These kinds of polls are exactly what McCain should be worrying about. The world doesn’t like him!

US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama may be struggling to nudge ahead of his Republican rival in polls at home, but people across the world want him in the White House, a BBC poll said.

All 22 countries covered in the poll would prefer to see Senator Obama elected US president ahead of Republican John McCain.

In 17 of the 22 nations, people expect relations between the US and the rest of the world to improve if Senator Obama wins.

More than 22,000 people were questioned by pollster GlobeScan in countries ranging from Australia to India and across Africa, Europe and South America.

The margin in favour of Senator Obama ranged from 9 per cent in India to 82 per cent in Kenya, while an average of 49 per cent across the 22 countries preferred Senator Obama compared with 12 per cent preferring Senator McCain. Some four in 10 did not take a view.

“Large numbers of people around the world clearly like what Barack Obama represents,” GlobeScan chairman Doug Miller said.

“Given how negative America’s international image is at present, it is quite striking that only one in five think a McCain presidency would improve on the Bush administration’s relations with the world.”

Of course, 40% polled express no opinion. And 22,000 people in 22 countries isn’t exactly a wide scope around the world. What about the other 7 billion? How do they feel?

Then there’s always that other pesky little problem. Before Obama starts swelling with pride over this — he is a “citizen of the world” and all — he should remember that none of these people can vote in our elections. So why does this even matter?

I’m not much concerned about what the rest of the world thinks about us. While of course it’s nice to be popular, doing what’s right — i.e., finishing the job in Iraq, stamping out Al Qaeda, standing up for freedom — is vastly more important. France & Co. in the UN (like China, Kenya, and North Korea) can stamp their little feet all they want, but I don’t believe the United States should now or ever bow down to the will of the UN or the “global community”. I believe doing what’s right always comes before the world’s opinion of us. And when it comes down to it, the world isn’t going to turn on us if John McCain is elected. Who else will they turn to if they need someone to save their ass?

Hat Tip: My colleague Kim at Wizbang