We all like Obama but be careful

Interesting that a poll in this morning's Guardian show that Barcak Obama would romp home if the electorate were British.

Carried out ahead of the Democratic candidate's visit to Britain next week, the poll reveals that 53% feel certain he would make the best president, with only 11% favouring McCain; 36% declined to express an opinion.

Ahead of his trip to Europe these sort of polls can only help the candidate who surely must have repairing America's image abroad as a high priority if he is elected.

A word of warning from Tim Montgomerie over at the Comment is free site who reminds us that

anti-Americanism did not begin with George Bush and it wouldn't end with Barack Obama in the White House. The attacks of 9/11 were the ugliest and bloodiest ever manifestation of anti-Americanism. They may have happened when George Bush was in the White House but they were planned when President Clinton was commander-in-chief. They were executed when Bush was still promising a humbler, less interfering foreign policy. Although most of the world grieved with America in the weeks after 9/11 many of its critics rejoiced.

and that there are many reasons why Obama may not deliver,climate change,protectionism and the Middle East being just some of them

Happy Birthday America

A story for Independence day via the Washington Post.

Archeologists have been excavating the former home of the Ist President George Washington.

On a bluff overlooking the Rappahannock River, 50 miles south of the capital city that bears his name, archaeologists have unearthed a site that provides what they call the most detailed view into George Washington's formative years: his childhood home and, likely, the objects of his youth.
There are marbles and wig curlers, utensils and dinnerware. A pipe, blackened inside, carries a Masonic crest and dates to when he joined the Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge.
The announcement of the long-sought discovery came yesterday, after seven years of digging and several disappointments.