IF SOUTHEAST Asians could vote in the Nov. 4 U.S. presidential election, Barack Obama would probably romp home to an easy victory. There is no doubt that he has come over as an eloquent, likeable and inspirational candidate—despite the feeling, shared with many Americans, that his presentation hides a dearth of concrete policy positions. McCain, by contrast, appears staid and unexciting. These perceptions cut across communities and countries, irrespective of religious views and, to a lesser degree, of political alignment.
That said, there are differences of perspective in the region. Interest in Obama was sparked early in Indonesia by the discovery that he had spent some of his childhood years in the country. Some thought that this might have given him a more sympathetic view of the region and a greater openness to Muslim opinions than the great majority of U.S. politicians. Indonesians remain intrigued by how Obama might perform as president...
