This cult of personality that has sprung around Obama is getting sick. Sure, he is the first black person to be the president of the US, but that doesn't mean we should worship him like this.
In fact, because he is the president of the US, we shouldn't worship him while he's in office (and he has at least 207 weeks to go). Unrestrained by chains of popular or any other opposition, he could very well think he's allowed to do anything.

I hope that won't happen, but he wouldn't be the first, nor the last, human to succumb to power.

I believe Obama is a completely different politican. He is able to create passion and hope in a period of crisis. Let him do his job and only in a second moment criticize him. However, no one can do any worse than Mr. George W. Bush.

America and i hope the world now gets a leader who have a vision. we don't have to worship him, but we have to inspired by his massege of hope, tolerance, and understanding, nowing we are equal we can change the wold to the better place.

Finally, a president who teaches proper English! : )
Leaders always have a cult of personality. It's the quality that makes them leaders.

I agree with both previous posters.

Obama is a human being, not an angel. He is in fact a professional politician, one who moreover learned his trade in a rough-and-tumble school. I don't agree with all his choices of associates. I'm a little nervous about a couple of his plans.

However, he is also genuinely inspiring. I voted for him gladly, warts and all. Others may appreciate his communications skills, or his background, or his liberal standpoints on many (although not all) issues, or even his ethnicity and what that means for America, but what really excites me are:

1) His ability to organize and lead high-powered people, with strong and varying opinions of their own, in a larger organization. Obama's not looking for buddies when he gathers a team, but rather for results. Could you imagine George Bush II ever having the guts to put McCain in harness?

2) His rational, informed, facts-based approach. George Bush II was played for a fool several times (including by Putin) because of his habit of focusing only on one facet of a person or an issue, or his failure to do his reading beforehand, or his disinclination to leave his mental comfort zone. Obama, from all appearances at present anyway, is capable not merely of understanding complex matters, but of adopting his approach as often as necessary as more information becomes available.

Obama you are great keep up and keep going you will get there.

Obama is inspiring because he is able to give a different idea of America. The American way of life that everyone in the world (including Italy) looks forward to reach. America is a great nation and I really hope that the Obama Administration will be able to lead the free world.

I completely agree with the post of Alexander. I also believe that Bush has damaged America's image in the world.

Obama represents nothing but new hopes for the rest of the world!

At 21 years of age this is the first time I have EVER seen America united by hope and happiness, not by fear and the desire for revenge and it because of Barack Obama and the inspiring aura he displays in an time of war and economic crisis; the element of admiration the nation has taken to him is not sickening in the least. IT is exactly how UNITED States should be.

As an English teacher in Mexico, I thank God no one did a book about learning English with Bush.

There will be less communications gap between those Japanese that are learning English with the help of Obama's speeches, and English-speaking people they will later come into contact with. Many heads of states are not at all inspiring, and others have negative influences on gullible souls. Obama is human, president, and has positive impact on people. Anything wrong in that?

I think very highly of President Obama. I voted for him for many reasons. The fact that he happens to be black was not one of them.

Go on Obama!,The whole world is solidly behind you.We need change in this devasted world of ours.Cheers

President Obama is giving people hope and that means alot at a time of economic crisis

As an ex-pat living in Japan, I can guarantee you that while the textbook may be selling, his speeches are not going to be readily accessible to the average high school, or even college, student–especially in their original form. I haven't seen the text so I don't know how it is structured, and I am sure there are parts of his speeches which can be instructional, especially intonation, pronunciation, etc..., but this is probably more a fad than anything.

As for the "worship" factor, I believe this is being blown out of proportion. I have already seen many left-wing web sites/blogs criticizing him. The right wants to make it seem like he will be given a free pass on everything. My feeling is generally the world is so ecstatic to be rid of GWB that there is a boomerang effect going on now with the jubilation surrounding Obama. This will even out probably sooner than later given the current world situation. Also, there is always something of a cult of personality surrounding any president/world leader–some people will support him no matter what. That was certainly true of GWB.

Obama is a phenomenom. He has demostrated that belief in oneself is essential in making one achieve a dream. He is a great motivator. He has shown that when there is a will, there is hope.

I think that the reactions of people regarding Obama only stem from the fact that America's previous president has led the world into two wars, not only that but during his term the world felt lost after the September 11 attacks and are now facing a global economic crisis, during such a dark period in our lives, emotions rise when people are shown a brighter glimpse of the future, a sense of hope.

The change that is promised by Obama has yet to be seen and that's why I still keep my reservations regarding him as a leader. We should neither worship him nor shouldn't we support him in a time in our history when we need less conflict.

Obama is a GREAT symbol for America to the rest of the world. Charasmatic, mostly humble, and willing to help, not to mention willing to tackle the WORST US economy since the great depression.

If gwb was a "uniter, not a divider" (his words, 2000), I'd hate to see what he was really capable of. and irony of all ironies, he allegedly had an MBA, and was thought to be able to put together a great economy. probably more fixated with pleasing his dad, good ol' 41...

you go, Barack! If anyone can resurrect the image of America, it's you!

Barack Obama wanted to be President because he believed he could help this country back to its status as the shining beacon of hope for the world. And he has inspired millions that want to help him achieve that goal. People really do want to help their President succeed now.

George W. just wanted to be President so he could be President. He wanted the power, the prestige, the title. And while I'm sure he really does love and care about his country, it was more along the lines of what can America do for George W. than what can George W. do for America.

It's not because he's black–it's because he's eloquent, intelligent, and inspiring. As the polar opposite of George Bush (imagine trying to teach English to non-native speakers through his elocutions), I think the world is excited about seeing a leader with potential like this.

And I'm not an "Obama-maniac," I just understand why people would at least be interested in his speaking abilities...

Bumpy road ahead.

He has not yet earned the Republican vote.

So far.

Way to go, Obamamania in Japan