Question:
Why is it that Obama is getting a warm reception in Ireland & the UK? Yet Bush faced thousands of protesters?
2011-05-23 19:48:59 UTC
When Bush visited Ireland & the UK, he was faced with vehement hatred. Over 100,000 protesters filled the streets of London when Bush arrived.

"Thousands in Ireland protest visit by Bush": http://articles.sfgate.com/2004-06-26/news/17430235_1_local-shops-donating-food-irish-president-bush-struggle-between-local-populations

"Over 100,000 March Against Bush in London"
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1120-07.htm


Compared to President Obama:

"Obama receives rock star reception in Ireland": http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/23/obama.ireland/index.html

"Obama gets exuberant reception in Ireland": http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20065415-503544.html

"Obama: So Loved in Britain, He Might Consider Staying": http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/05/23/obama-so-loved-in-britain-he-might-consider-staying/


Why is Obama so well-liked amongst the citizens of our ally nations, yet Bush was so hated in these very same countries?
Nineteen answers:
2011-05-23 19:50:46 UTC
Obama is a Hero, Bush is a war criminal.
Andy F
2011-05-23 20:09:20 UTC
Seriously, Bush in using a major speech at West Point to articulate a "pre-emptive" US foreign policy basically suggested to our allies that the US reserved the right to launch a war against any other country on our own initiative, so long as we thought US long-term security interests required this.



This "pre-emptive" war doctrine somewhat resembled the one that Israel has maintained for many years, and most people don't like it much when Israel attacks her neighbors without any clear provocation, either.



But Israel despite her nuclear arsenal and her great Air Force is still a small nation, and Bush was announcing a "pre-emptive" war doctrine on the part of the world's greatest military superpower.



Bush's policy was therefore perceived by many people around the world -- including some who didn't like Saddam Hussein -- as being extremely aggressive, arrogant and dangerous.



Bush also did many things in foreign policy unilaterally - without first consulting US allies, or doing them despite the disapproval or our allies. Naturally, that led many Europeans to despise Bush.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_Doctrine



Obama's willingness to launch air strikes against Libya shows that he's hardly a shrinking violet in foreign affairs. But he's not perceived as being the swaggering, arrogant American bully -- the loud-mouthed, drunken American cowboy -- that Bush was perceived as being. And so he's liked much better.



To be fair to Obama's critics, the current president is something of a "contrast gainer" when seen against Bush. That is, Obama gains a lot by contrast, gains by simply not being George W. Bush. If the Europeans hadn't hated Bush quite so much, they might not like Obama quite so well.
?
2011-05-23 22:02:26 UTC
If you shell out money like Obama buying all those people drinks in Ireland (video on youtube) you are bound to be liked. Obama does the same things as Bush. Such as the ongoing wars. He bombs countries like Lybia and invades countries sovereignty such as going in to kill Osama in Pakistan. I am glad Osama was caught but I just calling it the way it is. He could end the wars if he wanted to. One a side note recently Obama really did blow up levees and flooded farm land. Bush was accused of blowing up levees (cough cough). But this it time levees were blown up.
Jennilynn
2011-05-23 20:11:42 UTC
Because people are blind sheep. Obama has continued Bush's policies and has done more harm to the economy, national debt, housing market, et cetera than Bush did in 8 years. Oh, and added another over seas conflict on top of that. But never mind that, he's the first black president here to save the world.
YB Logical
2011-05-23 20:03:11 UTC
Is he buying them beer, pizza, and bratwurst like he did the Germans?

"While we appreciate the Obama Campaign’s hospitality, on behalf of furthering US international relations, offering free bratwurst, pizza and even beer for three hours during the free rock concert, we question whether or not the monies might have been better spent here on financially strapped US citizens."
2011-05-23 20:12:25 UTC
they only show and write what they want you to see



also alot of what and where barak goes it heavily controlled



just like when he does an interview they have all the questions before hand and OK certain ones and then have answers written up in advance for his telepomter.
ponpon
2011-05-23 19:53:38 UTC
Because, in spite of what the Republicans would have you believe Obama is very well liked around the world.



Obama 2012
2011-05-23 19:57:20 UTC
Because he is a president

Bush was an embarrassment to every American (he didn't look presidential man), he use to make up words and wanted to blow up the whole planet

Eat your hearts out republicans
?
2011-05-23 19:53:19 UTC
Bush had the anti-foreign policy. You can't invade countries without evidence without getting protested.
?
2011-05-23 19:57:17 UTC
Ireland educates their people, 'nuff said
2011-05-23 19:53:38 UTC
People can sense in people decency and evil. Bush was an evil man.
Duran Duran
2011-05-23 20:16:23 UTC
Why would Socialists and Communists protest someone who thinks like they do? Look at who is protesting Bush......read the bottom of the signs....SOCIALISTS in Ireland.



http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3Dbush%2Bprotesters%2Bin%2BIreland%26fr%3Dyfp-t-892&w=338&h=299&imgurl=spni.032.org.uk%2FPics%2FBush-protest-026.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.socialistpartyaustralia.org%2Farchives%2F1415&size=43KB&name=Bush-protest-026...&p=bush+protesters+in+Ireland&oid=11e742208aa14c53aa61c928ce42c2d0&fr2=&no=5&tt=200&sigr=11kqipqt7&sigi=119uppqkh&sigb=1374n6pct&.crumb=UAlVJONNULq



Socialists in England also protest Bush but not their buddy Obama. Again look at the bottom of the sign from a Bush protest in England.....Socialists!!!



http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DBush%2Bprotesters%2Bin%2BEngland%26b%3D22%26ni%3D21%26ei%3DUTF-8%26xargs%3D0%26pstart%3D1%26fr%3Dyfp-t-892%26fr2%3Dtab-web&w=391&h=450&imgurl=www.chinadaily.com.cn%2Fen%2Fdoc%2F2003-11%2F16%2Fxinsrc_bd4443fe81c54a1a9775871a67b40cf4_bush.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chinadaily.com.cn%2Fen%2Fdoc%2F2003-11%2F16%2Fcontent_281894.htm&size=19KB&name=Bush+and+Blair+a...&p=Bush+protesters+in+England&oid=8c13543a7c8ff4c25de29fbd535da655&fr2=tab-web&no=23&tt=267&b=22&ni=21&sigr=121kojjg2&sigi=12ouocj1e&sigb=147ht55rh&.crumb=UAlVJONNULq
2011-05-23 19:55:13 UTC
i guess the UK likes obamas war on terror better than bushs even though they are the same war.
Namaste
2011-05-23 19:52:48 UTC
They've figured out what our Conservatives have yet to learn.



President Obama is an excellent role model.



Bush was just a pile of poop wherever he went.
Superjohn
2011-05-23 19:52:06 UTC
Clearly...one is better than the other.



Now the real question to ask is, will he just as popular in 6 years time? Because let's face it, this dude's getting re-elected. GOP candidates just aint cuttin it for me.
?
2011-05-23 19:52:13 UTC
The Brits have good taste
2011-05-23 19:52:27 UTC
He's not saying "no" to them.
Barry's Change
2011-05-23 19:52:03 UTC
Purchasing power of his "friends" buys a lot of people.
Vicky I
2011-05-23 19:51:46 UTC
Why do the Jew love obama? I have no clue


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