World Sees Vote As Bush Rebuke

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

(CBS/AP)  Echoing sentiment expressed by many opponents of the war, Indonesian lawmaker Ahmad Sumargono hoped that the results would prompt a reassessment of American policies in Iraq and elsewhere. Others speculated that Democrats would use their power over legislative committees to press for change.

In Europe, where public sentiment ran strong against the 2003 invasion of Iraq despite the support of some governments there, many were gratified by the evidence of a turn in U.S. voter sentiment.

"You can't fool everybody all the time — and I think that's what Bush and his administration are learning today," said Jean-Pierre Charpemtrat, a 53-year-old teacher in Paris.

People across the Mideast reacted swiftly the results, saying Bush was now paying the price for a profoundly failed policy.

"The security and political situation of America in Iraq is very bad because of the mistakes of Bush's administration, and this popular reaction means many pressures on the presidency in the next two years," said Kuwaiti political analyst Abdul-Ridha Aseeri.

The prospect of a sudden change in American foreign policy could be troubling to U.S. allies — such as Britain, Japan and Australia — that have thrown their support behind the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Still, it was unclear whether there would be a major shift in Iraq, in part because the Democrats have not come ahead with a clear action plan, said Michael McKinley, a political science professor at the Australian National University.

"There would have been some concern in policy making circles here if the Democrats had said, 'We are definitely going to withdraw by Christmas,"' McKinley said. "But they're not able to say that."

U.S. policy on North Korea, which angered the world by testing a nuclear device on Oct. 9, is high on the agenda in Asia. Despite the test, Pyongyang has pledged to return to stalled six-nation talks on its weapons program.

While some in South Korea have speculated that a Democratic victory could erode Bush's hard-line approach toward Pyongyang, others were skeptical.

Kim Tae-woo, a North Korea expert at the Seoul-based Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said Bush was unlikely to make radical changes in his policy in his final two years in office, particularly since the North was not a major campaign issue.

In China, the resurgence of the Democrats raised fears of renewed U.S. concern over human rights and trade and labor issues. China's surging economy has a massive trade surplus with the United States.

"The Democratic Party ... will protect the interests of small and medium American enterprises and labor and that could produce an impact on China-U.S. trade relations," Zhang Guoqing of the state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said in a report on Sina.com, one of China's most popular Internet portals.

The Japanese government said the results would not change Tokyo's warm ties with Washington.

But the shift in favor of the Democrats was expected to complicate Japan's diplomatic approach to the U.S. For years, the Japanese have been able to successfully woo Bush's White House, knowing that the Republican Congress would largely follow its lead.

[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.