Think the problem is he's perceived as not thinking things through, not being too bright, being far too willing to use force. And his black and white all categorized and quantified view of the world; with us or against us. There are no nuances, only always a binary decision process. Also an unwillingness to compromise; but that could also be called steadfastness and resolution.
Then there is the big business ties in his administration, him taking in people who were involved in dodgy stuff. And the sense that he isn't running the country, but the quiet distinguished Halliburton man standing in his shadow as VP. Haven't heard much from him since the war started, because then people would think 'war for oil', despite this not being the case.
He's also very good at messing up public appearances. It is good he speaks clearly, but it is so slow that it a) annoys b) seems like patronizing and c) make him appear less intelligent than he is. Also comments like axis of evil etc creating more tension in the world....I think one of the issues people have with him is that he is a bit impulsive and prone to treat foreign policy the same way he deals with people around him; strong words, unwilling to budge and if outcome is bad, well, we'll just deal with that later.
So whatever he is really like, he is really good at putting himself in a negative light. if it hadn't been for 9/11, I think he'd now have a quite low approval rating. Seems to be a good war time president, but not good at peace times. Sorta like Churchill.
There's also the matter that he radiates the bully stuff. 'I can do A, therefore I will do A'. Meaning people have a reason to be concerned about his future decisions. Unilateralism is what he sorta stands for to people. Now many will say that he tries to get support from world and has it, but I am talking about the perception of him. And it started with Kyoto and the bit on landmines and chemical weapons. So the world got a bad first impression of him and there's been more stuff piling up.
Don't think people hate Bush. They're just a bit worried about what he'll decide to do next, since he's like that pilot in Dr Strangelove riding the nuke down towards the USSR.
I don't think the world hates Bush. For me personally I just don't think he has the necessary diplomatic skills for foreign policy questions. It is good to be perceived as steadfasts, but being percieved as bullnosed and stubborn, as already having made up ones mind before the facts are in place is a negative thing.
Don't think people trust him. That's the issue here. He sorta reminds me of LBJ and Nixon put together, only not as intelligent. Seems to go more with gut feeling than mind.
He's one of those Player types we all know from our time in school. Charming SOB, get girls easily but don't care too much about 'em. Essentially focused on himself. And we know he was this type of person earlier in life; sure he has changed, but I still see him as a player, if a mature one.
There's no need to argue about any of the points I've made here, really. This is what I've heard people say about him and some points come from my own private perception of him. Asked why he is not as popular as Clinton abroad? Well, the points above is what I've heard ppl say or thought myself. True or false, that is why.
