I still think he is in many ways an inspirational leader, and I appreciate his world view. However, my gut instinct - judging by the success of the Tea Parties and the genuine misfortune of inheriting such a pernicious "in-tray" (Afghanistan, Guantanamo, global economic crisis, Iraq......the list goes on) - is he will be Jimmy Carter Mark 2 - a one-termer who will go on to do greater things once the 'straight-jacket' of power is removed.
Sad in many ways because I remember (again I speak as a non-American), of how the USA was revered and looked up to across the globe until Goerge W Bush arrived in the Oval Office. That Presidency totally altered the majority view of the USA to something often very negative (I cannot speak with any authority on domestic issues/politics, but simply in terms of global perceptions). I do think Obama's inauguration gave the world a real sense of optimism that the USA was once again taking its place as the true leader of the "free" world and the values that entailed.
So, perhaps Barack Obama will find his true calling following any defeat in a future election. No one can criticise the sterling work the Jimmy Carter Center has done across so many areas - and his leadership has brought hope, health, peace and freedom to so many people across the globe.
I guess some "leaders" and dare I say it "visionaries", operate at a more optimal level once they are out of office, and not bogged down with mandanities of everyday executive power.
Shame the same can't be said for Tony Blair who must be one of the least successful (but best paid), peace envoys in living memory
