Zogby to discuss Latin American perceptions of U.S. as Bush heads to region on image-boosting mission
Zogby via BBSNews 2007-03-08 -- Pollster John Zogby will testify before a joint hearing of two House subcommittees Today about Latin American perceptions of the U.S., based on years of extensive polling by Zogby International—this on the same day President Bush heads to the region in an attempt to improve the image of the U.S.
Zogby International polling trends, based on years of survey research, indicate there is a growing disaffection with the United States that threatens our nation's long-standing vital interests and working relationships with Latin American countries. These findings come as a result of polling not only focused on national elections, but also the opinions of Latin American elites and key decision–makers. John Zogby will discuss the results of Zogby International's Latin American polling before a joint hearing of the House Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Organizations and Oversight, and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere at 3 p.m. Thursday, in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Pollster John Zogby: "We find over the past several years, U.S. policies have angered and alienated not only the general population, but also the elite communities – who traditionally have been more conservative and pro-American. And while immigration policies and regional trade policies are partly responsible, our unilateralist policies with the rest of the world have augmented this feeling of alienation. As a consequence, Latin American nations increasingly are looking elsewhere, both internally and externally, to forge other close relationships."
A 2005 survey of Latin American elites found there is an overwhelming belief that the U.S. benefits more from free trade than does Latin America, and nearly half of these elites said they would like to see a more balanced approach to trade relations. U.S. immigration policies are also a source of negative opinion – 83% of Latin American elites surveyed hold a critical view of U.S. immigration policy.
As Bush embarks on a week-long trip to Latin America in an attempt to boost the U.S. image there, Zogby polling has found many elites in Latin America are unimpressed with the President's job performance. Four in five elites (81%) give Bush a negative job approval rating of ‘fair' or ‘poor', and half (50%) of all elites say Bush's policies have been worse for the region than those of his predecessors. Bush's low ratings may not only be due to perceptions of U.S. performance in the region and immigration policy, but also the nation's handling of world affairs – 86% of elites disagree with the U.S.'s management of world conflicts, including majorities in every nation polled that "strongly disagree".
The poll surveyed a total of 523 elites in Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Chile, Mexico, and Venezuela from Aug. 17-Sept. 15, 2005 and contains an overall margin of error of +/- 4.4%.
Other Latin American elite surveys were conducted in 2002 and 2006. In 2006, Zogby International, in conjunction with the Miami Herald and the University of Miami School of Communications, also conducted polls of likely voters in Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, Nicaragua and Venezuela on national political and economic issues, as well as their opinion of the American people and the U.S. government.
Zogby polling also finds the U.S. government is viewed in a favorable light by only one-third (33%) of Latin Americans, while 45% view it unfavorable. Less than a third (31%) think the U.S. is the most important nation to Latin America.
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