World Sees Vote As Bush Rebuke

Reaction To Midterm Election In Europe, Asia, Mideast: Bush Deserved It

(CBS/AP)  Strong Democratic gains in the U.S. elections were seen around the world as a potent rejection of the war in Iraq and the beginning of the end of Republican George W. Bush's presidency.

The Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives did not spark widespread fears of government paralysis in Washington, but some expected increasing pressure on Bush to alter course in Iraq and other policies.

The shift in power was also seen as a signal in some capitals that it was time to prepare for an eventual Democratic-led government, while others foresaw a greater emphasis on trade policy and human rights.

In Asia, across the Middle East and in Europe, the results were seen by many as a painful — and well-deserved — blow that left Bush significantly weakened for his remaining two years in office.

"Although his term will not end within the next year, I think Bush is already turning into a lame duck," Yuzo Yamamoto, 60, the manager of a Tokyo business consulting firm, said on Wednesday as the results emerged.

Amid widespread dissatisfaction with Bush, Democrats won control of the House and challenged Republican dominance in the Senate in midterm elections Tuesday. The next presidential election will be in November 2008.

As in the U.S., outside observers saw the bloodshed in Iraq as the major driving force behind the growing popularity of the Democrats. Anti-war sentiment was strong among Muslim countries and others such as France that opposed the Iraq invasion.

CBS News State Department reporter Charles Wolfson said that a Democratic win in either the House or the Senate — or both — would weaken Mr. Bush's leadership, and foreign leaders would take note.

"The calculus of foreign leaders everywhere will be to see weakness if the Democrats prevail and they'll act accordingly," said Wolfson, adding that Mr. Bush's weakness could add to the difficulty surrounding various pending international issues and negotiations.

CBS News correspondent Cami McCormick reports that the United States' Ambassador to Iraq was quick to come out Wednesday and tell the Iraqi people the election results wouldn't change the U.S. government's goal of defeating the bloody insurgency in their own country.

"Zalmay Khalilzad also said that President Bush will work with both houses of Congress with a mission to succeed," McCormick said.

Ambassador Khalilzad's reassurance may have fallen on largely disinterested ears however, given the response of some regular Iraqis to the election results.

McCormick says many of the people she spoke with seemed far more concerned with the many problems facing their own communities, and considered the Democrat's victory more of a U.S. domestic issue, unlikely to affect the reality on the ground in Iraq.

Several Iraqis did express hopes that the shift in power in Washington would bring a timetable for the withdraw of U.S. troops, and others told the Associated Press that they were just happy to see Mr. Bush party take a hit.

"Voters have punished the Republicans. They are not happy with the way the leadership has handled the Iraq war," said Chandra Muzaffar, president of the Malaysia-based think-tank, International Movement for a Just World.

Bush's foreign critics cheered in places including Vietnam — the site of an earlier American war in the 1960s and 70s — and Muslim-dominated countries.

"The Republicans lost in the election because the American voters are now fed up and bored with the war," said Vitaya Wisetrat, a prominent, anti-American Muslim cleric in Thailand. "The American people now realize that Bush is the big liar."

[sparkeee35]

I pray for our President every night...because he has a great responsibility. No matter what decision he makes...there will always be people out there who will have something to say...mostly negative. Because the press don't like to report on anything positive...so therefore all we ever get in the news...is negative news reports. Cause that's what sells...that's what they think their viewers want to see. Just when you think you have it bad in your life...turn on the tv...watching the news...will make you thankful & feeling blessed with what you have. The old saying...it can always get worse & being grateful for what you do have...always comes back to you...when watching the news. No matter who the President is...or who's in charge in Congress...we all need to say a prayer for all of those in government. Whether it be Republicans or Democrats. I love America...its the greatest country in the world. I support & love our troops.

[laurieleemoo]

Good morning Von---okay I will do that (email you)---I can't be on here much today either, but I will try to definitely email you later. Have a good one, Von.

[von293096]

Dear Ms. Moo

Hello, Von here. Wish I could join in but busy doing work. E-mail me as stated so I can discuss these issues later

thanks

[laurieleemoo]

OZILOT----Yoo Hoo......Stunning Victory you call it? You see, you democrats really ARE confused now aren't you. See, I knew that was the problem the whole time!
Just so you know darlin, its not really that the american people voted FOR the democrats, its just that they were voting AGAINST the Republicans. The american people have NOT EMBRACED the democratic party---if thats what you are thinking. The reality is...it was americans REJECTING the Republican Party. So, I wouldn't go counting your eggs before they HATCH darlin..... Further, it was not that you had all these DEMOCRATS coming out to VOTE that helped the democrats------it was the fact that 1/3 of the evangelic christians who normally vote republican were mad at the Republicans and made them PAY for some of the immorality that has reason taken place with a couple of our Republican leaders. So, it really was NOT the Iraq War that the american people were telling the Republicans they were fed up with----it was the MORALITY ISSUE that caused the Democrats to win----NOT the IRAQ WAR issue.
Even further still I would not call it a victory----because what did you really win??????

[tinker3478]

Liberal media? Everything in Texas is owned by republicans. Where are people still enlightened?

[arthurcl1]

Strong Democratic gains in the U.S. elections were seen around the world as a potent rejection of the war in Iraq and the beginning of the end of Republican George W. Bush's presidency.
Yahoo! The States have spoken! Look, now he replaces Rumsfield, just few weeks ago he was so pompous about him that he would be with him till the end. He never listens to anyone unless he is forced to!

[von293096]

Dear Ms. Moo

Due to the Term of using this website perhap We can talk more on this topic. E-mail Me at [e-mail].

von

[von293096]

good night Ms.Moo

Talk later soon

[laurieleemoo]

also good night to you KCHAFEY

[laurieleemoo]

okay von---gotta go now--can't wait any longer I am running late

[laurieleemoo]

kchafey---I think Bush got a little help from the liberal media in his not so favorable ratings----I don't think its his fault--I truly believe that if it were not for the liberal media---there would not be such a divide amongst americans. More than anyone in all this---I blame the media for all this propaganda which has caused hatred to spread throughout the world like a disease for the hate campaign against our president.

[kwch]

Ok so when you were saying to the rest of the people who may be democratic not to come to Florida because they were not welcome, you really meant except "Ft. Lauderdale".

Well thats the best place to visit anyway, *** sure ain't going to Brevard county!

[kwch]

And a republican stronghold does not mean a majority in your state support the president of this country. Matter of fact, there are NO states that he has a favorable approval rating!

Only the few odd wackos running around.

[laurieleemoo]

actually you would be right about s. florida being a democratic stronghold---but not the rest of Florida. So, I guess i can't say that you are actually wrong. However, for the past 14 years I know it has been a republican stronghold throughout Florida. I moved out of Broward County last year to Brevard County and we are greatly republican up here. I knew there was a reason I was so miserable is S. Florida as I'm pretty sure you are right about it being Democratic there for the most part. Things have change now!

[kwch]

Harbor Beach, right around the corner from the Yankee Clipper. Heard of it? 35 yrs.

[laurieleemoo]

kchafey----you are absoultely right about the 1st election with Al Gore---he technically should have won, I think. However, sometimes things work out for the best. The people of Florida obviously like the job he was doing as they DID actually vote him in the 2nd time.

Further, you really need to look at history and get your facts straight---Florida has always been a Republican stronghold. You could not possibly have been born there or you would KNOW that. You may live there---how long? Well, I've been here for 45 years now, born in Miami and raised in Ft. Lauderdale.

[kwch]

Laur I'm from Florida and first of all want to apologize to all reading that most in the state really do have much higher IQ's that this mental midget.

Buchannon was directly opposite Bush on the Palm Beach and Broward tickets in 2000. He received about 100 times the number of votes expected and even he said it must have been people voting for "the other guy". Meaning whoever was running against Bush which was really Gore. Thats not the fault of Bush and he rightfully won the state but if the ballots had been engineered properly, there never would have been any question as to Gore being the winner.

As far as recently, maybe republicans carried the state but look at the numbers. Don't think there are any landslides. Not all in your state are as ignorant as you.

[laurieleemoo]

Von293096---i have to go in a few minutes---so I'll talk to you tomorrow---see I can be nice when other people are----anyway, respond back momentarily if you can 'cause I really have to go soon, okay? okay

[laurieleemoo]

okay von---can i call you von?---Peace be with you (Truce). You want me to watch TV and listen to the radio---I do. However, did you hear about the independent group that did a study on all the news reported over the past year? They found that 88% of news reported about democrats by the liberal media was positive and that 77% of reports about republicans were negative. I think that pretty much proves that the media is liberal and that they are on a mission to BRAINWASH the american people. I voted for Al Gore in the 1st election against President Bush because I was brainwashed at the time by the media. I also have an open mind---so they were not able to keep me brainwashed against our president. I don't believe any of the things the say about him. I could not stand him based on what I was hearing from the media----however, I have learned that he is NOT the EVIL person the media makes him out to be. President Bush, while I do not agree with him on Illegal Immigration, the Dubai Port Deal and some other things---I REALIZE THAT HE IS A GOOD MAN! He is strong which some people find as obnoxious, but only because they are weak. That is usually how it works----weak people always hate someone who is strong.

[von293096]

Dear Ms. Moo

You call me Darling! I knew you had it in you.
Yes we are playing a game of who can win. But that is the problem here. It a game of mistrust and both the Democrats and Republicans are to blame for this. Listen to the radio and watch T.V and you can see all the time. Tell me Ms.Moo can I be your little Darling? Time For peace and to work together for our great country.