Obama on the Nile

Thomas Friedman writes today about the potential global ramifications of an Obama presidency, particularly within the Muslim world:

I have had a chance to observe several U.S. elections from abroad, but it has been unusually revealing to be in Egypt as Barack Hussein Obama became the Democrats' nominee for president of the United States.

While Obama, who was raised a Christian, is constantly assuring Americans that he is not a Muslim, Egyptians are amazed, excited and agog that America might elect a black man whose father's family was of Muslim heritage.

If America — despite being attacked by Muslim militants on 9/11 — were to elect as its president some guy with the middle name "Hussein," it would mark a sea change in America-Muslim world relations.

[An Obama presidency would do more] to improve America's image abroad — an image dented by the Iraq war, President Bush's invocation of a post-9/11 "crusade," Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo Bay and the xenophobic opposition to Dubai Ports World managing U.S. harbors — than the entire Bush public diplomacy effort for seven years.

For me, perhaps the greatest appeal of Obama's candidacy is its potential to restore America's reputation abroad, or, at the very least, to help us win back a little of the good will that we've lost over the past seven years.

My question for Friedman is this: If Obama's Muslim heritage does indeed end up being twisted into a wedge "issue" that leads to a McCain victory on Election Day, how will that be perceived by the Muslim world?

Will it surpass Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, and all the rest as the greatest American "f-you" yet to Muslim people around the world?

It only makes sense that a candidacy that has raised so many hopes around the globe would result in an equally vociferous negative response should it fail.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that.