so glad I’m *not* in the US right now.
Kelsey Freemans last blog post..A few things…
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