WP:Bush's Unpopularity in Europe Hangs Over Summit

[cal04]

President Bush arrived here Tuesday for his 15th visit to Europe since taking office, at a time when the populace remains generally wary of him despite concerted efforts by political leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to patch up their differences.

In meetings here Wednesday, Bush and European Union officials are to confer on issues including trade, energy security and their mutual efforts to persuade Iran to halt activities that could lead to the development of nuclear weapons.



(snip)
Since his reelection in 2004, Bush and his advisers have tried to rebuild relations with Europe -- deferring to Britain, France and Germany, for example, in handling the diplomatic initiative toward Iran. The White House has been aided by the defeat of Gerhard Schroeder in his bid to remain German chancellor and the weakening influence of French President Jacques Chirac; both had made opposition to the U.S. war effort in Iraq a centerpiece of their administrations


But if relations at the political level have improved, public opinion has lagged far behind. Bush remains unpopular with the public in many European countries over the war in Iraq and alleged abuse of detainees by U.S. forces at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other facilities, according to opinion polls and experts on transatlantic relations. A survey released last week by the Pew Research Center found that the United States' image has slipped over the past year in France, Germany and Spain and is down considerably since 2000.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/20/AR2006062000858.html

[6000eliot]

1. What happened? I thought he was popular again.

[Erika]

4. He was up to 36% (wow) in some poll

After Zarqawi and prior to the boys being mutilated and executed.

[Erika]

2. The only saving grace we have is that W isn't representative

of Americans or their beliefs or views. W is out there in some never never land with his fringe support group.

[marmar]

3. He is about as well-liked as the bubonic plague in Europe...

On my visit in March, people's eyes would start twitching at the mention of Bush, kind of like Chief Inspector Dreyfuss when Clouseau's name is mentioned in the Pink Panther movies.
And once they heard my feelings on the bastard, they just let it all hang out, in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and France. He is clearly regarded as the worst person on earth. As one guy in Heidelberg said to me, "You helped us get rid of our fascist, I wish we could help you get rid of yours."

[Sadie5]

5. I only hope

that there is so much booing and hissing that he can't hold his head up.

[lyonn]

6. Maybe they could arrest bush for war crimes while he's there

[teknomanzer]

12. Amen to that.

Wish they could help too. We're on our own with this one.

[fshrink]

13. And it is also common knowledge that he is an imbecile.

[gratuitous]

7. Now who woulda thought that?

Imperial wars, torture, snubbing your former allies and hanging your loyal allies out to dry -- why didn't someone tell Bush that the Hitler template wasn't popular in Yurp? Must be Clinton's fault, huh?

[Amonester]

8. Pics of Clinton vs the current war criminal in Europe:

vs



Survey:
http://pewglobal.org/reports/display.php?ReportID=5



Survey:
http://pewglobal.org/reports/display.php?ReportID=252

"Cuting programs and Running away with the money is the Republican$ plan."

[MarinCoUSA]

9. Yea. I though Bush got his mojo back and was now cool

Sheese. Don't these dumb ferners watch Fox or what?
We can't take him anywhere can we?

[Vidar]

10. Throw the bum out!

[many a good man]

11. Kick it!