Hard Power

Despite monumental world events, foreign policy will not play much if any role in the presidential race in 2012. The American voting public is not very concerned with what is happening in most areas of the world. They are rightly concerned about the state of the American economy and the state of US society as they experience it in their daily lives. For this reason alone, President Obama needs a tougher and clearer economic message. It's not just the economy, stupid; it's how you talk about it that matters in politics. Sadly, I don't expect the Obama White House or his current re-election team to get religion on that front anytime soon.

Hilary could not then and cannot now afford to promote 'soft power' for fear of appearing weak. 'Smart power', given her own concerns about politics and gender, is the best she can do.

For any independents wavering on the eve of the election, I thought I would explain why I will vote for Barack Obama. I did not start there.

It is difficult to think of any single act that would do more to restore America's soft power than the election of Obama to the presidency.