International Perception of McCain

[angus]

Yes, it is a common view in the US that McCain is to Bush the Younger as Bush the Elder was to Reagan.  Sure, they're different in some superficial ways, but not so by broadstrokes.  In fact, on the overriding issue of the past several years, US military involvement in Iraq, McCain is probably Bushier than Bush.  It was well known, for example, in 2000 that McCain was a power projectionist.  Bush, on the other hand, promised a "humble" foreign policy and an end to "nation building."  Those were the exact phrases he used.  Bush defeated McCain.  Turns out that Bush's foreign policy wasn't so humble after all, and we're in the process of building at least two nations. 

So, at least with respect to those issues that foreigners might be most interested in--international policy, war & peace, relations with the United Nations--it is reasonable to see McCain as largely in line with Cheney, Bush, and the rest of the current white house.