Nettmøtet er avsluttet. Les svarene fra Benson K. Whitney nedenfor.

:)

I hope you get to take a last skitrip on Solihøgda before you leave :)
Innsendt av: Alex

You are not going to get me out of Norway before this ski season! Sollihøgda is one of my favorite spots (also to bike). I am praying for snow!

Have to get back to work, and thank you for all your interest and questions.

Ambassador Ben Whitney

Ambassador Whitney
 

Bush og Africa

I det siste har jeg hørt en del om bush og støtte til afrika. Er det noen spesielle kjepphester USA har hat?
Innsendt av: joachim

The President has worked extremely hard to battle poverty and disease in Africa. The US operates the biggest public health program in history to fight HIV/AIDS and malaria. I know this is an area he is extremely proud of and we have worked closely with Norway and the UN to make progress.

Ambassador Whitney
 

Vision For Space Exploration

Dear Ambassador Whitney,

Do you think President Obama will continue President Bush's plans for the exploration of space, or can we expect a shift in American space policy?

I was at the reception you held for the STS-116 astronauts last year, and in my mind NASA and the exploration of space is an arena in which the U.S. excels, and can utilize to improve people abroad's opinion of the U.S. I saw how all the other students at the reception were inspired by the spacefliers, and I therefore would think that continuing the VSE is an endeavor that will increase America's popularity abroad once again.


Innsendt av: Kim Spildrejorde

I am really happy you were inspired by meeting the astronauts because I was too. Space exploration represents a search for the future and I hope (personally) that the American people continue to support these efforts.

Ambassador Whitney
 

Iraq

Do you share George W. Bush's policy entirely on the Iraq conflict and do you think Norway should have been more involved?
Innsendt av: Bjørnar

I think we should be looking forward and not backward on the nation of Iraq. I hope Norwegians will find ways to support the Iraqi people as they build a new nation. They need your help.

Ambassador Whitney
 

HI

Congratulation whith this election, I think Martins Luther King's dream has comed true. I'm proud of the americans who deard to wote for Mr. Obama. What do you think that all americans and people of Norway and around world can be looking forward to when things now seems to change. I don't expect that the changes will come over ninght but some result may be seen in a couple of years. I whish Mr. Obama and all americans good luck.
Innsendt av: Bente Pedersen

I think Martin Luther King would be very proud today, that a president was elected "on the content of his character, not the color of his skin." I too wish the new President all success!

Ambassador Whitney
 

Norway and the EU

Your thoughts about Norway being one of only three (besides Iceland and Switzerland) western European countries outside of the European Union? Does this fact strengthen the trans-atlantic ties between Norway and the US?
Innsendt av: Mikke

Whether Norway enters the EU is absolutely the decision of the Norwegian people. The US and the EU have a strong relationship, as does Norway and the United States. I can't see how this would have any impact on trans-atlantic ties.

Ambassador Whitney
 

Baseball

Dear Mr. Ambassador, I just wanted to tell you that I think the US is a fantastic country to visit as a tourist. People are very friendly and helpful and the country have so much to offer.
Which baseball team do you support?
Innsendt av: Geir K. Olsen

Well of course, I am a Minnesota Twins fan. Actually, my father helped bring the team from Washington DC to Minnesota in the 1960s. I am not sure I am going to bring that up when I'm in Washington in the future!

Ambassador Whitney
 

Whitney for President

I think you could be a good president!
So what`s your next job when you come home?
Innsendt av: Johan

I hope I'm too smart to take on the toughest job in the world...

I'm not sure what I am going to do, but I hope to use some of the things I've learned here in Norway to make a positive difference.

Ambassador Whitney
 

F-35

What do think the american response, with Obama in charge, will be when Norway buy swedish fighter jets?
Innsendt av: Marober Vågsnes

We will see...

Ambassador Whitney
 

New foreign policy doctrine?

Dear mr. Ambassador,

May we see a new foreign policy doctrine within the first year of the new administration, or will the next President be preoccupied trying to "heal the nation" and reaching across the isle?

Thanks for the great work you have done throughout your time as Ambassador to Norway. You will be missed.
Innsendt av: Anders Vollen

Thank you, Anders.

I have to be careful in any attempt to speak for a new administration. But, history would suggest that there will be a lot of continuity in United States foreign policy. Just because we had an election did not change our challenges, the character of the American people, or American interests.

Certainly, on the domestic side, financial issues will be important, but a president has to deal with many issues at one time, and foreign policy challenges are always important and do not wait for a convenient moment.

Ambassador Whitney
 

International Security Politics

Will there be a major difference in relations between US and Western allies when it comes to safety and security politics now?
We still have a huge bear in our woods that does not seem to be significant harmless, and our Norwegian todays leading politicians are not making the situation, or national security better.
Can we still relay on U.S aid if the bear goes wild, no matter who becomes your new President?


Innsendt av: Erik

We still live in a world where security policy matters--a lot. NATO is one of the great achievements in history in security cooperation. Both in protecting the borders of NATO nations, as well as protecting the interests of NATO nations outside our borders, as in Afghanistan, NATO has a critical role.

I think it is essential that the NATO nations, including Norway, make the investments necessary to bear the burdens required to provide international stability.

I am confident any American President sees global security as an essential part of his responsibility. I also would expect any President to seek to work with our partners to build capacity and address the security issues be they Afghanistan or other NATO concerns.

Ambassador Whitney
 

Lær deg norsk

Bør ikkje du kunne norsk etter å ha budd her i snart tre år? Skandale at det ikkje blir krevd det samme av deg som av innvandrarar!
Innsendt av: Sigbjørn

Det er et rimelig spørsmål! Jeg prøvde å lære norsk før jeg kom til Norge, også etter jeg bodde her. Og, jeg har lært å lese ganske bra og snakke litt, men jeg kan ikke høre norsk veldig bra. Jeg vil ikke være en ambassadør som kan snakke men ikke lytte!

Ambassador Whitney
 

Kjære Benson K. Whitney

Jeg er imponert over din holdning og representasjon i Norge. Det er skjeldent en møter en ambassadør som gjør dette så grensesprengende profesjonellt som deg og selvfølgelig din familie.
Spørsmål:
Hva synes du om den meget tette styre - representasjon som Arbeiderpartiet og arbeidstakerorganisasjonen Lo har her i det politiske Norge, der de to sider sitte i hverandres styrer, for så å fremstå utad som 2 parter?
Hadde dette vært mulig i USA ?
Innsendt av: Guttorm Engebretsen

I appreciate the compliment. As I mentioned a few answers ago, I try hard to stay out of internal Norwegian domestic matters. I think this one would cross the line! Thank you for the question.

Ambassador Whitney
 

Hi, Mr. Whitney.
I were present when you spoke at Studentsenteret in Bergen and there you retoricly asked the question if a European nation, like Norway, could elect a person of colour as President or prime minister. I think Norwegian and American politicians are very different, but I would like to think that it would be possible also in Norway.

You also mentioned that if the American people should elect John McCain that doesen't mean that the U.S is a nation of racists and that if you elect Obama everything that has to do with races are perfect. I totally agree on that.

What do you think will be the first thing Barack Obama will do as the new President of the United States? Sign the Kyoto agreement perhaps? Do you think there will be a place for Hillary Clinton and/ or John McCain as ministers?

And, again, you did a very good job answering all the question, even though not all of them were that nice.


Innsendt av: Student

The new President will have to address the financial crisis because that is the issue on the minds of most Americans. The amount of resources spent in this effort may affect the ability of the President-Elect to spend money on some things he might like to.

I am sure that a President Obama, like President Bush (although you may not believe that) will continue to try to provide global leadership on a climate change agreement.

Both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have full-time jobs as Senators, but it will be up to the President-Elect to decide who he wants in his cabinet.


Ambassador Whitney
 

Difference in politics

Hi Mr. Whitney.

What do you think is the clearest difference between US politics and Norwegian politics? And why do you think the politic between Norway and the US is that different?

Regards
Innsendt av: Lars

Good question.
Having worked in American elections, I am especially proud of the high level of citizen involvement there is directly in campaigns. This year, over three million Americans felt strongly enough to take their free time and resources and work for the candidate they believed in. They made, as a group, tens of millions of phone calls, sent out millions of letters, knocked on millions of doors. This creates a commitment and a vitality that I really appreciate about American elections.

Clearly, the length of our campaigns is also a major difference. In this election, that long campaign helped President-Elect Obama establish himself to the American people. That long campaign also creates a wonderful saga as did this one.

Ambassador Whitney
 

IKnnblanding i norsk innenrikspolitikk

Vi har i Mr Whitney sin periode som ambassadør sett at han oftere og oftere blander seg inn i norsk intern politikk, f eks i valg av nye jagerfly og flere andre saker. Mener ambassadøren at dette er noe som tilligger hans embete? For meg virker det ganske utidig, og jeg ser frem til at han erstattes av en ambassadør som kan ha større respekt for de politiske prosesser som foregår her i landet, og ikke i Washington DC.
Innsendt av: Joffen

I understand concerns about foreign Ambassadors "interfering" in domestic matters. But it is difficult sometimes to draw that line perfectly. I do not, for example, talk about domestic Norwegian politics. Issues, like the location of our Embassy and our relationship seem to me to be part of how an Ambassador fulfills their duty.

In older times, Ambassadors only talked to the host government, but in the twenty-first century, I believe an Ambassador's role includes talking to the people about mutual issues. I assure you that the Norwegian Ambassador to the US, Wegger Strommen, is doing quite the same thing in the United States on behalf of Norway.

Ambassador Whitney
 

Takk

Nå som valget gikk som det gikk, regner jeg med at du snart blir byttet ut, og jeg vil derfor nytte anledningen til å ønske deg lykke til videre og takk for den friske pusten du har vært i det norske samfunn. Det trengte vi.
Innsendt av: Einar

Thank you!

The Norwegian people have been only kind, generous and polite to me, and I will miss living in Norwegian society. I guess, if I go back to Minnesota, that is the next best thing!

Ambassador Whitney
 

Social Democracy in Norway

Greetings!

As you know, Norway is a very liberal, almost socialist country, in comparison to America. What do you think of the social democracy in Norway, what's nice about it and what's not? And if you could do something about it, what would you do?

I hope you have enjoyed your two years here in Norway, and good luck with your next job/position!
Innsendt av: Ole

To me, the important point here is that Norway reflects a society that Norwegians have chosen. I hope Norwegians will respect the kind of society that Americans choose for the United States. Thanks for your wishes of good luck!

Ambassador Whitney
 

Worried

Should we not worry a little if the Democrats indeed will sweep this election, by getting the White House, and a convincing, filibuster proof majority in the house and senate?

Innsendt av: Kjell Mikkelsen

The Democratic Party has won a strong majority in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. However, for complicated procedural reasons, sixty votes are needed to control the Senate, and it does not look like that is going to happen. So, President-Elect Obama is going to have to work as he has said he wants to with both Republicans and Democrats to move his agenda.

Also know that our system of checks and balances makes it very difficult, even with the Presidency, to easily complete legislation. Lots of people hold power in Washington and issues do not always fall across just party lines.

Ambassador Whitney
 

forandring?

Jeg tror Obama kommer til å vinne, og godt er det. Jeg tror det er på tide at demokratene slipper til. Men jeg lurer på om vi kommer til å se så stor forandring som mange håper på? Amerikanerne er veldig konservative, og jeg håper at med Obama som president, vil dette forandre seg. Men vil det det...?
Innsendt av:

President-Elect Obama spoke powerfully in his acceptance speech that the world faces complex and difficult questions. No American president can be expected to solve these questions immediately. If the problems were easy to solve, we already would have solved them. So, the United States and our European allies are going to have to roll up our sleeves and deal with issues like nuclear proliferation in Iran, instability and extremism in Afghanistan, and climate change, to name only a few.

Ambassador Whitney
 

Your highnes, dear Mr. ambasador!

I am an albanian from Kosova living in Norway for 15 years.
I like to Thank USA from all of my heart for everything you have done to support Kosovas fight for freedom and independence.
My question is:
If senator Barak Obama wins the presidency will he reduce the USA help to the newborn state of Kosova compare to senator Mc Caine since he comes from Illinois where the serbian population is large and its influence on senator Obama may be strong?

Sincerely in love with USA forever
Innsendt av: Mr. Ismet Januzaj, poet

I am grateful for your expression of thanks to the United States for supporting Kosovo's independence. I am pleased that Norway has supported Kosovo as well. I believe that any American president would continue to support this wonderful new nation. I am proud of our country for helping the Kosovar people.

Ambassador Whitney
 

Do you intend to resign when the new President takes office?

It is rumoured that you intend to disregard tradition and protocol and not resign as Ambassador once the new President takes office. Is this correct and, if so, why?
Innsendt av: Henry Hansen

Always be careful with rumors! Every new president picks their own Ambassadors, so whether Senator McCain or Senator Obama won the election, they would choose their own person as Ambassador to Norway. I have been really blessed to spend three years in this position, but it will be time to go home next year.

Ambassador Whitney
 

The "perfect" democracy?

Dear Mr. K. Whitney

The American and Norwegian democratic models are quite different. One could argue that Norway has a more democratic election process than the US, while the US model results in a stronger government with more power to get things done. Are you happy with the US system or has your stay in Norway changed or influenced your opinion on this matter in any way?
Innsendt av: Thomas

Hello!

Democracies come in somewhat different forms and structures. They need to reflect culture and tradition of the people. But, they do need to have in common certain characteristics like free and open debate, freedom to associate, and free and fair elections. From all I have seen, Norway, like the United States, has a vibrant democracy. And we should be proud of that.

I am more familiar with a two-party system than with a parliamentary system and have been interested in watching how it operates. I'm not it fits the American approach, which is more based on having one party in power, and another clearly in opposition.

I am very proud of our system today, how the will of the people has been expressed, and how it will result in a peaceful transfer of power.



Ambassador Whitney