(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Australia think the United States is affecting the world in a negative way, according to a poll by Field Works Market Research for the Lowy Institute for International Policy. 57 per cent of respondents say the U.S. is having a mainly negative influence in the entire world.

Additionally, 73 per cent of respondents would prefer to see Democratic nominee Barack Obama win the U.S. presidential election next month, while 16 per cent would rather see a victory by Republican nominee John McCain.

Obama became the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee on Aug. 28, while McCain accepted the Republican Party’s nomination on Sept. 4.

U.S. president George W. Bush is ineligible for a third term in office. The U.S. presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Earlier this year, McCain wrote an editorial for The Australian newspaper, in which he stated that he is "mindful that Australians, like Americans, have suffered terrible terrorist attacks," adding, "We can also take pride in our successful co-operation with other nations in Southeast Asia to interrupt terrorist networks and prevent further attacks."

Polling Data

Do you think the U.S. is having a mainly positive or mainly negative influence in the world?

The United States’ presidential election will be held in November this year. Which candidate would you prefer to see become President of the United States?

Source: Field Works Market Research / Lowy Institute for International Policy
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,001 Australian adults, conducted from Jul. 12 to Jul. 27, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

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