President Hope

In an annual survey, the U.S. is the most admired nation in the world, rising from 7th place last year, all because of President Obama. "What's really remarkable is that in all my years studying national reputation, I have never seen any country experience such a dramatic change in its standing as we see for the United States for 2009," said Simon Anholt, the founder of NBI, which measured the global image of 50 countries each year. He says the difference is Obama. "There is no other explanation," Anholt said in an interview, referring to the impact of Obama.

In our hate-strewn political noisemaking, it's too easy to forget that the election of Barack Obama to the presidency gave both symbolic and real hope to billions around the world. His policies--on the economy, energy, the Climate Crisis, etc.--are closer to where much of the world is. His leadership on international issues and willingness to engage and hold America to the same standards as other nations reverses the suspicion and fear that accompanied Bush. America reclaims its image as a global repository of hope.

The photo above from Italy is from a Kos diary by blackwaterdog with many more photos.

Update: AP reports that President Obama's approval has gone up six points--his first move upward since starting at such a high point with his Inauguration--and his disapproval rate has gone down ten points.