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About Bush's farewell tour in Europe; he seems to be getting a lot of things accomplished, among them more sanctions on Iran, investment in Iraq, and more help in Afghanistan. Gee, I thought he was hated the world over. ::)
The rise of Sarkozy certainly helped Bush. It might also be the case that some Europeans are realizing that Bush isn't the warmonger they thought he was. One thing he is not good at is marketing himself or the message he wants to portray, so this hurts him abroad. In contrast, Bill Clinton and Obama seem to be all about marketing their images.
The rise of Sarkozy certainly helped Bush. It might also be the case that some Europeans are realizing that Bush isn't the warmonger they thought he was. One thing he is not good at is marketing himself or the message he wants to portray, so this hurts him abroad. In contrast, Bill Clinton and Obama seem to be all about marketing their images.
With little substance to either of Obama's or Clinton's message.
It might also be the case that some Europeans are realizing that Bush isn't the warmonger they thought he was.
Could be that, but it could also be because they now realize Bush was right all along. I only closely follow the news from one other country besides the U.S., so I can't say this is the general sentiment of Europe, but there does seem to be some disappointment in Obama winning the ticket. Europeans appear to have preferred Hillary because of her husband. (and perhaps because her socialism fits in so well with them)
I know that when I was in Germany last year for Vacation everyone in my wifes family kept asking me if I was going to vote for Hillary, they had assumed I was a democrat because I married a German. Imagine their shock when I let it slip that I was a conservative and wild horse couldn't get me to vote for a Democrat. I though my mother-in-law was going to have a heart attack.
I thought that Germans were all ga-ga over Obama, proclaiming him the new JFK or something like that. It really bothers me when I hear things about how Europeans perceive the American election. They take a different set of values – culturally, politically, economically – in their approach than Americans do so it's really somewhat pointless to find out what they think as a means of swaying the vote here in the U.S.It's like I can say that I wanted Sarkozy to win the French election, but that doesn't mean that I should be interviewed by a French paper to give my opinion. It might be interesting to the French to hear my opinion but beyond that it shouldn't be given much weight in France.
I actually got a little offended over the people blatantly trying to influence my vote for the leader of MY country. I asked them if I should then campaign for Merkel, they said no, that would be intruding on their prerogative. But had no answer when I asked them if so, why can you try to tell me how vote? They said that America was so powerful they thought they deserved a say as well. All I could do was laugh in their face. I thought oh well, there some birthday parties I won't be invited to.
scout and Phid, I agree with your points completely. As far as influencing MY vote, well, they ain't living here, I am. However, I think we should keep in mind that the presidency of the United States affects the whole world. So in that aspect, Europeans (or Asians or anybody's) opinions are valid. But I wouldn't go so far as to say they deserve an opinion.Chavez is horrible, but are any of his policies really affecting our lifestyle? Yet a horrible U.S. president with bad economic or foreign policies will definitely affect the lifestyle of a German or a Brit.
Yet a horrible U.S. president with bad economic or foreign policies will definitely affect the lifestyle of a German or a Brit.
But these facts are irrelevant to me personally in deciding who gets my vote. I am a citizen of the US, not the world. In this respect, among others, the rest of the world can go hang. ;D
Chavez is horrible, but are any of his policies really affecting our lifestyle? Yet a horrible U.S. president with bad economic or foreign policies will definitely affect the lifestyle of a German or a Brit.
Actually, Chavez' actions probably are affecting our lifestyles. Venezuela is one of the top oil producers for the United States. Friendlier relations with Venezuela could create a climate in which oil supply is increased and the price brought down.
