"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."

When those words were penned by an Englishman known for his creative and lyrical prowess, the world was a much different place than it is now. But even though The Who songwriter Pete Townshend was openly chastising the hippie movement that was engrossing a generation of youth, the words could just as easily be applied to more recent circumstances. Indeed, many here in Europe apply that message to American politics over the past few decades. One politician is no different than the one before. But this election cycle promises to bring about very tangible change no matter who claims victory and everyone abroad knows it.

As a political science student studying abroad in London this spring, I've had the unique opportunity to engage Europeans in their thoughts on American politics. Coaxing opinions out of people over here isn't terribly hard. In fact, they do all the work for me. Upon hearing my accent, and verifying I'm indeed an American, and not a "boring" Canadian, the discussion usually turns almost immediately here to politics.

Now here is when I normally get worried. I was warned before my travels abroad of rampant anti-Americanism. A "they-hate-us-because-we-hate-them-because-they're-jealous-of-us" kind of thing. But you know what? In every conversation I've had with the English, Irish, Welsh or even French, politics always revolves around sincere curiosity and fascination with the American political system. Whither the anti-American fervor that was supposed to mar my experience abroad? I'm not doubting there are people here who dislike Americans on the whole, it's just that those I've come across everywhere from trains to pubs to supermarkets have been nothing but respectful and polite as to what I think is going to happen in the presidential race of 2008.

And, of course, everyone has their point of view as to what they think will happen. Everyone likes to pretend to be pundits, both domestically and abroad. That much is universal. But their questions are what grip me. Rather, the genuine interest they have in American politics is what strikes me the most. Many Europeans are more educated, or at least attentive, than Americans, and they aren't being saturated with Hillary Clinton attack ads or Barack Obama debate barbs.

The questions I get asked the most are perhaps the ones that resonate loudest across the American kitchen tables. Will America really elect a black president? Or a woman? Or a 72-year-old man, for that matter? And when they stop their questions and leave me to my response, I tend to have trouble explaining the full complexities in the presidential race that are going on in a manner that would take less than a few hours. Usually, I just throw another question right back at them.

Sure, why not?

So when British talk show host Alan Titchmarsh rhetorically asked on the trailer for his Super Tuesday show, "Just why do us Brits care so much about the American election and Super Tuesday?" the answer seemed clear to me. It is fascinating; it's become worldwide entertainment. But is that what we want? Perhaps a nice, boring primary and a civil electoral system would put a dent in CNN ratings and throw many a pundit out on the street. Seems like a fine trade-off to me. Then again, I have a much better time explaining politics at a pub than all the rules of baseball. Bah, let's keep it the way it is, then.

Thomas Lambert of Fairfield is a sophomore at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. You can find out more about his adventures abroad on his blog, "A Connecticut Yankee In:" at http://forum.connpost.com/ctyankee/.