Obama frenzy has spread throughout Western Europe. If it were up to Western Europeans, Barack Obama would succeed George Bush.

Last Monday the American President set off on a farewell trip throughout Europe. His plans included a visit in Slovenia, Germany, Italy, France, Great Britain and Northern Ireland. As usual, he met with high-profile leaders like Angela Merkel, Silvio Berlusconi, Pope Benedict XVI, Nicolas Sarkozy, Queen Elizabeth II and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

They talked, convened at conferences, made statements and declarations, and took part in lavish galas. I am sure there were protests and perhaps, traditionally somebody burned the U.S. flag. In other words, the trip certainly contained all the elements usually accompanying the visit of the American leader. Nobody has any high expectations about this visit. Bush's term is nearing the end and Europe is looking to the future.

A presidency without energy

James M. Goldberg, expert on Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations says: "There's no reason for any leader to give him anything because he's on the way out. You have a presidency that's losing energy, is consumed by Iraq, and a president who is unpopular, in general. Europe and the people are looking beyond him."

If we are to believe newspapers, which for the most part have welcomed Barack Obama's nomination by the Democratic Party with vivid enthusiasm, as well as opinion polls, people in Western Europe would like the black senator form Illinois to move into the White House.

A survey released last week by the British Daily Telegraph reveals that 49 percent of British people would vote for Barack Obama, 65 percent of the French population, 67 percent Germans and 70 percent of Italians.

John McCain enjoys a considerably lesser popularity. In Germany only 6 percent of the population would support him. In Italy, where he is doing the best, no more than 14 percent support him.

Obama is very popular among black immigrants from Africa and Arab countries, as well as among socialists and supporters of the Green Party. In French suburbs mainly inhabited by immigrants, many wear T-shirts with his image and are convinced that Obama will be the next president of the United States.

Among students, the “Black John F. Kennedy” has also gained support. “I like his charisma and the aura that surrounds him,” says Samuel Solvit, 22, a student of economics, founder and chairman of the French Support Committee for Barack Obama.

Many Italians and Germans share the French attitude. A columnist wrote in the prestigious German Die Zeit, “Obama goes with the spirit of our time. The cowboy is leaving and change and hope are coming. We will be able to love America again.”

Open for the dialogue

European politicians expect Barack Obama to change U.S. foreign policy. They believe he will not only withdraw troops from Iraq, but also give greater consideration to the interests of other nations and be more open to engage in a dialogue with them than his predecessor.

Today Europe can go ahead and say freely: “No,” to the current U.S. president, because in principle the EU has not agreed with the Bush’s policy since the invasion of Iraq. Should the cherished Obama become president, it will be difficult for Europe to say “No” to him when he asks, for example, for a greater NATO involvement in Afghanistan or for a higher contribution to humanitarian aid.