Well, this is an issue and seems at least somewhat likely that it will be an issue (although a small one) up until the election.
I personally don't like it because I don't think it helps us. My reasons:
- - Makes it look like Kerry/Dem party is 'owned' in part by foreign interestes.
- - Remember the Chinese fundraising flap? It hurt us. Regardless of what really did/didn't happen. No one likes foreign influence in their elections, including Americans.
- - I don't think Americans want to vote based on what Europeans or Asians or anyone else thinks we should do. Remember when Edwards yelled at Dean and told him the south didn't need northerners telling them how to live? Well, most Americans (in my opinion) don't want other countries "telling" us how to vote. Bush will reinforce that by saying, "Americans need to vote for their own interests first, not those of a few backward/spineless European nations.". Can we turn those arguments around and say that we need a world that respects our leaders, etc? Sure, but will that be more powerful of an argument to the average voter? I doubt it.
- - The Bushies might float rumors that Kerry is being secretly financed in part by foreign backers. People wouldn't like that.
I'm sure there are more negatives to it, as well as a few positives. But, honestly, the whole idea worries me. Discuss and alleviate my fears.