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The U.S. claims the top spot in a global survey of culture, tourism, governance and residents.
Chicago was dropped from hosting the Olympics in the first round of decisions last week. And stateside, Barack Obama's average approval rating last month was 52%, according to Gallup. That's compared to spring numbers in the mid-60s.
But two recent reports show that globally, positive opinion of the U.S. has blossomed. Approval of America among the French rose to 75% this year, from 42% in 2008. In Britain, those numbers are 69% and 53%, respectively, according to this year's Pew Global Attitudes Project. The 2009 Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index, released Monday, also supports this notion.
For the first time since 2005 when Simon Anholt--an independent policy adviser to 20 national, regional and city governments--started conducting the survey, the U.S. has been named the most admired country in the world, climbing six spots in the rankings from 2008. Rounding out the top five are other beloved countries like France, Germany, the U.K. and Japan.
Anholt attributed the U.S.' rank to global confidence in Obama. He also believes that former president George W. Bush's incredibly unpopular foreign policy pulled the country down in terms of image. After he left office this year, the only way for the U.S. to go was up. "The country's position was artificially depressed by Bush," says Anholt.
Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
I like how all a country has to do is change a figurehead and suddenly global opinion flips.
Ridiculous.
You have a problem with being liked?
Originally posted by intrepid
After he left office this year, the only way for the U.S. to go was up. "The country's position was artificially depressed by Bush," says Anholt.
Originally posted by badgerprints
Originally posted by intrepid
After he left office this year, the only way for the U.S. to go was up. "The country's position was artificially depressed by Bush," says Anholt.
Originally posted by intrepid
Originally posted by badgerprints
Originally posted by intrepid
After he left office this year, the only way for the U.S. to go was up. "The country's position was artificially depressed by Bush," says Anholt.
Yet, the Obama administration has proved to be a disturbingly scary version of Bush on steroids.
Was Bush not doing it big enough?
Artificially, One Look:
adverb: not according to nature; not by natural means
www.onelook.com...
Please don't turn this into a bash anyone thread. Let's have at least one pleasant thread here. This should be GOOD news.
[edit on 9-10-2009 by intrepid]
Originally posted by intrepid
Yet, the Obama administration has proved to be a disturbingly scary version of Bush on steroids.
Originally posted by FlyersFan
Originally posted by intrepid
Yet, the Obama administration has proved to be a disturbingly scary version of Bush on steroids.
Yep. And yet now the world likes it. It's all a matter of the package that it comes in and how people can't see through what is right in front of them.