Long-time confidant of President Dubya, Karen Hughes, announced this week she was stepping down from her State Department gig. Her job was to improve the image of the United States abroad.

Of course, this is the second time she's quit. She resigned from the White House once before to spend more time with her family. After spending more time with her family, she decided to take on the job of polishing the U.S. image abroad. I don't know what that says about her family.

Anyway, as she steps down, the image of the United States abroad is at the lowest point, ever. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, even Canadians hold America in bad regard. Canadians!

Large majorities in other nations hold Russia and China in higher esteem that the United States, according to the survey conducted this past summer.

So, to Karen Hughes, we say, Mission Accomplished!