Obama could be America’s secret weapon

In many parts of the world, the United States is now regarded as 'the evil empire'. This is entirely President Bush's fault. Both his actions and his rhetoric have given the impression of a superpower bent on world dominion.

If this had happened in any other country it would require decades, if not centuries, to undo this damage. In the case of America, however, it can be put to rights almost at one, or at most two, strokes.

Stroke number one would be for the Democrats, starting this week in Iowa, to nominate Barack Obama as their presidential candidate, and stroke number two, for the electors to put him into the White House with a landslide majority. By these two actions America would be rebranded.

That the world's shield and conscience should have a young and handsome black senator, touched with nobility, waiting in the wings at this particular juncture is little short of a miracle. It is exactly what the doctor ordered.

I well remember the enormous spirit of relief and optimism released by the election of charismatic Jack Kennedy in 1961, after eight years' dull and uninspiring rule by President Eisenhower. That would be nothing to the relief and optimism which Obama's election would release, after eight years of shocking misrule by President Bush.

It would be a re-moralising shot in the arm not only for the American body politic but for humanity around the world.

Very probably foreigners should keep their feelings under wraps, lest too obvious an external preference for Obama might damage his chances. Best trust the American people to see that in today's war to win hearts and minds, Barack Obama is the civilised world's Heaven-sent secret weapon. ·