Poll Reveals World Anger at Bush
Eight out of 10 Countries Favour Kerry for President
ALAN TRAVIS / The Guardian (UK) 15oct04
George Bush has squandered a wealth of sympathy around the world towards America since September 11 with public opinion in 10 leading countries — including some of its closest allies — growing more hostile to the United States while he has been in office. According to a survey, voters in eight out of the 10 countries, including Britain, want to see the Democrat challenger, John Kerry, defeat President Bush in next month's US presidential election.
The poll, conducted by 10 of the world's leading newspapers, including France's Le Monde, Japan's Asahi Shimbun, Canada's La Presse, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Guardian, also shows that on balance world opinion does not believe that the war in Iraq has made a positive contribution to the fight against terror.
The results show that in Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Japan, Spain and South Korea a majority of voters share a rejection of the Iraq invasion, contempt for the Bush administration, a growing hostility to the US and a not-too-strong endorsement of Mr Kerry. But they all make a clear distinction between this kind of anti-Americanism and expressing a dislike of American people. On average 68% of those polled say they have a favourable opinion of Americans.
The 10-country poll suggests that rarely has an American administration faced such isolation and lack of public support amongst its closest allies.
The only exceptions to this trend are the Israelis — who back Bush 2-1 over Kerry and see the US as their security umbrella — and the Russians who, despite their traditional anti-Americanism, recorded unexpectedly favourable attitudes towards the US in the survey conducted in the immediate aftermath of the Beslan tragedy.
The UK results of the poll conducted by ICM research for the Guardian reveal a growing disillusionment with the US amongst the British public, fuelled by a strong personal antipathy towards Mr Bush.
The ICM survey shows that if the British had a vote in the US presidential elections on November 2 they would vote 50% for Kerry and only 22% for Bush.
Sixty per cent of British voters say they don't like Bush, rising to a startling 77% among those under 25.
The rejection of Mr Bush is strongest in France where 72% say they would back Mr Kerry but it is also very strong in traditionally very pro-American South Korea, where fears of a pre-emptive US strike against North Korea have translated into 68% support for Mr Kerry.
In Britain the growth in anti-Americanism is not so marked as in France, Japan, Canada, South Korea or Spain where more than 60% say their view of the United States has deteriorated since September 11. But a sizeable and emerging minority — 45% — of British voters say their image of the US has got worse in the past three years and only 15% say it has improved.
There is a widespread agreement that America will remain the world's largest economic power.
This is underlined by the 73% of British voters who say that the US now wields an excessive influence on international affairs, a situation that 67% see as continuing for the foreseeable future.
A majority in Britain also believe that US democracy is no longer a model for others.
But perhaps a more startling finding from the Guardian/ICM poll is that a majority of British voters — 51% — say that they believe that American culture is threatening our own culture.
This is a fear shared by the Canadians, Mexicans and South Koreans, but it is more usually associated with the French than the British. Perhaps the endless television reruns of Friends and the Simpsons are beginning to take their toll.
- ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,008 adults aged 18 and over by telephone between September 22-23 2004. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/viewsofamerica/story/0,15221,1327568,00.html 24oct04
The World Backs Kerry
The Guardian (UK) 15oct04
Millions of Americans are scratching their heads over how to vote on November 2 after the last of the three televised presidential debates left George Bush and John Kerry neck and neck over jobs, education, health care and taxes, with little mention of Iraq or 9/11. But the rest of the world, according to a poll we and several other newspapers publish today, has already made up its mind, backing the Democratic challenger by a margin of two to one. Any sample, of course, is just a sample, but this survey of public opinion in 10 countries does include the US's two immediate neighbours, Canada and Mexico, as well as Israel and Russia, Washington's close allies in the "war on terror", and Britain, still its most loyal transatlantic friend, despite widespread criticism of Tony Blair. Unfortunately, Muslim countries are absent, though their inclusion would have made even gloomier reading for the White House. A recent Pew Research Centre poll, for example, showed just 7% of Pakistanis approve of Mr Bush, while 65% have a favourable opinion of Osama bin Laden.
These findings— likely to achieve a high degree of exposure because they are media-driven— confirm previous polls in underlining the degree of global hostility to President Bush and the Iraq war. Some 74% of Germans, according to GlobeScan, want to see Mr Kerry win the election. A June poll conducted by the German Marshall Fund found that 76% of respondents in nine European countries disapproved of Mr Bush's handling of international affairs, up significantly from a survey in 2002. It also found that 80% of Europeans polled— compared with half of Americans— said Iraq was not worth the human and financial cost. In Europe, only Poles would rather see Mr Bush back in the Oval office. Elsewhere in "new Europe" there is a distinctly "old European" wish to see the Massachusetts senator win. Further afield, Israelis are the only people to back the incumbent and to see American democracy as a model for other countries. Similarly positive views in Russia appear to reflect the hardline US view on Chechen terrorism: the survey was carried out in the aftermath of the Beslan school massacre.
Against this bleak background, the good news is that there is a clear distinction between anti-Americanism and criticism of US policies. No less than 68% of all those polled— with the French, Mr Kerry's most fervent backers, scoring a surprising above-average 72% — have a favourable view of Americans but are implacably opposed to the US government. Opinions of the US have worsened for 57% over the past three years.
Strikingly, though, political differences may now be casting shadows in other areas. Young Britons, avid consumers of Big Macs, Starbucks and Friends, are now hostile to American culture on a scale traditionally associated with the French. Canada, Mexico and South Korea feel even more threatened. It is common ground that Iraq and the Guantánamo Bay and Abu Ghraib scandals have eroded the sympathy generated by the 2001 terrorist attacks. Encouragingly for whoever does win, 90% believe it is important to maintain good relations with the US. The danger is, perhaps, of expecting too much from a Kerry victory.
Mr Bush may well wish to exploit this hostility, against a rival he has portrayed as caring too much for allies and not enough for America. Clearly, if the world had a vote, the result on November 2 would not be in doubt. The president is unlikely to be surprised that the Guardian, Asahi Shimbun, Le Monde or El Pais believe that Iraq is a "deadly and highly questionable war". That though, is the view of the Lone Star Iconoclast, published in his home town of Crawford, Texas. It matters a lot what others think about the US. But it is only Americans who can choose their own leader.
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/viewsofamerica/story/0,15221,1327971,00.html 24oct04
We like Americans, We DON'T Like Bush
The British public draws a sharp distinction between its view
of the
United States' political leadership and Americans in general
ALAN TRAVIS / The Guardian (UK) 15oct04
There is a growing strain of hostility towards the United States among British voters, fuelled by a strong personal antipathy towards President George Bush, according to a special Guardian/ICM poll. It is so strong that Britons would back the Democrat challenger John Kerry against Mr Bush by a margin of more than two to one if they had a vote in next month's presidential election. More than 60% of voters say they do not like Mr Bush, a hostility which peaks at 77% among those under 25.
It appears to be personal because the public draws a sharp distinction between its view of the United States' political leadership and Americans in general. The British are quite clear that they still like Americans as a people; only 21% say they do not like them.
But the apparent strength of the claimed "special relationship" between Tony Blair and George Bush seems to contain little domestic dividend for the prime minister. Only one in four British voters say they have a favourable opinion of the American president.
The latest polling evidence on British attitudes to the Iraq war shows a nation still split over the decision to invade but with the balance tilting by 46% to 40% towards an anti-war position. This survey also shows mixed views on whether the continuing war in Iraq being waged by the United States and its allies is contributing to the fight against terrorism around the world. A simple majority - 51% - say they believe it does but the country is divided, with 40% arguing either that the contribution is small or nothing at all.
The ICM survey on attitudes towards the US reveals that underneath this polarised debate lies a strong anti-American streak in the British consciousness. British public opinion has never been as strongly Atlanticist as its politicians, particularly among the post-1968 generation, but this poll reveals that the hostility has grown sharply since September 11 and particularly among the young.
The poll shows that 45% believe that their view of the United States has deteriorated in the last two or three years and only 15% say it has improved. This is reinforced by the overwhelming majority - 75% - who say they agree with the statement that "the US wields excessive influence on international affairs". For many, that influence looks set to continue or even grow as 67% of British voters said they disagree with the statement that "the United States is a declining empire".
A majority of British voters now say they disagree with the idea that American democracy remains a model to other nations - and that from a country which still retains a monarchy and does not have a written constitution.
An even more recent development is the growth in those who say they agree with the statement that "American culture threatens our own culture". This is a sentiment which the British more associate with the French but despite the success of American TV shows, rock music and cinema, 51% of British voters say they are now concerned about its impact on our culture.
The survey shows that when it comes to the preferences in the presidential election, John Kerry would win by 50% to George Bush's 22% if the poll was of British voters, a margin of more than two to one.
But the detailed results also show that when asked if they had favourable or unfavourable view of Kerry, 45% replied "don't know" suggesting not that much is known about the Democrat challenger in Britain.
- ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1,008 adults aged 18 and over by telephone between September 22-23, 2004. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/viewsofamerica/story/0,15221,1327569,00.html 24oct04
Would you prefer to see the election of George Bush or John Kerry on November 2?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Bush 20 16 22 13 52 30 28 20 50 18 27 Kerry 60 72 50 58 48 51 54 55 24 68 54
Overall, do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of George Bush?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Favourable 29 21 25 13 44 26 32 23 70 23 31 Unfavourable 64 75 60 77 56 66 64 70 24 72 63
Overall, do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of John Kerry?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Favourable 55 61 33 21 51 37 38 42 30 47 42 Unfavourable 20 16 25 23 49 37 25 25 22 19 26
Overall, do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of the Americans?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Favourable 73 72 62 47 86 74 72 51 81 65 68 Unfavourable 23 24 21 32 13 17 21 43 10 30 23
Over the course of the past two or three years, has your opinion toward the United States improved or worsened
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Improved 15 14 15 5 17 28 25 40 51 20 Worsened 64 70 45 60 74 54 56 26 41 57
Were the United States wrong in invading Iraq?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Right 24 18 13 39 16 10 68 11 25 Wrong 67 77 80 54 71 83 26 85 68
Is it important or not that the United States play a leadership role on the world stage?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Important 68 49 44 48 71 73 76 68 67 63 Not Import. 28 48 45 46 25 23 18 26 31 32
Does the war waged by the United States and their allies in Iraq contribute to the fight against terrorism around the world?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 51 17 51 17 42 22 48 35 No 45 80 40 73 54 74 48 59
Is it important that your country maintains good relations with the United States?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Important 94 90 77 90 92 92 93 90 Not Import. 5 9 18 8 7 7 6 9
Are the United States respected internationally?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 42 51 41 63 61 19 46 No 56 38 57 33 36 81 50
By their actions, do the United States contribute to maintain world peace?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 46 48 44 63 61 47 52 No 52 46 53 33 36 49 45
Does American democracy remain a model to other nations?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 55 34 62 56 46 71 39 52 No 42 53 31 41 48 23 56 42
Are the United States a declining superpower?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 50 22 28 45 27 50 37 No 44 67 58 49 62 44 54
Will the United States remain the world's largest economic power for the foreseeable future?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 72 82 74 46 71 62 68 No 25 12 21 48 23 34 27
How would you describe current relations between your country and the United States?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Good 65 84 60 31 60 Bad 34 13 21 67 34
Do the United States wield excessive influence on international affairs?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 86 73 66 87 78 No 11 17 30 11 17
Does the influence of American culture threaten your own culture?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 60 51 59 58 57 No 38 40 38 39 39
In the coming months, would you consider it probable that further acts of terrorism will be committed against American interests similar to those that occurred on September 11 2001?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 75 66 71 54 73 68 No 18 22 24 30 20 23
Do you approve of the United States' protectionist economic policy?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 27 41 31 42 28 34 No 54 34 49 18 59 43
Would you be afraid to visit the United States?
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Yes 17 5 38 10 40 22 No 82 91 60 88 59 76
There is no notable difference between Republicans and Democrats
Canada France UK Spain Russia Japan Australia Mexico Israel S Korea Average Agree 32 31 41 22 51 35 Disagree 49 57 43 58 28 47
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/viewsofamerica/table/0,15223,1327308,00.html 24oct04
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