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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Steeny who wrote (83519)	3/18/2003 7:15:15 PM
From: Jacob Snyder	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

3/10-17/03 Survey: America's Image Further Erodes, Europeans Want Weaker Ties people-press.org Anti-war sentiment and disapproval of President Bush's international policies continue to erode America's image among the publics of its allies. U.S. favorability ratings have plummeted in the past six months in countries actively opposing war France, Germany and Russia as well as in countries that are part of the "coalition of the willing." In Great Britain, favorable views of the U.S. have declined from 75% to 48% since mid-2002. In Poland, positive views of the U.S. have fallen to 50% from nearly 80% six months ago; in Italy, the proportion of respondents holding favorable views of the United States has declined by half over the same period (from 70% to 34%). In Spain, fewer than one-in-five (14%) have a favorable opinion of the United States. Views of the U.S. in Russia, which had taken a dramatically positive turn after Sept. 11, 2001, are now more negative than they were prior to the terrorist attacks. Among possible coalition countries, majorities oppose joining the U.S. to take action against Iraq to end Saddam Hussein's rule. Even in Great Britain, a 51% majority opposes war. Among the unwilling allies, there is also virtually no potential support for a U.S.- led military effort. But ironically, most publics surveyed think that in the long run the Iraqi people will be better off and the Middle East will be more stable if Iraq is disarmed and Hussein is removed from power. More than seven-in-ten of the French (73%) and Germans (71% ) see the Iraqi public benefiting. Only in Russia and Turkey is there significant pessimism that war may worsen conditions in the region. More generally, criticisms of U.S. foreign policy are almost universal. Overwhelming majorities disapprove of President Bush's foreign policy and the small boost he received in the wake of Sept. 11 has disappeared. As a consequence, publics in seven of the eight nations surveyed believe that American policies have a negative effect on their country. Only the British are divided on the impact of American foreign policy on their country. While critics of America's foreign policies mostly blame the president, rather than America more generally, the poll finds strong support for the idea that Western Europe should take a more independent approach to security and diplomatic affairs. Majorities in four of five Western European countries surveyed hold this opinion, and a 48% plurality in Great Britain agrees. In the U.S., by contrast, 62% believe diplomatic and security ties with Western Europe should remain as close as they have been.

To: Steeny who wrote (83519)	3/18/2003 8:52:07 PM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

The Neocons have pulled the Republican party so far to the right that everyday Republicans & swingvoters are becoming disaffected. Well, we really shouldn't, but why argue the war when it starts in 23 hours and 20 minutes. John and I do a lot of talking about what we call "Technical Politics." It is a way to discuss politics without getting hot under the collar. The Dems have moved to the left as they lost their moderate seats in the House and Senate to the Repubs. That's normal. John and I tend to agree that, barring a "Whoops," the war will decide the next President. If you want to get excited about a particular candidate, fine, but it won't make any difference. Any Dem will win if we are in a mess, no Dem can win if things have gone well. The Senate seats that are up tend to favor the Repubs. The House won't change hands, could go a couple of seats either way. Again, that depends on the war. The House seats are so structured by the States that only a few seats are competitive. Where John and I tend to disagree is the way the Technical types, like Rove, will "position" their parties. I see it as a race of "Issues" vs "Values." The Dems will run on issues: Medicare, Health care, Social Security, etc. All the typical social programs that they feel got them and kept them in power. The Repubs will run on values: Truth, Justice, the American Dream. All those "Icky" things the left hates to talk about, and does not believe motivate the voter. I think the Repubs are on to something. TWT.