LONDON, June 15, 2008

Europeans Eager For New U.S. President

A New Poll From the Pew Research Center Shows That The Majority Of Europeans Believe A New President Will Be Better Than Bush

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    An anti-war protester gathered at Parliament Square in London to demonstrate against the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush, sings and plays the guitar, Sunday, June 15, 2008. Up to 2,500 demonstrators held a small but boisterous rally in the square Sunday as Bush dined with his British counterpart nearby, police said. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)  (AP PHOTO)

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(CBS)  As President Bush visits U.S. allies in Europe for the last time during his presidency, a new poll shows that a majority of Britons, French and Germans can't wait for a fresh face in the White House. CBS News White House Correspondent Bill Plante reports.

At a Sunday afternoon tea with the Queen at Windsor Castle, President Bush, who's enjoying the final leg of his European farewell tour, says he'll have good news for his successor.

"I will be pleased to report to him that the relationship between the United States and Europe is the broadest and most vibrant it has ever been," Bush said.

But much of Europe thinks of Bush as a cowboy who has ridden roughshod over the wishes of his allies. And they're glad he's on his way out.

"Goodbye," says one Berlin woman as she waves goodbye. "It was not fun, and I am looking forward to the change."

Here in London, there's still angry opposition to the Iraq war - and particularly to the presence of 4,200 British troops in the south of Iraq.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who suffers from approval ratings as low as the president's, reportedly hoped to bring all his troops home by the end of the year. But Bush's position is that there should be no set timetable.

"If there's success we're going to pull troops out and I have absolutely no problem with how Gordon Brown is managing the Iraqi effort," Bush said.

The appearance that Washington sets the agenda in Iraq and elsewhere reinforces the European view that President Bush does what he wishes without regard to the views of its allies.

And according to a Pew Research Center poll out this week Europeans - a majority of the Britons, French, and Germans, believe a new president means a better U.S. foreign policy.

And for most Britons, French and Germans, Barack Obama's personal story and opposition to the war make him a heavy favorite over Joan McCain when it comes to their confidence in his handling of foreign policy.

But there's also a dose of weary European realism.

"The problems are still there to be resolved, so I think he will have a hard time when he is president anyway, you know?" said Rome resident Domenico Cavallaro.


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Add a Comment See all 108 Comments
by farmerbb June 15, 2008 7:51 PM PDT
So they polled three countries. Try some more.
Reply to this comment
by samthetvcat June 15, 2008 7:55 PM PDT
Didn''t they poll the entire world, and everybody - EVERYBODY - prefers Barack over McLame except for like Egypt and Jordan.

Probably Egypt and Jordan prefer Barack too, but knew that if they said that the GOP would try and make it sound like the ''terrorists'' wanted Barack in power or something like that. Because it doesn''t really make sense that while Iraq is trying to get us out of the middle east that nearby countries would prefer the guy who wants to stay for a hundred years . . .

Dems 08! Go Barack!
Reply to this comment
by rheola-2009 June 15, 2008 7:57 PM PDT


Add Australia to the list.

The drovers dog would even be an immense improvement on Bush and his cronies.

Reply to this comment
by patriot12436 June 15, 2008 7:59 PM PDT
I think the American people agree with this article. A new president will be an improvement over bush.
Reply to this comment
by ubrew12 June 15, 2008 8:01 PM PDT
"A New Poll From the Pew Research Center Shows That The Majority Of Europeans Believe A New President Will Be Better Than Bush"

What does this prove other than a majority of Europeans have an I.Q. higher than 60? The only American''s who still support Bush are those who equate ''flip=flopping'' with something other than changing direction on the basis of new and better intelligence. The one thing you can say about Bush is that he''s consistent: he''s consistency led the U.S. in the wrong direction.
Reply to this comment
by yankeerebel7 June 15, 2008 8:03 PM PDT
This just in...Americans could not care less about the opinions of Europeans, a new Pew Research Poll reveals.

But seriously it''s funny that since Bush took office, pro-US leaders, friends of Bush who are all united on issues such as Iran, have been elected throughout Western Europe.
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 June 15, 2008 8:10 PM PDT
Yeah, they just want us to pay for everything.
Reply to this comment
by gkc99 June 15, 2008 8:17 PM PDT
"Europeans Eager For New U.S. President"


They''re eager? 80% of the US population is holding their breath until the Bushit stink is gone.
Reply to this comment
by taotxzen June 15, 2008 8:17 PM PDT
Get Osama Bin Laden before I leave office, orders George W Bush

?
Reply to this comment
by sandycat2 June 15, 2008 8:40 PM PDT
Why are you so happy? So you can get the Obama stink of racism? Be careful what you wish for. You might get it.
Reply to this comment
by antoniof123 June 15, 2008 8:41 PM PDT
What someone else would do better.

A dead goat would do better.

The GOP lost it and this election is going to be a blood bath for those idiots.
Reply to this comment
by smurfcrusher June 15, 2008 9:09 PM PDT
The Europeans aren''t the -only- ones eager for a new president...

Spot the Target Dog would be a better president than King George!
Reply to this comment
by lemonskink June 15, 2008 9:13 PM PDT
Jeeze, wonder what took them so long, most Americans knew that in 2000. That is most Americans with brains.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds-e4 June 15, 2008 9:27 PM PDT
I''ve been eager for a new president for 7 and a half years! This worthless POS Bush has scr*ewed up everything he''s touched and it''ll take an generation to fix!
Reply to this comment
by neobrian-2009 June 15, 2008 9:32 PM PDT
Not ONLY Europe !!
The Whole World Waits For Shrub To GO
GO To Prison,....
He Has literally Destroyed Everything he has laid eyes on !
When he Squints,..He`s telling a LIE!!!
The " Burning Shrub " WILL be a Welcome Sight !
Reply to this comment
by racam_us June 15, 2008 9:42 PM PDT
I wonder if Bush is idiot enough to really believe that ***. He has done more to separate the United States from the rest of the world than any other President in the history of the United States. I think he lives in a fantasy world where he is a legend in his own mind. He is undoubtedly the worst President in the history of the United States. That will be his legacy.
Reply to this comment
by yankeerebel7 June 15, 2008 9:42 PM PDT
At the end of 8 years, people are always ready for a new president...everyone gets fatigued no matter who the president is. That''s why they created term limits.
Reply to this comment
by yankeerebel7 June 15, 2008 9:43 PM PDT
Actually racam_us, the trans-atlantic alliance is stronger than it''s been a long while.
Reply to this comment
by cdfoxtrot June 15, 2008 10:08 PM PDT
Actually racam_us, the trans-atlantic alliance is stronger than it''''s been a long while.

Posted by yankeerebel7

Relative to what?? And define "stronger". Many people outside the US resent US foreign policy, especially it''s support for Israel. Bush made things a million times worse, with his cowboy diplomacy and his idiotic comments ("bring it on", "wanted, dead or alive", etc.) - comments he, himself now regrets. His "Eye-Rack" fiasco is his legacy and he''ll go down in history as the worst, and most hated, US president. EVER.





Reply to this comment
by vnveteran72 June 15, 2008 10:11 PM PDT
Is there ANYONE on the entire Planet that can''t wait till Shrub''s last day of Destruction, Crime, and Clusterfu*king???......besides 14% Retardded Cheerleaders and Apologists that is????.......
Oh, wait a minute,.....that''s right,...there''s those Billionaire Fatcat Criminal Scumbags that benefitted from the Little Moron''s Policies for the "Haves and Have Mores"........my bad,.....I stand corrected......
Reply to this comment
by yankeerebel7 June 15, 2008 10:16 PM PDT
Relative to what?? And define "stronger". Many people outside the US resent US foreign policy, especially it''''s support for Israel.

Posted by cdfoxtrot at 10:08 PM

--------

With pro-American governments getting elected throughout Europe''s capitals in the last few years (except Madrid), American-European relations are stronger than they''ve been since the cold war. Leaders such as Sarkozy, Berlusconi, Merkel, and Brown have all expressed solidarity with Bush. The US and Europe have been united in their rhetoric on issues such as Iran and African Aid.

Btw, support for Israel isn''t a Bush idea, it''s always been a part of US foreign policy and will continue to be with both Obama or McCain. Actually, Bush is the first president in US history to actually call for a Palestinian state interestingly enough.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds-e4 June 15, 2008 10:25 PM PDT
"
A New Poll From the Pew Research Center Shows That The Majority Of Europeans Believe A New President Will Be Better Than Bush"


Well Duh! A monkey would be better

Posted by ObombA1 at 10:16 PM : Jun 15, 2008

A severely retarded monkey would be better.
Reply to this comment
by yankeerebel7 June 15, 2008 10:33 PM PDT

A severely retarded monkey would be better.

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Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 10:25 PM : Jun 15, 2008


By that logic, then the world is going to magically turn around during the next president''s term. World peace will break out, gas prices will plummet, unemployment will go down. If this doesn''t happen, and life basically seems more or less the same, then you''re wrong.
Reply to this comment
by neobrian-2009 June 15, 2008 10:35 PM PDT
NOT TRUE!!!!!!!
Term Limits were imposed,...
Because the RE-CONS Could NOT Beat FDR !!!!!
Reply to this comment
by oneworldusa June 15, 2008 10:38 PM PDT
This is the funniest headline I''ve seen in a LONG time. Uh, yeah. There will be a new President. And nearly any imbicile could be better. LOL.
Reply to this comment
by patriot12436 June 15, 2008 10:51 PM PDT
well this is a blog that everyone seems to agree about.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds-e4 June 15, 2008 11:00 PM PDT
And maybe he''''s been cleaning up all the *** of his predecessors. It can go back and forth.

Posted by yankeerebel7 at 10:52 PM : Jun 15, 2008

He was left a nation at peace, well respected in most of the world and one with a big budget surplus. It''s been downhill ever since he took office. He did not clean up others mess, he took others successes and scr*ewed them up royally.
Reply to this comment
by yankeerebel7 June 15, 2008 11:01 PM PDT
"He was left a nation at peace"

Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 11:00 PM : Jun 15, 2008
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And what event would you say changed that?
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds-e4 June 15, 2008 11:05 PM PDT
And what event would you say changed that?

Posted by yankeerebel7 at 11:01 PM : Jun 15, 2008

9-11, but it''s a shame Bush used that terrible day as an excuse to invade a country that had nothing to do with it, just because war is profitable. Isn''t it?
Reply to this comment
by yankeerebel7 June 15, 2008 11:13 PM PDT
9-11, but it''''s a shame Bush used that terrible day as an excuse to invade a country that had nothing to do with it, just because war is profitable. Isn''''t it?

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Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 11:05 PM : Jun 15, 2008

---------------

Profitable? To who, Bush? Seems like Bush could have made a LOT more money, in a much easier way, just staying in the private sector as opposed to earning his meager public servant salary. But then I don''t really think it was about profit, but ideology.
Reply to this comment
by michaelcook2 June 15, 2008 11:14 PM PDT
W - Worst President in U.S. History. Its funny, most historians acknowledge this, most Americans agree with this, most people around the world know it..... but Republicans will be the last to admit it. More loyalty to George Bush than to their country.
Reply to this comment
by irliberal June 15, 2008 11:17 PM PDT
At the end of 8 years, people are always ready for a new president...everyone gets fatigued no matter who the president is. That''''s why they created term limits.

Posted by yankeerebel7 at 09:42 PM

If you HONESTLY believe that Bush''s dismal ratings are the result of his being in office for two terms as opposed to his absolutely horrific performance then you''re on some REALLY REALLY good meds. Can I have some?

Bush is vastly unpopular not because of the length of his time in office, but because of his extremely poor judgment, bad leadership and borderline criminal behaviour. (some would say well over the border, so to speak)
Reply to this comment
by yankeerebel7 June 15, 2008 11:19 PM PDT
Bush isn''t even close to the worst president in history and the fact that you''d even try to make such a statement before he''s even out of office shows you''re definitely no academic on the subject. It''ll take years to assess any presidency. As far as we know, if things work out in Iraq in 5-10 years, he''ll look like he made the right decision. His legacy will depend on how that ultimately turns out.
Reply to this comment
by neo267-2009 June 15, 2008 11:21 PM PDT
The Europeans are fools. Maybe they''ll wake up when their cities start burning.
Reply to this comment
by yankeerebel7 June 15, 2008 11:22 PM PDT
But the fact that the US Congress (controlled by Democrats) has an even lower approval rating than the President, shows more of a general dissatisfaction with government as a whole, the Bush specific policies.

Things that aren''t necessarily under the control of the US president, such as gas prices and general economic trends, will affect how the public views Bush and the congress.
Reply to this comment
by one-american June 15, 2008 11:22 PM PDT
It has been refreshing to have a President who for nearly 8 years hasn''t given a hoot about idiotic liberal whiner polls - and simply performs the job we elected him to do.

Liberals will disagree, as their backward brains tell them to do, but I care nothing about the opinion of liberals whatsoever.
Reply to this comment
by irliberal June 15, 2008 11:22 PM PDT
Bush isn''''t even close to the worst president in history

Posted by yankeerebel7 at 11:19 PM

Uh-huh. Now you''ve shown yourself to be a GOP partisan hack. That should bump your credibility up, huh?

Bush''s legacy might very well be the first president ever to end his life in iron manacles.
Reply to this comment
by rheola-2009 June 15, 2008 11:29 PM PDT
The Europeans are fools. Maybe they''''ll wake up when their cities start burning.


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Posted by Neo267 at 11:21 PM : Jun 15

Certainly this at the very least a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

But then, if you are so blind and stupid enough to support Bush and his cronies, I imagin your comment as above could well be taken as a compliment.

Reply to this comment
by yankeerebel7 June 15, 2008 11:30 PM PDT
LOL so I''m a GOP partisan hack because I won''t agree that Bush is the worst president of "all time". I''m not even a huge Bush fan, but am just against the over-dramatic, apocalyptic, hysterical rantings of the "Bush is Hitler" crowd. Please forgive me.
Reply to this comment
by lochlan-2009 June 15, 2008 11:30 PM PDT
''Europeans Eager For New U.S. President''

Who isn''t? (Not counting the mentally handicap neocons).

"him a heavy favorite over Joan McCain"

He''s really trying to chase those women voters, even changing his name.
Reply to this comment
by kesac4650 June 15, 2008 11:34 PM PDT
We keep being told that other nations detest the Bush administration, but then more and more countries voted in Pro US governments during his administration.
Turkey Changed its Constitution to do so. Ten years ago, no one would have predicted that France would elect "Le Americain" as president.
Actions speak louder than polls.
Reply to this comment
by marcosis78 June 15, 2008 11:41 PM PDT
...and as we can see, Bush puts pressure on countries to do so. Turkey isnt exactly a huge powerful country like the UK, the US, Russia, or Japan. That would be like saying, Cyprus changed their constitution to be more like the US. Woopdy......doo! Bush is a proven liar and a bully to other countries. Thankfully, other countries called his bluff and now noone likes us. Because of Bush''s motto, "We do what we want, when we want."
Reply to this comment
by marcosis78 June 15, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
"Bush isn''''t even close to the worst president in history and the fact that you''''d even try to make such a statement before he''''s even out of office shows you''''re definitely no academic on the subject. It''''ll take years to assess any presidency. As far as we know, if things work out in Iraq in 5-10 years, he''''ll look like he made the right decision. His legacy will depend on how that ultimately turns out."

Seriously? Did you know 99% of professional historians declared the Bush administration and presidency the worst in American history?
Reply to this comment
by marcosis78 June 15, 2008 11:45 PM PDT
"Things that aren''''t necessarily under the control of the US president, such as gas prices"

Yes he does. Even the Saudis are saying that prices shouldn''t be that high in the US and that the President DOES have the power to do something. They have more money than any group of people in the world so im pretty sure they have more to lose than anyone here, so im sure they are a little more truthful than our pathetic, sorry excuse for a president. Also, the fact that a LOT of Bushs money is in oil, he doesnt exactly want the price to go down on his watch.
Reply to this comment
by Hybdiesel June 15, 2008 11:46 PM PDT
I love President Bush and Cheney. When they get some free time on their hands I would love to take them gator hunting. I would do my best to keep them from falling out of the boat. But if they did I would throw them the anchor.
Reply to this comment
by kansas1946 June 16, 2008 12:01 AM PDT
"I will be pleased to report to him that the relationship between the United States and Europe is the broadest and most vibrant it has ever been," Bush said.
*****************************

LMAO.. Bush is delusional, as usual. Europe isn''t the only place that will be glad to see this numbskull gone.
Reply to this comment
by kansas1946 June 16, 2008 12:04 AM PDT
Seriously? Did you know 99% of professional historians declared the Bush administration and presidency the worst in American history?


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Posted by marcosis78 at 11:43 PM : Jun 15, 2008
*******************************

I agree. History will judge GWB very harshly, and that is the only consolation that we as Americans have for the damage that this president has done to our country. It will take generations to recover from that damage. Fortuately, only about 20pct of Americans are still apologizing for this president and defending him.
Reply to this comment
by Hybdiesel June 16, 2008 12:11 AM PDT
I don''t care how stupid the next president is he will be twice as smart as Bush. Bush is not close to being the worst president, the stupid jerk is ten miles down the road from the worst.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds-e4 June 16, 2008 12:19 AM PDT
Profitable? To who, Bush? Seems like Bush could have made a LOT more money, in a much easier way, just staying in the private sector as opposed to earning his meager public servant salary. But then I don''''t really think it was about profit, but ideology.

Posted by yankeerebel7 at 11:13 PM : Jun 15, 2008

No, profitable to the already rich who are his real core base of supporter. The neoconservative goal is to create a huge disparity between a very wealthy ruling elite (which Bush is already part of and BTW, his father has made 10''s of millions of dollars off from this war) and the rest of Americans that they see as a working class, with no class mobility between them. The goal is to create a new aristocracy and this war was a huge step in that direction.
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 June 16, 2008 12:29 AM PDT
Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 12:19 AM

Such is the case with Blackwater. Previously it wasn''t anything much, but with the no bid contracts under Bush, the born-again Christian who heads up that agency became a multi-millionaire virtually over night.
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