An Interesting Test

As this Bloomberg piece notes, this week, we will learn just how much the President's popularity with the Europeans means for the United States.

One of the most compelling reasons Barack Obama and the Democrats offered for the election of the most inexperienced presidential candidate in modern American history was the supposed benefit that would accrue to the United States as a result of his pledge to -- how did he put it? -- "rebuild our alliances."

Well, now we will see.

Which counts most in our dealings with the world: Popularity, or respect?