Unfortunately Americans have been judged abroad according to the hapless foreign policy of their government.
Even worse, this situation has recently been compounded by the global financial crisis that has emanated from the sub prime housing market loans repayment failures in the U S.
In my view, it'll take some years of non-aggressive foreign policy coupled with good governance by the incoming Democrats to redress the damage done by George W at home and abroad.
How the American people were dumb enough collectively to have voted in George W for 2 terms of office is beyond most people's comprehension.
Hopefully Obama will prove to be what an American president should be like, ie an honest and astute leader.
But of course, just like every other country, the U S has both good and bad citizens!