Australian minister says Trump phenomenon 'terrifying'

[Lodestar]

Source: Reuters

A senior Australian government minister on Thursday called Donald Trump's campaign for the U.S. presidency "terrifying" and warned it risked casting the Republican Party into the wilderness if he wins nomination.

Australian government ministers rarely make critical comments about elections in other countries, especially stalwart allies like the United States, which Australia relies on heavily for military backing in the Asia-Pacific.

Australian Industry Minister Christopher Pyne, a cabinet member of the ruling conservative Liberal-National coalition, criticized the violence at recent Trump rallies and said that his rise was casting a pall over American democracy.

"Now, democracy should be robust but it certainly shouldn't be violent," Pyne said in an interview on Australia's Channel Seven television network.

"And I think the Donald Trump phenomenon is a real problem for the United States, making their democracy look kind of weird," he said.




Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-australia-idUSKCN0WJ065

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Interesting.... so the world somehow found George Bush acceptable?

[MrModerate]

1. Australians didn't have a high opinion of Bush . . .

Still don't.

But their government at the time was conservative (a coalition of the Liberals and the Nationals), and it went along with Bush's adventures. The people didn't agree, but since their soldiers were deeply involved in Iraq and Afghanistan, patriotism and support for the military and military families damped down objections.

Australians were very enthusiastic about Obama's election and he is very popular there today -- much moreso than Bush ever was.

[pampango]

2. Many countries are worried that Trump has little regard for international agreements and

alliances.

Trump seems to prefer that the US act alone across the board rather than cooperate with them. That he would be worse even than Bush who invaded two countries, essentially unilaterally (his infamous 'cowboy diplomacy'), but did not break many alliances or international agreements to the extent that Trump threatens to do. Add to that his apparent appeals to racism and xenophobia and it is no wonder foreign countries worry about him.

[awoke_in_2003]

3. If Trump wins

we may look back fondly on the Bush years.

[lunatica]

4. When George Bush was elected the second time they all pretty much gagged

The UK Daily Mirror asked "How can 59,054,087 people be so DUMB?"

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/international_papers/2004/11/brits_to_america_youre_idiots.html

It was embarrassing.