According a 2008 poll conducted by Pew Research, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has more global appeal than the presumptive Republican Presidential nominee John McCain.Opinio Juris: Obama's Global Appeal (June 24, 2008) Obama has been focusing on improving the international image of the United States during his public appearances in Europe with the philosophy that American voters want to improve U.S. relations with international allies.

Unfortunately for Obama, despite his international popularity, the world does not vote in U.S. Presidential elections. It has been suggested that Obama should spend more time campaigning within the United States since the next U.S. President should also be concerned with domestic issues. ABC News: Will Americans Buy Obama's Global Pitch? (July 24, 2008)

In an international poll, Pew Research asked people who have been closely following the 2008 United States Presidential election whether they have more confidence in Barack Obama or in John McCain regarding world affairs.Opinio Juris: Obama's Global Appeal (June 24, 2008)

1. Barack Obama and John McCain were rated equally by United States poll respondentsOpinio Juris: Obama's Global Appeal (June 24, 2008)
2. Except for the United States, McCain was rated lower than Obama in every country surveyedOpinio Juris: Obama's Global Appeal (June 24, 2008)
3. Over 80% of those polled vote in France, Germany, Australia and Tanzania expressed confidence that Obama will do the right thing regarding world affairsOpinio Juris: Obama's Global Appeal (June 24, 2008)
4. Jordan and Pakistan did not express much confidence in either McCain or Obama<ref name="Opinio Juris">Opinio Juris: Obama's Global Appeal (June 24, 2008)