I logged to myDD today and found a really great diary about the "Obama Effect" in Georgia. Andre Walker's Diary is a great read, and its conclusions are sound. I wanted to add a couple of things to his writing if I may. But from a different perspective - as this is now the second time in previously thought of as "safe republican" territory - to see the candidacy of Obama, deliver a coat-tail effect. The first, you might recall, was none other than Dennis Hastert's district election - where the Democrats made a major pickup.

There's something thats beginning to form in my mind about Obama - he is transforming the Democratic party into a party of change. And he is connecting the Democratic party to a new dynamic of American politics.  We are crashing the gate.

One of the big factors in this election and perhaps future elections is the increased involvement of the electorate. This is to my analysis largely due to the internet and its effect on the process.  The democratic party, more so than any other, is better geared to handle this.  It is the received wisdom amongst many that the Democrats have embraced these fundamental changes more completely. It can be argued that the GOP is more efficient at using the net to their advantage, but the manner in which they operate, lobbyists, etc. - seems to be a fundamental disconnect to how things should be running if the net were integrated into the political process.  And with more voters, comes greater strength at the polls and in the process overall.

But thinking about this effect for a moment, I recognized that there  is  a huge level of interest in this election overseas. Can a democratic win in 2008  unleash a tidal wave of
new improvement and engagement  in foreign relations?  What effect would a democratic win have worldwide? Why are they so interested in this election?

Domestically, the candidacy of Obama has already had positive impact on several districts. All politics might be local, as the saying goes - however, the election of a strong democrat as president might have other effects. This could be the beginning of a global phenomenon. America is seen as a beacon of democracy - re-establishing this in the world can have several positive effects. I am certain there are specific countries with whom, much like the domestic electoral landscape has shifted - our relationship will change for the better.

Which countries do you think would be the most excited about a Democrat winning the white house in 2008?