Obama in Berlin
When Barack Obama speaks today at Berlin's Victory Column, he addresses a German public down on the United States but hopeful the presumptive Democratic nominee would improve the important transatlantic relationship.
Americans too peg Obama as the contender who would do more to improve the image of the U.S. abroad, giving him a better than 2 to 1 advantage over rival John McCain on the issue in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll.
In that poll, 82 percent of Americans said that the U.S.'s international prestige had declined under George W. Bush, and the public opinion in Germany is case-in-point.
In the most recent Pew Global Attitudes poll, just 31 percent of Germans expressed positive views of the U.S., down from 78 percent in 1999-2000 and 60 percent in 2002, before the start of the Iraq war. Just 14 percent said they have confidence in Bush to do the right thing regarding world affairs. But it is not only the president; nearly three-quarters of Germans said the sputtering U.S. economy is having a negative impact on their fortunes.
About two-thirds of Germans in the Pew poll said they expect U.S. foreign policy to change for the better after the upcoming election. More than a half are closely following the election. And among those paying attention, 82 percent said they have confidence in Obama "to do the right thing regarding world affairs," just 33 percent said so of McCain.
A new Gallup poll of Germans found that 62 percent would rather see Obama win the election.
Among the American public, those under age 30 give Obama a greater than 3 to 1 edge as the candidate who would do more to improve America's image abroad, according to the Post-ABC poll. Those aged 65 and up divide about evenly on the topic. Political independents favor Obama by a 35-point margin, and even about a third of Republicans favor Obama over McCain as the one to repair the U.S. image abroad. A quarter of McCain supporters and 42 percent of conservatives said Obama, if elected, would do more.
Regardless of who you may support, who do you think would do more to improve America's image abroad? (from July Post-ABC national poll)
Both
Obama McCain (vol.) Neither
7/13/08 62 30 2 3
Both
Obama McCain (vol.) Neither
18-29 72 22 * 2
30-39 75 17 3 4
40-49 61 32 * 4
50-64 57 34 * 3
65+ 47 44 3 3
Obama McCain (vol.) Neither Liberal 88 9 * 1 Moderate 68 23 3 5 Conservative 42 50 2 3
Democrat 81 15 2 2 Republican 34 58 1 2 Independent 63 28 2 5
By Kyle Dropp |
July 24, 2008; 12:12 PM ET
President 2008
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Posted by: Jimbo | July 24, 2008 5:56 PM
What's lost in all of the media hype is the plain fact that Sen. Obama is, beyond being charismatic, a very, very smart - and effective - politician.
Look at the primary:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_delegate_count.html
he was behind Clinton by 20 points in December, then made his move in January and passed her - for good - by mid-Febuary. Clearly, he has a sense of perspective and timing, and he knows how to run a campaign.
This general election moves into high gear in late August. Obama will be ready. And today's 6 point lead will expand to a dozen, or more, and then he'll hold on for an 8-10 point victory.
He's just too good for McCain.
Posted by: JR, Boston | July 24, 2008 6:31 PM
I believe that it is essential for our new president to build bridges and repair our standing with the international community. I do not think that you can do that with jokes about bombing another country; bomb-bomb Iran.
McCain standing in the CHEESE isle, as he lectures about "the surge", says it all to me.
He is all lies and lacks the cogent fortitude to string together sentences for the press, how is he going to put together a plan for the 21st century?
I'll tell you how--PUPPET MASTERS.
Do you want a competent leader, or a puppet? (Case in point--Phil Gramm--the hurting Americans are whiners guy)
Your choice.
Posted by: SouthPrairie Deb | July 25, 2008 4:04 AM
Obama of course is the candidate who can improve America's image abroad. On his trip over seas, he has proved that he can be completely comfortable around strong and powerful world leaders. He is a very proud man who can prove he has a good head on his shoulders, and he is proud of America and says it through his words. I have read and been listening to people saying Obama was acting "too presidential."
Yeah, I understand he's not president yet, but why shouldn't he act confident? He is the the possible future of the United States. I would rather have a proud man representing us as a country, and proving he can bring us all together, than somebody who would be timid and show a weak character.
Posted by: Brianne | July 27, 2008 10:31 AM
Or a leader who taunts:
Bomb, bomb, Iran!
It kind of sounds like Bush's "Bring it on!" moment.
More of the McSame.
America--Don't do it! Not a third time!
Posted by: SouthPrairie Deb | July 28, 2008 2:17 AM
Since the latest comments of McCain's speaker about "fawning Germans" and the immense echo in media here in Germany considering that as a strong insult the numbers for Obama would have risen again.
So this "expreienced commander-in-chief" is for sure experienced enough to continue GWB's mission that made support for USA drop down from 78% to 31% in just a few years. Maybe he prefers countries where people love to burn American flags to those who have a strong sympathy for the USA...
Posted by: Mike | July 28, 2008 2:21 AM
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Obama called for Christians, Muslims and Jews to knock down the walls of separation and hatred for a better world. The growing muslim presence in Europe is much more pronounced with Europeans having 2 or less children. He did well and was embraced by the people, but did not ask for more presence in Afghanistan by the European community while there. His trip did well for him in the coming election without any gaffes and generally good welcomes everywhere.