Starting Gate: "Leader Of The Free World"

That's the kind of grandiose title that almost certainly makes the rest of the world a little nauseous, especially these days when the country's image isn't quite what it used to be. For most of the second half of the 20th Century, with the world locked in the deep freeze of the Cold War, it was an undisputed title, at least for those outside the Soviet bloc.

But in the almost 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the world has changed drastically. Competing interests, changing landscapes, ancient rivalries and a war in Iraq that even the majority of American believe to have been a mistake have diminished the view of America in the eyes of much of the rest of the world.

It's something that's increasingly heard in domestic politics, especially among Democrats and progressives – repairing America's image in the world. And in the view of most of the world, according to polls that have been conducted, electing Barack Obama would be a good start towards achieving that.

As the Los Angeles Times notes today, Obama is certain to receive a warm welcome when he travels through Europe next week, where polls have shown him the overwhelming choice to be the next president. But does all that good will translate into a positive at the ballot box back home?

It's a fascinating question and one not easily answered. While U.S. voters might want their country to be liked, there is also deep tradition of wanting to be respected – if not feared. The CBS/New York Times poll released yesterday, Obama had the advantage over McCain in just about every area, from demographics to issues.

But there were two trouble spots for Obama. One was on the issue of patriotism. While Obama is seen as more patriotic than when the same question was asked in April, just 37 percent view him as "very" patriotic now. Seventy-three percent see McCain as "very" patriotic. And on the question of who would be an effective commander-in-chief, a full third of voters said they think it's not likely Obama would be. Just 16 percent said it's unlikely that McCain would not be an effective CINC.

At the very least, Obama's trip will be an interesting one to watch. Will images of Obama being mobbed by admirers overseas have any impact on the voters in places like Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania, who have seen their jobs leave the country in recent decades? Will it soothe apparent concerns about his "patriotism," however that's defined in their minds? Do Americans want to elect a leader of the world?

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