Op-Ed: Bush: Not Such a Bad Leader

by V_rod218813 | July 17, 2008 at 04:49 pm

407 views | 2 Recommendations | 11 comments

The world has clued us in; as if there was confirmation needed. Apparently Bush diplomacy has garnered little support anywhere in the world, except in Israel. The view among our allies is what comes as a shock, considering they are key allies to the United States.

A majority of people in three countries with close ties to the U.S. — Britain, Canada and Mexico — consider President George W. Bush a threat to world peace, ranking the U.S. president right up there with the leaders of two countries he has labeled part of the "axis of evil" — North Korea's Kim Jong Il and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"It is striking that these are America's closest allies and the populations are going, 'Whoa, this guy is a danger to the world,'" said Paul Adams, executive director of Ottawa-based EKOS Research which released the poll results Friday.

"These are allies and if the populations of their countries are saying George Bush is a threat to peace, that's a pretty damning statement about Bush's public diplomacy in the world."

Al-Qaida terror network leader Osama bin Laden was viewed as the greatest threat to world peace among those polled in Britain, Canada and Mexico. In Israel, respondents viewed Ahmadinejad, who has called for their country to be wiped off the map, as the biggest threat.

In Britain, 91 percent said they considered bin Laden a great or moderate danger to peace, while 78 percent said that about Bush, the poll found. Kim, whose country tested an atomic bomb last month, was considered a danger by 82 percent, Lebanese Hezbollah militia leader Hassan Nasrallah by 78 percent, and Ahmadinejad by 74 percent.

In Canada, bin Laden was seen by 88 percent of the people surveyed as a great or moderate threat, followed in order by Kim (86 percent), Ahmadinejad (77 percent), and Bush and Nasrallah tied at 74 percent. Eighty-three percent of Mexicans ranked Bush as a great or moderate threat, putting him behind only bin Laden at 88 percent.

Bush fared well only in Israel where just 23 percent of those polled saw the U.S. president as a great or moderate threat. Ahmadinejad was perceived as a great or moderate threat by 92 percent of Israelis surveyed, slightly ahead of bin Laden (89 percent).

Majorities in Britain, Canada and Mexico — 69 percent, 62 percent and 57 percent, respectively — said U.S. foreign policy has made the world more dangerous since 2001, according to the poll. In Israel, only 36 percent said Bush's actions had made the world more dangerous.

Most Mexicans (68 percent), Israelis (60 percent) and Canadians (57 percent) believe the United States will "intervene militarily" in Iran or North Korea in an effort to block the proliferation of nuclear weapons. British respondents were not asked the question.

"George Bush has developed a very bellicose image abroad," said EKOS President Frank Graves. "Immediately after September 11, attitudes were almost universally supportive. Today, Bush is seen as a sorcerer's apprentice on the world stage, bringing calamity wherever he goes."

The survey reaffirms the results of recent polls conducted in the United States, which indicate a majority of Americans oppose Bush's Iraq policy.

"As we approach next week's midterm elections in the United States, the polls show pretty clearly that many Americans are dissatisfied with the Bush foreign policy, particularly in Iraq," Graves said. "Now we have a clear confirmation that Bush's policies are even more unpopular abroad among the citizens of countries with very close ties to the United States."

In Britain, where Prime Minister Tony Blair's popularity has been hit hard by the Iraq war, 71 percent said the conflict was not justified. Eighty-nine percent of Mexicans, 73 percent of Canadians and 34 percent of Israelis agreed. Fifty-nine percent of Israelis said the 2003 invasion was justified.

The poll, commissioned by the Toronto Star and La Presse in Canada, The Guardian in Britain, Reforma in Mexico and Haaretz in Israel, surveyed 1,000 people in each country at the end of October. The margin of error was 3 percentage points.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/03/america/NA_GEN_World_Views_of_Bush.php

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/06/16/world-trusts-ahmadinejad-more-than-bush-to-do-the-right-thing-regarding-world-affairs/

However, there is a silver lining in this cloud. According to a World Public Opinions poll, Bush ranks above Pervez Musharaff as a good leader. The options, though limited, are not closed, President Bush can retire to the beautiful mountains of Pakistan, where he will be praised as a better leader than the current leader, or he can retire to Israel. If Bush were to retire to Pakistan, he would be able to continue his crusade against al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. If here were to choose the latter, as a pilot, he would be able to fly attack planes in his war against Iran.

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jack12345

at 17:40 on July 17th, 2008

WAY TO GO BUSH! This is such a great analogy.....Today, Bush is seen as a sorcerer's apprentice on the world stage, bringing calamity wherever he goes.

René

at 21:30 on July 17th, 2008

Would you rather they all thought President Bush was a 'Push-Over'?
I see you mislead us on what are your own sites. Are you even in Afghanistan?

V_rod218813

at 08:46 on July 18th, 2008

I already asked you what proof you would need, Rene. Do you want me to post a picture of me in front of Kandahar Airfield. Don't try to discredit me. I already embarrassed you and your ridiculous post on other blogs. How have mislead on what my own sites are.........I put those down as favorite news sites. I see you are from Louisiana, I spend quite a bit of time in that area myself, as my wife and twins live there. She was raised in Baton Rouge and lives in Luling. I can tell you that it speaks volumes of the type of person you are.

Paschen

at 09:04 on July 18th, 2008

Try to refer from getting personal, no matter how angry you are or how unjust this may seem to you, do not ever get personal nor insulting! René is doing her job! That is all!

Rene is great person and i am sure so are you!

And, you are doing yours! Try to find medium and keep it professional. Best for all and no one gets hurt or ends up saying any thing they may regret later!

All the best on your Article!

V_rod218813

at 09:13 on July 18th, 2008

I don't think they were personal attacks. I am sorry if you took it that way.

I was just referring to a post she made earlier, where she made a statement, which was proven baseless, and has not responded to.

And her being from Louisiana does say a lot about her views. I have spent quite a bit of time there, and half of my family is from that area, and I understand the views of the people in that area.

That is always I was getting across. I would never make a personal attack. I am not going to fault somebody for inexperience and education.

politisite

at 11:44 on July 18th, 2008

The year is 2008. The poll is nov 2006. I cannot find any raw data for the poll. Could you provide me with where that data may be found? Why is a poll with nice graphs from 2006 by groups with a political agenda have any crediability today?

Please also use the highlighter tool if you can, I am having problems figuring out what is you opinion and what it being editorializied. Others have made comments about your true location, are your really in country? If not please update your profile to reflect your true location.

Before we get out of hand

And her being from Louisiana does say a lot about her views. I have spent quite a bit of time there, and half of my family is from that area, and I understand the views of the people in that area.

NowPublic policy allows to disagree about what is written, it does not allow for being critical to a writer or commenter, especially stereotyping groups. Bottom line, concider how you wish to be treated and pass it on.

Thanks for your article. Looking forward to seeing more of your work here. Before you comment any further, please take a look at NowPublics Flaming Policy

V_rod218813

at 12:09 on July 18th, 2008

Ok, politisite, I will make this clear to you as well. What proof do you need? One, I don't see the need to prove my location to you people. But I am willing to, just so you can shut your mouths about it. How do I know you are in South Carolina? Would you care to provide evidence. I have yet to hear from Rene on how to prove my location. Do you have a mailing address, I can mail you a piece of paper if you would like? The only thing I would ask of you and Renee is that once I prove my location that you post formal apologies to me. Now I doubt you will respond to this, but there it is. Explain to me how what proof you want.

The comment concerning location is not without merit. I know sentiments of many people in that area. I have been there countless times and even have lived there. It is a statement I stand by.

V_rod218813

at 12:27 on July 18th, 2008

Here is the link. Yes it is on Think Progress, but it comes from World Public Opinion.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/06/16/world-trusts-ahmadinejad-more-than-bush-to-do-the-right-thing-regarding-world-affairs/

http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/?nid=&id=

I know it is old, but I still thought it pretty interesting and comical. If you don't like the piece or story, then don't read it or post a comment. I don't hide my political persuasions, I despise conservatives, especially neoconservatives.

politisite

at 12:30 on July 18th, 2008

I don't want you to be defensive about this issue. One of our best contributers said he was from the south pole for a year. Because we are a news site, when there is breaking news, if you are from Afghan, we can ask you for your take from your location. It is not a slam or for any other reason then it is helpful for our news site to know that your are there.

My location is a matter of public record as my corporation is here, a Google search shows over 800,000 hits for politisite. My sites have my address, telephone number etc. I am published in many sources other then NP.

I am not asking for any documentation, your word is enough. It has become a practice on some sites like, myspace for folks to put an obscure location. Thats all.

There is no reason for you to become defensive by a simple request.

My main issue with you is that you document your sources and not attack the users here on NP. We are a community that works together. Your work will be checked for legal reasons. we must maintain strict journalistic standards.

I am an editor here, It is my job to question and guide our users.

Thank You for your email. As I said, you are welcome here as long as you comply with the terms of service and Flaming policy. Please familiarize yourself with them as you will find NP a great place to write your stories. Now Public has helped me become a better writer.

Thanks

Albert N. Milliron

politisite

at 12:39 on July 18th, 2008

Most the the folks reponding to your article are no Conservatives or Neo-cons. Almost everyone who has posted here is polar opposite to my political beliefs. I DO NOT give GS flags just because someone is in agreement with my polical views. We do not devide that way here. we encourage diaologue. We do not allow flaming thats all. I will be reading your work as I love politics. You will do well to get to know the folks on this site as we all have expertise in many areas. Your location in the world and your expertise will help us all learn from you and your experiences.

jdt

at 13:34 on July 18th, 2008

Being disliked in world opinion speaks volumes to this observer. Remembering how the "world" reacted to their perception of Ronald Reagan as a senile bellicose fool - only for the clarification of history to demonstrate the vision, foresight and wisdom of the man.

While President Bush has been no Ronald Reagan, his firm stances when taken are exactly what have been needed. I only wish he was more strident in his positions even at the expense of being less likes by the hand wringing dithering observers of the world. Being right does not equate to being popular.