Istanbul cheers Obama into victory

DAMARIS KREMIDA

Hours before Turkey woke up to the news of Barack Obama's landslide electoral victory in the United States, members of Democrats Abroad in Istanbul, their friends and curious onlookers celebrated into the wee hours of the morning.

The all-night event, organized by Democrats Abroad Turkey, drew one of the largest gatherings of U.S. citizens who had sent their absentee-ballots from Turkey in the hope that a change in the U.S. White House would be felt as far away as their adopted home.

An expatriate of 10 years and resident of Illinois, Obama's home state, Virginia Lowe, said she was anxious to see a change and the turnout at the event in a Beyoğlu bar Tuesday night showed others were too.

"It is great; it is impressive. Over 160 people signed up and people have been coming and going all evening," Lowe told the Hürriyet Daily News at around 1:00 a.m. "Some people came just for the camaraderie to say, 'we are out here.' They are really coming to see what is going on."

Lowe and other expatriates spoke about how "detrimental" the last eight years of the Bush administration have been to the United States and its image in the world, but said although they were not proud of the administration, they were still proud to be American.  

"These elections are pivotal and you can see that, especially in a country like Turkey, where our approval ratings are sometimes very low," said a Boğaziçi University exchange student from New York, Alex Kantrowitz.

He said he has been received well in Turkey as an American who is here to learn and who has stepped out of his comfort zone, but added, "I also recognize the past eight years have been detrimental to my country's image and hope tonight we have chosen a different path."

One of the observers of the election results night, Dutch native Kees Arendz, said he came out of curiosity.

"I have the feeling American people are a bit fed up with the Republicans and I am curious to know whether when Obama wins if [the attitude] will change," he said.

There was a sense of great expectation and reserved optimism in the room throughout the night as people buzzed from the excitement, drinks, sleep deprivation and possibility of Obama winning. At the top of the hour as CNN announced Obama's win, outbursts of cheering filled the room.

Looking ahead

A Turkish lawyer at Tuesday's event, Bora Aktürk, 28, said although it seemed Obama was winning, he was concerned about his lack of political experience and his pledge to recognize the "Armenian Genocide" if elected. He said however, that if he won, it would be historical because of his race.

"I cannot predict the future, but hope this young man will bring new hope and energy to Americans," said Lowe. "As with all presidential candidates they make lots of promises, and Obama will not keep all of them, but he will try."

Kantrowitz said criticisms of Obama were necessary and expected in such an important race, but there was no question in his mind that the democratic candidate's positives outweighed any doubts about him.

"Tonight will be a testament to the fact that American voters feel that way too and how it is up to Obama to follow through on the great potential he has shown us."

Yesterday morning after the long night of results and the announcement of Obama's landslide win, Democrats Abroad Turkey Vice Chair Stephanie Holtman told the Daily News that she had renewed hope for the United States. She said the outcome was good for Turkey as well because of what Obama would bring to the world stage with his attitudes toward foreign policy and the Middle East.

"As a global nomad he has a different experience than other U.S. presidents," said Holtman. "He has a more global perspective. I hope he bears that in mind while crafting his economic policy, as it will affect Turkey."