With just one month to go in the hotly contested U.S. presidential race, which is being closely monitored by the entire world, surveys in America have the two candidates – John McCain and Barack Obama – running neck and neck.

However, a local poll conducted by this newspaper throughout Alikarnassos, Gouves, Hersonissos and Malia shows that local voters would unanimously elect Obama.

Astonishingly, every single person queried in the local survey unequivocally supported the younger candidate. (Editor’s note: See Question of the Month).

And, throughout Greece, McCain wouldn’t fare much better – Obama would still win in a landslide as eight in 10 Greeks nationally say they prefer Obama as the next American president, according to a poll by the Kathimerini newspaper.

Dr. Vangelis Athousakis of Kokkini Hani expressed the views of most of those polled in Crete by stating that he would vote for Obama because with him as president the world would have a better chance for peace.

“My opinion is that McCain is too much like Bush and thinks he can rule the world,” he said. “America needs to change its policies around the world, and Obama, I think, represents that change.”

Parliament Member Manolis Stratakis of Iraklion said he supports Obama because he promises change and because he intends to apply policies for the benefit of many, and for world peace.

“The American elections constitute an important event, because America as a superpower shapes developments and influences world peace,” he said. “I believe that the policy of the Bush presidency showed most explicitly the negative repercussions of the neoconservative monetary policy for America itself, but also for the entire world.”

Manolis Anagnostakis

Manolis Anagnostakis, president of the Gouves Township Council, said he finds Obama to be very likeable.

“But seriously,” he added, “I like his thinking and his choice for vice president, Joe Biden, who has taken a position on the Cypriot matter and on the Aegean.”

Mr. Antonis Hatzis, a Hersonissos businessman said “I would vote for Obama as I don’t like Republicans because they are warmongers.” 

Eleftherios Zouros

Eleftherios Zouros, professor of Evolutionary Biology, as well as a Gouves town councilman, said he would definitely support Obama.

“McCain has not convinced me that he is any different from Bush, whose politics were disastrous internationally, and for America itself,” Mr. Zouros, who had lived in the U.S. for four years, said. “Also, I don’t like McCain’s choice of a vice president. She is a fundamentalist, a fanatic and dangerous to the world.”

Niki Yiamalaki, a businesswoman and community leader from Anopoli, said she doesn’t think it matters who the president is because she doesn’t think he really runs things.

“Perhaps on a national level he does, but for international policy it’s the congress and, of course, the multinational corporations,” she said. “However, I would vote for Obama because I would be happy if a black man presides in America. I don’t like McCain or his choice of a vice president – I think Sarah Palin’s thinking is dangerous to women around the world.”

Obama seems to appeal to Greek voters regardless of the party they support in Greece. He is most popular with PASOK voters, 91 percent of whom say they like him, followed by 84 percent of New Democracy supporters and 77 percent of those who back the leftist parties.

While only 11 percent of those questioned said they had visited America, a good many – 30 percent – said they would be following the race closely since they have relatives living in the states.

Obama’s popularity with Greeks is reflective of his endorsement by many Greek-Americans, particularly in response to his stand on FYROM. 

In a statement last June he appealed to Macedonia to stop breaching the Interim Agreement with Greece; to stop all unfriendly activities and to cooperate with Greece to find mutually acceptable solution to the dispute.

And, in his endorsement by a popular Greek-American politician, Illinois State Treasurer Alex Giannoulias, he was called “a friend to all Greek Americans.”

A third of the people questioned said they believe that an Obama presidency would serve Greek interests better, as opposed to one percent who thinks McCain will be better for Greece.

However, 56 percent think that it will not make any difference for Greece whether Obama or McCain is elected to the White House.