Politicus: European honeymoon won't happen for Kerry (Schroder Laughs at Kerry Plans)

International Herald Tribune ^ | 09/28/04 | John Vinocur

[mojito]

A participant on the sidelines of talks in Berlin between Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Richard Holbrooke, a would-be secretary of state in a John Kerry presidency, told a story about the meeting and the theme of how a Kerry-friendly Europe would leap to America's aid in bringing stability to Iraq. (Or maybe hide under the bed.)

"Schröder," the American said, "asked Holbrooke what Kerry would do if he were elected. Holbrooke replied one of the first things would be to get on the phone and invite him and President Jacques Chirac to the White House. The chancellor laughed out loud. Then he said, 'That's what I was afraid of.'"

The participant recalled the moment as very jolly. Everybody in the chancellor's office, including Holbrooke, a former ambassador to Germany, joined in the chuckles.

[mojito]

Holbrooke was apparently humilated by Schroder at a Paris meeting this summer. But can you really blame him for laughing at this clown-who-would-be-Secretary, and at his fool of a master?

[Conspiracy Guy]

The whole world is laughing at John Kerry.

[cinives]

Doesn't sound like sKerry has backing anywhere in the world. Oh wait, the North Koreans like him.

[wildcatf4f3]

The Europeans are superior to us in creating new forms of government, ie; Monarchy, Theocracy, Communism, Fascism---very prolific. Maybe their greatest contribution was the Dadaism they live in everyday.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Yaah dada.

[NonValueAdded]

Look at the price we almost pair to Turkey to simply allow the 4th Mechanized Division to transit their country. Can you imagine what concessions a desperate Kerry would give in order to get some window dressing from France and Germany? "Well, Jean, you are in quite the pickle, non? Ja, Herr Kerry, vie must ve gehelpen you? Vat iss in it for us?"

[nosofar]

It was "sad" to see, Vedrine said, how these Americans, this "nice people" ("peuple attachant" in French), were drowned in propaganda and "cut off from the rest of the world."

Obviously he would prefer we were drowned in French propaganda.

[The Toad]

You know, I'm wondering if Old Europe prefers Kerry because he is obviously a weaker leader than Bush. This would allow them to more easily manipulate a Kerry administration. Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious here....