THE CHILDREN'S HOUR:

So much for our honeymoon with Obama (Nick Cohen, 2/08/09, The Observer)

The collapse of Lehmans also made the victory of Barack Obama certain and that, too, was a comfort. Everyone thought they knew that the Democrats were civilised men and women who drank our lattes and drove our dinky, fuel-efficient cars. Soon they would be in the White House and the world would return to normal. [...]

Much to their discomfort, however, our leaders are realising that although the Washington consensus lives on in London, it is dying in Obama's Washington. Now when they talk about Paulson there is a faint whiff of nostalgia. Say what you like about old Hank, but at least he wanted to consult us. We wish we could say the same about his successors.

Press and public are still so in love with Obama that they barely noticed that Congress ordered the US government to spend American taxpayers' money on American goods last week. True, senators watered down the measure and Obama insisted that existing trade treaties must be respected. Nevertheless, protectionism triumphed and profoundly unsettled European policy makers as it did.

In their minds, Republicans were the "stupid white men" who cared nothing for foreigners. Now, they find that the Democrats are the real America Firsters, not only in Congress but also at the Doha talks, where an agreement on freeing up world trade seemed within reach. It is in the balance, because Democrats want to protect the American economy against foreigners dumping subsidised goods and to hold countries to account for their environmental standards and respect for labour rights.

Obama came to power with more international goodwill than any president since Eisenhower, mutter angry ministers. Do not think his popularity will last if he keeps on indulging the protectionists. If Obama is hearing their warnings, he is clearly paying them no heed. Every day brings news from Washington our rulers find profoundly unsettling.

Excellent relations with the Allies who--other than Spain--had replaced every government that opposed America, is just one of the Bush legacies that the UR could squander.

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 7, 2009 8:32 PM