Moderate Left Reeling Across The World (Left blames "Globilization")

RealClearPolitics ^ | 5/8/07 | E.J. Dionne

[teddyballgame]

WASHINGTON -- Is Europe moving right? Is the democratic left in trouble? The decisive victory of Nicolas Sarkozy over Socialist Segolene Royal in France's presidential elections on Sunday was the most recent example of the battering that moderate left parties are taking from the forces of globalization and discontent over immigration. A few days earlier, Britain delivered a rebuke to outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labor Party in local elections. Last September, Sweden's Social Democrats were voted out of power, a blow to the progressive spirit in light of the country's standing as a model egalitarian society.

Earlier in 2006, in the land of single-payer health care, Canada's Conservatives under Stephen Harper came back from near-death 14 years ago to form a minority government. In 2005, Germany's Social Democrats lost their majority, though they cling to a share of power under Christian Democratic Chancellor Angela Merkel.

[teddyballgame]

To paraphrase the Ragin' Cajun: It's the failed Socialist Policies Stupid!

[DeweyCA]

The moderate Left is being overwhelmed by the radical Left, and people are finally recognizing and rejecting that. I just hope that the same happens in 2008.

[johnny7]

The Communist tears of E.J. Dionne...

[Steamburg]

Seeing your government roll over for the muzzies and kooks can cause a little right thinking. Hope it catches on big here.

[bicyclerepair]

I pray Americans follow France’s lead in 08!

[2banana]

Warning flags to Hillary! and the dems...

[outofstyle]

It would be a great thing if Europe transformed itself. From a broad historical perspective, it is possible.

[jpl]

The left is in trouble when its campaigns are based more on anxiety about the right than on the hopes that progressives inspire.

Ummm, earth to E.J. Dionne, that's about all that the left's campaigns are based on these days, thanks in no small part to liberal media organs like the one you work for!

[AmishDude]

Even by French standards, Royal is not “moderate left”.

[Bitsy]

I love the smell of defeated leftists in the morning! It smells like VICTORY!

[3AngelaD]

Except in Latin America, where the Left is making gains.

[ishabibble]

E. J. Dionne, still hoping to be the last sheep eaten. It's the Muslim Jihad, stupid!

[gargoyle]

...Talking about a revolution, quote Lennon, might be a, revolution of a majority. Maybe a surge in representative republic...

[gr8eman]

Moderate Left Reeling Across The World...moderate muslims are deeply saddened!

[ishabibble]

Maybe it could be that people all over the world are now sorry that they allowed the invasion of the Muslim hordes into their societies. I know I am, and further, like so many people here, I’ve taken steps to protect myself, my home and family, and I actively participate in fighting the domestic jihad. My name is Jane Doe...

[teddyballgame]

There always has to be some sort of reason explanation why the election was stolen away. Try your defeated policies for once.

[lynny]

Yes, us pray! I know alot of people were angry in this last election , they feel the Republicans let them down by not being conserative enough, but voting in the leftist loons doesn’t help matters at all. Bless the people of France. I’ve always heard the “Left Bank” didn’t represent the typical French men & women , glad to see that seems to be correct.

[lynny]

*!@*! Should have said let us pray. But I’m sure you get my point. Total agreement on that one.

[blitzgig]

Even in Latin America the Left’s gains aren’t particularly overwhelming so far. Chavez still hasn’t been able to assemble a coalition of hard-left nations because many current left-leaning leaders in Latin America are more centrist than radical.

[3AngelaD]

Yeah, good ol’ centrist Evo.