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As America's new president, you must consider yourself a leader not just of the U.S. but also of the rest of the world.
So, first, try to understand the rest of the world. Don't be afraid to travel, to listen and to discuss with others before taking any decision that affects us. No more Iraqs, please.
We citizens of rest of the world do appreciate American leaders with personal ideas. But we fear those who are held hostage by frozen ideology.
There are two American things that people living outside the U.S. love: the NBA and American elections. The basketball championship has become a true world league featuring the very best players all over the world. American elections are not yet such an international affair, but this season it is coming close thanks to a outstanding bunch of candidates.
Democratically speaking, the way the two main parties chose their candidates seems perfect. It's like a tennis tournament, with players eliminated after Super Tuesday. What passionate conversations we have had over dinner while debating Hillary vs. Obama! In the Republican camp, our hearts beat for Giuliani before the Vietnam vet trumped all the others.
Until last week, nobody cared about vice presidents. Apparently, they were sort of invisible men. Al Gore served eight years and went unnoticed! Before Cheney, nobody outside the U.S. - or should I write outside Washington?- cared about VP. So the way they are selected didn't concern us so much.
The Current Discussion: What's the first thing you hope Barack Obama does as President-Elect?
Eight years lost. We are in a hurry. I hope you do three "first things first" -- as soon as possible.
Make the most of the Washington economic summit on November 15th. The world economy can't wait anymore. We hope you bring fresh ideas. Please, ask Mr. Bush to invite Mr. Zapatero, the prime minister of Spain. Both haven't talked to each other for these last eight years. The Spanish economy deserves to be represented.
Announce the immediate closing of Guantanamo prison. It's a shame and an enormous mistake. We, democracies, can't operate under such non-democratic ways.
Lift the Cuban embargo. It has consolidated/justified Castro and provoked suffering for Cuban citizens. How is it fair to trade with Communist China but unfair to do so with Communist Cuba?
Good luck, Mr. President.
The Current Discussion: Rate Obama's first performance on the international stage on a scale of 1-10, and tell us why you think so.
OBAMA AT G 20: average, 7. Meeting was too formal for an informal guy like him. Better in bilateral encounters than in such a heterogeneous group.
PHOTO CALL: 8. He was next to Berlusconi, always a risk. He takes advantage of the Italian prime minister's old-comrade attitude, with a hand in his shoulder. Perfect smile.
SPEECH: 6 Mediocre. Too lyric. All European newspapers feature his photo in the front page. No mention of his words.
INFLUENCE: 6, which is low for the President of the United States. Brown looks like the master in command with the couple Sarkozy-Merkel playing tenor roles.
MICHELLE: 10. The real Queen of the London summit. Carla Bruni was absent but Michelle was there. She broke the protocol by touching Queen Elizabeth - the Summit's real historical moment
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