The international standing of the US reached its nadir during the Bush presidency. But, as Joe Willis reports, all that may be about to change

THE world is going to find it hard to say “no” to the new US president, says a North-East expert. Professor John Dumbrell, from Durham University, believes Barack Obama is about to become the most popular man on earth, as well as the most powerful.

The acting head of the university’s School of Government and International Affairs, who is an expert in US politics and Anglo-American relations, said anti-US sentiment had disappeared overnight with Mr Obama’s emergence.

“The significance of today’s inauguration cannot be overstated,” he said.

“He’s the first African- American president and he’s going to be very strong, at least in the short-term.

“He’s got something like an 80 per cent approval rating in the US and it’s going to be very difficult to say no to him.

“He’s going to be the most famous and most popular person in the world and he’s going to have a lot of political capital.”

Prof Dumbrell says Obama’s rise to power can partly be put down to a “fantastic strategy” that saw him opt out of receiving public money to fund his campaign.

This meant he was allowed to raise limitless amounts, which he did using a highlysophisticated technique of fundraising via the internet.

Prof Dumbrell believes the new president’s first task will be to address the economy with tax cuts and a public works programme that could dwarf those announced by Gordon Brown.

“If America can’t stimulate the economy, then nobody can,” he added.

According to the professor, Obama’s foreign policies could be radically different to those of his predecessor.

“I think he’s going to be much more involved in Israel and Palestine policies,” he said. “He’s also hinted at some kind of dialogue with Iran.”

The professor believes that while Britain will continue to enjoy a special relationship with the US, President Obama may not initially see Europe as a high priority.

“Britain is not somewhere that he is particularly knowledgeable about – I think his first trip will be to Africa. Africa could move up the political agenda because he knows so much more about it,”

he said.

Meanwhile, in Washington

CHILDREN in Washington, Wearside, performed a ceremony to mark the inauguration of the new US president.

As millions thronged the US capital to witness the installation of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the US, a smaller event was held at Washington Old Hall, the ancestral home of the first president, George Washington.

The National Trust-run building, in Washington Village, played host to children from John F Kennedy Primary School, in nearby Columbia, Washington.

Some dressed in uniforms identical to those worn by George Washington’s bodyguard, the Washington Grays, as the Stars and Stripes was ceremonially raised.

The school’s history club meets on the doorstep of the landmark building each week.

Teacher Gil Hanley, the school’s international coordinator, said: “This is a historic day and it’s great that our children will feel part of it.

“As part of the curriculum, they have been studying the legacy of Martin Luther King and his ‘I have a dream’ speech on popular culture.

“Today, perhaps, sees the dream fulfilled and it’s truly a day everyone will remember.”

Later, children from nearby Washington School, also took part in a similar flag-raising ceremony at the hall.