BBC poll: Planet Earth’s got a fee-vah and the only prescription is more Obama
posted at 1:25 pm on September 9, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Good news or bad news for McCain? As America’s critics abroad are forever reminding us, no one likes being told by foreigners what to do. And of course this plays into the Euro-elitist image the GOP likes to slap the Democrats with, which explains why The One didn’t get much mileage out of his address to the Teutonic masses in Berlin — or is it because every semi-sentient voter in America already realizes the world’s third-way socialists much prefer Lightworkers to old hawks growling about Iran? Ah well. Kerry naturally won this same poll by a huge margin four years ago and a fat lot of good it did him.
But 2008 ain’t 2004, needless to say.
All 22 countries covered in the poll would prefer to see Senator Obama elected US president ahead of Republican John McCain.
In 17 of the 22 nations, people expect relations between the US and the rest of the world to improve if Senator Obama wins…
The margin in favour of Senator Obama ranged from 9 per cent in India to 82 per cent in Kenya, while an average of 49 per cent across the 22 countries preferred Senator Obama compared with 12 per cent preferring Senator McCain. Some four in 10 did not take a view…
A similar BBC/Globescan poll conducted ahead of the 2004 U.S presidential election found that, of 35 countries polled, 30 would have preferred to see Democratic nominee John Kerry, rather than the incumbent George Bush, who was elected.
I know I’ve seen polls showing that Americans are concerned with the country’s image abroad but the best I could do after a bit of googling is this one from January taken by two nonprofits: “Overall, nearly nine in ten Americans (88 percent) believe that it is very important for other countries to have a favorable opinion of Americans. Women in particular (80 percent, as compared to 65 percent of men) are very or somewhat worried that the US is losing the trust and friendship of other countries.” Change consistently outpolls Experience as a desired commodity in the next president, too. Sarah Barracuda helps blunt Obama’s advantage on that, but this is the sort of thing that helps keep him in front. Four years ago, with Bush’s approval rating in the 50s and America still feeling defensive after 9/11, it was easy for independents to sneer at world opinion; after four more years of Iraq, I wonder if they’re still so inclined. (Says Gallup: Maybe!) Exit question one: To the extent anyone cares about this at all, how many hours will it be before it’s totally forgotten? 24? Six? Two? Exit question two: Given how other recent BBC world polls have gone, this almost amounts to a badge of honor, doesn’t it?
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I didn’t know AP had a sense of humor. Are you sure? I’ll have to analyze his posts much more carefully.
Loxodonta on September 9, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Anyone traveling abroad knows and has seen Anti-American people, no matter what the nationality is.
I don’t give two moose nuggets what they think of the United State. They don’t live here and I am just visiting.
upinak on September 9, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Let me think,oh yea,do I care what the hell europe thinks?
Marines for Mccain on September 9, 2008 at 2:12 PM
If Osama does that well in the polling there, just imagine how Susan Sarandon and Michael Moore would do? and the Dixie Chicks.
Marines for Mccain on September 9, 2008 at 2:15 PM
I don’t get it. Israel is the most hated country on Earth. It’s not like Israel discriminates, persecutes or beheads people based on ethnicity, class, religion or gender identification.
Apparently being Jewish trumps everything–in a bad way…
Ever since my bro was practically screaming at me about how the world hates us, I realized that I was in the minority. I don’t give a bleep what the world thinks, as if they are in a position to judge the US. It boils down to jealousy, ignorance and inbreeding.
My apologies to anyone who is offended–NOT.
Christine on September 9, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Wonderful, pack his butt up and send him to them.
rplat on September 9, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Because US foreign policy is best decided via world popularity contest AMIRIGHT?
Because letting potential enemies and competitors choose your leadership sounds like a great idea AMIRIGHT?
LIKE, TOTALLY.
The moronic naivete on display here is staggering.
TheUnrepentantGeek on September 9, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Let them eat cake…..
CynicalOptimist on September 9, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Did Gore vote. I miss seeing his puss up on HotAir. Richardson too. I think they’re the same guy, with and without a beard.
More Gore. More Richardson.
JiangxiDad on September 9, 2008 at 2:31 PM
I don’t trust these BS polls. Most of the rest of the world literally relies on Al-Reuters and Asshole Press for non-local news. Plus, I know East Europe and Africa likes America, at the very least. Japan and South Korea likely aren’t too far behind (especially Japan who soaks in American culture like a sponge).
Darth Executor on September 9, 2008 at 2:34 PM
I really doubt if the foreign participants in this survey have the best interests of America at heart.
In fact, it would be fair to say that they would cheer if we were humbled.
So, we are supposed to take their advice on whom to elect?
___________
RJGatorEsq. on September 9, 2008 at 2:36 PM
WTF? Every European paper I’ve read in the past 6 months is nothing but wall to wall Obama coverage. They are worse than our media. A British friend of mine emails once in while about how they are very interested in our elections, but get no information about McCain from their media. I was like, us too! Thank God we have the Internet and Fox News or McCain wouldn’t get spit over here for coverage until now. I’m still waiting for his reply about the Sarah Palin pick…
JAM on September 9, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Since the rest of the world is suddenly so interested in affecting what goes on in the US, would it be too much to ask for it to put on its big boy pants and start paying for its own military defense?
Cicero43 on September 9, 2008 at 2:36 PM
It takes a village to raise a child…
It takes a hack to organize a community…
It takes the world to elect the hack…
Can’t we just let the parents raise the damn child?
ynot4tony2 on September 9, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Obambi for president of the UN
Canadian Imperialist Running Dog on September 9, 2008 at 2:39 PM
In the competition to become the World Leader, The Culture to Lead All Cultures, The Country to Be Envied By All Other Countries, there are 2 strategies:
1. Work hard, be productive, get educated, invent new things, …
2. Get your competitors to screw-up. Electing an incompetent or two is an excellent tactic
Are the foreign poll results clear now?
Arbalest on September 9, 2008 at 2:41 PM
This reminds me of how Sarah Palin characterized Harry Reid’s view of John McCain: “He said, quote, “I can’t stand John McCain.” Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps no accolade we hear this week is better proof that we’ve chosen the right man. Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can’t stand up to John McCain.”
dont taze me bro on September 9, 2008 at 2:45 PM
God, that’s getting old.
Spanglemaker on September 9, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Fine, BBC. Next, let’s take a poll of known terrorists. What do you think the results would be and will you have the manbulbs to publish them?
whitetop on September 9, 2008 at 2:50 PM
How would all these others react, those whose opinions are so astute and valuable, if we weighed in about Gordon Brown, Yugo Chavez and/or whoever is in power at this moment in India or Kenya?
They’d tell us to keep our ignorant yaps shut.
Same to ya, world-people.
MrScribbler on September 9, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Of course they want us to elect Obama. This is like Ford praying that General Motors hires the dopey nephew of the old CEO to run their business into the ground so they can look better and feel better about themselves.
Tell ya what, world… YOU can have Obama to lead your governments. Hell, he’s already familiar with the concepts of your socialism and communism.
Texas Rainmaker on September 9, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Yeah, if I lived in a country that used to be the seat of a world empire (take your pick) and now had to sit on the sidelines as a footnote in the history books, I too might hope they’d elect someone of like mind who doesn’t like America either.
saint kansas on September 9, 2008 at 2:55 PM
This isnt their country, who gives a rats ass what they think
Viper1 on September 9, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Sure, they just never have to worry about what happens when terrorists have WMD’s or plan terror attacks while camping out in everyones back yard.
Thats not just because he’s black, India knows what having nukes is like, and what it’s like for your neighbor to have nukes.
Obama can not or WILL NOT prohibit other countries, terror sponsors, from getting nukes.
MCCAIN CAN.
shooter on September 9, 2008 at 3:13 PM
That poll tells me one thing; every foreign nation realizes that Obama is incompetent. With a weak President that will cater to the wishes of the UN and European elites, they know they can walk all over him and bring the downfall of America that much closer.
Let’s all be honest here. The other nations of the world don’t want someone else to be more powerful, rich or productive. They want to bring us down so that they will gain by our losses. The only time we are ever favorably viewed is when we save someone’s bacon from the fire with our military. We can donate billions in aid to other countries, develop cures for diseases, create technologies that enrich the world, espouse mankinds’ rights and freedoms, but all we ever hear is how hated we are by all the other nations.
Maybe we should be isolationalists; using our own oil, protecting our borders with lethal means, and keeping all of our food and materials that we produce (helium, concrete, steel, beef, corn, wheat, uranium, etc.). We’d probably lead much happier lives not having to worry about our troops being sent across the world or political problems in other lands. When the world comes crying to us about needing protection from China or Russia, we’ll just shrug and say, “Not our problem, mate”.
Geministorm on September 9, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Of course the rest of the world prefers Obama! He’ll do whatever they tell him to do and can do anything they want to. We’re the only country standing in any dictator’s way (See Russia in Georgia).
Europe absolutely hates that the US is the world’s only superpower, that we’re their only defense, and that their people always adopt our culture. Sour grapes really.
That said, when I was in London and France this summer, I found almost everyone very friendly and the Brits very pro-US.
Common Sense on September 9, 2008 at 3:18 PM
For people claim to not give a sh*t what other countries think of American affairs, this really seems to be upsetting you all a great deal.
But I guess the fact that the rest of the world wants Obama is hard for you to believe.
Nothing like a bunch of chest beating to make yourselves feel better eh.
Dave Rywall on September 9, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Chest beating?
Looks like Harper and company are about to do a little bit of liberal beating. Eh?
coldwarrior on September 9, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Chest beating?
Looks like Harper and company are about to do a little bit of liberal beating. Eh?
coldwarrior on September 9, 2008 at 3:26 PM
————
Sorry, make that chest beating and off-topic trolling.
Dave Rywall on September 9, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Leftists and Islamists want Obama. Shocka!
Connie on September 9, 2008 at 3:32 PM
They wanted Kerry, too. And that’s what did him in.
Connie on September 9, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Let these nations start taking care of themselves if that’s their attitude. Then we can balance the budget. When McCain and Palin win, America wins.
Travis1 on September 9, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Not at all. The more it happens, the worse for your camp. Have at it. Promote it.
Oh, I’ve always believed it. That’s why I love it so much.
Entelechy on September 9, 2008 at 3:48 PM
From my experience traveling overseas, most people get their information about the U.S. from CNN. Last time I was in Asia, the person I was working with asked why everyone in the U.S. hates Bush.
FWIW, most people I have encountered overseas like Americans, but don’t like our government. The feelings are less strong when a Dem is in control, because then they feel the U.S. is more in tune with their socialist ways.
Snidely Whiplash on September 9, 2008 at 3:54 PM
OOPS! Sorry, wrong polling question. It should have been “Would you vote for Obama to run YOUR country?”
Catseye on September 9, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Sorry, make that chest beating and off-topic trolling.
Dave Rywall on September 9, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Trolling?
Davie, baby, you were an insufferable bore over at CQ…and yet you persist in trying to pretend gravitas here?
What’s your point, mon petit cochon?
coldwarrior on September 9, 2008 at 3:59 PM
But in the case of Mexico, one of the 22 countries polled, thats not strictly true.
aengus on September 9, 2008 at 4:02 PM
This is the BEST argument against world government there can possibly be. The answer to all the world’s problems (according to foreigners) is 1 SOCIALISM 2 WELFARE 3 THE US REDUCED TO THIRD WORLD STATUS. Obama will accomplish all three.
MaiDee on September 9, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Look for the DummyRats to push legislation allowing VoIP voting so that foreigners can completely wreck our civic process.
Oh THATS RIGHT! I forgot they already do that with open borders. Ok, Revise and Extend…Look for Juan McCain and the DummyRats to push legislation allowing VoIP voting….
Western_Civ on September 9, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Obama for God-Emperor of the world.
m064404 on September 9, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Should these polled get their way, they’d be shooting themselves in the foot. The One will lower our standard of living, and the rest of the world depends on a strong US economy – they lose.
Then when they have trouble with the bullies in the world, where will they turn if Obambi has decimated the military and disheartened the troops?
What country spends zillions on entertainment? On technology? On medical research? Who does the world turn to when there is a natrual disaster? Weaken the US and literally, the whole world suffers, and they know it.
This is why I too don’t give a rat’s behind what the world thinks about our election. They want a loser, then they can elect one – oops, many already have!
InTheBellyoftheBeast on September 9, 2008 at 5:51 PM
I don’t give a crap what other countries think. And besides, consider the sources of what they consider the news to be in other parts of the world as it’s filtered by CNN.
tx2654 on September 9, 2008 at 5:52 PM
It won’t matter once the Large Hadron Collider comes on line!
/runs screaming
Wyznowski on September 9, 2008 at 5:59 PM
These are the same imbeciles that hated Reagan.
marklmail on September 9, 2008 at 6:03 PM
hey, just got back from Ireland, they like the Americans over there, and probably follow the political race closer than some Americans do. The funny thing is, the rational people over there want Mac-Daddy to win, while the lunatics think Obam-er (in the irish accent) would be great for the world, “he just doesn’t look as old as the other guy…” and I quote…
righthanddrive on September 9, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Yes, let’s hear from the “respondents.” In case you want tabular results for this survey, here’s your population cuts.
Australia - Drunkards overbaking in the sun (pro McCain when sober)
Brazil - Stupid 24/7 partiers
Canada - Socialists cowering from Islamonazis
China - Free assembly crushers
Egypt - Muslim Brotherhood founders
France - Surrender Monkeys
Germany - Let’s not go there
India - Outsource funnel of the West
Indonesia - Wahabbi wannabees
Italy - Momma’s boys
Kenya - Christians living in fear of Muslim death squads
Lebanon - see above
Mexico - Waiting for the next Democrat sponsored bailout
Nigeria - Thug State
Panama - Cartel Consortia looking for “open” markets
Philippines - How soon will they want the US Navy back, I wonder
Poland - I highly doubt they want Obama
Russia - Thugocracy
Singapore - Chinese stooge state
Turkey - near sharia law state
UAE - fat bacon greasy potentates, pretending to live under sharia
Britain - hoping to someday live under sharia
United States – politically correct on the outside, anti-socialist on the inside
Western_Civ on September 9, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Out of the total of 23,531 people surveyed that hate the US, 23,528 would/will/are planning to sell their kidneys/children/soul to live there. The other 3 are too lazy to bother.
nottakingsides on September 9, 2008 at 6:56 PM
**yawn**
Did I miss something important?
Hog Wild on September 9, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Hey! Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Mountbatten-Windsor is no powdernose. During WWII at the tender age of nineteen,
There’s a lovely photo on that page showing her in coveralls, changing a truck tire. Even now, at the age of 82, she still drives a Jeep around on her estates.
And although she’s probably never bagged a moose, I’m willing to bet she’s put away more than a few deer, grouse, partridge, random waterfowl, etc. The British aristocracy (what’s left of them, anyway) are some of the most enthusiastic hunters on the planet, so it’s probably not true to say she “wouldn’t even know how to load a rifle.” So don’t you be dissin’ Lizzie, my friend! :-)
Mary in LA on September 9, 2008 at 7:23 PM
If they like him so much, they can have him.
madmonkphotog on September 9, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Barack Obama is like soccer to Americans. Ya, it’s the world’s favorite and yes, a lot of kids are sucked into it when they’re young. But once we grow up and start thinking for ourselves, we reject and make fun of it. Soccer, ie Obama will never catch on in America.
hot-heir on September 9, 2008 at 9:36 PM
I’m sorry, what were we talking about?
FDNY All gave some
Some gave all
slackerjpt on September 9, 2008 at 10:00 PM
These important folks have a suggestion for placing your vote correctly as well.
http://www.metimes.com/International/2008/09/05/mccain-palin_ticket_chills_arabs_muslims/8625/
BL@KBIRD on September 9, 2008 at 10:07 PM
I think we’re definitely in a place now where we DO need to be concerned about how the rest of the world views us. Now more than ever as globalization, world trade, and blurred borders become the ways of the day, and the necessity of the future, it to me becomes plainly evident that America’s credibility is as important as its credit worthiness.
America cannot afford to isolate itself with overly hawkish views on foreign matters. I’m not saying McCain can’t improve our standing in the world (as these polls suggest)…but the days of not caring what European and other world nations think of us must be left in the past. In the 40′ and 50’s we could afford to be almost isolationist, we were virtually self sufficient economically. The events of the cold war drew western Europe closer together, and us closer to western Europe…The fall of communism opened up a whole bloc of the world, and now the internet has put it all at our fingertips.
As we move more and more towards a global community, the role of Biggest kid in the sandbox is beginning to become more of a liability than it is an asset.
I also just have to say as a side note, I find it very humorous that anything European is instantly labeled “Elitist” by many in America…on both sides of the aisle, admittedly, but certainly less from the left.
There are many “small towns” all across Europe…there is a huge amount of farming…if not where would they get their food? There is construction, there are roads to be maintained, restaurants to work at, trains and buses to operate. I think many of us over here have this view of crusty old liberal bankers sitting at the opera discussing the strengths of Socialism over cigars and brandy. Obviously this is not the case for the pig farmers of Ireland, the grape growers in Germany’s Mosel valley, the scaffolding of London, and the grocery clerk in Prague.
I’m not saying they are correct in their assumption that the best thing for America OR their little slice of the world is Obama, but I do think that world opinion of a potential leader can no longer be cast aside when there is so much at stake in maintaining fragile economic,diplomatic and political alliances. For instance, look how our relationship with France has improved with Sarkozy, and how the entire world is now pulling their money out of an increasingly nationalistic climate in Russia. World opinion matters more now than it used to…I guess that’s kind of the long story short way to put it.
beefytee on September 10, 2008 at 10:48 AM
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