The US presidential election starts in earnest today. Its the world's most complex and testing democratic process, and almost uniquely this year a sitting president or vice-president will not be a candidate. Which leaves the election wide open. My undergraduate degree was in American Studies, and I focused particularly on the presidential election process. I find this fascinating.

I had expected to back Rudy Guiliani. America's mayor was so impressive after 9/11 and won the respect of the whole world. I almost expected to favour John McCain, but his speech to the Conservative Party Conference in 2006 left me cold. Surely America could not face the derison of the whole world if it elected in Mike Huckabee a president who seriously believes in Creationism? In the face of an electoral process that, in total, will cost more than $4 billion an independent president who would not be dependent on financial patronage would be attractive too. So I may yet back Mayor Michael Bloomberg, if he runs.

But what does Britain need in a US president?

America is more distrusted, indeed more loathed around the world than ever. Over the next four or even eight years it needs a president who can rebuild its leadership and tarnished image. It needs a president who is different from anything we have seen before. And it needs a president of conviction who understands that it still is the economy, stupid.

Does the world need another President Clinton?

I'm not sure. Perhaps what the world needs is a conciliator, a president of principle, and someone who the world that has grown to hate America can now learn to love.

Perhaps it is time for Barack Obama.