[CAluvdubya]

I don't know what Bush is up to here but I would not "misunderestimate" him. He is cunning and so are the people around him. I'm sure there's a plan here (oops, ick, now I sound like kerry!).

[God luvs America]

I agree...I listen to the President speak about chirac and the frogs and I cringe- but something else is in the works.

[Traction]

Haven’t figured out the Bush’s grand strategy yet? It is to keep the dollar low so France and German economics will keep tanking. He knows that the pocketbook will drive their voters toward the right and Chirac/Schoeder will be history come next election cycle. To keep their economies going under, Chirac and Schoeder need sales to China and Iran, which Bush is trying to stop.

[hinckley buzzard]

"I don't know what Bush is up to here but I would not "misunderestimate" him. He is cunning and so are the people around him."

I agree. The way he called out the Syrians, and bitch-slapped Russia in public, in front of the europimps, was incredible and imo unprecedented. He's got something up his sleeve.

If I was playing poker with W right now, I'd be folding.
L'Idiot Chirac is calling and raising!

[Former Proud Canadian]

I will tell you what President Bush is "up to". He is a straight shooter and a gentleman. Like the dems at home, the Europeans are not used to that. They can't believe he says what he means and means what he says. He is making nice with the euros right now. He is giving them a chance to get on board.

The train is leaving the station. If they don't get on, they will be left behind.

[Kozak]

Bush reached out and got his hand smacked again. Now no one can say he didn't try. Now he and we no longer have to try to mend fences with the Crap Weasels. We are free to pursue our own interests.

[ultima ratio]

Sure there's a plan. Bush has leverage in NATO, but not with the EU. It's in our interest, therefore, to keep the EU from developing its own forces and to keep NATO viable. Chirac, instead, wants the EU to become another superpower--a rival one day to the US.

For decades Europe got a free ride while we did the heavy lifting. While we complained, they coasted. But now it's in our own interest for the Europeans to continue relying on us instead of competing militarily. The last thing we need is another superpower coming on the scene as a countervalence to ourselves just as China is emerging and coming into its own in opposition to us. This is why Bush is making nice and declaring that nothing can come between Europe and ourselves. He is saying, in effect, there is no need to build up your own force--we will continue as always to protect you.

Personally, I'm not too concerned with EU dreams of grandeur. Chirac may want EU to have its own forces, but Europe is too decadent to deflect money from the welfare state for its own defense. My bet is they'll continue to opt for the free ride. Bush would like that just fine.