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Poll: Mideast Arabs think very highly of Obama
By William Douglas McClatchy Newspapers May 10, 2009
WASHINGTON As President Barack Obama prepares to journey to Egypt in June to address the Muslim world, his overtures to the Middle East are paying off in positive feelings toward him from Arab peoples that far outpace the regions critical view of the United States itself, according to a McClatchy/Ipsos Poll.
The poll of six Arab nations found that residents think Obama will have a positive impact on the Middle East a region marked by war, religious disputes, ethnic and sectarian violence as well as on the United States and the rest of the world.
Obama scored highest in Jordan, where 58% of its citizens have a favorable opinion of him, 29% have an unfavorable view, 6% had no opinion and 7% didnt know.
Saudi Arabians have a 53% favorable opinion of Obama, followed by 52% in the United Arab Emirates. From there, Obamas popularity dips with a 47% favorability rating in Kuwait, 43% in Lebanon and 35% in Egypt. In none of these countries, however, was Obamas unfavorable rating higher than his favorable one.
In contrast, only 38% of Saudis have a favorable view of the United States, followed by 36% of Jordanians, 34% of UAE residents, 31% of Lebanese and 22% of Egyptians.
The difference between Obamas popularity and that of the United States is a goodwill gap that spreads from 26 points in Kuwait to 11 points in Lebanon, all in Obamas favor.
Because of this, there is an opportunity for the president to literally bridge the gap where his repository of goodwill lifts the goodwill towards America, according to Ipsoss synopsis.
Obama will attempt to do just that when he travels to Cairo June 4 to deliver a promised speech to Muslims worldwide
Poll: Mideast Arabs think very highly of Obama | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press+