THEY'RE TIRED OF DADDY..:

How to revitalize the US-European partnership: Europe is excited about Obama, but worried about bearing US burdens. (Dietrich von Kyaw, January 8, 2009, CS Monitor)

Already, some Europeans wonder to what extent the appointment of old hands such as Hillary Clinton (for secretary of State), Robert Gates (for secretary of Defense), and Jim Jones (for National Security Adviser) might signal not merely continuity but also business as usual.

They expect differently perceived national interests to continue to give rise to transatlantic disputes from time to time. [...]

[E]uropean leaders worry that the US will shift much of the burden onto the shoulders of its partners, not least by a further competitive devaluation of the dollar and by protectionist legislation. That could create friction not only with China and Japan, but also with the European Central Bank and the EU.

...they were hoping for a Mommy.

Posted by Orrin Judd at January 7, 2009 9:34 PM