End the cowboy diplomacy. The next President needs to begin their term by restoring American credibility and American political and moral authority around the globe by reaching out to the rest of the world.

On Day One, the next President should push legislation to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq

The next President needs to get serious about the genocide in Darfur. The janjaweed are happy to pretend to be cooperating with the international community while simply stalling for time. Stop them now!

Increase US foreign aid. The US currently gives the LEAST % of GDP than all other industrialized countries. I think .7 – 1% of our GDP would be a good start, and a huge boost to our image in the world.

Submit the Kyoto Protocol for ratification by Congress. There are outstanding concerns, such as the participation of countries like China, but it is a step in the right direction. 720 American cities and the entire state of California have already made a commitment to Kyoto. At this point, it is the least a national leader can do.

Pay our dues to the UN. The U.S. makes a big show of voting for UN Peacekeeping missions (a large part of their role on the Security Council) but we fail to fully fund our share. Voting is one thing, coming through with the cash is the most important part. As it is now, we are setting these important UN missions up for failure. So, Mr/Mrs next President, please, put your money where your mouth is

One of the first things Bush did on his first day in office was to reinstate the "Global Gag Rule" . The Global Gag Rule has cut funding for many, many women's rights NGOs around the world, thus undermining all women's rights. I would like to see, as a symbolic and literal opposite of what Bush did on his first day, the new President unsign the Global Gag Rule on her or his first day. I think it will serve the new President well to do the opposite of what Bush did on his day one on their day one

I believe we should pay our backed debts to the U.N. and illustrate that peace-keeping is a priority.

Nothing good has come from Guantanamo Bay-- Close it!

The next president should make sure he restores peace in the Middle East.