U.S. Political Drama Compels -- and Baffles

Passersby watched a television program reporting the results of the New Hampshire primary at an electronics store in Tokyo on Wednesday. (By Shizuo Kambayashi -- Associated Press)

She said Europeans also are struck by the diversity of candidates. "That's a novelty in Europe. . . . That attracts attention."

Jacob Metze, 32, a psychologist from Arhus, Denmark, said the U.S. primaries have dominated the Danish press. People want to know: "Will this be the end of the U.S. being the big bully on the playground?" Metze said.

Margr¿t Sigurdard¿ttir, 34, an opera and jazz singer from Reykjavik, said that in Iceland, "you can hear people sharing their views on this in the cafes and offices -- and also in the hot tubs . . . where everything of any importance is thoroughly discussed."

"It is important that the U.S. citizens choose a person who is both talented and willing enough to work towards peace rather than war," she said.

In South Africa, political analyst Justice Malala said discussion of the U.S. primaries eclipsed even domestic politics. There hasn't been much interest in Republicans Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney, Malala said, "but Obama and Clinton are something special." He added: "It reminds me of the Mandela presidency, which was about the dreams and ideals we hold dear."

Bush's visit to the Middle East this week overshadowed Israeli coverage of the primaries. But Clinton's New Hampshire triumph was generally greeted more favorably than Obama's win in Iowa. Political commentary focused in part on Clinton and her husband being popular, known quantities, while Obama's views are considered less well established.

In Brazil, too, pictures of Obama and Clinton were on the front pages. "People talk about it in cafes and say that maybe a woman will become president," said Roberta Berra, 28, a hotel concierge in Rio de Janeiro.

There are, of course, places where people are not following every twist and turn.

"I don't think who is president will affect the U.S. policy toward China," said Chen Xiaoguang, 33, a doctor in Beijing.

Even those who were following the primaries said it was like watching a game whose rules they didn't fully understand.

In Mombasa, on Kenya's east coast, Mbugua, the taxi driver, said that despite hours devouring the latest news about who is inching closer to the White House, he was still confused. "I find it a bit complicated -- most Kenyans do," he said. "I don't understand why Iowa, New Hampshire and a few other states are so important."

Correspondents Jonathan Finer in Jerusalem and Maureen Fan in Beijing, special correspondent Karla Adam in London, news researcher Zhang Jie in Beijing and staff researcher Robert E. Thomason in Washington contributed to this report.