Den Beste on Europe and US parties

[cema]

The main difference between the parties when it comes to foreign policy is that the Democrats are willing to smile and nod at the Europeans before ignoring them, whereas the Republicans are more straightforward in expressing their disdain.

I think he is right here.

I think that, as far as the war is concerned, whoever is in the presidential office is going to do essentially the same thing, but what he will say and how widely he will smile to Europeans is another matter. Paradoxically, this might have pushed me towards rooting for a Democratic president (to help Europe to mend its ways with the US and to soothen the scrape marks) precisely because his rhetoric would be, in a sense, counter to his actions. But I do not like politicking and do not like political hypocrisy. Plus, I happen to like the current presidential foreign team, starting with Wolfowitz and other neocons. I am indifferent to Bush, but not prticularly fond of Kerry either.

The result is: if I had been an American citizen, I would have been likely to vote for a Republican president this time.

Comments

Re: Allies

[bsoares.livejournal.com]

The goverment of each country is elected by the majority of the population. The majority decides what issues are important and how important they are to them by electing the goverment that represents it. So, whatever the opinion polls:

Spain supports the war.
UK supports the war.
Italy supports the war.

Now, what sort of reward to you think Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands, and Denmark expect to get from the United States? I'm lost on this one.

And what sort of reward to you think the Czech Republic and Poland expects to get from the United States? Good relationship? No doubt. Preferred trade status? Better visa regime? I sure hope so.

If you look at "what ifs", please look at the results of the last German elections and how close the Social Democrats came to losing it. Had they lost it, Germany would have also supported the war. France and Belgium are the only two countries on your list where all major political forces oppose helping US in this war.

Re: Allies

[ex-bulatych796.livejournal.com]

You must be really wanting to make a point if you say Spain supports the war. Ok. Time will tell you better than I.

Re: Allies

[bsoares.livejournal.com]

And the point I'm trying to make is this: there are major political forces in most European countries (any way you look at "most") which support US in this war.