| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"Captain Compassion" |
| Date: |
28 May 2005 10:09:18 PM |
| Object: |
Newsview: Bush's Global Clout Seen Growing |
Newsview: Bush's Global Clout Seen Growing
AP ^ | 05/28/05 | TOM RAUM
By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 55 minutes ago
President Bush departs the White House, Friday, May 27, 2005, to
attend the United States Naval Academy graduation in Annapolis, Md.
before heading to Camp David for the weekend. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
WASHINGTON - In the rarified club of world leaders, President Bush
has taken his share of lumps. Critics have railed against his handling
of Iraq, his perceived disdain for the United Nations and what
they say is a swaggering approach to foreign policy.
But Bush probably would not want to trade places with any other head
of state.
Nearly all his fellow leaders of the world's big industrial
democracies have stumbled. It has left them vulnerable at home and
weakener on the world stage.
The president, through it all, is riding what he sees as a strong
re-election mandate to trumpet his goal of spreading democracy.
That helps explains why Bush, despite a slip in his approval rating
among Americans, may find himself holding the stronger hand when he
travels in early July to Scotland for the annual summit of the leaders
of the eight major industrialized democracies.
"His counterparts all face ill political winds that make their
domestic positions rather precarious," said Charles Kupchan, director
of European studies with the Council on Foreign Relations, a private
research group. "I do think it puts Bush in an advantageous position."
It is not the best of times be a world leader:
_Britain's Tony Blair, Bush's chief ally on Iraq, did win re-election
this month to a third term as prime minister. But he prevailed by
drastically reduced margins for his Labour Party, threatening his
leadership abilities.
_Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, also a strong support of
U.S. policy in Iraq, has seen parties in his government coalition lose
in regional and local elections. Defeats even forced his resignation,
although he cobbled together a new coalition to regain power.
_German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a vocal critic of the Iraq war,
has called for national elections for this fall ? a year early. That
followed his party's crushing defeat in Germany's most populous
region. The loss, he said, cost him the mandate he needs to fix
Germany's struggling economy.
_French President Jacques Chirac, also a foe of U.S. policy in Iraq,
is taking heat for his decision to call a referendum on the
European Union's first constitution. It's set him up for what could be
a humiliating defeat. Chirac's approval ratings have declined and he
faces opposition from within his own party.
_Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin faces serious challenges and
demands that he resign. The House of Commons tied on a vote of
confidence this month. It took a vote by the parliament speaker to
give Martin's minority government a one-vote victory. Canada pledged
to tighten its borders after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But Ottawa
has declined to send troops to Iraq or sign on to the U.S. missile
defense shield.
_Japan's prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, finds his popularity
lagging after four years on the job. It's down about half from the 80
percent he once enjoyed. Koizumi may be in better shape than his
European counterparts. But weighing him down are tensions with
North Korea and China, and public concern about expected tax cuts and
pension restructuring.
_Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to consolidate power and
exercise more control over regional leaders. But his rollback of press
and political freedoms and his pursuit of oil giant Yukos have drawn
international condemnation and clouded Russia's business climate.
Analysts see common themes for the leaders' tough times: high
unemployment and slow growth in Germany and France; social tensions
associated with Muslim immigration; and a backlash against
"globalization" as industries move their operations to low-wage
countries.
Bush himself is having trouble on Social Security, judicial
nominations and other domestic priorities. Yet, analysts suggest, the
president has had strong run internationally over the past few months
? even with the continuing violence in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He persuaded European powers to negotiate with Iran over Tehran's
nuclear ambitions. He watched democratic elections and the formation
of a new government in Iraq. He successfully prodded Syria to withdraw
from Lebanon.
And he is taking an active role in trying to nudge Israelis and
Palestinians toward peace.
France's ambassador to the United States spoke recently of the effect
of Bush's winning a second term.
"The moment President Bush was re-elected, he extended the hand of
friendship and cooperation to the leaders of Europe," said Jean-David
Levitte. "Style has changed."
--
"Looking at every bump and wiggle of the record is a waste of time -
it's like trying to figure out the probability of a pair of dice
by looking at the individual rolls. You've got to look at averages.
So, I don't set very much store in looking at the direct evidence."
-- Stephen Schneider
"America is a vast conspiracy to make you happy." -- John Updike
"Why would I listen to losers?" -- Arnold Schwarzenegger
"Long term commitment in relationships is only necessary because it takes
so damn long to raise children. Marriage may well be some kind of trick
to keep the males around beyond sexual satiation." -- Captain Compassion
"Progress is the increasing control of the environment by life.
--Will Durant
Joseph R. Darancette
res0mp8t@NOSPAMverizon.net
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: Newsview: Bush's Global Clout Seen Growing |
29 May 2005 04:26:21 AM |
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even with the continuing violence in Iraq and Afghanistan
The key forgien policy issue of this decade, the war in Iraq, glossed
over like a detail.
If I understand the point of this article, it is that Bush is doing
poorly, but we live in such terrible times for the world, much of which
is Bush fault, that things don't look so bad for him.
Odd that so shortly after having to scrounge to find any nation to
greet him warmly and coming under a grenade attack this is forgotten.
In fact the entire US persepective is becoming surrial, or unreal.
Bush will be judeged on one point and one point alone as a President,
how wide spread and effecitve was the Jihadist movement after he left.
On that he has been a total and utter failure, handing Bin Laden good
arguement after good arguement.
Though its not all Bush's fault. The real traitors who have handed Bin
Laden this war on a platter are the Bush supporters aged 18 to 35 who
support the war while demanding more tax cuts and refusing to sign up
themselves. The drop in US recuritment over the past three years will
be seen in the Muslim world as proof that Bin Laden method, taken over
a generation, will probably win in gaining major objectives since the
US can bomb and attack, but when it comes time to fight in the streets
the people who most support the bombing find themselves more interested
in censorship.
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| User: "steve" |
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| Title: Re: Newsview: Bush's Global Clout Seen Growing |
28 May 2005 11:23:18 PM |
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Captain Compassion wrote:
Newsview: Bush's Global Clout Seen Growing
AP ^ | 05/28/05 | TOM RAUM
Maybe among dictators who want his money.
But in democratically-run countries, Bush is irretrievably in the *****-can
and people don't trust him any further than they can throw a Humvee.
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| User: "Barney Lyon" |
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| Title: Re: Newsview: Hillary's Aide Acquitted on All Counts - NO WRONGDOING! - Conservatives Desperate to Find New Diversion as Bush Readies Attack on Iran |
29 May 2005 02:06:44 AM |
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Captain Compassion wrote:
Newsview: Bush's Global Grout Seen Growing Deadly Mold
Sat, May. 28, 2005
Former Clinton aide acquitted in fundraising case
By PAUL CHAVEZ
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - Putting a defendant on the witness stand normally is
considered shaky legal strategy, but it turned out to be the right move
for the former national finance director of Hillary Rodham Clinton's
Senate campaign.
Just days after ex-Clinton aide David Rosen testified before jurors,
they acquitted him Friday of federal charges connected to a lavish 2000
Hollywood fundraising gala.
Rosen, 38, had faced two counts of making false statements to the
Federal Election Commission over the cost of the star-studded gala,
which attracted such celebrities as Cher, Toni Braxton, Diana Ross,
Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.
The jury deliberated about six hours before reaching its verdict.
The youthful-looking, newlywed Rosen said emotions erupted as the
verdict was announced.
"It was hard for me to hold back tears. My whole family is crying, and
my attorney is crying. It was the happiest moment, next to my marriage,
in my life," he said.
Clinton was not charged, but Republicans closely monitored the trial,
hoping fallout from it might damage the New York Democrat's 2006
re-election bid and scuttle any hopes for a possible presidential
campaign in 2008.
Lanny Davis, former special counsel to former President Clinton, said
prosecutors should be ashamed for bringing a "frivolous" case.
"They owe Mr. Rosen an apology and those Republicans and right-wing
radio show hosts who have tried to link Mrs. Clinton to this meritless
prosecution are even more shameless," Davis said.
Prosecutors alleged that Rosen panicked over the mounting costs for the
fundraiser and lied to conceal its true cost from both the Clinton
campaign and the government. They said Hillary Clinton was unaware of
any wrongdoing.
The government claimed that Rosen caused a federal campaign finance
report to be filed that listed "in-kind" contributions of about
$400,000, when he knew that actual contributions for the event exceeded
$1.1 million.
It is not illegal for campaigns to accept in-kind contributions, such
as the use of cars, hotel rooms, and sound systems, but election law
requires such items be reported so the public knows who is helping a
candidate.
Jury foreman Michael Johnson, 40, said Rosen did not have the "means or
clout" to carry out what the government alleged.
"I truly believe that Rosen's role was as a fundraiser," Johnson said.
"He said he wasn't an accountant."
Another juror, Angelo Sanders, 29, said Rosen's calm demeanor on the
witness stand helped his cause. "I think everyone thinks he got in over
his head," Sanders said.
Prosecutors claimed Rosen was trying to duck federal financing rules so
Clinton's campaign would have more money to spend on her 2000 Senate
race against Rick Lazio.
"We have said from the beginning that, when all the evidence is in,
David would be vindicated," said David Kendall, lawyer for the former
first lady. "That has come to pass, and Sen. Clinton is very happy for
David and his family."
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/11761613.htm
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