And a tiny, abstract and diffuse potential for cultural influence is a rather minor point, compared say, with either economic or democratic power.

All this excessive, prurient attention to the US election campaigns is rather hypocritical, in view of the media’s “Bush’s poodle” remarks during the Blair years. Makes me think “pot, kettle”. It’s no wonder Americans think they’re the most important people on the planet. Personally, I beg to differ. I couldn’t be less interested.

And to suggest that we have no influence over them is not quite true. No country is an island. I may choose to visit certain parts of America, or be culturally involved with that country in some way, or trade with them, based on what I know about them.

I can understand how or why a person who was especially interested in The Political Process would find it interesting, but as you say, there are plenty of other sources they can get coverage from, without forcing their niche interest on the rest of us, by taking over our news media with what is, ultimately, an irrelevance.

Second, it is undeniable that America is still the most influential country in the world, both economically and culturally. Despite the failings of the Bush Presidency, I still think it represents the ‘best hope’ for liberal democracy and toleration. Indeed, this election is now starkly about the competing visions of America – the inclusivity and post-Boomer politics of Obama, or the neo-con/theocratic route that McCain, bizarrely, seems to be pursuing with his pick of Sarah Palin. Whether America revives itself from this nonsense, or descends further into the nationalistic abyss, is extremely important. And sometimes, this debate does reveal itself through the minutiae, such as Palin’s record as governor of Alaska.

For what its worth, I don’t think it was a history-making speech, or intended as such. Instead it seemed to focus on policy, and on attempting to counter some of the Republican memes.