America's sense of itself - its pride in its power - has been profoundly damaged.

IS THIS THE DEATH OF AMERICA?

America's sense of itself - its pride in its power - has been profoundly damaged.

By Dermot Purgavie, Veteran US Correspondent

THIS week Karen Hughes, long-time political adviser to George Bush, began her new mission as the State Department's official defender of America's image with a tour of the Middle East.

She might have been more help to her beleaguered president had she stayed at home and used her PR skills on her neighbours. At the end of a cruel and turbulent summer, nobody is more dismayed and demoralised about America than Americans.

They have watched with growing disbelief and horror as a convergence of events - dominated by the unending war in Iraq and two hurricanes - have exposed ugly and disturbing things in the undergrowth that shame and embarrass Americans and undermine their belief in the nation and its values.