It wasn't just the President that got this 'adulation'.
It was the USA too, because in international circles the competency of the Presidency is closely linked to foreign policy and overseas perception of American competency.
The only thing I can think of that produced that "uh-oh, fuk-up" factor was that pharmaceutical factory that got bombed in Sudan.
The BJ was not a big deal overseas because a smart President has the potential to make a huge difference to civilised society during his tenure.
You have another potentially 'smart President' in the general vicinity of the White House right now.
His name is
Colin Powell
Certain Americans have that overseas 'wow' factor, you'd love to shake their hand and say 'hiya'.
Muhammed Ali
Bill Clinton
And Powell is definitely a candidate.
[This message was edited by eek on June 17, 2004 at 10:02 PM.]