Leaders on both sides of the Atlantic need to build upon areas where Americans and Europeans do agree, like democracy promotion, to pave the way forward for transatlantic relations.

When the promotion of democracy is associated with the US or Mr. Bush, European support plummets. Europeans want to be active participants in furthering the cause of liberty but they want to do it on their terms and not as passive followers of US policy.

Americans cannot teach democracy to the world until they restore their own.

The way that political leaders move when they are facing challenges is back to their base.

He reminded Americans that Bush cannot be trusted, and warned world leaders, too. He sends his message to the world, and people are listening.

In the random way that democracy scatters art and monuments among its leaders, Lyndon Baines Johnson has a winner.