Canadians Experience Obama Envy

Canadians admire Barack Obama more than any other politician in either the U.S. or Canada, according to a recent poll. But there’s plenty of envy to go around. According to the same survey, a majority of both Canadians and Americans think Canada has a superior health care system.

Globe and Mail:

Both Canadians and Americans say Barack Obama, the presumed Democratic candidate for president, would be a “game changer” with respect to the image of the United States in the world. And Canadians really like Mr. Obama. When asked to name the politician in either country they admire most, 26 per cent named the Illinois senator, putting him at the top of the list.

“We see these impressive candidates in Canada compared to the U.S., particularly Obama who is more popular than any Canadian political leader,” Mr. Donolo said. “And it’s one of those relatively rare moments when we look south of the border at their politics with something approaching envy.”

On the topic of health care, the poll suggests the envy goes in the other direction. While 91 per cent of Canadians surveyed said their health system is superior to that in the United States, 45 per cent of Americans said they too think the Canadian system is better.

Read more