Good Question

The NY Times writes about the reaction in Europe to the Iraqi elections:

Indeed, said Timothy Garton Ash, an Oxford historian and an expert on trans-Atlantic affairs, the vote could force some in Europe to begin to differentiate between their hostile perceptions of the Bush administration and the significance of events on the ground.

"The challenge for the British left in particular is: Are you for democracy in the Middle East even though Bush is in favor of it?" Mr. Garton Ash said. "People will continue to mix the verdict on Bush and the verdict on Iraq."

Hmm.  Maybe it's not just in Europe.

Comments

[George]

Garton Ash may be more famous, but the bloggers at Harry's Place -- left-wing and pro-war Brits, mostly -- have been deftly boring in on this paradox for many months. I suspect they've made a number of their lefty comrades feel shameful (to the extent that such people experience shame).

[Brad Reed]

As a "lefty," I tend to agree with George. The prospect of democracy in Iraq is too promising to let partisan squabbling get in the way. I think it's *shameful* for progressive people to be *depressed* about Iraqi elections- Jesus, it's what we're supposed to be for...

[Van Helsing]

Europe faced a similar dilemma after the tsunami, while they watched the hated US and close ally Australia getting help to people that needed it while Eurocrats and the UN dithered. It can't be fun, being a leftist these days.