It's all but axiomatic that the United States' standing in the world has been dealt a critical blow by the misrule of King George II. As an example, on 9/12/2001, France's newspaper Le Monde ran a headline reading "Nous Sommes Tous Americains" (We are all Americans); does anyone dream that such international sympathy would be elicited today after Bush's clear disdain for the world community?

History, however, provides some comfort through a longer-focused perspective. Look at Germany, post-WWII. During WWII, Nazi Germany was, for lack of a better description, the closest thing to pure evil to ever exist on the face of the Earth (yes, I know, this could be argued, but humor me for a bit). How long did it take for post-WWII Germany- at least the Western part of it- to rejoin the community of nations as a valued, and trusted member? 15 years, 20 at the most? And I doubt that even the most extreme anti-American would claim that the US' misdeeds- or is crimes the more accurate word?- over the past 7-1/2 years rise to Nazi levels. This being the case, one might reasonably assume that, given proper leadership, the US could regain the trust of the world community in 20 years, max, after the disposal of a certain weed tree.

The question, naturally, is whether any of the potential post-Bush leadership is up to the challenge of restoring the US' stature. Is there any figure in US politics who could do what Konrad Adenaur, Ludwig Erhard, or Willy Brandt did to restore West Germany's status? One thing is clear: just as nobody from the Nazi Party could have credibly restored Germany's reputation, neither can anyone from the Republican Party do so for the United States. After the past 7-1/2 years, nobody in the world should ever trust a Republican ever again. Consider them to be as trustworthy as meteorologists: if they tell you the sun is shining, pop your head outside to be certain. If they tell you that cutting taxes for the wealthy + waging an unprovoked war is the best plan, vote for their opponents.

Obama/Richardson '08,
-Z