One original concern was that the first occupants of the new offices created by the Lisbon Treaty would shape the office for the future.  It would seem that this might be less of a damaging imprint that might have been. Having a role in deflecting events from the most dangerous likely course is a signal accomplishment for ET. Remaining is the larger task of moving the debate onto grounds that might be productive of future improvements.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."