Posted on 11/05/2008 3:12:54 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
CNN) -- Europe's expectations of a Barack Obama presidency are vibrant, vast and probably incapable of fulfillment by any president, let alone one who will come to office in the middle of a worldwide economic crisis and with huge, unfinished business in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There is no doubting the buzz and the optimism that the election victory of an African-American candidate has brought.
Most in Europe are instinctively America's friends and, after the unilateralism of the Bush years, they want to have something to love about America again.
Obama's arrival, they hope and believe, will give them that opportunity.
President-elect Obama's brilliant rhetoric, which has electrified crowds at home and reached many not previously interested in politics, has appealed to European instincts.
Europeans tend mostly to identify with the leftish end of the American political spectrum. Europeans want change in America and in the world and they see Obama as a purveyor of change.
As the former British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind put it during the campaign: "It's a touch of the John F. Kennedys and the Camelot-type excitement. That doesn't necessarily mean it's healthy. It doesn't necessarily mean it's justified -- but it's a product of Obama's personality."
Europeans will hope especially for President-elect Obama to repair some of the dents in America's image which have reflected on them too. They want and expect to see Guantanamo Bay closed down for good. They want an end to the use of so-called "extraordinary rendition" -- the soft name for what has, in effect, been kidnapping and torture by the CIA -- that has besmirched the name of democracy.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Now that he is the leader of the country they love to hate, how long will they love him? He is in McCain’s position?
Europe wants to show Obama some man love. They’re made for each other.
CNN lies like a big dog. Arf Arf Arf.
Alright, if Europe wants to love him, then they can have him!!!
Obamunists flock together to suppress freedom and liberty worldwide.
Warning to Europe: make sure Obama wears a condom...
Europe wants to love Obama? Europe can have him.
I know too many people who voted for BHO in part because they gave a damn what Europe thought about us. I’m sorry. We saved their butts twice big time and innumerable small times. I couldn’t begin to start to care less what they think. I don’t believe in needlessly irritating people (thus I’m unsuited for politics) but when we’re right we’re right and Europe can take a flying leap at the Moon for all I care.
That's why he will NOT facilitate any multi-lateral involvement.
I'm sure his vision is that he solves a problem by giving a speech on TV.
Wonder if the Bear parking nukes on the EU border has openned any eyes? Probably not.
And this time, if the Bear bites, I say let the Bear eat as much of Europe as it wants to. They don’t like the US being strong? They don’t like us using force against thugs? They want an appeasing socialist in charge of the US? Fine. Defend yourselves, Eurotrash. You won’t like the result, but to be blunt, F### YOU!
Hey, maybe while all this man-love action is going on, our President can sneak through something good before he's out. I mean 'cause, really, what's drawback?
I am exactly with you. Except that I suspect Obama's going to reinstate the draft.
All Europe knows how to do is drop their draw’s and bend over, and I’m sure BO will accomdate them.
Why would he do that? He's going to pull out of our troops in Iraq and drastically cut military spending so he could divert the $$$ to social programs.
They are also power-mad and love tyrannizing over people. Favored people won't get drafted, rednecks will.
No, the draft will be for his civilian defense force, which will be as well funded and armed as the military. His words, not mine.
Why do I have this image of Lili Von Schtupp going “Oh, it’s twue, it’s twue, it’s twue, it’s twue!”
Thank you, my thoughts exactly. Let the Russians have Europe already, it isn’t worth saving any more.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.