America: She's Looking Good Now
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Barack Obama has done it again. The president's starpower has made the United States the place most people want to visit and do business with, according to an annual survey that ranks nations like retail brands.
The Country Brand Index, compiled by brand consultancy FutureBrand, found the United States had unseated Australia, which held the top spot for the past three years. Australia came in third this year with Canada rising to second place.
New Zealand and France rounded up the top five country brands in this year's index that included 102 countries.
"The Obama effect has seen the United States earn the coveted top spot for the first time in the fifth annual index," FutureBrand, which is part of Interpublic Group of Companies, said in a statement...
Where's the big news about this story? On the back pages of websites and newspapers.
There's only one question to ask. Which makes the U.S. safer, a world that hates her or a world that envy's or loves her?
Under Bush we finished 2nd or 3rd in the world. That hardly translates into the world "hating" us.
Now we've moved up to number 1, which is nice, but it wasn't so bad when we were #2 or #3.
November 6, 2009 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Pew Research polls are probably more important:
http://pewglobal.org/reports/display.php?ReportID=264
November 6, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was just last week that George Will (whom I despise) gave kudos to Obama for bringing the world back 'on board' so to speak.
Does that create jobs?
Does it lessen hostility in the form of arms or war?
I do not know. I know the world, as most of America, HATED GEORGE W. BUSH.
And for good reason.
November 6, 2009 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's funny, because he was elected twice. And as Coonsey pointed out, we finished in the top 3 in the best "brands" across the globe. A little strong there, DD. But then again, I don't really care who "liked" us. This isn't a popularity contest, thankfully. High school was a long time ago for me.
November 6, 2009 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
You've apparently never had to live by neighbors you didn't like or didn't like you MiddleClassBill.
It makes a big difference if your neighbors hate you or you them. Life can be pretty miserable.
November 6, 2009 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Based on the poll you cited, people don't hate us. We've ranked #2 or #3 in that poll, so people don't hate us.
November 6, 2009 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink