President Barack Obama steps off Air Force One in Istanbul today, arriving in Turkey's biggest city on the second leg of his first trip to a mainly Muslim country since taking office. (Photo by Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images)
by Mark Silva
President Barack Obama draws guarded praise back home for his weeklong European tour, his first as president, with just nearly half of those surveyed saying the president has accomplished "a fair amount'' on his trip.
Only 16 percent of those surveyed by CNN and Opinion Research Corp. said that the president had accomplished "a great deal'' on his trip so far - and just 24 percent said he had accomplished "not much'' and 11 percent "nothing at all.''
Then again, the trip isn't over - and the survey was run April 3-5, before Obama had stood before the Turkish Parliament today to declare that the United States is "not at war with Islam.'' So there may be time yet for an adjustment of opinion.
Asked what effect the American abroad may have had on the way ordinary people in other countries view the United States, a sizeable number believe he's had a positive impact: 51 percent saying the president has fostered a "somewhat more positive'' view of the U.S. among his foreign audience and 28 percent saying "much more positive.''
Just 11 percent said that Obama has stirred a "somewhat more negative'' view of the U.S. and 8 percent "much more negative.
The president, in his appeal for a common bond with largely Islamic nations such as Turkey, has called on the Turkish today to trust the U.S. as a partner. Asked if the U.S. should trust allied Muslim nations the same is it trusts other allies, 51 percent said they should be trusted the same, 48 percent trusted less.
The survey of 1,203 adults run April 3-5, 2009 carries a possible margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Comments
Republicans will go out of their way to continue the "sky is falling" opinions. Success is not something they are vested in. Gosh they miss the cowboy politics of the past when it comes to foriegn policy.
Posted by: bill r. | April 6, 2009 1:11 PM
This trip was an unqualified success. The storyline went from Euro leaders labeling Obama a failure to the POTUS soothing world tensions and making a truly historic visit to Turkey, and marking a new era in U.S./Muslim relations.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | April 6, 2009 1:34 PM
The trip was an unqualified failure, except as Obama PR. He didn't get any substantive commitment to Afghanistan from the NATO countries, nor any firm economic agreement. To those who call the trip a "success": please point out any results. Name these groundbreaking new treaties or agreements that were signed.
However, He did give The Swamp the opportunity to gush about Michelle's arms.
Posted by: Alice Palmer | April 6, 2009 2:31 PM
However, He did give The Swamp the opportunity to gush about Michelle's arms.
Posted by: Alice Palmer | April 6, 2009 2:31 PM
and the rabid to attack her. I know significant amounts in monies for the IMF mean nothing to you. I know significant financial as well as technical support in Afghanistan means nothing to you. Actually...come to think about it....nothing really means much to you other than being in power. Good luck there!!!!!
Posted by: bill r. | April 6, 2009 2:50 PM
President Obama's energy and enthusiasm was infectious and all over the place. Can anyone ever imagine former President George W. Bush holding a town hall meeting in France? No, you can't. Over 25,000 invaded Prague to hear President Obama's speech today.
Would or could former President Bush bring a crowd to listen to him and the American platform? No, he would get that many to protest his very existence in their town. Yes, we know this is true.
President Obama's main job was to restore our image to the Europeans. He needed to let Europe know that we want to work with them, not against them. He had to listen and absorb their concerns. Not to grandstand or give the "you are with us or against us" speech. That single statement from former President George W. Bush did more harm than good for this country and our international standing. A statement this country is still paying a price for.
Posted by: Vast Left Wing Conspirator | April 6, 2009 3:05 PM
The economic and international mess is one that former President George W. Bush created. It was the arrogance of that administration that killed his presidency in the end. He could not pick up any phone to ask for any help, he killed all the pragmatic thinking and good will to these European countries and they watched him and this country go downhill.
President Obama's speech at the town hall in France is one of the best he has given. He pointed out all our faults, as well as Europe's faults and that it is time to try a different approach and direction. He is right.
Posted by: icebergslim | April 6, 2009 3:36 PM
All weekend long I watched a lot of talking heads hemming and hawing about President Obama's European trip as if they were watching it through the wrong end of a telescope. Listen, you pundit knuckleheads, even he didn’t expect to get everything he wanted. Get real! But kudos to Reporter John Harwood, who summarized the net result on Meet the Press in words even a villager beltway bubblehead can understand:
"[Y]ou can look at what Barack Obama is doing as: he's moving the ball down the field. He's making first downs. He's not fumbling the ball. Is he connecting with long passes? Did he get all he wanted on stimulus or on troops? No. But this is progress. The G20 communiqué had useful steps on regulation, on money for the IMF, on money for trade finance. It's going to be tested down the road when we decide whether the economy in fact needs more stimulus. That's when the pledge to do what's necessary will---that's where the rubber will hit the road. But I think at the moment Barack Obama---and you can look broadly at his agenda on steps forward in Congress, on his budget, on the stimulus plan---he is making progress and he is not turning the ball over."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30055730/page/3/
And that's drivin' a lot of Wingnuts crazy....I'm sorry...crazier.
Posted by: Pennyroyal Tea | April 6, 2009 6:24 PM
Obama in Europe reminded me of the Carter days. Apologizing for the all the ignorant Americans who so much needed the Europeans to lead the way. I was completely insulted by the idea that America was deciding factor in ending WW1, winning WW2 and ending fascism, and handling just about every major disaster in the world with utmost professionalism. Are Americans perfect? No. But they deserve a President who does not talk us down like we are some country bumpkins.
Posted by: uGottaBeKiddingMe | April 6, 2009 9:41 PM
So: 19 % think the trip was a negative??
Including that shooter in Pittsburgh no doubt.
Posted by: ornery | April 6, 2009 9:41 PM
So nice to have a President who generates excitement rather than hatred.
It felt good to see people waving american flags instead of burning them
America's enemies are going to have to find another whipping boy
I'm sure they're missing Bush
Posted by: norris hall | April 8, 2009 12:42 AM