France is loved by most Americans.

According to this poll by Research 2000 (published by the left-wing US blog Daily Kos) Europe and France are almost universally loved by Americans. (66% having a favorable view)

Not surprisingly, more so if you live in the Northeast, if you are black, if you are a woman, and if you vote Democrat. But in all segments, including Republican voters, the majority view is positive. Only one exception: the South but even there, opinions are simply split.

One interesting thing is that this represents a major shift from what polls said in 2005 when 57% of Americans had an unfavorable view of France. It shows that people’s views are flexible and probably depend on international affairs. (2005 was in the wake of the crisis between France and the U.S. over Iraq). Most Americans have come around.

This may also show that the Republican party should reconsider its agenda and shift to the center a little bit more if they want to win elections. It shows that their usual spooks (France, Europe, or even large liberal cities) won’t get them very far. In fact, the Research 200 poll shows precisely that most Americans also hold positive views of SF and NY, with strikingly similar results.

So much for divided America....