@stephenjudd

You say that the idea that we have a branding problem is "pukesomely superfucial" and "[t]he question is not who will best project an image of America's supposed values but who will actualy implement."

First, try to think out side the box a bit - move beyond the idea that "brand" applies only to marketing cereal or laundry soap. Second, our image, our brand is not in the least a superficial issue. In fact, if we do not repair our standing in the world we are screwed and doing so requires projecting a totally different image than that projected by the current WH occupant. So, it is not irrelevant to think about which candidate would be in the best positon to do this. And part of this is which candidate will be viewed by the world in a very positive light - which candidate can convince the world that "Brand USA" is indeed a very good brand. If the world looks at the next president and says, ah, more of the same (this certainly applies to McCain and with her recenty forays into fear mongerer I dare say it applies to Clinton as well). Reparing our relations with the world is not a superficial "branding thing" - no it is critical to solving the problems that face us a nationa and as citizens of the world.

@Elephantman

You write: "Wow, isn't is nice to know that we could elect a President that will make the young people of Lahore, Pakistan happy?"

You bet it is. Do we want to continue inspiring hatred among these young people and people around the globe? Or do we want to reverse the anti-Americanism that has been so rampant, do want to tell people you no longer need to be disillusioned by American anymore, do we want to say you know, despite what you've thought for the past 8 or more years we are the good guys? Anyway, what's the alternative - tell all these people to go f. themselves and then retreat behind the walls of Fortress America.

Yea, I want a President who will make the young people of Lahore, of Nairobi, of London, of Beirut, of Jerusalem, of Gaza, of Jakarta, of Berlin, etc., etc., etc. happy.

I believe that Obama is the only candidate who can be a bridge between this country and the rest of the world.

This is not a rhetorical question: aren't we all on the same page here or do others have a different agenda? I'd be curious to hear from those who differ.