Question about Obama, why the hell do they call him the leader of the free world.

[Fliba]

He's only the president of the United States of America.


What is the free world??? sounds to me like a cool inexpensive place to live!

 

[clemens]

Haven't the past few presidents all been referred to as the leader of the free‌ world?

 

[Spinat]

I'm sure you must be joking with this question, but here is the succinct answer‌ :

Because of the U.S.'s prominent role in the Cold War, the President of the‍ United States was often dubbed the "leader of the Free World", particularly within the United⁠ States itself. The phrase implies that the U.S. president, as leader of the principal democratic⁤ superpower, was by extension the leader of all the worlds’ democratic nations. Although it had⁣ a Cold War origin, it is still used to describe the U.S. Presidency today.[1]

Source http://www.answers.com/topic/free-world

 

[gwenpinay]

I didn't realise people didn't know the phrase is attached to the Oval Office. Bluewater's‌ post should enlighten all unenlightened minds and rest all questions.

 

[crimson]

Being a president of the United States of America is stereotyped as a leader of‌ the freeworld because of its big influence around the world.

 

[Kejatz]

This sounds swell and we should probably get naked and dance around a big bonfire⁠ because of it! I mean c'mon people, it's never good to give some man such⁤ power because the only thing you can always count on is human weakness. No man⁣ should be given such responsibility, no matter how great is he as a person!

 

[wildy]

Yes, it comes from Cold War times.

But "leader of the free world"? I do‌ not think so.

Read the Patriot Act once and you will not believe that the‍ USA is still "the land of the free".

By the way, "leader of the free⁠ world" is not used regulary in Europe for the president of the USA since the⁤ Bush jr. ruled over USA.

 

[tongyun]

Even thought I am a citizen of the United States of America, I think the‌ term seems very outdated. There are other world leaders who are just as interested in‍ protecting the world from evil and keeping people free.

 

[Kejatz]

You are right. In my⁣ opinion terrorism can't be an excuse to give government unlimited power over our freedom. Patriot⁢ Act is just an excuse to do whatever the hell they want.