"The world as a whole (at least the leaders of the rest of the world) listen to every word the two major candidates say."
Thanks for your post Aaron.

Of course the whole world is listening to every word the two major candidates are saying. As you said, Bush is on his way out. It happens every time a lame-duck President copletes his term of office ... and attention is now paid to the apparent new potential office-holder. Once the bell is rung, it can't be un-rung ... and make no mistake about it... President Bush has rung some pretty dramatic bells during his historical term of office! Did he make some blunders? Of course he did. Every President in U.S. history has. That does not make him "dumb" or an "idiot".

It will be interesting to see what the tone of future bells will be ringing no matter if they are rung by a President McCain or a President Obama after President Bush's term of office is over. No matter who 'wins' the upcoming election ... you can bet your last snapper chip that there will be his share critics on the very first day he takes office.