President Bush's Bad Reputation

Around The World, People See The President As An Extension Of America's Arrogance

(CBS)  Just back from Southeast Asia, President George W. Bush will travel to the Middle East this week. But wherever he goes, Bush encounters hostility.

In Southeast Asia, Bush tried very hard to win over his hosts. He played native instruments, watched native dancers and even tried on native clothes. But Bush's earthy diplomacy conducted mid-munch at the G-8 Summit in July or his unsolicited shoulder rub of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, hasn't played well around the world.

From Britain to China, Bush is the "go-it-alone cowboy" to much of the world, leading the United States in the direction he wants, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

"He is too arrogant about the image of the U.S in the world," a young man in Beijing China told CBS White House correspondent Jim Axelrod.

The natural extension of this negative view of Bush in the eyes of the world is a negative view of the U.S. That view is not just isolated to the Muslim world, where 30 percent of Indonesians and Egyptians polled had a negative opinion of the U.S., but to 23 percent of people in Spain. Less than 50 percent of those polled in France, Germany, Russia and China had favorable opinions of the U.S.

Andrew Kohut, who conducts the annual Pew Institute Global Attitudes Survey — a study of anti-Americanism in 16 nations -- says the study shows broad dislike driven by the war on terror.

"This sounds very strange to an American ear but when we go out and we question people, the depths of concern about American policies put us on a plane with the real bad guys of the axis of evil," he said.

"The United States is seen as conducting a unilateral foreign policy. There's resentment and suspicion in American power now that America has been on the defensive in the war on terror — "go it alone" at a time when America is unrivaled militarily. Many people around the world think Americans do what they can do, what they want to do, and they're not taking into account our interests or the interests of other people."

Anti-Americanism isn't static. In Asia, America's image rose markedly after U.S. aid poured in following the 2004 tsunami. It isn't permanent, either. Just five years ago, for instance, international opinions of the U.S. were much more sympathetic. Many people around the world wanted to help the United States after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

The president would argue that those attacks changed everything, but world opinion is a bit more discerning. Polls show that in much of the rest of the world, there was general approval for one part of Bush's response to 9/11; The war in Afghanistan made sense and seemed proportionate. But Iraq is a different story in the eyes of the world, said London School of Economics professor John Cox.

"I don't think there's much recuperable there," Cox said, "until the situation in Iraq is recovered and we have a new president in the White House. It is very difficult to think of a fundamental renaissance, if you like, happening without it."

Polls suggest that humility would most help America's image, something espoused by then-Governor Bush as a candidate for President in 2000.

"If we're an arrogant nation they'll resent us," he said then. "If we're a humble nation but strong, they'll welcome us. Our nation stands alone right now in terms of power. And that's why we've got to be humble. One way for us to end up being viewed as the 'Ugly American' is for us to go around the world saying, 'We do it this way, so should you.'"

[news3497]

President Cowboy is the worst thing to ever happen to the U.S. We need a president who thinks and acts globally, not unilaterally.

[revdanbar]

My vote would be for a humanitarian president. One who puts human values first. We should have regard for every person and not just "American lives". Bullys are never liked and everyone likes to see them fall.

[doctordonut-2009]

One can only hope that the next president that we elect can repair the damage that has been done:

http://www.theweeklydonut.org/index.php/2006/11/22/how-can-one-not-think-dumb-***/

[aeasus]

LOOK!!!

http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

We are mortgaging several generations of americans to finance Bush's war.

[marcelde]

What happened to the "Compassionate Conservative" ?

[ozonmojo]

This stuff is pure Bush-bashing drivel.The hostility against the President has been almost exclusively from the terrorist backing Muslims.

[jw218389]

Just remember 64% of Americans hate him too!

It's just as absurd as hating the Cuban people for Castro's rule.

The USA is under the control of a war profiteer and our Constitution and our beliefs have been perverted in order to allow a few large companies (Halliburton, etc...) to profit from their ties with the Bush presidency.

Don't judge Americans by George W. Bush!!

[ocean219]

I'm ashamed to admit that bush politics is embarrasing, I hope before he leaves office he can justify all the lives that were lost in this Misguided, Mismanaged, Misled War. When the USA forces that are sacrificing thier lives leave iraq, then this nation will realize how seriously flawed was his leadership qualities.

The leaders are truly leading from the rear.

[rharrin1]

ozonmojo

I am an american and this is not bush bashing it is called telling the truth. Maybe you should try it sometime.
I saw through this idiot before he stole the oval office the first time.

[ocean219]

intelligent Leadership is a quality not a political party.

[jn122736]

Most of the world understands our system for electing and rejecting our leaders and blamed our president as an individual for his conduct during his fist term.
However after re-electing him in 2004, possible voting fraud notwithstanding, America became fully complicity in everything he did in his first term and later in his second term. We have no one to blame but our selves.
As I have said before, I didn%u2019t vote for him in either election, But America is now responsible and as an American that includes me. We made a good start in the 2006 midterm elections, but only a start.
To regain our hard-earned world respect we must return to acting responsibly and respectfully.
The same holds true for our policies at home, which may prove much harder to achieve than foreign policy change. The biggest rotten apple in the political election barrel is the Hugh amounts of money donated by large corporations.

Since the Supreme Court has ruled that corporations have the same rights to donate as individual voters the only way to change that ruling is by constitutional amendment. And since corporations practically own our representatives any such amendment may not be possible, unless voters are allowed to initiate an amendment by gathering sufficient numbers of signatures without congressional approval. I don%u2019t know if that is allowed or not.

[flyboy737-2009]

Better a Cowboy than a Wussy!!!!

[ionutcelgroaznic]

After you invade a country to take its oil for rebuilding what you destroyed, and then lie a whole world about the war on terror which had nothing to do with terrorist until now.I think 9/11 smell fishy, and statisticaly speaking is more probabile that internal people were involved.If the air pilots were terrorist I don't see why congressmen and others are not.What stops them?The white herritage?Don't forget Irland and its white terrorist.


p.s.Go see Borat and world manipulation.Our nation is in great danger and we face great challanges and sacrifice(and in my mind "God forgive me cause I've sinned but what a hell who believes in God anyway.I'm the God here ,I have the ultimate power, I can go to Mars")

Regardless of how Mr Bush became president, regardless of what we think of him, the fact is he is the face and voice of America.

We (all of us) are being judged by his performance, and it's an ego driven, alpha male, I'm the only one who is correct voice. We will be paying finacially and standing wise in the eyes of the rest of the world for many years for Mr Bush's actions.

Those who think that how we are viewed by the rest of the world seem to ignore that the world has changed, look at our trading partners (and if you don't know who they are simply look at where all the items we use daily are from) We need good relations and the respect of the worlds countries just to continue offering what we have here.

On CBS Sunday Morning today there was an interesting bit of information. We spend 139 million on the Peace Corps we spend Billions to wage war. Is this what we want to be known for.

The promised investigations of the Bush administration must begin. We must show the world we are not all of the same mold.

Being a Vietnam vet I supprot our tropps and people, but that does not mean I have to support or President or his self made policies. It's time to look in the mirror, we elected Mr. Bush or we allowed him to be elected by not voting or believed the lies he presented.

As long as we are not respected by our neighbors around the world, America will never be a safe country.

[barbarast59]

It is the fault of every american. We think we do good by voting and then we sit back and let our favorite candidate do as he pleases. People need to get up and become proactive. Take an hour a week and check their voting records and see what is coming up for a vote. Then you need to let your senator or congressman know how you feel on the matter. If they repeatedly vote against their campaign promises get active and vote them out in the next election. Sorry America, but we can no longer trust a man on his word. We need to be sure his word and way stay straight and hold them accountable.

[frankly6]

Wow Bush's 2000 election speach rings so true now:



"If we're an arrogant nation they'll resent us," he said then. "If we're a humble nation but strong, they'll welcome us. Our nation stands alone right now in terms of power. And that's why we've got to be humble. One way for us to end up being viewed as the 'Ugly American' is for us to go around the world saying, 'We do it this way, so should you.'"

[cbgb31]

President Bush is the only leader in the world that has stood up to Islamic radicalism and terrorism and called it what it is; evil.

[jw218389]

G.W. Bush is to the US as Fidel Castro is to Cuba.

Arrogant, out of touch, and illegally "elected".

Thank God we are finally waking up and seeing Bush/Cheney for the war profiteers they really are.

Bush is as divisive as any leader can be and he cannot lead effectively when the entire world (including 64% of our population) HATES him.

He needs to resign...

[book54552134]

The major problem this Administration is having worldwide as well as in this country is that nothing they say can be trusted as being truthful. Few, (other than those on the Extremist Right who are often extremely partisan,) are appreciative of the fictitious stories advanced & promoted by this Administration at the UN prior to the US invasion of Iraq. Sadly, this mistrust will continue worldwide for many years to come regardless of who winds up in the Whitehouse in 2009.

[lebaneseamir]

I used to watch WWE as a young 14 year old and had wondered what would happen if Stone Cold Steve Austin was elected President. The whole "Austin 3:16 says Stone Cold would whup your ***". Wonder no more. Who would have figured we'd elect him a couple of years later? What I'm saying is this: This arrogance is nice to watch on Monday nights on USA, not on CNN, Fox News, and countless newspapers and lose sleep on.

[ceekuei]

Bush is a fraud and a phony. The fact that he could be "elected" into office, not once but twice, is dramatic proof of the American voting public gullibility bordering on stupidity. If he is synonymous with American values, brother, we are in trouble! Bush in an anomaly of the worst kind. A rich kid with no personal achievement that he could call his own; a draft dodger, inexperience, incompetent and full of himself. How the heck he managed to sell the voting public on his "abilities" to govern and manage would be a lesson to everyone, especially the next generation. When a fool can fool everyone not once, not twice, but three times, who then is the greater fool? In case you wonder; the first was the first election, the second was the second election, and the third was the invasion of Iraq.

[gladys_over]

The arrogant Bush has flunked the "global test," and America's reputation in the world is very much worse off for it.

"No president, though all of American history, has ever ceded, and nor would I, the right to preempt in any way necessary to protect the United States of America. But if and when you do it, Jim, you have to do it in a way that passes the test, that passes the global test where your countrymen, your people understand fully why you're doing what you're doing and you can prove to the world that you did it for legitimate reasons."

John Kerry, in his debate with Bush, at Coral Gables, 9/30/2004

[Don't blame me. I voted for Kerry/Edwards.]

[gr8fulguy]

The sad thing about Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld is that they think they are the only one's that know what is best for this country and the rest of the world. Even after they are thankfully out of office in 2009, they will still think they are right and everyone else is wrong and will insist that the media caused them to fail because the media distorted the facts about Iraq and Afghanistan and made everyone believe the failures of this administrations are Bush's fault. This story could easily be call the 3 Blind Mice.

The damage this president has done to our country in every way will take decades to reverse.

Iraq is in a shambles and Afghanistan isn't much better. The Soviets failed in Afghanistan and lost 18,000 soldiers before they got out. How many Americans will die before we wake up and get out of Iraq and Afghanistan?

[gladys_over]

In Kerry's "global test," the word "global" was clearly used in the sense of "comprehensive."

The arrogant Bush gang deliberately conflated it with the other meaning of the word, referring to the Globe of the earth, and cynically twisted its meaning into: "I'll get the permission of France before I defend America."

That was more than a distortion; it was an outright lie.

They never quoted the first part: "No president, though all of American history, has ever ceded, and nor would I, the right to preempt in any way necessary to protect the United States of America."

The arrogant Bush gang are a pack of liars.

[nothappyatall]

Yeah Bush FLUNKED in every way, ratings, scores, his "victory" in Iraq his "plan" everything. We are rocketing to bankruptcy at $2 billion a week with
this Iraq fiasco he created, our national debt has DOUBLED from 5 to 10 trillion dollars in just the 6 years this moron and his regime have been in power.
5 trillion dollars squandered on Iraq with no end in sight, imagine what 5 trillion dollars could have done, how about CANCER and heart disease research to save lives with CURES? Medical care for all which we "couldn't afford" but we were somehow able to cough up 5 trillion bucks on an illegal ill conceived war!
How about homes for all the homeless people living in cardboard boxes in parks and the street? Job training? How about a novel idea like one trillion dollars invested into REAL alternative energy development so we get off the oil in the first place so we arent held hostage?
That is right, it will take decades to undo what this moron did and that 5 trillion will NEVER be paid off it will only grow out of control.

[nothappyatall]

Wasnt it Cheney who was the CEO of Haliburton? now there's a real position of power to make yourself rich and hide it away in a secret Swiss bank account.

[elgraz]

Bush is an idiot Texan just like Johnson.......arrogant and stupid..........not a
good combination for a president. He should get another job.

[elgraz]

Resign ??? he can't even pronoun the word......just like nucular or is it nuclear..They must grow them stupid in Texas.

[elgraz]

Save us Jesus save us !!!!!!!!!!!

[elgraz]

You are right on newster 1 !!!!!!!!!

[elgraz]

What do you think Kerry would have done? I think not any better. He was/is another jerk. We need a Rudy Giuliani to kick *** !!!

[elgraz]

Sorry, to kick arse.

[radiob-2009]

We are currently engaged in two wars and as a nation our divided.The war in Afghansitan is one that most people are united on.It was and remains a justified war.Iraq is what has divided this country the most.There are two books written by republicans and never rebuked that provide some insight as to how we arrrived in Iraq.AGAINST ALL ENEMIES and THE PRICE OF LOYALTY.Unfortunately they do not provide us with definitive answers.I am not a fan of Bush,I am a independent and I have read post and posted myself on alot of subjects.It is past time for blame,it is time for the US to find a way to end the bloodshed in Iraq.It is also time for the Iraqi people to stand together.People can sit and bash or praise Bush all they want.They can call for impeachment however at this point in time one has to ask before proceeding with impeachment will you be happy with the succesor?Do you even know who would succeed Bush/Cheney? If you do would you want that person running this country for the next two years?I beleive we as Americans regardless of what we personally think of Bush need to put our thoughts and emotions out of the equation and instead focus on bringing about some form of stability to Iraq.Letters to congress,phone calls and emails to let them know that we do not wish to stay the course or cut and run.Demand a new coherent policy that will produce results at minimum loss of life to all.

[louin0]

Bush has ruined America.

[tiddsanbeer]

This article belongs in the "opinion" section, and is completely lopsided. It is a disgrace to see once again the leftwing media slam Bush even when the poor sap is trying his best. I know he is hated by the left...and many on the right in OUR COUNTRY, but to sight opinion polls in other countries...???? Good god,we are doomed as a nation if we keep at each others throat like this.CBS IS PERPETUATING HATE with articles like this. I am not happy with the way things are but I still respect the office of the President. I'm glad Bush will be gone, but the endless hate from the left will spill into the next Presidency, even if he is a good one, left or right.

As a gop guy, I am GLAD we lost the last election because we deserved to lose. Look at all the scandal and corruption in our party. Let's clean our house and start over, and come back stronger, and come back to the true values that makes our party great. Let's NOT be like the dems, who will stand by and defend their dirty diapers no matter what the cost. GODSPEED AND ENJOY.......

[tibu987]

To the many people around the world that do not like what President Bush has done to our country, and his misguided foreign policy, please do not judge all Americans by his actions.
Let me tell you that half of the American voters did not vote for him.
We do not like his arrogance, his foreign policy, and the people his has selected as his advisors.
We have now voted him and his coterie out of office but, unfortunately, we must live with him for two more years.
We too are anxious for him to leave office so that we may correct all the wrongs that have happened during his reign.
Don't hate us all for the terrible actions of a few.

[wumperdeby]

Well, the ancient Book of the prophet Daniel says it is GOD in Heaven that RULES in the kingdoms of men and He sets up over it whomsoever He wills. It is the Almighty that GAVE US George W. Bush, for His own reasons. I would look to the results of that setup and then ASK OURSELVES, "why him?" I would say, since the Bible is the most ancient Book we'd best heed the ancient civilizations to see what this Almighty did to other such civilizations. There is much evidence in historical pages that show were are in the biggest decline EVER in human history. We can't blame only G.W. Bush, but ourselves for voting him into office, for that is what we must have wanted based on our own will. Actually, considering the Bush/Gore race, only He knows WHY this is now our President. I personally have read the Book of Ezekiel (preceeding Daniel) and that declares a few things that would be worthwhile considering for ALL the nations of Ancient Israel, the English-speaking ones as well.
Margaret

[wumperdeby]

In fact, here is the description of President Bush from Daniel:
QUOTE: (not me, but God said this:)
"Dan 4:16-17
6 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
KJV

What can I say? "Oh, well."
Margaret

[rharrin1]

flyboy737

I didn't see any balls on bush or cheney during vietnam, just who are you talking about. ***

[ralphj53]

November 26, 2006

Hello;

The first time I saw the face of Bush in U.S. News and World Report, I saw the face of ARROGANCE. And instantly, I did not see good things to come.

Unlike his father, who ENLISTED the support of the rest of the world... including SYRIA during our first foray into Iraq, he made the mistake of "going it alone" which clearly was a mistake.

Now, "the coalition of the willing" is starting to UNRAVEL, and is starting to become "The coalition of the UNWILLING."

And everyone is starting to realize that a mistake was made. And as I said before, we HAVE DONE our job in IRAQ. It's time to "go it alone".... ALL THE WAY HOME.

This is one reason I DID NOT vote for BUSH in the last election of 2004. So, whatever happens in IRAQ, from now on..... my concience is clear.

No matter how technologically advanced a NATION may be, we live in a WORLD COMMUNITY, where the welfare of one nation is as important as the welfare of EVERYONE else. In other words, let's TALK first before pulling out the BIG GUNS.

You see, it's just like playing POKER. You have to know when to "hold"... and then when to "fold", because there is a TIME for everything. And "timing" seems to be everything.

And it is BECOMING clear.

Thanks,
rjm

[cantshutup]

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
-Teddy Roosevelt

[bushrocks1]

Would I send my son to this war? You might ask would I send him to WW II? Or Vietnam? Maybe you would distinguish those conflicts and whether you would send your son to fight in them. But that question is misdirected in a very important way: I can't command my son to go to war. He has to make that choice. So the better question would be: would I volunteer to fight in Iraq, WW II, Vietnam? Would I volunteer to fight in any war? Respond if drafted? I don%u2019t know. I'm not equivocating, only addressing that it is a hypothetical. To a hypothetical, I can answer, sure I'd fight. But I have nightmares of battle (from my past life as a Jacobite). So how do I feel toward those who do volunteer? Impressed and maturely knowing that many things go into their decision. But I do strongly believe that a country that can't find those men is doomed. The fact that we can find them is one reason why I say there is no failure in Iraq. Objectively, I also believe it for other reasons. An attempt to establish democracy in the Middle East is a bold, brilliant, noble effort, facing a high chance of failure. That's why I greatly respect and admire those who have made the attempt--the Bush administration. They have been resolute, something I have not seen in my lifetime. They may not succeed, for reasons outside their control or fault: traitors on the home front, being a big one. But now those traitors have apparently occupied the high ground. Yet... we're still in Iraq. Why?... I'm waiting.

[casawyer]

I think this article is well written. Those that have problems with it are the same people for the most part that didn't have any problem with President Clinton being attacked by the Republicans in Congress and attempting to impeach him. Clinton's relationship didn't cause the death of any of our service men or women.

[wagneriano]

Dear Margaret, there is no evidence that GOD is a member of the REPUBLICAN PARTY, also he does not work in the White house. Also there are no mention in the BIBLE or KORAN regarding GEORGE BUSH...............The sectarian violence in IRAK ,show us that RELIGION divided people and make people to hate each other, makes people to kill each other..........I don't think that GOD could give orders from THE KINDOM OF HEAVEN to anyone to MAKE WARS,(long distance telephone calls cost a lot of money), only FANATIC TERRORISTS believe that GOD IS A WAR MONGER holy being .

[patriotic9]

People can interpret anything from the scriptures which suites their own intrests.There are so many versions of BIBLE,not a single one of em was written at the time of JESUS nor any of the writers had any chain of link towards JESUS.If we would have kept religion personal and would not have involved RELIGION into politics,Iraq situation would not be the same.North Korea was claiming herself to build NUKES but BUSH ADMINISTRATION ignored it and called it BLUFFING,whereas Iraq didn't have WMDs but we invaded IRAQ because the BIBLE BASHING CONSERVATIVES thought that IRAQ INVASION'd be helpful for the 2ND COMING OF CHRIST.Jesus didn't come back but the RADICAL MUSLIMS have become so powerful like they were never before.More people have been killed on the name of GOD then any other reason.The most important thing for the PEACE in this world is to send GOD back to his HEAVEN.I don't need a RACIST and UNJUST GOD who has discriminated me because of being an AMERICAN and not promised me a SINGLE PENNY and has promised NON-AMERICAN EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE a LAND in the MIDDLE EAST.I am an AMERICAN.When I can't tolerate RACIAL DISCRIMINATION against me by a human being,why should I tolerate discrimination by your GOD whose existance is NOT PROVEN by any SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE.

[patriotic9]

ralphj53
Bush's father was better them him.During the first GULF WAR,he took all the expenses of war from SAUDIs.This time we are totally screwed both MILITARILY and FINANCIALY.

[radiob-2009]

I have stated mutiple times that I am not a supporter of Bush but the Hatfield/McCoy posting that is occurring here will not help America.It will only keep us divided.Ask yourself this if Bush/Cheney were impeached tommorrow would you want to see Hastert as President?Or if they were impeached when the new congress takes office in Jan. would you really want to see Pelosi as President?I think the answers to both are no.Let us Americans stop debating on how great or how terrible Bush is as President and instead focus our energys on the restoration of America at home and abroad.Let us force the president to find a way out of Iraq that gives the Iraqi people a stable goverment of its own.he has two years left and history will judge him accordingly.

[lucasnico]

bushrocks........you make absolutely no sense.

Iraq was never a noble effort.

[patriotic9]

ozilot
This condition is called OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER.
Republicans have serious MENTAL ISSUES.Bush is one example,bushrocks1 is another and REPUBLICAN FOLEY is the ULTIMATE ONE.Nobody can beat REPUBLICAN FOLEY.HE LEADS THE WAY.

[wwm7332]

Doesn't surprise me that you folks air a story of 30% or 23% negative feeling towards the USA in a negative light. What about the 70% or 77% positive view of the USA? Come on guys let's understand that we will never get a 100% approval rating, but some guy finds 3 out of ten who don't like us and that is news. If the USA is so bad, why are so many trying to get here? For all of our faults, we have a lot of good going for us and you need to focus on that more often. Right now Iraq seems to be a mess, but war is never pretty and as some have said in the past, once the battle starts, all plans, even the best, are out the window. This is another case of focusing on the negative. Returning service men have related a lot of good that has occurred in Iraq, but we still focus on the negative.