Is it so amazing that Europe would suddenly be tilting conservative during the rise of the most-liberal-ever US administration? Not at all. In fact it’s common sense. Barack Obama has replaced the supposed-numskull Bush and people across the pond are nervous. Wouldn’t you be? Daddy’s gone. Meanwhile, our President is doing some expensive dating – first New York, now Paree, while unemployment in Spain crests 17%. Those are scary numbers, folks. It’s worth noting that Spain’s Zapatero is one of the few European leaders still left with a nostalgic view of socialist economics. The rest seem to be running away in droves for obvious reasons, but not our prexy, the changeologist.
Of course, Europe has a long way to go. But I am getting nervous that Mark Steyn’s epochal America Alone may be in need of revision. Mark?
UPDATE: [I notice you can't escape the Laker analogies. Something going on today?-ed.]
Oh, my papa . . .
There’s been a strong vote against the Spanish socialists and the English Labour Party. Other incumbent governments of the right and centre right (France, Germany) have found their vote has either stayed stable or increased. Maybe the people of the US will have to experience the results of an Obama administration before they get a feel of what “change we can believe in” really brings. The Spanish case is particularly instructive, since the socialists were swept to power in a wave of reaction against the then right wing govt in reaction to what were seen as its mistakes and lies over the war in Iraq and the internal war against terror.
It looks like the balance of seats in the EU parliament may be more centre-right than previously. How much difference will that make to the EU’s actual stance on economics and foreign policy? That’s another question, since the combined ministers of the national governments make the actual decisions, and those socialist govts are going to be in power still.
I’m thinkin the Euros are not pleased with the Frenchiness plutocracy of the establishment party, and maybe a bit more cynical about ObIwon then many Americans are. I doubt you can read this as standing with US or the Israelis or giving up the welfare state. The Euros will continue to “watch the trains go by” as long as they believe that is essential to their well-being. They will continue to “go along-don’t make trouble” and allow the economic tricks as long as they see it benefitting them. We still are walking down the street, like in High Noon, alone, against the 4 horsemen of the apocolypse.