Given that it looks like Bush has won (after they finish fannying around with their chads and all that) what is the likely impact, if any on where you live?
I’m in Britain and the impact here could be quite profound as we are the only other nation with a serious military presence in Iraq. This war is really very unpopular and is certainly hurting Tony Blair both within and outside the Labour Party (the Labour party loathes the war and absolutely despises Bush which puts Blair on a bit of a sticky wicket).
As it happens I can’t see it changing the result of the forthcoming British election as the Labour party have such a large majority they can afford to shed lots of seats and still win. Also the main opposition party was behind the war as well so it’s not really an election issue (although the lib dems (our 3rd party) will do their level best to make hay out of it and it may well help them in a few seats especially those with a large muslim population.
What it certainly will do is incense the lefties to the point where they have to be straightjacketed, and that is no bad thing in itself. The Guardian will probably self-immolate.
Bush has all but forgotten about Latin America… so Brazil has taken a leadership role of sorts in the region… though I haven’t seen concrete benefits from that yet.
If Bush fucks up the US economy the whole world suffers... but until now he hasn't been bad or good economically IMO. Gas prices are strangling any growth though... and that I blame on Bush. If these prices keep this high its bad for everyone. (except alternative energy scientists)
Since Bush doesn't care about the UN... its bad for our wanting a Security Council permanent position.
Next to nothing. Apparently the windmill stocks (which feature comparatively strong in the Danish stock market) has taken some initial beating, because, Kerry had some pro-renewable energy plans. On the other hand the rest of the market should react positively since they’ve been fearing some anti-free trade signals from Kerry. And especially the biotech companies have been dreading a Kerry takeover. Oil prices are up a bit, they say because Bush wants to continue filling up the strategic reserve – a decision I consider wise, but it’s not going to affect me much. Denmark is a net exporter of oil and after many years of highly taxed oil prices the industry has learned to be energy efficient, so a moderately high energy price can be overall good for the economy. Though, looking further, I’m personally more than a little worried that the high American deficit will undermine their ability to be an important power in the future.
The Danish (rightist) government has been out in favour of a Bush reelection, the Michael Moorish opposition is foaming. Also it’s a bit silly since on most all issues the most right wing Danish party is somewhere to the left of Nader. The Danish PM said this morning that he welcomed the election results, but also expected BushHitler in his second term to be more cooperative with Europe. And some political analysts have been out saying Bush is going to be more energetic in finding a solution (yeah, right) to the eternal Israel/Palestinian problem especially after Arafat is finally going belly-up, and throw this bone to Europe to get Europe actively engaged in Iraq. Get the foreign legion into Basra as they mused lyrically. Denmark is already in Iraq and has recently elected for an extension of the troops, so no change here.
…wait you’re not planning to invade us, are you?
I think Germany and France have some serious soul searching to do, an active opposition policy to the world’s greatest power isn’t really in their own best interest. Perhaps France isn’t going to change much, but I’ve heard some signals that implied Germany might not be entirely beyond reason re. Iraq. Kerry would have made a change of policy easier, but they’ll have to start talking regardless. The largest newspaper in Germany actually endorsed Bush.
Rashak, you’re gonna get a permanent security position when Rumsfeld speaks French. Not like we need more countries with veto-power either.
Ireland here. The Bush win is probably no bad thing for the Irish economy. We are heavily reliant on the significant presence of US multi-nationals availing of our well-educated workforce cough - tax breaks and some of the ‘Bring Jobs Home’ noises Kerry was making may have had a marginal impact on employment here.
We’re not involved in the war to any great extent (unless you count all the troops coming through Shannon Airport). Along with most EU Member States, we would have liked to see a ratification of Kyoto and a greater role for the UN as a force for international legitimacy but I’m not sure Kerry would have made huge progress on those issues anyway. I would have liked to see a Kerry win but that’s down to my political and moral beliefs rather than the result affecting me personally to any great extent.
I’m not at all happy about the result as I was hoping for a change in direction from the US but don’t see that happening.
Not sure that it’ll affect the UK political scene much. The US have now pretty much condoned their foreign policy (contentious point I know, but on the face of it, thats what a result for Bush implies) and Tony is just standing in the wings. I suppose we could see more of an erosion of the labour party’s popularity as the peace drags on.
I don’t know, I can barely think straight this morning. Still pissed off.
95% of Brazilians are against Bush… no doubt we hate him. His “we can invade whenver we want” atitude strikes badly with us. We are very supportive of the UN too.
Still I have heard arguments about Bush not being bad for Brazil… I’m not that bigoted to not see that possibility. Still most of it comes from a “weaker” America or a spendthrift America. The price has too be paid eventually. I certainly am not rooting for China as the next superpower either. I’d rather see a healthy multilateral USA.
In this second term, without need for a re-election, I think Bush will be more against free trade... and that is bad for Brazil always.
Rune no one is talking about veto power... maybe you don't know but the security council has a lot of non-veto members.
Oi. I have a headache… You don’t know how hard it is living this close to the US. It’s like sleeping in bed with an elephant, every time it moves a little, you feel it.
Personally I’m pissed at 51% of American voters for letting a liar and boob get back in office. I can’t believe that he got away with sending them to war on a lie and they rewarded him.
Actually considering our recent election rewarded our liars and cheats maybe it isn’t that surprising.
Thank God their constitution allows only for two terms. I just hope he goes back into the cruise control he was in at the beginning of his first term. George, you won, Please go golfing, or sit at the ranch. Ride out your term, you earned it.
I expect to have a new UK job in 2005. My anticipated employer is heavily involved with outsourcing, so I expect the US election will have a positive effect on their business. (Anticipated employer is also a large Republican party donor.)
Personally, I’m disappointed at the result, mainly for US gays and lesbians who’re looking at least four more years of second-class civil rights. Seems galling at a time where it looks like us lucky fags in the UK will soon be able to access civil unions.
Denmark currently has a seat in the Security Council. Permanent member without veto? Well then I’m all for Brazil, or at least I’m not opposed. I just don’t think any more countries with veto rights will do any good.
Listening to the CBC last night, a professor of Canadian studies in Washington said it will have little effect on Canada, they both have pretty much the same policies when it comes to us.
I think just about everyone agrees that the Veto power hasn’t been much good ! Putting a few more veto holders would be the best way to finish the UN for good. Issues would be vetoed wholesale.
The free trade agreement negotiated between Australia and the US will definitely go ahead now. As a consequence, the price of prescription drugs will increase and IP laws will be further tightened. Also, 2 of our citizens in Guantanamo Bay will continue to be screwed without even the dim hope a Kerry win would have offered them.
Lots more of the world will eventually become off limits to me. Syria and Iran are friendly, attractive destinations for motorcycle tourists so I hope they don’t become bloody hellholes like Iraq. Only a fool could carry a weapon in Iran, only a fool wouldn’t in Iraq – these days.
I don’t know of any people more candid. It’s not always a good thing but candour is not trait lacking among Americans. The reason Americans don’t admit to atrocities and catastrophes perpetrated by their government is more usually ignorance.
Where does this leave the EU in relation to the USA?
There are obvious splits between pro -US eg UK, Poland, Italy and before they developed cowardice, Spain and “old Europe” primarily France and Germany.
Will anything happen (eg a trade war over tariffs?). Or will France and the USA just carry on bickering like old women?
That’s short sighted. While the inter-government policy difference is never significant, the long term effects of Bush’s terrible fiscal management will negatively affect the Canadian economy. When the bills come due, and their economy suffers, so will ours. Prudent budgeting in Washington is good for Ottawa. But this is a long term effect.
Hard to say what the consequences will be in Germany.
Economically: does not really make a difference. Both candidates were bound to be good for quite a few conflicts on Boeing/Airbus subsidies, export subsidies, hormone-dosed cattle, etc.
Foreign policy: in the short term it’s an advantage for the the German government because it is off the hook re troops for Iraq - much more easy to deny them to President Bush than to President Kelly. I don’t doubt our defense minister will sleep easier tonight.
Hard to say which political camp will benefit. My money would on the center-left (the present red/green government coalition) because their stance on the Iraq war (the center-right black/yellow opposition mainly waffled at least before the insurgency grew, and they were much courted by the Bush administration, which might make people mistrust their commitment to keeping us out of Iraq).
In European politics: I think the Atlanticists will have a harder time now, and the concept of the EU as a counterweight to the US will gain supporters. People might even consider the need to eventually being able to successfully resist any ambitions by the US to liberate us - but that’s far into the future.
I shall actively block every further development of and investments in business we have in the USA.
I shall prepare and arrange everything for my family to make them leave our country for a safer place in case the criminal in the White House wants to bring his bloodthirst for war to my homeland . This includes that I shall prepare myself to become once again skilled enough in handling a weapon to be able to shoot the head off of every possible invader of my nation.
I shall do nothing at all anymore to bring to a more balanced reasoning those people who now rightfully say that the USA population has shown clearly that they approve the crimes of their government.
I shall do nothing at all anymore to bring to more restrained reasoning those people who want to jump on the wagon of extremism, let alone that I shall ever again actively engage myself in the efforts countries make to locate such people and above all the organisations who recrute and train and exploit them. Bush and his criminals can do that for me and I sincerely hope that they then get themselves killed in the process. A friend of mine was murdered while observing such a group. Why should any of us risk our lives to help aWhy not Bush and his criminals who give them such excellent recruting tools that we can’t even know anymore where to begin?/b]
I shall do nothing at all anymore to reason people who claim that this is “The West against Islam” or “Christianity against Islam”. They are completely right when they bring up that the Christians in the USA just came to re-elected this criminal who claims to be inspired by God to invade sovereign nations killing Muslims.
Putting a few more veto holders would be the best way to finish the UN for good. Issues would be vetoed wholesale.