Traveling through Europe during election season -- as I'm doing now -- is a daunting task. I can say this much about Bush: He makes ALL OF US LOOK BAD.
Speaking with a couple of Spaniards on a Barcelona street corner the other night, I was shocked by how much influence our president has over the general perception of America. As it exists now, Americans do not benefit from President Bushīs perceived simple man-atrocious agenda track record.
In Europe, it seems overwhelmingly that an American has to prove him or herself to be taken seriously. We have to reestablish our credibility. Bush is ruining the American experience for Americans everywhere.
Donīt believe the hype -- even the British people hate this man and his ideas. It doesnīt seem to be out of jealousy either; itīs just contempt for our arrogance and the endless flow of witless ideas expressed by our leader.
People here have the vantage point and perspective we should find useful, not threatening. They know their politics and they know a bum when they see one -- Bush has insighted widespread scorn. Europeans see an American Empire
on the decline. They see a clumsy, dumb bully intent on self destruction.
The train station in Paris had three different books on John Kerry and four on President Bush in the primary display window. I doubt anybody in America is reading up on the goings-on of the European Union; we just eat our freedom fries and tighten our blinds shut.
Being an ambassador of stupidity in a foreign land is an unfortunate burden. The Republican party stands at odds with the rest of the developed, thinking world. Thanks for the stigma, George.
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