It seems to me that nobody in the MSM has pointed out the clear shift to the right throughout the West in recent months. France (Sarkozy), Italy (Berlusconi), Austria, and now Canada. Australia’s a bit of an outlier, but the new leftist government has proven centrist, a clear recognition that the Australian electorate was just tired of Howard and wanted to play with a new kid. I think the repeated failure of referenda on Europe is part of this trend.
A lot of this has to do with a slow, reluctant recognition of the threat of radical Islam, in the form of immigration and excessive toleration of anti-democratic Muslim leaders.
Is it a harbinger for our own future, in this election or future ones? I don’t know; as usual a lot depends on events (especially in Russia and the Middle East), and on the quality of leadership. We’re facing four years of bad to mediocre leadership, and I don’t see the sort of charismatic Western leader anywhere who can catalyze a strong, coherent fight for the victory of our values that we will eventually have to wage. Perhaps Sarah Palin will prove to be that leader; she certainly has at least some of the qualities, and a lot of the convictions, we will need.
However, I do think that the Western trend is helpful to the next American president, because he’s going to try to be more “multilateral,” and the new European leaders will not be as inclined as their predecessors to convince America to join a suicide cult.
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14 Comments
1. Alireza:“… coherent fight for the victory of our values that we will eventually have to wage. Perhaps Sarah Palin will prove to be that leader;”
Dr. Ledeen, if you are so brave and like McCain like gambling, along with sense of humor, why not asking “Joe the Plumber” to take it over? I mean if Sarah Palin could do it, then “Joe the Plumber” can make things flow too!!! And I thought you don’t have sense of humor!! Sarah Palin!!! Oh God! …LOL
Oct 16, 2008 - 3:22 pm 2. Ran:Canada’s very recent gentle shift Right (increased parliamentary plurality for the Conservative Party) may bode well in that it perhaps reflects distrust of redistributive/socialist fiscal policy in a time of financial unease?
To Sara Palin: She can cut oil pipeline deals AND field-dress moose. [Trumps layin' pipe.] Though to Alireza’s point, Joe may stand a chance running for Congress. Please! With few exceptions, the present crop of Ivy League geniuses serving in Government have proven less than useful. I’d rather we had more representatives with field experience.
Oct 16, 2008 - 7:45 pm 3. David Thomson:I still think the odds are in favor of John McCain and Sarah Palin on Election Day. Enough people will come to their senses to make the difference. It is also interesting to note that apparently the pollsters in Canada were off five points in underestimating the strength of the Conservatives. Gallup has Obama up by a mere two points!
Oct 17, 2008 - 4:37 am 4. Ran:I agree with David above, though with one reservation: I see this as a potential Palin victory with McCain as baggage. Republicans [and conservative Demos] I know – only a small number, of course – are looking at 2012, for Palin [and Madame Hillary.]
Oct 17, 2008 - 2:49 pm 5. David Sadeghinia:Good evening
Dr Ledden :
hope all is well ,just wanted to congradulate you in your New post…hope you can be as effective as you were in AEI…
why you never come to the west and give any speeches….
hope to see you again one day…
as far as election goes Unfortunatly ,sadly ,I think it would be 4 years of pure hell with this funny man obama…I guess we just have to bite our tongue and wait till its over till a real president ( a republican) can get in there…I just wonder, would it be too late to destroy the f…muslem government of iran by then or not???if noone would know you know darn well that by every year that passes those %%&^**islamic or what I consider them to be decay of human civilization get stronger and stronger and these idiots in here and those spoiled europeans just by sitting on their assess (as incompetent as they always have been)will not do anything,so would you please tell me how in the world we supposed to destroy evil???
reading and writting is over time to act is NOW.I know how to speak their language bruth force ,hang them by their balls…or as mr ledden would say… FASTER PLEASE…..
I just don’t know ???,dosen’t anyone see whats comming ???? God help us all….
many wishes for you and your new post…
have a great sabbath…
Oct 17, 2008 - 8:43 pm 6. Alireza:shalom
David
Trends? Here is one “Trend” I’m seeing:
Parallel to landslide victory of Obama–assuming Republicans are not cooking any October Surprises, like they have done in the past—we are now seeing WEAKENING of Ahmadinejad and his gang in Iran. We are also seeing similar trend in Israel, where BOMB BOMB gang of BBs, Mofaz and alike are going into hibernation, and people like Livni taking over.
So putting X-rated B.S. exchanges between U.S., Iran and Israel, this group of death merchants and masters of manipulations and deceit and cover up are losing ground fast.
So that is why we might begin to see small movement is taking place in Iran, since Ahmadinejad knows well Obama will not stand for 1 minute of his B.S. He know he will be thrown into trash, and he know a Democratic government in U.S. will shut them up for at least 4-8 years, BEFORE Republican come up with another trick to come back to power.
So end of this last 8 years will be beginning of slow moving freedom in countries like Iran. If you are on over dose of believing otherwise, you’ll need decontamination and it will take months you get your thinking right.
We were ALL set up and tricked into believing what Republicans were saying is in support of freedom and democracy for people around the world.
In reality they were hand in hand with people like Ahmadinejad to grow stronger day after day. Democracy and freedom loving ideas is like deadly acid for Republicans. They can’t handle it, and they always resort to cover up, deceit and tricks to get what they want.
Otherwise, they will NEVER NEVER have the chance to win, but only by DECEIVING the low-income people and religious people to phony retarded ideas. Republicans don’t care about unborn child, but they know it is great way to suck more religious suckers into their invisible net.
The same group of people, under the name of Hizbullah, Imam Mehdi, and other B.S. are deceived by the same kind of mentality in Iran. There are similar people in Israel, but they speak Hebrew and they quote you Torrah. But in essence, they are the same and they are all prisoners of rightwing ideology to get them to power.
Oct 18, 2008 - 5:39 pm 7. Winston:I agree with David’s statement above. McCain is a terrible Republican Senator but a good American hero and I think at the end of the day, as David said, the people of the United States will come to their senses to vote in McCain. I will be very shocked if they elected The empty Messiah. It doesn’t really make sense and most people I have talked to are for McCain/Palin ticket. Obama’s presidency will be tragic. Worse than Carter’s.
Oct 19, 2008 - 4:20 am 8. Winston:Alireza, what have you been smoking? gosh, I hate this third rate Iranian mentality who sees every thing through the screwed-up prism of CONSPIRACY THEORIES. Dude, get over it and relax. I dislike religion too but America is a great country because of exactly that. Because religions like private businesses have to compete for their clients, ie people and that’s why there’s religious freedom in the US and there’s none in Iran or other messed up countries. I think you should stop smoking what you been smoking and just get into rehab. Seriously man, you are making yourself look silly by spouting stupid conspiracy theories that were once popular back in 1940s and 50s. Wake Up!
Oct 19, 2008 - 4:24 am 9. Capitol Boy:Hah.
Sarkozy is far more left than you thought, sport.
Oct 19, 2008 - 8:16 am 10. Capitol Boy:Tell it to the anti-American radical socialist Colin Powell.
4. Winston:
I agree with David’s statement above. McCain is a terrible Republican Senator but a good American hero and I think at the end of the day, as David said, the people of the United States will come to their senses to vote in McCain. I will be very shocked if they elected The empty Messiah. It doesn’t really make sense and most people I have talked to are for McCain/Palin ticket. Obama’s presidency will be tragic. Worse than Carter’s.
Oct 19, 2008 – 4:20 am
Oct 19, 2008 - 8:17 am 11. Carl Sesar:You’re right about what you say about Sarah Palin. She has some of the qualities, and a lot of the convictions, to be a great leader. Let’s hope she gets the chance to prove it.
Oct 19, 2008 - 8:31 am 12. LeaNder:Well, Mr. Faster Please, was enchanted by Sarah’s Juneau welcoming charms. Especially since that signaled to him, she knew whom to flatter. As others he has come to appreciate the dirigible material, what else would be worth your worship as “king” then somebody who knows whom to flatter?
Oct 21, 2008 - 12:33 pm 13. LeaNder:The Most Popular Governor
Oct 21, 2008 - 12:35 pm 14. j green:Alaska’s Sarah Palin is the GOP’s newest star, by Fred Barnes, 07/16/2007, Volume 012, Issue 41
This is an exceptional point you make–the world is indeed generally shifting towards the right. The media is disturbed by this trend to the point that they just pretend it isn’t happening. They stick their collective head in the sand and plot for ways they hadn’t previously thought of to further promote Barry Hussein.
Oct 22, 2008 - 10:59 am