GER-Infratest dimap/ARD: Germany's 140 EV solidly in the Obama column

[Franzl]

Doesn't surprise me. I'd be more interested in the 7% of Germans that support Romney. Who is that? I doubt anyone I know here is against Obama. NPD voters and xenophobics?

[Franzl]

This confirms the 'Forsa' poll taken just about 2 weeks ago. Interesting that even most conservatives in Germany would vote for Obama

Does it surprise you? Obama isn't anywhere near a left-winger in a European context.

[Franzl]

I suggest we trade Texas in for Germany......

No thanks.

[Franzl]

What saddens me is that a wonderful country like Germany votes like DC

It saddens me that as good a country as the USA will give Romney/Ryan at least 45% of the votes

[Franzl]

I think part of the reason Europeans tend to favor the Democrats over the Republicans is the Republicans' constant demonizing of "failed European socialism" or whatever.

That's one factor for sure. It's also just the plain inability to understand how any sane person could reject basic social welfare principles, such as guaranteed healthcare as a basic human right. The fact that this is even being debated in the United States is an extremely foreign concept.

[Franzl]

Only 86%? Who didn't get the memo in Germany? Let the panicky handwringing intensify! Next time, they might not even include Mitt's name in the poll to make up for this national embarrassment.

I doubt Italy's numbers would be that much different, but who cares about facts?

[Franzl]

So you think it comes down exclusively to Obama as a person? Other Democrats would not be leading by similar margins simply because the Republican Party is far outside the European political mainstream?

[Franzl]

So you think it comes down exclusively to Obama as a person? Other Democrats would not be leading by similar margins simply because the Republican Party is far outside the European political mainstream?

His insane majority in Italy is because of his personality, yes. Other Democrats would lead, for sure, but not by as wide of a margin but that's not the point. The point is that his lead in Italy isn't based on handwringing. Try telling someone with a straight face that that isn't the reason why Obama is doing so well in Germany.

If that's what you want to believe, Phil. Although the correct answer is George W. Bush. Memories aren't that short over here.

[Franzl]

So you think it comes down exclusively to Obama as a person? Other Democrats would not be leading by similar margins simply because the Republican Party is far outside the European political mainstream?

His insane majority in Italy is because of his personality, yes. Other Democrats would lead, for sure, but not by as wide of a margin but that's not the point. The point is that his lead in Italy isn't based on handwringing. Try telling someone with a straight face that that isn't the reason why Obama is doing so well in Germany.

If that's what you want to believe, Phil. Although the correct answer is George W. Bush. Memories aren't that short over here.

Ugh, I know! All the good that man did for Africa/AIDS research...he one up-ed everyone! And the Germans and Europeans in general, they will never forget it.

You can find something good in most people, no matter how terrible their overall record was.

Regardless, the point is George W. Bush was and is extremely unpopular in Europe, and there's widespread disbelief here that anyone could be stupid enough to give the party power just 4 years after Obama threw them out.

Obama is certainly very popular, but you're pretty ignorant if you don't believe any Democrat would be at relatively simliar levels in 2012. Especially against Mitt Romney.

[Franzl]

Obama is certainly very popular, but you're pretty ignorant if you don't believe any Democrat would be at relatively simliar levels in 2012. Especially against Mitt Romney.

I said any Democrat would comfortably lead but the Obama praise is based, in part in certain countries, on handwringing. And I know you won't admit it but deep down...

I think you vastly overestimate the role that plays in ordinary people here. What politicians say can sometimes be a different story, but whatever, I'm not going to convince you of all people.

[Franzl]

You know, maybe I'm just dumb, but I honestly don't understand what Keystone Phil is trying to say here. I even looked up the term "handwringing" in a dictionary, but it didn't help. Can someone help me comprehend what he's getting at??

He's getting at supposed "guilt" as the reason for supporting the black man. Phil is convinced this dominates Germans' everyday lives in every way.

[Franzl]

You're never going to convince Phil of anything.

[Franzl]

I hate to use the "I live here" card, but I think I would have a better gauge on that than you.

Yeah. Hey, did you ever ask a racist if he or she is racist?

...
That has nothing to do with it. I didn't go around asking people why they support Obama. From normal political conversations that never even mentioned the topic directly, I can say that -- shocker -- politically aware Germans support Obama because of his policies.

...and that has nothing to do with my point that you, as a German, have as much authority saying Germans aren't hand wringers as racists do when they say they aren't racist.

Or an ignorant not accepting he's ignorant, in your case.

[Franzl]

I hate to use the "I live here" card, but I think I would have a better gauge on that than you.

Yeah. Hey, did you ever ask a racist if he or she is racist?

...
That has nothing to do with it. I didn't go around asking people why they support Obama. From normal political conversations that never even mentioned the topic directly, I can say that -- shocker -- politically aware Germans support Obama because of his policies.

...and that has nothing to do with my point that you, as a German, have as much authority saying Germans aren't hand wringers as racists do when they say they aren't racist.

Or an ignorant not accepting he's ignorant, in your case.

You know it all, Franzl. And, hey, you're a centrist! You're right down the middle! You get it.

Do you really want to accuse someone else of "knowing it all", Phil?

[Franzl]

File this under "who give a damn".   Europe is a destroyed continent.  Why do we care a damn what they think

Is FOX your primary "news" source?