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McCain Travels the World — and Impresses
John McCain earned a surprising amount of praise from the foreign press — even the British and the French dig him. Not bad for the candidate seen at home as a sequel to George W. Bush.
John McCain traveled the world last week — visiting Iraq, Jordan, Israel, France and Great Britain — hoping to demonstrate to voters at home his foreign policy chops and to people abroad his intent to repair damaged alliances. Seizing upon McCain’s remark that Iran trains Al Qaeda operatives. the media missed the bigger story: the largely positive reception that McCain received overseas. Rather than confirm to the world that he is the scary right-winger many of them envisioned, McCain instead reassured his hosts that his presidency would be markedly different than the current one.
McCain racked up positive reviews nearly everywhere he went. Previewing his trip with a column in the Financial Times, he stressed the importance of strong Europe-American alliances and “welcome[d] European leadership to make the world a better and safer place.” The first stop on McCain’s trip was to meet with Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Great Britain, fitting, seeing that last year, a Pew poll found that only 51% of British respondents viewed the United States favorably, down from 83% a year before the war in Iraq. Of his visit, the left-wing Independent allowed that “a McCain brand of hawkishness is likely to be less inflexibly, and ignorantly, ideological than George Bush’s.” Even the viciously anti-American Guardian advised its readers that “Mr. McCain should not be dismissed as Bush mark two” because he is “made of sterner stuff and he has a lifetime of engagement with the outside world — and the scars to prove it — that gives him the moral seriousness Mr. Bush so lacks.” While lamenting that “the next president may be neither black nor a woman,” the paper praised him for being “wholly clear about the need to rebuild America’s reputation in the world and about the importance of treating allies seriously.” McCain received even more glowing press in Israel and France.
Given the baggage of the current Republican administration, McCain may be hesitant to make that the case that he will be more adept at leading the world than Obama, whose entire candidacy is predicated upon the unsubtle promise that his mere presence in the White House will make the world love us again. The Illinois Senator’s supporters vastly overestimate the degree to which he will be able to restore America’s prestige in the world. Hope that Obama will be a salve for the country’s reputation is largely unfounded, based as it is as much upon his race as his proven leadership abilities. Last year, in a cover story for The Atlantic, Andrew Sullivan breathlessly asked, “What does he offer? First and foremost: his face. Think of it as the most effective potential re-branding of the United States since Reagan.” The shallow supposition that Obama’s mixed-race heritage will win over the people of the word belies a dangerous naïveté about the region in which America most requires effective public relations: the Middle East. Far from being a racially enlightened paradise where the election of a black president would cause spontaneous celebration in the streets, Arab and Muslim countries are actually among the most racist in the world. For decades, they countenanced the Arab slavery of black Christians in the Sudan and, today, do nothing about genocide against blacks in Darfur. Whenever Condoleezza Rice travels to the region she is trailed by Arab newspaper cartoons depicting her as a monkey.
The truth is that much of contemporary anti-Americanism is a manifestation of disgust with George W. Bush as an individual and will immediately dissipate as soon as a new president — Democrat or Republican — enters the Oval Office in 2009. Yet also keep in mind that a similar degree of anti-American sentiment is inherent and may take a generation to disappear. French anti-Americanism, for instance, springs from economic inferiority and a lost empire, was flaunted as far back as 50 years ago when Charles de Gaulle was president and George W. Bush was but a little boy. Much of South America’s anti-Americanism stems from 19th century American imperialism, something that no American president will be able to change.
What the next president can do to reverse the popularity deficit is distinguish himself from the current administration’s most unpopular policies. On this score, McCain already has much to his credit. He has long stood out for his proactive stance on global warming, his opposition to coercive interrogation practices of terrorism suspects, and his support for closing the prison on Guantanamo Bay, all things which anger people and governments overseas. Moreover, it is these very issues — and not America’s continued presence in Iraq, a policy with which McCain is readily identified due to his support for last year’s troop surge – that accounts for America’s low approval ratings around the world. The initial decision to overthrow Saddam Hussein was obviously unpopular, but it is unclear whether an American withdrawal – and the likely chaos that would follow – would make us more loved overseas. In this sense, McCain’s record of criticizing the Bush administration’s handling of the war and his dedication to seeing Iraq through to some sort of democratic peace are both factors that will boost America’s standing should he become president.
When electing a president, Americans do not usually prioritize international opinion. In 2004, for instance, the world hoped that we would elect John Kerry; the Guardian even went so far as to encourage its readers to send letters to pen pals in the swing state of Ohio encouraging American voters to do so. But in this presidential campaign, America’s role in the world has taken on significance unseen in recent political history. A top concern for voters in November will be a candidate’s ability to raise American prestige. Rest assured that McCain will do just that.
James Kirchick is an assistant editor of The New Republic.
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21 Comments
1. Sheila:As a European who frequently visits the UK on business, I wouldn’t even use the Guardian to wipe my a$$ (apologies for any offence). Apart from having a severe left wing bias, most of the Guardian writers are patronising pseudo-intellectuals. The Telegraph is a better choice.
Apr 2, 2008 - 3:31 am 2. Valerie:One of the things I have found that I like about George Bush is his ability to put the actions of the president in its historical context. He would talk for example, about how President Clinton would “tee up” a certain issue, and how his own administration would follow through in a consistent fashion. So, when Yassser Arafat failed to negotiate in good faith, Bush cut off the conversation, to make it absolutely clear that Arafat was not going to be able to get a better deal by out-waiting a US president. He referred to it as honoring his predecessor’s work.
If McCain does what I want him to do, he will not necessarily copy the present Administrations actions, but will take new and different actions consistent with several policies that have been in place since at least the Clinton administration. I do hope he will continue with one particular policy change, namely the rejection of realpolitik.
Apr 2, 2008 - 4:45 am 3. Anthony (Los Angeles):the paper praised him for being “wholly clear about the need to rebuild America’s reputation in the world and about the importance of treating allies seriously.”
Translation of the Guardian’s remarks: “We are wiser than you. Listen to us. Be like us. You are insensitive cowboys and culturally inferior to Your Betters in Europe if you don’t. You need our esteem. Remember: talk, express concern, but take no action other than to issue a statement.”
Sorry, but the Guardian’s argument (and Mr. Kirchick’s) depends on the assumption that the Europeans are , a priori, right and were are wrong. Sorry, but on climate change, coercive interrogation, and Gitmo, many of us believe Europe is fooling itself, and to worry about whether they love us is to concentrate on the least importantthing in a very dangerous world. While I don’t expect McCain to come around on the latter two, I still have hope when it comes to the farce of anthropogenic global warming, European opinion be damned.
Apr 2, 2008 - 5:59 am 4. vb:It helps to distinguish between Europeans who actually know what is going on in the world and the broad masses who are fed a daily dose of anti-American and anti-Bush propaganda. There have been a few serious voices who have warned that American foreign policy cannot change dramatically no matter who is elected. The masses don’t understand this. They want us to elect a black or a woman to prove that we are not racist or sexist so that they too can be absolved of their own racism and sexism. They want someone who will wave a magic wand and make all the world’s problems disappear. It is certainly wise to try to do an end run around world popular opinion, but it is foolish to cater to it.
Apr 2, 2008 - 7:19 am 5. mishu:We are wiser than you. Listen to us. Be like us. You are insensitive cowboys and culturally inferior to Your Betters in Europe if you don’t. You need our esteem. Remember: talk, express concern, but take no action other than to issue a statement.”
You forgot, “Never spend more than 2% GDP on defense.”
Apr 2, 2008 - 7:20 am 6. Gerald:Well, elections are coming. George Bush also went from kinder and gentler, to war president.
Apr 2, 2008 - 1:10 pm 7. GK:One of the stubborn “anti-American” ideas in Europe is, that American pragmatism equals short-sightedness. Now suddenly, McCain acknowledges publicly that reliance on autocratic regimes for regional influence has long-term adverse effects. In his remarks on foreign policy at the World Affairs Council in LA, he explicitly mentions US support for Persia’s Shah, and the subsequent anti-American islamist backlash. Now that will impress European liberals!
I continue to be unimpressed with the knowledge level of Euro-leftists.
They think they are more knowledgeable than Americans, but ask a few probing questions, and even their knowledge of WW2 is quite weak.
The average European thinks that even in WW2, America was more evil than Hitler due to America’s atomic bombs.
Apr 2, 2008 - 2:00 pm 8. Freedom4America Group:McCain is a Liberal in a Republican suit and groups are working their hardest to make sure this PHONY is NOT nominated in September.
Want the REAL TRUTH about McCain check out the site below.
http://knowbeforeyouvote.com/
He is a GUN GRABBING LIBERAL and for Open Borders. He is a CFR Member and is a GLOBALIST, like the 2 Democrat candidates still running, who WILL destroy our SOVEREIGNTY.
The man is also responsible for 100’s of DEATHS on the Forrestal Ship.
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2008/02/371864.shtml
In our eyes, and in the eyes of many Vietnam War Veterans that were in the same POW camp with “Songbird McCain”, he is a TRAITOR. He has done so much harm to the Families of the MIAs.
http://nowaymccain.com
http://gopteaparty.com
http://vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com
The REAL VETERAN is DR. Ron Paul and we dare you to check out his Issues on the site below and tell us otherwise. Unlike McCain this STATESMAN is a TRUE PATRIOT and for We The People and will NOT let the Puppet Masters control him.
http://www.ronpaulforpresident2008.com/pages/issues.html
ONLY Honest Poll on the Internet
http://whowouldtheworldelect.com
PATRIOTS RULE and SHEEPLE DROOL
Apr 2, 2008 - 2:08 pm 9. Larry J:“welcome[d] European leadership to make the world a better and safer place.”
Curling up in a ball and pleading for the Islamists not to hurt them is hardly leadership.
Apr 2, 2008 - 2:12 pm 10. RebeccaH:The truth is that much of contemporary anti-Americanism is a manifestation of disgust with George W. Bush as an individual and will immediately dissipate as soon as a new president — Democrat or Republican — enters the Oval Office in 2009.
I must disagree with Mr. Kirchik here. Anti-Americanism, like anti-Semitism, has been around for a long, long time (as long as there has been a United States), and it’s here to stay. We will never be completely free of it. John McCain may find approval in Europe because he is not George Bush, but as soon as he starts pushing American interests (which he will), the honeymoon will be over, and we’ll see the same sneering disapproval we Americans have become used to. The problem for them is, since 911, most Americans no longer care whether the world approves of us or not. We have our own agenda (which does not include imperialism, or hegemony beyond our own natural self-interest, despite what the socialistic elitists continually trumpet). And most Americans no longer concede European superiority.
Apr 2, 2008 - 2:26 pm 11. M.E.:“The truth is that much of contemporary anti-Americanism is a manifestation of disgust with George W. Bush as an individual and will immediately dissipate as soon as a new president — Democrat or Republican — enters the Oval Office in 2009”.
This statement is absolutely false. I am European and feel a great admiration for George W. Bush. And I feel infinite contempt for European politicians. European media are manipulated by poison-filled leftists, like by-products gathered in The Guardian, Le Monde, El País, La Repubblica ect.. They hate George W. Bush because this great man had courage to make war against two absolutely criminal regimes: the Islamo-cannibalist of talibans and the National-socialist of Saadam Hussein. For all these “liberal” Europeans the most criminal and bloody dictatorship is better than any democracy, most of all, the American Democracy; and dictators like Saadam Hussein, Stalin, Pol Pot, Mao, Castro etc. are benefactors of mankind, while a democratic American president, like George Bush, is the enemy. They can’t forgive George W. Bush because the US continues to be the only foundation of freedom and democracy. What do make Europeans? I take only the French example. Saadam Hussein was the best client of the French armaments industry. The Iraqi War ruined the idyllic coexistence of France with his criminal regime to which it sold poor quality arms. The Iraqi War has demonstrated the absolute superiority of American weapons and the inferiority of French and Russian arms. It explains the anti-war politics of France, Russia and other European countries that have dealt with Islamofascist dictatorships. That is another reason why Europeans (leftists, fascists and big guns dealers) hate the great American President George W. Bush and feel such a great enthusiasm for a sympathizer of Islamofascist and communist regimes, like Obama, in hope that this insignificant and false man will turn the US into a political marsh like Europe. To have an exact idea of the European anti-Americanism read “L’obsession anti-américaine. Son fonctionnement, ses causes, ses inconséquences” by Jean-François Revel. Revel reveals the deep roots of the anti-Americanism in the hate for democracy. Don’t forget that Europe was motherland of the most hateful ideologies, like communism and fascism, and fatherland of world’s wars. Islamofascism is also a perverse by-product of these monsters generated by Europe. If Europe isn’t still transformed in an Islamic sewer, we, Europeans, must thank George W. Bush and, above all, the American soldiers who died and die for us.
Apr 2, 2008 - 2:26 pm 12. Ron J:Only liberals give a rats a** what Europeans and others think. I think its fine McCain is running around, shmoozing with world leaders. Fine. But when approval ratings from foreigners goes up past 80 to 90% again, beware!
Apr 2, 2008 - 2:42 pm 13. tom swift:“A top concern for voters in November will be a candidate’s ability to raise American prestige.”
This is an odd statement. It’s not a concern at all in my corner of the country. America’s prestige has never been higher. The author (and Europe, perhaps) doesn’t want America to be prestigious; he wants it to go back to being everybody’s whipping boy. That’s not any sort of prestige I’m willing to vote for. Pandering to European neuroses, inferiority complexes, and nostalgia for their lost empires is not something to which Americans outside of Washington and New York assign a high priority.
Apr 2, 2008 - 2:50 pm 14. Jim:M.E. *rules*
Apr 2, 2008 - 3:23 pm 15. Mama73:Mc Cain is the only candidate I think may finish the job in Iraq.
Somehow, despite what the author says, I think the Europeans might not approve of his tactics in getting this done. And I really don’t care.
Apr 2, 2008 - 3:45 pm 16. Vinny Vidivici:Thanks, Anthony, vb, others.
I don’t buy the red herring about America’s need to ‘repair’ its reputation, no matter how many times it’s repeated by Kirchick and other members of our insecure nomenklatura — many of whom seem to think it’s more important to be well liked than to do the right thing.
Why? Because the only picture of America most people in this world will ever see is presented in words and images selected by newspaper editors, television producers and propagandists. Major media outlets throughout the world present a one-note narrative of ceaseless American wickedness, focusing exclusively and hysterically on this nation’s shortcomings, some real but many imagined, while ignoring almost completely this country’s unique burdens, responsibilities and contributions. Then the crude, ginned up bigotry of their audiences is offered — sometimes by political opportunists here at home — as ‘proof’ of American waywardness.
What a shakedown. Unfortunately, our so-called leadership classes can no longer tell when they’re being snookered.
Show trials and ’struggle sessions’ end with confession and contrition. We’re in the first stage now and headed for the second. The volume of vitriol hurled at this country, day in and day out, will diminish when we elect leaders more easily seduced by manipulative European diplomats and UN con artists, more easily gamed by third world charlatans and grifters posing as champions of the people, and more easily cowed by gangsters posing as statesmen in places like Beijing and Caracas.
Apr 2, 2008 - 4:13 pm 17. nonmilagno:It’s not necessary that Europeans like us. However, it is important that they realise we have common interests.
Apr 2, 2008 - 4:30 pm 18. Dave S.:“He has long stood out for his proactive stance on global warming, his opposition to coercive interrogation practices of terrorism suspects, and his support for closing the prison on Guantanamo Bay, all things which anger people and governments overseas.”
So how are the Kyoto signatories doing on reducing their CO2 emissions compared to the US, hmmm?
Apr 2, 2008 - 5:32 pm 19. colagirl:Mc Cain is the only candidate I think may finish the job in Iraq.
Somehow, despite what the author says, I think the Europeans might not approve of his tactics in getting this done. And I really don’t care.
Agree completely.
Apr 2, 2008 - 5:59 pm 20. ddc:There are plenty European Bloggers “get it” instead of following Le Monde (fr) which is just a tad bit worse that our very own NYT.
http://danishaffairs.wordpress.com/
http://no-pasaran.blogspot.com/
http://europenews.dk/en
http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/
to name a very good few
Apr 2, 2008 - 10:22 pm 21. Steve, UK:Don’t forget the Guardian has a ciculation of 370000, not enough to keep its editor in peanuts. The only way it continues to exist is because the same people own Autotrader, which is the weekly we buy and sell our cars in (no, really!).
Apr 5, 2008 - 2:21 pmThe Independent is dead on its feet, just doesn’t know it yet.
Btw, the BBC advertises its vacancies almost exclusively in the Guardian. All hangs together, doesn’t it?
Those people run the country, though. I don’t want to gloss over that. It’s just I’d hate you all to think they represent us all…