Americans worry about their image in the world

Seven out of 10 Americans are worried about the worsening of their country's image around the world, suggesting that global dislike of George Bush and his foreign policies could have an impact, albeit indirect, on the outcome of the presidential election.

Seven out of 10 Americans are worried about the worsening of their country's image around the world, suggesting that global dislike of George Bush and his foreign policies could have an impact, albeit indirect, on the outcome of the presidential election.

That is the most striking finding of a new set of polls released yesterday by the Globscan group and the University of Maryland. Of Americans polled, 40 per cent said that foreign antipathy to the US was a big problem, and 30 per cent "somewhat of a problem." Although almost three-quarters said world opinion would have no impact on their vote. But 18 per cent said they would be more likely to vote for the candidate preferred by most people in the world - who in 2004 is overwhelmingly the Democratic challenger John Kerry.

According to a separate Globescan survey of public opinion in 35 countries, in 30 of them a majority wanted Mr Kerry to win, on average by a more than two to one margin. Only in Poland, Nigeria and the Philippines among countries surveyed was Mr Bush preferred. In two others, India and Thailand, opinion was more or less split.

Everywhere else however, from Europe and Latin America to Asia and Africa, Mr Kerry is the desired winner, by far. Support for him is particularly strong among traditional US allies, even those who joined the Bush coalition in Iraq.

In Britain, Mr Kerry is preferred by 47 per cent, compared with 16 per cent for Mr Bush.