[BBC] World 'wants Kerry as president'

BBC News ^ | Thursday, 9 September, 2004

[brityank]

World 'wants Kerry as president'

Kerry scored best with traditional US allies

A new poll in 35 countries suggests that people around the world would prefer Democratic challenger John Kerry as US president over George W Bush.

Global research company GlobeScan Inc and the University of Maryland found clear leads for Mr Kerry among those polled in 30 of the countries.

Only Filipino, Polish and Nigerian respondents clearly backed Mr Bush.

Most said Mr Bush's foreign policy had made them feel worse about the US since his election in 2000.

Kerry would win handily if the people of the world were to elect the US president Steven Kull Maryland University

Meanwhile, a new survey of American and European public attitudes also suggested there had been a dramatic leap in the latter's criticism of US foreign policy.

More than three-quarters of Europeans surveyed in 10 countries by the German Marshall Fund of the US said they disapproved of President Bush's international actions, 20% more than two years ago.

The survey also showed sharp differences in how governments should respond to potential threats from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

More than 80% of Americans thought war could achieve justice - more than twice the proportion of Europeans.

Traditional allies

The GlobeScan/Maryland poll, of 34,330 people, was conducted mainly in July and August.

POLL RESULTS (KERRY-BUSH) Norway: 74%-7% Germany: 74%-10% France: 64%-5% Italy: 58%-14% Spain: 45%-7% UK: 47%-16% Canada: 61%-16% Mexico: 38%-18% Brazil: 57%-14% China: 52%-12% Japan: 43%-32% Indonesia: 57%-34% India: 34%-33% Philippines: 32%-57% Nigeria: 33%-27% Poland: 26%-31% Thailand: 30%-33% Source: GlobeScan Inc/University of Maryland PIPA

Because of access difficulties, polling was restricted to metropolitan areas in 11 of the countries.

"Only one in five want to see Bush re-elected," said Steven Kull, the director of Maryland's Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA).

"Though he is not as well known, Kerry would win handily if the people of the world were to elect the US president."

Mr Kerry scored best in traditional US allies, such as Canada and Western European countries.

The highest margin was in Norway, where 74% of respondents backed Mr Kerry compared with just 7% for Mr Bush. The strongest negative views about US foreign policy appeared to come from Germany, where 83% said their view of the US had got worse.

Respondents in all the Latin American countries polled, including neighbours Mexico, also went for the Democrat, with the biggest majority - 57% to 14% - in Brazil.

The picture was more mixed in Asia. Only respondents in the Philippines clearly backed Mr Bush, but there was an almost even divide in India and Thailand.

Organisers of the poll attributed the Philippine result to US aid to a military campaign against Islamist rebels in the south of the country.

[HawaiianGecko]

Yeah, since the U.S. Economy is booming and the rest of the world is still in deep recession, if I were a foreigner I'd want Kerry as U.S. President too. But since I'm an American that likes his job, is impress with the economy and the manner in which George W. Bush is keeping both my family safe and the economy strong, I think I'll still vote for President Bush.

People that think this means anything make me laugh.

[beelzepug]

If you needed yet another reason to vote for Bush...

[tjwmason]

If the BBC were honest, which they aren't, the headline would state simply: "BBC wants Kerry for President."

Don't you realise that the opinion of the B.B.C. is the opinion of the world. < /sarcasm >

[liberty_lvr]

I'm getting so sick of seeing this...

Who gives a damn what the rest of the world thinks about our leadership??

Oh, and where are the polls asking Americans who they would like to see running France, Germany, and the rest of the half-dead, corrupt, and appeasing so-called nations out there?

Jeez, enough already.

[Wardawg]

I don't give a johnF what they say, isn't it up to US not them? I'm tired of seeing this story creep up. If France wants johnF then I don't give a johnF. they can have him. Sign the SF180 and let's get the details on your bad conduct discharge.

[AmishDude]

Philippines?

[ridesthemiles]

"THE WORLD" can have him. I want Bush to be in charge of where I live- U S A.

I wouldn't put sKerry in charge of my security while I make a dump run- 3 miles one way.

[Allegra]

Oh, let's make sure we get those high numbers for Kerry out of Iran, Syria and North Korea reported while we're at it...

[Snuffington]

I don't understand the problem here. When we shoot down his candidacy here in November, I'm sure Kerry will be more than happy to serve as their president.

[tjwmason]

Argh, argh, argh, argh, argh.

This has turned into one of the biggest stories of the campaign, yet it is definitely the most irrelevant.

I am an Englishman, and so would like to say to all Americans (though I realise FReepers understand this already). He's going to be your President, so you elect him.

To all non-Americans, he's not going to be our President so leave them alone to elect their choice.

What's so difficult about that?

[loveliberty2]

And, here is another group that, while it says it doesn't "endorse" Kerry, certainly is working hard to defeat Bush--and using the same ten points that the Democrats are using. It even recommends downloading certain documents and sponsoring in your local newspapers, etc.

Check our the Communist Party of the USA web pages http://www.cpusa.com and decide for yourself.

"Contact the CPUSA
Building the Party
Web Links
Ask the Party...
Ref Ctr for Marxist Studies

Setting the record straight: CPUSA position on 2004 elections
Archive Struggles Electoral
Author: CPUSA Internet Department
First published 25.08.2004 20:00 by {article_topic_desc}

"In the past month, several phony reports have been circulated by right-leaning papers and websites -- making various false claims about the Communist Party position on the 2004 elections.

"Some have dabbled in dirty tricks to smear Kerry using the toxic mix of red-baiting and forgery. For instance, several websites have allowed a forged document to be posted that appears be an official CPUSA endorsement of Kerry, but it is in fact an incompetent counterfeit. They not only twisted our position around, they even got the name of our National Chair wrong (It's Sam Webb, not Marc Brodine)!

"The red-baiting forgeries are just another part of the Bush campaign which is running on lies and fear. So, for the record, the CPUSA position on the 2004 elections:

"1. The CPUSA is doing our utmost to help defeat Bush.
We're deeply concerned about the great dangers of a second Bush term, as is the majority of the country and world and every major progressive organization. On a wide range of key issues (Social security, healthcare, reproductive rights, overtime pay, minimum wage, and much more), there are real, substantial differences between Bush and Kerry.

"2. The CPUSA does not endorse any candidate for President in the 2004 election.
We do not endorse the candidates of other political parties. We
have refrained from fielding our own candidate so as not to
distract from the main effort of defeating Bush and the
ultra-riight extremist agenda.

"3. The CPUSA has it's own independent political platform for the 2004 elections.
Though our platform goes much further towards full social justice than
Kerry's, to win any of it requires defeating Bush. A movement
that can break the Republican stranglehold on government could
then win social progress on many fronts.

"If you would like more information on the CPUSA, please contact cpusa@cpusa.org or call 212-989-4884. Thanks, and vote against Bush on November 2.

Related websites:
People's Weekly World
Political Affairs
Young Communist League

[Chode]

all due to their overwhelming desire to do whats best for AMERICA... RIGHT???

please... they'd be standing there begging with both hands out instead of just one like they use now

[ThomasMore]

Global research company GlobeScan Inc and the University of Maryland found clear leads for Mr Kerry among those polled in 30 of the countries.

They contacted all their socialist pimps to get the poll results they wanted. More propaganda. Nothing here. Move on.

PS: Is BBC owned by a former Goebbels henchman? Just curious.

[AmishDude]

Here's what's hilarious: This is because Europeans think they're moral because they would not have gone to war in Iraq (and Afghanistan, to be honest, but Iraq closed that discussion). But the average European didn't benefit from the oil-for-food scam as much as the leaders. In truth, Kerry would throw up barriers to trade so high that Europe would hate him 10 times worse than they hate Bush.

But they'll feel good about their hatred.

[hosepipe]

Polls are scewed in the U.S. A poll in all the whole world.. is manifestly suspect.. More likely.. most of the worlds people have no idea of Bush really is or Kerry for that matter. Heck a large portion of Americans have no idea of who the Vice President is.. Micheal Jackson is another matter.. Well known as some white singer from the U.S..

[Dead Corpse]

Probably the number one reason to not let them vote. Probably and even better reason to never let Kerry near the White House...

[kellynla]

yea well let the BBC know that that's why we don't let the "world" vote...just look at the friggin' mess they live in. ROFLMAO

But if they want him, they're more than welcome to have the lying POS!!!

[lillybet]

Spot On, the BBC ARE , so anti G.W. IT HURTS THEM, The BBC COVERAGE OF the Bamiyan Buddha's in Afghanistan been blowin up, was zero time, next time they mention alkida was 911, Took them long enough to remember who Alkida was, some journalists.

[NRA1995]

Good....Kerry can run for president someplace else after he loses here.....France perhaps?

[steve in DC]

And, nothing would please Mr. Kerry more than to be the American President that most foreigners prefer.

And that makes two more, really good reasons he shouold never be President.

("Foreign leaders" preferred Carter and Mondale over Reagan to be President, too!)