Survey finds that Americans like Canada, England and Israel the best

AP ^ | December 1, 2006

[West Coast Conservative]

Americans have the warmest feelings about England, Canada and Israel, and good feelings have improved about China and India more than any other country since an August poll, according to a survey measuring U.S. attitudes toward foreign countries.

The survey, released Thursday by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, found that Cuba, Iran and North Korea received the coolest ratings when Americans were asked to rank how they felt about foreign countries. Iraq, North Korea and Venezuela were said to be the countries with ratings that fell the most.

Since an August survey, the university found that the ratings for 13 countries had improved. The "Global Thermometer" measured the warmth of U.S. voters' feelings about 16 foreign countries, the United Nations and the Palestinian government.

In order of ranking, they were England, Canada, Israel, Germany, India, Mexico, the United Nations, Russia, France, China, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iraq, Syria, the Palestinian government, Cuba, Iran and North Korea.

Peter Brown, the institute's assistant director, said Democrats generally give foreign countries higher ratings than Republicans. "The poll was taken after an election in which Democrats triumphed, so perhaps that is what we are seeing," he said of the improvement in U.S. attitudes.

Democrats wrested control of both houses of the U.S. Congress from Republicans in elections this month.

The survey's results came from interviews conducted Nov. 13-19 with 1,623 registered voters across the country. There is a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

[Issaquahking]

What? No Australia? I am offended!


Peter Brown, the institute's assistant director, said Democrats generally give foreign countries higher ratings than Republicans.

Dem's normally love commies/socialism - control...

In order of ranking, they were England, Canada, Israel, Germany, India, Mexico, the United Nations, Russia, France, China, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iraq, Syria, the Palestinian government, Cuba, Iran and North Korea.

Let's see...

U.S.A., Australia, U.K., country's that love, live, and defend freedom! Interesting that my first three have red, white, and blue, flags.

[libbylu]

Whatever happened to Australia? Did a democrat make the list?

[originalbuckeye]

When I read the headline I thought 'Wow, they must have been polling mostly conservatives'. Dems would have had No Korea, Iran and Cuba at the front of the list and the red, white and blue countries as least liked!

[Cicero]

Keep in mind that the pollsters chose the countries, as a "thermometer" of opinion.

Australia wasn't on the list. For that matter, Ireland and Italy weren't on the list.

I think on the whole that the list reflects some pretty conservative views, similar to this forum.

"England, Canada, Israel, Germany, India, Mexico, the United Nations, Russia, France, China, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iraq, Syria, the Palestinian government, Cuba, Iran and North Korea."

If you had asked this twenty or thirty years ago, the UN probably would have been much higher.

Interesting that France has fallen behind Russia. And if you think Mexico is high on the list, which of the remaining countries would you put above it?

Given the rather short list, and the substantial number of unpleasant countries on it, this is pretty much the way I'd rank them, I think.

[hosepipe]

[ Survey finds that Americans like Canada, England and Israel the best ]

American Socialists(democrats/greens, Rinos) like Canada, England, Isreal the best..

Patriotic Americans like America the best.. literally ALL other countrys are a step down..

[truth_seeker]

"No Ausies? No Kiwis?"

And the Dutch. Widely agreed to be among the most friendly folks to be found.

Also missing Swiss, Austrians, Italians, Czechs, Swedes, etc.

[the anti-liberal]

Perhaps you can help me understand this:

a survey measuring U.S. attitudes toward foreign countries

Is the United Nations now considered a foreign country?

[Young Scholar]

Interesting that my first three have red, white, and blue, flags.

But so does France.

[wildcatf4f3]

Aussies!!! the general public has no idea what is really going on in the world...The Aussies and Poles are my favorites

[Young Scholar]

Patriotism does not mean nationalism or chauvinism, and it does not mean willful ignorance. Many other countries have their merits, and to claim that patriotic Americans do not like other countries is bizarre.

[NapkinUser]

Canada? Where is Australia and Poland?

[AngloSaxonChristian]

It is slightly strange to ask about England rather than the UK when referring to a country.

Here's a link to the actual poll details:

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1284.xml?ReleaseID=993&What=&strArea=;&strTime=120

The only reason I can see for not including countries like Scotland, Eire, Australia or New Zealand is if they only included countries with a population over 20m, but I can't see why they would do that.

[AngloSaxonChristian]

'If they single out England shouldn't they have an option for Scotland and Wales as well?'

You'd have thought so wouldn't you. And of course an option for Ulster.

[AngloSaxonChristian]

'If America sank into the sea.

Australia is where you would find me.'

Maybe not - Australia has tough immigration laws, you'd have to ask them nicely! :)

[elhombrelibre]

I don't get this poll and its analysis. The fact that the Democrats won Congress is why the author thinks those countries rated so high? Is it just me or does that sound loony? It seems to me that many, many Democrats would prefer Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and any other country that's eager to harm America. After all, they blame America first and Republicans for all of those countries animus and their domestic brutality. So why not have a high regard for those who share their anti-Bush extremism.

[AngloSaxonChristian]

'Patriotic Americans like America the best.. literally ALL other countrys are a step down..'

America wasn't an option on the list, I guess they think it's safe to assume most Americans like America best.

[AngloSaxonChristian]

'Interesting that my first three have red, white, and blue, flags.
But so does France.'


Yes, but France is the only country to have a flag where the red and blue end pieces are removable, leaving an entirely white flag. . . . . . ;-)

[Drango]

I hate Berkeley the most.

[AngloSaxonChristian]

'The Aussies and Poles are my favorites'

You'll love London then, you can't move for Aussies and Poles! :D

[Paladin2]

As a US citizen, I identify most strongly with Australia. Though they drive on the wrong side of the road, they seem to be still interested in cars with V8s and manual transmissions. And they have 'Utes.