US opinion of France and Germany improves: poll

AFP ^ | Thu, Feb 19, 2004

[presidio9]

Americans have a better opinion of France and Germany now than when the two European countries opposed the war in Iraq (news - web sites), but France is not quite out of the dog house, according to a Gallup poll.

While only 34 percent of Americans saw France in a favorable light last March, 47 percent view the French favorably now, according to poll released Wednesday.

The figure, however, is still a far cry from the 70 percent to 79 percent ratings France enjoyed in the 1990s, and many Americans, 49 percent, still view France unfavorably.

Politically, Republicans dislike the French the most. While 58 percent of Democrats view France favorably, 64 percent of Republicans have a low opinion of the war opponents.

Germany is more popular than France.

Last March, 44 percent of Americans viewed Germany unfavorably, but only 26 percent feel that way now. The poll shows that 69 percent of Americans view Germany favorably.

Most Americans disliked Iraq until last year's US-led invasion, when 93 percent of Americans viewed Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s Iraq unfavorably.

In the latest poll, 21 percent view Iraq favorably while 74 percent do not.

Saudi Arabia's image continues to deteriorate, a trend that began in 2001.

Two-thirds, or 66 percent, of Americans view the kingdom unfavorably. Last year, 61 percent viewed it in an unfavorable light.

Only 28 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of Saudi Arabia, a two point drop from last year.

Australia, with 88 percent, and Britain and Canada, both with 87 percent, remain the United States' favorite countries.

They are followed by Japan (75 percent), Germany (69 percent), Mexico (68 percent), Brazil (66 percent), India (61 percent), Israel (59 percent), Russia (59 percent) and Egypt (58 percent).

The Gallup Organization has asked for 20 years if Americans' overall opinion of a country is "very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, or very unfavorable."

The February 9-12 poll included 22 countries and Gallup interviewed 1,002 adults.

[presidio9]

[HELLRAISER II]

Obviously they didn't poll me, France & Germany SUCK!

[SouthernFreebird]

They didn't poll me either... dittos to they sux.

[kinsman redeemer]

My opinion would have affected their findings.

[doggieboy]

I have noticed that after we castrated the Germans in WWII they have acted "French".

[presidio9]

My initial reaction to this poll was that I was not doing my part to get the word out: France and Germany suck! But France really sucks!

[Puppage]

While 58 percent of Democrats view France favorably

Socialists stick together

[Darksheare]

WHO are they polling?
Muslims and Quebecers?

[FairOpinion]

People have short memories.

That's what France, Germany, the Dems and all our enemies are counting on.

Have you forgotten?

[presidio9]

France and Germany suck? Intelligent. America sucks! I pray for the day Bush Inc. and all the freepers are locked up for being idiots. You are the reason America sucks! So, stop sucking and stop wasting space. Your time is up............

If America sucks so much, there is nothing stopping you from moving to France.

Nice talking to you. Too bad you can't stay.

[river rat]

Any fool that believes American's opinions about France and Germany have improved ---- is just whistling past the cemetery....

France and Germany have both $hit in their own Easter basket -- now they will simply have to deal with it...

Semper Fi

[RWR8189]

Similar thread:

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1080316/posts

[BlueLancer]

"Nice talking to you."

Talking to yourself again?
8')

Let me introduce you to Harvey ...

[Bonaparte]

This poll was conducted over 4 weekdays. If the calls were made during the day, they were more likely to reach democrat voters. Unfortunately, Gallup does not state the time of day at their website, so there's no way to evaluate this aspect of sampling error.

[TiaS]

Are we making Iraq free for this kind of Democracy?

[Clemenza]

My opinion based on two brief trips to the respective countries:

France: Home to the most OVERRATED city in the world (Paris) and not the warmest or friendliest place either (even in the countryside). Great food in the south, but Italy is still better in that (and other areas).

Germany: Generally nice people (especially in Bavaria), although a bit uptight. Evenly divided politically until 1989, when the annexation of the communist east tipped the balance in favor of the Left. Don't judge the entire country by the crypto-commies in Berlin, Hamburg and the East.