Then And Now: Canadians Welcomed Bush With Violent Protests, Raise American Flags For Obama

[cal04]

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/02/19/obama-bush-canada/

Today, President Obama arrived in Canada, his first foreign trip since taking office. Already, the trip is a stark departure from the Bush years. U.S. presidents have traditionally made their first trip abroad to Canada. President Bush, however, broke with tradition and headed south to Mexico.

Already, there’s been a noticeable difference in the way the Canadian public has received the two presidents. Bush was wildly unpopular in Canada. Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who supported the Iraq war (and later admitted it was a mistake), was lambasted by Canadians as supporting “Harper-Bush” policies. Not surprisingly, Bush’s visits to Canada spurred massive protests:

– “Thousands of protesters marched on Parliament Tuesday, rallying against President Bush’s visit and the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Twelve people were arrested after scuffling with police on the fringes of the peaceful demonstration.”

– “But with thousands of protesters expected to demonstrate against Mr. Bush, the White House decided to cut short his visit to Ottawa and travel to Halifax instead.”

“Early Crowds Await Obama,” the Toronto Star reads today. “American flags are being hung up around Ottawa in preparation” for Obama’s visit, reports the Ottawa Citizen. Some of the stories today:

– “Small groups of people gathered in the pre-dawn gloom on Parliament Hill in hopes of catching a glimpse of . Not even a snowfall could deter diehard fans of the popular U.S. leader.”

– “With stars and stripes flapping in the wind, enamoured Canadians will line the streets of the capital today trying to catch a fleeting glimpse of U.S. President Barack Obama.”

– “Bus trips have been organized in Montreal, Kitchener and Toronto. Hotel rooms are booked, Facebook groups are buzzing and websites have sprung up to give visitors all the latest information. … All of this for U.S. President Barack Obama.”

Bush’s unpopularity endures well past the end of his tumultuous presidency. “When George W. Bush makes one of his first post White House speeches in Calgary, will be greeted by a special welcoming committee — protesters determined to voice their displeasure with his eight-year reign and the subsequent fallout,” the Calgary Herald reported this week.

[HeresyLives]

1. Obama is very popular here in Canada.

Bush was hated.

Lots of excitement on Parliament Hill today for Obama's arrival. Most of the country is watching it on TV as well.

[lisa58]

2. wow - it's a new day - and I for one am grateful

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. Obama has a 81% approval rating in Canada

I heard this morning on the radio

[bdamomma]

5. Wow!!

:hi:

[Spazito]

10. Yep, and our bush wannabe Prime Minister can't scare up...

more than a 40% approval. I can only hope that when the coverage showing harper and President Obama is viewed by the Canadian people, the comparison will cause our bush wannabe's numbers to drop even further.

[iverglas]

4. and don't forget

We raised US flags on 9/11, too.

I'm reserving judgment on Obama, but am pleased to welcome him for lunch. ;)

[peace13]

6. Dear Canada, please keep our President safe! n/t

[HeresyLives]

9. We'll have him back to you safe and sound

by supper time. :hi:

[peace13]

12. Thanks! LOL. n/t

[Still Sensible]

7. When you treat other nations with respect

and create an atmosphere where they believe you are not going to present them with a lot of unilateral, my-way-or-the-highway propositions, this is what happens. Of course it helps immensely that our new president is following GWB, who rewrote the book on US foreign policy failure. Glad to see Canada responding warmly.

[gratuitous]

8. Do you think the popular media will deign to notice?

I'm guessing not. They will, however interview John McCain, John Cornyn and Jon Kyl about what a mistake it is for President Obama to visit Canada while they're still pouting about not being consulted over the new drapes in the White House.

[Frustratedlady]

11. Super! Thanks, Canadians!

We can be true "neighbors" again and not have to hang our heads in shame.

Bless your hearts!

[RethugAssKicker]

13. Lets see if the M$M shows us the crowds...

Do you think they will?

[Canuckistanian]

14. "People were waving American flags - not burning flags or upside down flags"

A quote I heard this morning on our local Ottawa CBC station.

[Zywiec]

15. I wonder how the G8 protesters will treat him this summer?

[iverglas]

17. it's an interesting question

It wouldn't be fair to demonstrate against him at this point.

But the US is still in Iraq ...

By summer, we will just have to see.

[Botany]

16. A President we can be proud of .......

Yea Canada ........



poutine for all.