In 2008, candidate Obama made fun of the Bush Administration for not having many friends and not being able to lead the world.  The facts show that Obama is less popular than Bush was at the end of his term.  The difference is that the Bush team actually produced votes at the UN (the Bush team produced 5 resolutions on Iran, Obama has only managed to get 1) and was confronting dictators.  Maybe you are more popular if you actually lead?

See poll results here: http://aai.3cdn.net/5d2b8344e3b3b7ef19_xkm6ba4r9.pdf