Your prediction of public reaction to Obama's expected demands on Europe is shared by Karl-Theodor Freiherr/CSU, whom I cited above with "Sommertheater". (BTW I forgot to make clear: he is also criticising his own camp there, and deviates from the party line.)

As for the German left-wing's, rather than the SPD's reaction, what I wonder about is the position of the Left Party and its voters in general. Perhaps jandsm or Jeffersonian Democrat can tell us more about the mood in the party. Would the Left Party profile itself early on with some criticism of Obama, the eventual disillusion of SPD voters with him that you and Freiherr predict could lead to some shift of balance within the German left-wing.

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

Putting him on par with Jimmy Carter is probably not unfair all things considered. Which is still unimpressive, but as recent US presidents go it's a big step forward.

I'm prepared to be surprised, but so far Obama doesn't look like more than a Carter with a snazzier marketing department and the advantage that the other wing of the Corporate Party has shot itself in both feet, a kneecap and one arm with an elephant gun.

Still, Obama is preferable to John "Nuke Iran" McCain.

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.