posted on June 2, 2005 08:54:52 AM new
By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer Sat May 28, 9:37 PM ET
WASHINGTON - In the rarified club of world leaders, President Bush has taken his share of lumps. Critics have railed against his handling of Iraq, his perceived disdain for the United Nations and what they say is a swaggering approach to foreign policy.
But Bush probably would not want to trade places with any other head of state.
Nearly all his fellow leaders of the world's big industrial democracies have stumbled. It has left them vulnerable at home and weakener on the world stage.
The president, through it all, is riding what he sees as a strong re-election mandate to trumpet his goal of spreading democracy.
That helps explains why Bush, despite a slip in his approval rating among Americans, may find himself holding the stronger hand when he travels in early July to Scotland for the annual summit of the leaders of the eight major industrialized democracies.
"His counterparts all face ill political winds that make their domestic positions rather precarious," said Charles Kupchan, director of European studies with the Council on Foreign Relations, a private research group. "I do think it puts Bush in an advantageous position."
It is not the best of times be a world leader:
_Britain's
Tony Blair, Bush's chief ally on Iraq, did win re-election this month to a third term as prime minister. But he prevailed by drastically reduced margins for his Labour Party, threatening his leadership abilities.
_Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, also a strong support of U.S. policy in Iraq, has seen parties in his government coalition lose in regional and local elections. Defeats even forced his resignation, although he cobbled together a new coalition to regain power.
_German
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a vocal critic of the Iraq war, has called for national elections for this fall — a year early. That followed his party's crushing defeat in Germany's most populous region. The loss, he said, cost him the mandate he needs to fix Germany's struggling economy.
_French President Jacques Chirac, also a foe of U.S. policy in Iraq, is taking heat for his decision to call a referendum on the European Union's first constitution. It's set him up for what could be a humiliating defeat. Chirac's approval ratings have declined and he faces opposition from within his own party.
_Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin faces serious challenges and demands that he resign. The House of Commons tied on a vote of confidence this month. It took a vote by the parliament speaker to give Martin's minority government a one-vote victory. Canada pledged to tighten its borders after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But Ottawa has declined to send troops to Iraq or sign on to the U.S. missile defense shield.
_Japan's prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, finds his popularity lagging after four years on the job. It's down about half from the 80 percent he once enjoyed. Koizumi may be in better shape than his European counterparts. But weighing him down are tensions with North Korea and China, and public concern about expected tax cuts and pension restructuring.
_Russian President
Vladimir Putin has sought to consolidate power and exercise more control over regional leaders. But his rollback of press and political freedoms and his pursuit of oil giant Yukos have drawn international condemnation and clouded Russia's business climate.
Analysts see common themes for the leaders' tough times: high unemployment and slow growth in Germany and France; social tensions associated with Muslim immigration; and a backlash against "globalization" as industries move their operations to low-wage countries.
Bush himself is having trouble on Social Security, judicial nominations and other domestic priorities. Yet, analysts suggest, the president has had strong run internationally over the past few months — even with the continuing violence in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He persuaded European powers to negotiate with Iran over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. He watched democratic elections and the formation of a new government in Iraq. He successfully prodded Syria to withdraw from Lebanon.
And he is taking an active role in trying to nudge Israelis and Palestinians toward peace.
France's ambassador to the United States spoke recently of the effect of Bush's winning a second term.
"The moment President Bush was re-elected, he extended the hand of friendship and cooperation to the leaders of Europe," said Jean-David Levitte. "Style has changed."
A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
- Bill Cosby
posted on June 2, 2005 09:28:55 AM new
So what you're saying is that bush is looking better, not because he IS better but, because everyone else looks so bad
"""That helps explains why Bush, despite a slip in his approval rating among Americans,"""
posted on June 2, 2005 11:42:23 AM new
That's what I thought too, Crowfarm. Bush's head is sooo swollen with his sense of power over everything (agree with me or I'll liberate your country). When his head explodes, it'll be messy.
P.S. The Paul Martin thing has NOTHING to do with the U.S. or Iraq or anything. Why that blurb is in there about Canada is a mystery.
posted on June 2, 2005 12:44:16 PM new
“After years of defending Clinton, liberals love the piquant irony of calling Bush a liar. . . . This is virgin territory for Democrats – they never before viewed lying as a negative. Their last president was called ‘an unusually good liar’ by a sitting Democratic senator. Their last vice president couldn't say ‘pass the salt’ without claiming to have invented salt. Having only just discovered the intriguing new concept of being offended by lies, the Democrats are having a jolly old time calling Bush a liar. But they can't quite grasp the concept of a lie as connoting something that is – at a minimum – untrue.”
- Columnist Ann Coulter
A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
- Bill Cosby
posted on June 2, 2005 01:28:32 PM new
I'd read this article before and others that talked about the 'change' that occured with some of the other world leaders once the President was re-elected. Guess THEY, at least, saw the light.
And on Ann's statement.... she's always 'right on' and she is again there too.
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Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on June 2, 2005 02:37:56 PM new
Linda, she's just so obvious, in a 10th grade type way. She's unable to say anything about her beloved Republicans without a bunch of ignorant comments about what so & so Democrat did that was worse or just as bad... as if this somehow justifies bad actions. She can try to put as much lipstick on her party as she wants but a liar is a liar. Bimbos don't seem to grasp that concept.
posted on June 2, 2005 02:50:46 PM newLinda, she's just so obvious, in a 10th grade type way.
I don't agree....I'd say she's definately BLUNT Not immature like many here are and much more educated.
what so & so Democrat did that was worse or just as bad... as if this somehow justifies bad actions.
LOL....a favorite argument from you lefties when your own sins are mentioned.
[i]Bimbos don't seem to grasp that concept[i].
Everytime I see the left using the word 'bimbos' I think of all clinton's women....who because of his own lack of sexual self-control....the women he offended were called 'bimbos' by hillary and all to discount THEIR credibility. Bimbo...isn't a word I'd use to describe a very vocal, highly educated woman who can see the truth when it's in front of her and can articulate so well how the left really acts.
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Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on June 2, 2005 03:13:28 PM new
Linda, being a quick thinker doesn't mean you're smart, as she proves each time she opens her mouth. Her premise of trying to justify wrong-doings by pointing the finger at other wrong-doers isn't blunt or even smart, it's juvenile and pathetic. It takes a gutsy person to admit when they're wrong... just another tidbit on the computer print-out of stuff that flies over her head.
posted on June 2, 2005 03:21:19 PM new
Nothing mentioned by me about 'quick thinker'. She writes weekly articles....that's where I read her columns.
And while you might not like her....she's a very successful 'voice' for the right. And I LOVE her.
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Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on June 2, 2005 03:31:04 PM new
linduh, " And I LOVE her."
well, of course you do....you would.
Since you are so moral and have such high standards you love Coulter to do your name calling and dirty talk for you. YOU don't believe in that stuff but, boy, you sure don't mind someone else doing it for you.
But don't throw over your other hot love Danica......Annie is fickle and gets around quite a bit ...
those chicken legs spring open at the drop of a zipper...but, hey, she does stand for the Repugs "family values"...just like the drug criminal Limbaugh, the sexual predator O'Riley, the easily bribed Williams, and others.
You must be so proud of your representatives.
posted on June 2, 2005 03:35:01 PM new
And Libra...I'm so glad you never call names and surprised and pleased that you think Kennedy and Kerry are gutsy
Libra63
posted on June 2, 2005 03:16:08 PM
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.Bimbos don't seem to grasp that concept
Ah there you go talking about Crowfarm again. Seems to fit the profile.
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Libra63
posted on June 2, 2005 03:18:30 PM
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It takes a gutsy person to admit when they're wrong
posted on June 3, 2005 10:17:49 AM newIt takes a gutsy person to admit when they're wrong Like John Kerry, Ted Kennedy
When kerry releases ALL of his miilitary records (the ones the Navy acknowledges that have not been released) and kennedy admits his his fault in killing Mary Jo, I may change my mind about them.
Until then.......
A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
- Bill Cosby
