Obama wins by a landslide - in Australia

[depakid]

ALMOST three-quarters of Australians want Barack Obama to win the US presidential election while only 16 per cent back John McCain, the latest snapshot of Australian attitudes to a range of foreign policy issues shows.

The Lowy Institute's annual survey found Australians' trust in the US had bounced back from a decline in previous years but they were becoming more wary about China.

There were also big concerns about investment by foreign governments and a desire for Australia to do more to stop Japanese whaling.

The survey of 1001 people taken in July found 33 per cent believe Australia's international reputation has improved since the election of the Rudd Government while 17 per cent say it has worsened.

Last year's poll said the US President, George Bush, and his policies had caused unfavourable Australian opinion about the US.

"Some of the questions in this year's poll suggest the image of the United States has improved in Australia, perhaps on the back of the prospect of a new administration and the improving situation in Iraq," says the report, which declares there is an "unequivocal" desire by Australians to see Senator Obama win.

While 57 per cent believe the US is having a "mainly negative influence" in the world, the survey also found that trust in the US has risen from near-last position with China in 2006 to the top ranking this year.

More: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/obama-wins-by-a-landslide--in-australia/2008/09/29/1222650989574.html