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Don't Be So Happy to See Bush Go, Europe

He's been a useful villain—and things may not be better under Obama or McCain

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 13, 2008 5:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Bush might be touring Europe to yawns and boos, but its citizens and pundits alike will miss their favorite political punching bag when he’s gone, Gerard Baker writes in the Times of London. “They'll miss, first, having a villain in the White House,” Baker explains. “It's a really convenient excuse to avoid doing anything yourself on pressing global concerns.”

Meanwhile, while President Obama (or, to a somewhat lesser extent, McCain) will ride to a magic carpet of global goodwill, Baker doubts he’ll act much differently than second-term Bush. In Iraq, “conditions will either allow a quick US drawdown or they won't." On global warming, the new Prez "will say more congenial things,” but that will put the onus on European leaders to act.

Pope Benedict XVI, centre, U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura pose in the Vatican Gardens during their meeting at the Vatican Friday, June 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Cristophe Simon, pool)

U.S. President George W. Bush answers journalists' questions during a joint press conference with Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, not seen, Thursday, June 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

"Europeans are going to miss Mr. Bush in ways that they are only beginning to understand," Times of London columnist Gerard Baker writes. (AP Photo)

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, right, arrives for a dinner with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, together with U.S. President George Bush at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Friday June... (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

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Don't Be So Happy to See Bush Go, Europe

He's been a useful villain—and things may not be better under Obama or McCain

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More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

How Much Did Obama Really Add to Deficit?

Ezra Klein crunches the numbers and comes up with a lower total than you think

Portugal May Need a 2nd Bailout

Country's troubles likened to Greek crisis

EU Rolls Out Embargo on Iran Oil

May also freeze central bank's assets

Bush's CIA Chief: We Ruled Out Iran Strike

Michael Hayden says it would have backfired then, and would now, too

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Don't Be So Happy to See Bush Go, Europe

He's been a useful villain—and things may not be better under Obama or McCain

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Bush administration • Barack Obama • John McCain • global warming • European Union • Europe • scapegoat • George W. Bush

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

How Much Did Obama Really Add to Deficit?

Ezra Klein crunches the numbers and comes up with a lower total than you think

Portugal May Need a 2nd Bailout

Country's troubles likened to Greek crisis

EU Rolls Out Embargo on Iran Oil

May also freeze central bank's assets

Bush's CIA Chief: We Ruled Out Iran Strike

Michael Hayden says it would have backfired then, and would now, too

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?