And, yes, Gareth, the US political system so resembles a giant candidate auction that corruption is virtually institutionalised. Not that we can afford to be complacent, the same distorting forces operate in our own countries.

As an Australian I’m sadly familiar with the distressing tale of political leaders who manifestly fail to deliver on public expectations and their own rhetoric. Obama should heed Kevin Rudd as a warning.

I was no fan of Bush, but I think Obama is only a slight improvement. While Bush actively made that country worse Obama has done little to repair the damage done, and in the case of economic policy continued Bush’s bad work.

Its sad that in the ‘world’s greatest democracy’ the most important issues to the people; health care, balancing the budget, leaving Iraq, ending unlawful detainment, and environmental policy, 2 years on only one has had any progress. They need a new election system that will break down the two party stranglehold on power.