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Obama Uses anti-Americanism in Election Campaign?

Posted by Joerg Wolf on

First Gerhard Schroeder was accused of using anti-Americanism to win an election. Now the British Telegraph's Toby Harnden claims that Obama echoes Europe's anti-Americanism to win the midterm elections: 

Bill Clinton spoke like a Good Ol' Boy from the Deep South, ate junk food and enjoyed trashy women. He was clever, but he did not look down on people. Obama, by contrast, has become a parody of the Ivy League liberal smugly content with his own intellectual superiority and pitying the poor idiots who disagree with him. It is an approach that shares much with the default anti-Americanism of British and European elites, who love to mock the United States as a country full of gun-toting, bible-clutching morons. (.)

Joining the Europeans in mocking ordinary Americans for their supposed idiocy may play well at big-dollar fund-raisers. In adopting this as a political strategy, however, the Democrats could be the ones who end up looking stupid.

WTF? No wonder the article received more than 400 comments since Saturday.

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Pamela on :

I don't like to say "I told you so" but - I told you so. and mbast (2 threads down)asks me to give only ONE example of why this guy doesn't like America? *snort*

Pat Patterson on :

I always worry when I see such comments because we Americans are concerned about the state of British education and the increased presence of yobbism amongst its young and politicians. It's sad to see how deep the delusions run when only two, small, Englsih universities made the ARWU rankings. But I suppose the can cling to their memories of being an Empire while clutching their tepid beers.

Joe Noory on :

Well, their motives are the same, as is their detachment and lack of concern with which they conduct themselves toward a population - especially those who aren't politically useful to him. As for ignoring floods, our politically Manichean president as well as the European press' handwringers have both done his share of that as well. Only special kinds of misery are politically useful to people that callow. http://novatownhall.com/2009/03/27/the-midwest-is-flooding-wheres-obama/

David on :

My prediction: Obama will be re-elected in a landslide in 2012. That is my "I told you so." While the Tea Party crashes and burns. Sarah ("Her Whiteness") Palin will not look so good after her hand-picked Tea Party champions (Joe Miller, Sharon Angle, Christine O'Donnell) are routed next week. And has anyone read about the Rich Iott, the GOP candidate for congress from ohio, who spends his weekends wearing a Nazi uniform as he reenacts the glories of the Waffen SS? This is the face of the Tea Party. Now back to GOTV...

Kevin Sampson on :

Care to put a little money on that, David?

Pat Patterson on :

It's tough to dislodge a first term president especially one who is still somewhat popular. Wait until he new congress is seated to make that bet. Clinton did and there were actually many good bills passed during his second two years in office. Can Pres Obama do it? I hope so but doubt it. However if he does resurrect himself as a moderate then David may get what he wished for but certainly not what he hoped.

Kevin Sampson on :

In 1994 during Clintons first mid-term, unemployment was at 5.6%, today it is 9.6%. The national debt was 4.8 trillion, today it is 13 trillion. The federal deficit was 203 billion, today it is 1350 billion. Plus, over the next two years the effects of Obamacare are going to become apparent, as will the EPA’s insane attempt to circumvent Congress and regulate CO2 as a ‘threat to human health and the environment’. You think Obama’s approval ratings have tanked in the last two years? Just watch.

Zyme on :

Guys, what implications result for the transatlantic alliance from the new military "budget" alliance between London and Paris? Rent-a-carrier? Share fuel aircrafts? Common development of nuclear weapons? To be honest, I would like to share the first three comments on SPON to this news, as they shortly put it into a broader context: "A new Entente Cordiale? Beware Germany!" "Oh oh, the Entente is back. Quickly let's head for an Anschluss of Austria" and the next one replies "not so fast, maybe we can get Russia on our side this time ;-)"

Marie Claude on :

what happened to you ? you got black ideas ? I have seen a few Germans bitterly commenting on this agreement. But, as it mainly focuse on nuclear power, therefore Germany is de facto out, remember, you're anti-nuclear ! and for once france and UK aren't bickering, I'll rather open a bottle of Champagne !

Marie Claude on :

and don't forget Deauville, it wasn't just for the euro, but with Medvedev, for a common security agreement research, like defined here: http://tinyurl.com/28yt9gj and I bet you'll need it, cuz: China Finds a New Gateway in East Europe http://t.co/VyH2OAl but "Les craintes de Washington et de Londres quant à une renaissance de l’axe franco-germano-russe, comme lors de l’invasion de l’Irak en 2003, sont sans fondements" Vers une communauté de sécurité paneuropéenne http://t.co/enPBznG

Zyme on :

Black ideas? I think via the Euro, Berlin has managed to put the biggest share of Europe into the economic bag. The others are bound to it, no matter whether they like it or not. So appeasing them is no longer necessary. Now is the time to look beyond the EU. This would be the perfect timing for starting a military cooperation with Russia. This would not only erase American influence from Eastern Europe, but would also provide us with an alternative, should the EU not work out for us the way we would like it to. It is an illusion to believe that France would stand by and tolerate more power over Europe going to Germany. If we like to further increase our influence on the continent, we have to have alternatives which the others seek to avoid. Which is another pro for a tighter alliance with Moscow.

Pat Patterson on :

Why bother with the Russians. There fleet needs tugboats, Indian and Chineses copies of Sukhois do not fall out of the sky and the only decent unit in the Russian Army, the 58th Division is, at least half, still stuck in Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Unless of course Germany now wishes to be under the protection of a Russian nuclear deterrent instead of NATO the whole idea seems foolish to an extreme.

Zyme on :

Pat, what you say is surely correct. But other considerations are more important here. Between Russia and Germany, normally you would expect the buffer states in between to align to a sphere of influence and chose between those two alternatives. Now for historical reasons, they rather look to Washington and hope that it is containing Germany in the Nato alliance. They thus act as a trojan horse for American influence in Europe. If Berlin and Moscow work together, this American influence can be eliminated. The buffer states would then have to face the new reality and rather play along in the EU because without the EU, they would see themselves in a really unpleasant situation. Also Russia is key to our energy security. This is our biggest weakness. Having country with so many ressources so close to us on our side would make a lot more sense than looking for partners in Asia. And last but not least, the Anglo-French cooperation aims at a long term alliance due to its content (nuclear weaponry, aircraft carriers). A basis which far surpasses the substance of other European military cooperation. So there is a great chance that such a cooperation might outlive European cooperation. In that case, we need to be safe at least on the Eastern side.

Kevin Sampson on :

WOOO WEEE Hang onto your hats, y'all, here we go again.

Marie Claude on :

EXACTLY !

Marie Claude on :

"Now is the time to look beyond the EU. This would be the perfect timing for starting a military cooperation with Russia. This would not only erase American influence from Eastern Europe, but would also provide us with an alternative, should the EU not work out for us the way we would like it to." Well, this is why our nuclear force in common with the Brits, is necessary, we'll be the umbrella, but this is not what Germany was aiming at of course, she'd rather preferred a non nuclear Europe. (alredy manifested in january 2006, when Chirac proposed our nuclear arm help to Schröder, and that Germany rebuffed it) "It is an illusion to believe that France would stand by and tolerate more power over Europe going to Germany. If we like to further increase our influence on the continent, we have to have alternatives which the others seek to avoid." Hmmm, the EU "belongs" to Germany, and is ruled by Germany standards, Germany doesn't suffer another alternative, remember, when Sarkozy launched the Mediterranean Union project, how it was rebuffed by Merkel. Germany is playing on the 27 states of EU to base her living space, while France is playing on the 16 eurozone states to tighten Germany's appetite. "Which is another pro for a tighter alliance with Moscow" Hmm I advise you to not forget History lessons, otherwise you're in for another remake !

Zyme on :

"Hmmm, the EU "belongs" to Germany, and is ruled by Germany standards, Germany doesn't suffer another alternative" There still is considerable resistance from the smaller countries in Eastern Europe. Only when a close cooperation between Berlin and Moscow looms at the horizon, these countries will become more cooperative in the EU. "remember, when Sarkozy launched the Mediterranean Union project, how it was rebuffed by Merkel." Yes but does this not prove my point that there is always going to be a resistance from the French side? This was a clear counter-effort which aimed at reducing Germany's standing in Europe. Granted it failed, but I expect more from where that came from. "Hmm I advise you to not forget History lessons, otherwise you're in for another remake !" Which is exactly why I would prefer the German government to accept Russia's efforts towards a closer alliance.

Marie Claude on :

this is why more and more French see that History is going to have a new remake. Precisely, because of Germany natural tendances looking towards east, and each time she did, it ended badly for us, so don't be surprised if we aren't dancing of joy , and our Brittons cousins are seeing the same premises too

Zyme on :

"so don't be surprised if we aren't dancing of joy, and our Brittons cousins are seeing the same premises too" Many here would agree that for a long time it used to be a primary concern for Berlin to make our fellow Europeans jump in joy. These days are over. Also I cannot quite see why Eastern Europe is for France and Britain to worry about. Plus why all the worries? Hasn't the handling of the crisis shown us that a more "German" Europe is for the benefit of everyone involved?

Marie Claude on :

you're joking, ask the Greeks, and the other PIIGS why they are doomed by a stiff euro, when all the world currnencies are lowering their values ! Of Course, that doesn't play for Germany, whose merchendises, such expensive cars, and tools-machines had already the reputation of being "sehr teuer" before that the euro was implemented. So a high euro doesn't embarrass Germany, today, (well not quite though, after the Bazooka bailing out, the euro rating fall and german exportation boomed, and are now lowering since the euro went up to $1,40). The stability pact for the euro served/serves Germany to buy minerals and oil at lower expenses since these are priced in dollars, which are the basic matters for her manufactures industry. idem in transferring 10% of the enterprises charges onto the working class, Germany got the margin for getting concurrential prices, in counterpart the german labor force has no means to improve the inner domestic consumerism (which would help the eurozone countries). Now, the rest of the eurozone doesn't play in the same yard, they have merchendises and or agricultural products that are concurrenced by the global market countries, which have a lower currency, since these merchendises and products are prices in dollars, then see where the prices are attractive, not in eurozone, cuz of the high price of the labour, that is maintainded whatever reduction we could manage to get a market. So so long Germany is playing the hard part and is maintaining such a unbalance, the PIIGS, and for some part France will be the losers, so wether the things carry on that way, and the euro is going to crumble with eurozone countries, wether, Germany opts for DM and allows us the freedom to devaluate... So at the end there will be more frustrations and hate between the eurozone countries

Marie Claude on :

"Also I cannot quite see why Eastern Europe is for France and Britain to worry about." But them are looking for Britain, France and the US help, they are the ones that paid the hard price to be left alone between Germany and Russia some 75 years ago

Zyme on :

"they are the ones that paid the hard price to be left alone between Germany and Russia some 75 years ago" http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2010/05/25/german_options_after_eus_collapse_98978.html http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20100621_germany_and_russia_move_closer?utm_source=GWeekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=100622&utm_content=readmore&elq=a1206009e247489591d7468c5418549f In case you want to read more on it ;-)

Marie Claude on :

I know the articles kinda "visionnaires" of what we are watching right now with the new "alliances"

Kevin Sampson on :

More 'German'? Maybe. More Russian? Not so much.

Kevin Sampson on :

Gridlock. They'll never be able to agree on when/where/how to use it until the situation becomes so dire it will be far too little and far too late. That guy talking about getting Russia on our side might be on to something, though.

Marie Claude on :

hmm, you're in bad sheet, cuz http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4784167 and Moscow expects more information on NATO Euro-missile defense plans http://bit.ly/d1G8Nu C pas gagné !

Kevin Sampson on :

Cooperative development of strategy and doctrine is nothing whatsoever like ‘sharing’ operational control of an actual physical asset. Especially when you’re committing it to combat (or not) with hundreds of your citizens on board. As for the Russians, their expectations are going to be a long way down the administrations new priority list. In two years, there may not be a NATO missile defense program.

Pat Patterson on :

Plus this new Anglo-French CJEF is an already agreed to part of the RRF that exists so far only on paper. The carriers will be an interesting test as the decks of the two Queen Elizabeth-class ships are set for VSTOL and short-take off which are not compatible with the Rafale which needs a flight launch deck and longer catapult. I sense this is CYA for both countries to assure their respective citizens and NATO that they are serious of being maybe not world powers but at least regional powers. And all on the cheap.

Marie Claude on :

hmm, some part of the agreement is going to be effective from 2011, the common intervention troops (up to 5000) submarines equipments, nuclear researches offices, also France still didn't renounce to build a carrier (the office that started designs and studies is still working on the project: it is said that you need at least 15 years of experience to make a modern workable carrier, that's why they didn't stop the prodject) "I sense this is CYA for both countries to assure their respective citizens and NATO that they are serious of being maybe not world powers but at least regional powers. And all on the cheap." You're wrong, of one thing you can be sure with the Brits, is that they are good at forecasting geopolitical aftermaths, and I'm sure that they want to counterbalance the continental axe Berlin Moscou, and make some equilibrium there, as usual, for them, France is the buffer player, as it is for Germany for reinsuring Poland and Middle Europe countries, that her ties with Russia aren't dangerous.

Kevin Sampson on :

No, the two putative British carriers will now be CATOBAR like the French one. Supposedly the British didn't want to pay the higher unit costs of the STOVL F-35 and will now be buying F-35C's.

Marie Claude on :

Morin said that if our shared defense had to be seen as a serious one, we ought to manage several carriers, at least 2 or 3 for France and idem for UK. But where's the money ?

Pat Patterson on :

I missed that. When did that occur?

Kevin Sampson on :

http://www.dailytech.com/UK+to+Move+from+F35B+STOVL+to+F35C+Fighters/article19922.htm

Pat Patterson on :

Thanks, I especially found the comments quite interesting. But it appears that there are now three possibilities mentioned for the 2nd British carrier, deliver with a strengthened catapult, redeployment as a helicopter ship or not build it at all.

Marie Claude on :

"Le patron de la Marine nationale va même encore plus loin, en présentant le porte-avions comme L'OUTIL, par excellence, de la puissance politique et militaire. « Si on veut que l'Europe existe, il faut avoir autant de porte-avions que les Américains ». Il en faudrait donc une dizaine" http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=114397 well,I can't find the sentence back, at the moment, though I read it on one of the few blogs about defense

Marie Claude on :

Uh, Zyme, I got good news fer ya : German Defense Minster urges more Chinese involvement in Afghanistan: Karl-Theodor Zu Guttenberg says he wants Chi... http://bit.ly/bNYpQW

Marie Claude on :

pot pourri of the different articles Londres et Paris doivent signer des traités de défense et de sécurité http://f24.my/cpGznZ Où kelle est la Ashton ? Entre Paris et Londres, la nouvelle entente cordiale sonne le glas de la défense européenne http://2.xfru.it/3ZzhR5 A closer alliance with France will be good for Britain http://bit.ly/98JzzZ Juste Publié: Le texte de la déclaration Fr-Uk sur la coopération de défense et de sécurité – 2 nov 2010 | Bruxelles2: http://bit.ly/brEhTA ( must read, very complete - scroll down for a english version) Anglo-French force: Cheese-eating surrender monkeys? Non http://bit.ly/9HprSI (so you see, there's still french bashing) France - UK - Britain and France to sign deal creating joint military force http://www.english.rfi.fr/node/56657 La France et la Grande-Bretagne ont des projets militaires communs: Paris - La France et le… http://goo.gl/fb/iMlCd Rapprochement sur les sous-marins, drones et missiles: Paris - La France et la Grande… http://goo.gl/fb/GSBk1 Britain and France sign 'historic' defense treaties in London: Prime Minister David Cameron and President Nicolas ... http://bit.ly/akqDcE David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy have signed UK-French defence treaties. Watch joint press conference live: http://bbc.in/9ePXUL

Marie Claude on :

see why we can't trust the EU Foreign Affairs and Defense Court Baroness Ashton's new envoys 'playing at James Bond' in £32m of bullet-proof limos http://bit.ly/9akynB parade chèrement à la Barbade

Pat Patterson on :

After all the back and forth in this thread Joerg did pick the correct column to predict the mid-term election in the US.

Joe Noory on :

So where's the [url=http://no-pasaran.blogspot.com/2010/11/festival-of-self-delusion.html]usual overwhelming interest[/url] in the US' domestic electoral affairs this time?

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