I agree. It was sweet when Bono did the guitar solo and mocked himself for its lameness. I hate the ending when he brings in the rest of the audience, though. It definitely needed work, but it could have been cool, albeit quite nationalistic; it's not as though America invented charity or is living up to the amounts many Western nations provide.
Huh? I didn't know that's what he intended. The lyrics don't convey that message really. Bono seems more interested in pandering to Americans, while heavily criticizing other people's for not giving to Africa.
Obama's song picks for his campaign kinda suck, but I understand them. "Beautiful Day" and "City of Blinding Lights" are just okay songs, nothing special, but I wouldn't get elected with my campaign background picks of The Cure and darker U2 songs!