Global Poll of 21 Nations: Majority think Bush makes world more dangerous

A majority of people surveyed in a global poll, which included Australia, think the re-election of George W Bush as US President has made the world more dangerous. Australians shared the sentiment, despite Australia having troops in Iraq, with 61 per cent of people polled agreeing that his win had made the world more dangerous. Of the 21 countries polled in the BBC survey, only three countries - India, the Philippines and Poland - thought the world was safer following Mr Bush's election win in November. Mr Bush will be inaugurated for his second term on Thursday. On average across all countries, 58 per cent of the 22,000 surveyed said they believed Mr Bush's re-election made the world more dangerous. The survey found that 56 per cent of Americans thought Bush's win was good for the world with 39 per cent disagreeing. Traditional US allies in western Europe, such as Britain (64 per cent), France (75 per cent), and Germany (77 per cent), were among the most negative about Mr Bush's re-election. Anti-Bush sentiment was strongest in Turkey, with 82 per cent thinking his win was bad for peace compared to just 6 per cent in support. A large majority in Latin American countries, including 58 per cent in close neighbour Mexico, were also negative. Analysts said the poll had far-reaching implications, suggesting a serious rise in anti-US feeling in general, with 42 per cent saying it had made them feel worse about Americans compared to 25 per cent who made it think more of them. There was also overwhelming opposition to sending troops to Iraq, even among close allies such as Britain. [more]

• Wannabe Republican Senator Joe Biden Tells Europeans To "Get Over It" And Accept Bush Will Remain President. UPI (1/19) reports Biden "urged Europe to 'get over' the fact President Bush was re-elected and work with the United States on common problems. 'I spent a little time in Europe recently, and I have one simple message: Get over it. Get over it.'" Bush, added Biden during the hearing, "is our president for the next four years, so get over it and start to act in your interest, Europe." [more]