Why does Bush seek to restore the tattered U.S. Image abroad?

Question

Yahoo News

Bush Seeks to Restore Tattered U.S. Image With Heavy '08 Travel
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20071224/pl_bloomberg/atro6sh1dtri

Neo-cons often state they do not care what others think of the USA. Do yuo support this effort?

How successful will he be?

Is this like an abusive person saying I'm sorry after the damage is done?

Your thoughts please.

Answer 1

Oh Chi guy, you're gonna "love" my answer, so let me preface it with a sincere Merry Christmas from Prague.

How was America's image under the last two Democratic Presidents, Carter and Clinton? I had the unique opportunity to witness Carter's image abroad. I was a college student back then, and in Europe people were almost embarrassed to mention his name. They thought he was a bit (and I put this as diplomatically and respectfully as possible), a bit "slow". They really thought he was some hick, backwoods farmer who inexplicably was elected President. America was the laughingstock of Europe. They viewed Carter as an unpolished rube.

You think Clinton was a shining star? Well certainly he was beloved by nations that admire the kind of free-wheeling, cavorting type that Clinton embodies, right? Nope. The French mocked him. He certainly made no progress in the Middle East.

Bush did what every conscientious statesman does: he steadfastly refused to bend to uninformed, mercurial public opinion, he did what his oath of office required him to do, and now he is ready to invite nations back into the fold of American friendship, even if they skirted their duty as required by their participation in the UN or NATO. He is magnanimous (are you seething yet, Chi Guy)? I don't want to raise your blood pressure, giving you a red face to match the Santa suits, I'm just giving you my honest viewpoint.

I believe Bush will be successful because other nations realize that putting the Middle East on the road to democracy was a necessary step in the evolution of the world. These countries simply didn't want to be involved; too difficult, costly, and messy for them. They had great fun at our expense, but now that we've done the dirty work, watch them come back in droves.

You'll see a lot of foreign leaders make glowing comments about Bush. He did what they were simply too afraid to attempt.

Merry Christmas to all those I left behind in Chicago. And Chi Guy, the Republicans' XMas present to you is that you only have to endure the current President a scant eleven months more.

Merry Christmas. Veselé Vánoce.

Answer 2

First have you heard Bill Clinton on the speak easy trail saying what he is doing next?

President Bush will do alot of good over in the Middle East. The candidates will have less to bash him over and Congress refuses to do a damn thing anyway. The Senate is out to lunch. Some ways so is McCain but he is a Senior Senator from Arizonia. No Rookie like many others.

The tattered image of the US is campaign driven. I wish I could morph u my years on the battle field here in real life.
I support President Bush. And the abuse is coming from the house not the hill. Lay blame where it belongs . Did American's say anything about the Persian Gulf War?
Did the know? This link is one of my standards.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/iraq1.html
OR: why do we forget these news broadcasts ?
http://freedomagenda.com/iraq/wmd_quotes
Please read them completely.
Mele Kalikimaka Chi.

edit: interesting they re did the freedom site... I like it !
also read
http://www.againsthillary.com
Sally Bedell Smith piece
she speaks about HRC & the foreign interests
and she WAS in control v. full disclosure of adultery
way more than Monica... Secret Service reports coming also /// WHERE IS THIS apology?

Answer 3

He's changed? No, maybe not, there is no reason for any country he visits to take any notice of what he says because, he wont be president for long, his war-making capabilities are diminished, and he was never serious about diplomacy.

The only thing he can accomplish perhaps is to continue to distract Americans from their worsening standard of living, and his disastrous policies foreign and domestic. Will the media play along, you betcha!

Answer 4

Like everything else he has screwed up so badly it isn't likely to do much good. He knows that the GOP is desparate and so he is, under the direction of the Republican party leadership, trying to mend fences. Unfortunately his credibilty will cause other world leaders to be codial and polite to his face but not after he is gone.

Answer 5

Just a few days ago Cons were saying America is the pinnacle of Global excellence. How could we improve perfect.

Answer 6

He is a lame duck, so he can say anything he doesn't plan on standing behind. But, he must try for the good of the GOP to do SOME damage control before the elections. This is also why he made a big deal about signing some reform for gas mileage for cars...he doesn't need the lobby money for himself anymore, but it looks good for him to sign SOMETHING the dems put on his desk, before he leaves office. It helps that the bill had overwhelming bipartisan support. He didn't have to stick his neck out too far...

Answer 7

Well he should do something about the way Democrats have destroyed our Image abroad. Far as I can see the President is acting in the Country's best interest, something that can't be said for the likes of Pelosi, Reid and their fellow travellers.

Answer 8

We may yet see an assassination of another American president, this time on foreign soil. That's what I think of his efforts. My guess, there will be protests virtually everywhere he goes.

Answer 9

He does not need to open his mouth to the leader's of other countries. He will dig a deeper hole and make himself look even more ridiculous.

Answer 10

This is just political talk. he is the reason we are not respected or trusted thru out the world. we let china run over the top of us..we wont secure our borders.. we don't enforce our laws.and we attack foreign countries..... i cant understand why no one loves us