When Sri Murtiningsi asked her third graders what they wanted to be when they grew up, the answers ranged from doctors to a pilot. One boy in the class raised his hand: Barack Obama said his dream was to be president of the United States.
Forty years later Murtiningsi - like the rest of the world - is watching closely as Americans prepare to head to the polls Tuesday."Barry was the only one who said he wanted to be president ... I hope his dream comes true," Murtiningsi said of Obama, who spent four years living in Indonesia as a child.
Many believe Obama's international experience would go a long way in helping repair damage caused by the unpopular U.S.-led war in Iraq, with recent opinion polls from more than 70 nations favoring him a resounding three-to-one over Republican John McCain.
Newspapers across the globe came out in support of the Democratic candidate Monday."Obama the best hope for U.S. revival," said an editorial in The Australian Financial Review.
The Gulf News, an English-language paper in the United Arab Emirates, agreed, saying only he could "undo the great damage done by the Bush administration to America's image," especially in the Middle East.
Obama "deserves to win," declared The Irish Times.
Obama's presidential bid has sparked excitement in Kenya, home to his late father, with thousands turning out for the Democratic candidate's last visit in 2006.
"Everybody is extremely happy and excited and looking forward to celebrating the day after the elections," said Malik Obama, the candidate's half brother.
In the sleepy Japanese coastal town of Obama - which translates as "little beach," images of the Democratic candidate adorn banners along a main shopping street and preparations for an election day victory party were in full swing Monday.
Koichi Inoue, who makes traditional sweet bean cakes, said his factory was working at double normal production because he had promised free handouts for every customer if Obama came out on top.
"It looks like he is going to win from the polls so I've got to be ready," he said.
Many in Pakistan, a close ally in the U.S. war on terror, will be glued to television sets on Election Day.
The results, they say, will have broad implications for their own country and neighboring Afghanistan, where American forces have been battling the Taliban and its al-Qaida allies.
The last eight years have "affected our economy and our peace," said Mohammad Zubair, a 33-year-old lawyer in Lahore, who anticipates an Obama win. "I hope the election will bring change to Pakistan as well."
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