Congratulations on your Nobel Prize, President Obama. It’s amazing what a difference a president makes.
You're the reason the U.S. went from 7th to 1st place on the Nation Brand Index (NBI), so it's no wonder the Nobel Committee chose you (despite only being in office for 7 months):
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The United States is the most admired country globally thanks largely to the star power of President Barack Obama and his administration, according to a new poll.
It climbed from seventh place last year, ahead of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan which completed the top five nations in the Nation Brand Index (NBI).
"What's really remarkable is that in all my years studying national reputation, I have never seen any country experience such a dramatic change in its standing as we see for the United States for 2009," said Simon Anholt, the founder of NBI, which measured the global image of 50 countries each year.
He believes that during the previous administration of George W. Bush the United States suffered in the world ranking with its unpopular foreign policies but since Obama was elected, and despite the recent economic turmoil, the country's status has risen globally.
"There is no other explanation," Anholt said in an interview, referring to the impact of Obama.
read more....
I also think it’s great that you are going to donate your prize money to a charity. Bravo.
What would really make your choice of charities stand out -– the charity that would give you the most bang for your buck, both literally and politically –- would be the National Association of Free Clinics.
That’s the organization Countdown’s Keith Olbermann asked his viewers to donate to on his October 8th show –- as a way for Americans to show their support for real health reform and help support the free health care fairs that Free Clinics sponsors.
Choosing the National Association of Free Clinics would be not only a practical move for the sheer amount of help this would provide average Americans, but a brilliant move politically, as well.
crossposted at thejoshuablog