The president, according to a new poll, is viewed more favorably than the U.S. in a number of Arab countries:

Saudi Arabians have a 53 percent favorable opinion of Obama, followed by 52 percent in the United Arab Emirates. From there, Obama’s popularity dips with a 47 percent favorability rating in Kuwait, 43 percent in Lebanon and 35 percent in Egypt. In none of these countries, however, was Obama’s unfavorable rating higher than his favorable one.

In contrast, only 38 percent of Saudis have a favorable view of the United States, followed by 36 percent of Jordanians, 34 percent of UAE residents, 31 percent of Lebanese and 22 percent of Egyptians.

But this is the natural result of Obama’s apologetic rhetoric and his fetish for denigrating the U.S. In essence, these Arab poll respondents may perceive that Obama agrees with them. Yes! America is too arrogant and dictates to others; and caused the world’s economic problems; and bears special responsibility for dropping the atomic bomb. Really, why wouldn’t they adore him? He never tells them anything they don’t want to hear.

But alas it isn’t — or shouldn’t be — about him. The president’s job is to project a favorable image of the country he represents, not himself. What has been happening the last few months, as Pete and others have observed, is that Obama has been increasing his international popularity while (and perhaps by) taking potshots at America. He is in essence winking to the rest of the world, “Yes, America has been pretty awful, hasn’t it?”

So where do we go from here? Well, Obama could use that popularity to deliver some hard truths to the Arab world — on democratization, support for terrorism, women’s rights and the like. But that might lower his “Q” rating in these countries. Or, he can continue to bask in the glow of his “blame America first” policy and save the stern dictates for Israel. But one thing is clear: Obama’s job is to bolster America’s image in the world, not his own. By that standard, he has yet to deliver.