Obama European,Mid East Trip,Political Grand Standing in its purest form.

[Charles_Main]

It really doesn't make much sense (in fact, it's kind of pompous) to say that Sarkozy and Merkel's respective electoral victories are a referendum on President Bush.

I agree, there elections had much less to do with Bush, than they have to do with People in those countries beginning to reject some of the more socialist programs the left governments they have replaced pushed. People everywhere vote their pocket books, and people over there are sick of High tax rates. Simple as that.

I also agree it had a lot to do with Immigration programs.

 

[Epsilon Delta]

Again, I guess you could oversimplify it to that level, but the problem is that France and Germany (as much of Europe) aren't rigid 2-party states like the US. 1) France hasn't elected a president from the left since 1988, and it can be attributed to the fact that the French Left has the traditional problem of the Left, which is that it is totally divided. In 2002 there were no less than 5 Left parties on the ballot which polled from 2.3 to 16.1% (mostly on the 5% range). In effect, France has only had 1 Left President. Moreso than taxes, the victories of the French Right since 1995 have been the fact that the campaigns have focused on law and order issues and citizenship issues, which the Right is generally 'better' at. The case in Germany is different because it is a parliamentary system (not a presidential one), and as such taking the fact that Markel is Chancellor as 'scoring one' for the Right wouldn't really be a very legitimate point, because the Merkel government is a "grand coalition", meaning that half the cabinet and the Vice-Chancellor are from the SDP (left), because they got the most votes out of any party, but some 0.5% less than rival coalition on the right during the elections. Other than that, the german parliament has a majority of its seats filled by members of Leftist parties.

 

[greenpartyaz]

sure, and you just assume it will not go up under McCain as well. I would say you are wrong. Anyone will be better than Bush, and once he is gone peoples approval of us will go up. No matter who is elected.

I don't think you have been paying attention over the last few months. John McCain WILL continue the policies of George W. Bush. He has been confronted on several talk shows on his views, and how he changes his mind as much as he changes his underwear. He thinks Bush is doing a great job, but it is not the fashionable thing to praise George W. Bush. He will continue to deny and change his views when confronted on them. And say anything in a town hall, that the people want to hear. Look at his views on woman's health issues. If they were known, people would be turned off by McCain. Look at his treatment of his own wife. This guy is really a loose cannon! He is not the independent "Maverick" that he claims to be.