Vacancy: Leader of the Western World

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11 Jun 2017, 9:42 pm

As Trump takes America to a new level, some are wondering who will take the lead in world politics. The consensus seems to be Merkel.

Newsmax: Poll: Merkel Challenges Trump for 'Leader of the Free World'

Quote:

Most Americans no longer consider the president of the United States to be the "leader of the free world," with almost a third saying German Chancellor Angela Merkel fills that role more, according to a new poll from Quinnipiac University.

When asked if Trump or Merkel is the "leader of the free world:"

46 percent of those polled said Trump, 29 percent said Merkel.
80 percent of Republicans said Trump, 6 percent said Merkel.
47 percent of independents said Trump, 26 percent said Merkel.
22 percent of Democrats said Trump, 50 percent said Merkel.

In March, Politico described Merkel as "the leader of the free world" after meeting with Trump at the White House. More recently, Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement prompted news outlets like The Boston Globe and USA Today to proclaim Merkel is usurping Trump's position as the West's leader.

Merkel is strong, but I think others like Macron and Trudeau are in the running too. Canada doesn't have much of a military, but I wonder if the future will be more of a coalition among countries - a Federation.

I can't help but think that perhaps Trump's election is the misstep that China and the various Isis fragments need to stomp down Western dominance. Europe has been flooded with immigrants and not to be racist, but immigrants bring change. What was France 50 years ago, is not France now, for example. Perhaps the West will fizzle while totalitarian regimes find new success.

Kraichgauer
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11 Jun 2017, 10:22 pm

I went with Merkel, as Germany is the strongest and wealthiest European country, and she has a great deal of experience in governing under her belt. That, and how since Trump had tried to snub her, she's gotten a lot more international cred.

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EzraS
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12 Jun 2017, 4:00 am

It would be nice of the potus no longer had to be the nanny of the western world, but I doubt that dependency is going to end any time soon. I think the best the potus can hope for is lengthening the apron strings.

androbot01
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12 Jun 2017, 5:31 am

Kraichgauer wrote:

I agree. She's been around for a while too.

For Canada, I think it's time we increase our military.

LoveNotHate
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12 Jun 2017, 6:01 am

This poll is dumb.

95% of Americans wouldn't even know what a "Merkel" is.

Likely, most think it's like a small, furry animal like a wolverine.

androbot01
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12 Jun 2017, 6:08 am

LoveNotHate wrote:

95% of Americans wouldn't even know what a "Merkel" is.

Interesting that ignorance is a virtue now, at least in the States. But not everyone on this site is American.

And since animal pictures have been added to the mix, here is a random alpaca:

EzraS
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12 Jun 2017, 6:56 am

LoveNotHate wrote:

This poll is dumb.

95% of Americans wouldn't even know what a "Merkel" is.

Likely, most think it's like a small, furry animal like a wolverine.

I've read people whining over Americans not knowing who the leader of their little country is. But what do they expect when their leader does little outside of running their little country and their little country does little outside of looking after its own interests.

I think a fun game for America to play with these countries is, "what were you doing during WWII?" Virtually nothing? Being occupied? Or... well I won't go there.

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12 Jun 2017, 7:12 am

It may be true that 95% of Americans have no idea who Merkel is.But this poll is on WP,and I'd guess that 95% of posters on this forum are well aware of who Merkel is.I voted for new blood,l like Macron.

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EzraS
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12 Jun 2017, 7:25 am

Misslizard wrote:

Do you think any of them actually wants the job?

I doubt it. And I think based on history the UK would be the only one qualified. So May of course. Americans have much less trouble knowing who the PM of the UK is.

AspieUtah
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12 Jun 2017, 7:40 am

Who says the "western world" needs a leader? Doesn't every nation have its own leader? If so, why create "super leaders"?!? I prefer my governments to be as close to their local communities as practicable. "Super leaders" end up just becoming newer versions of Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Castro et alia. I would have nothing to do with such egos living in far away locations completely unrelated to the people they "represent." So, it is good that President Trump isn't trying to be the "leader of the free world."

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12 Jun 2017, 7:48 am

EzraS wrote:

Misslizard wrote:

Who would?Maybe a megalomaniac,and we already have one of those in charge of this country.I don't want him in charge of anything,but oh well.Nothing I can do about it,just have to see what happens on down the road and hope for the best.

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androbot01
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12 Jun 2017, 8:57 am

EzraS wrote:

So May of course.

May's leadership of her own country is in question. She isn't in a position to take the lead in international affairs. It was a dumb move on her part to call an election when she did and she's paid for it. I think we will see her resign before the end of the year.

kraftiekortie
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12 Jun 2017, 9:23 am

The closest there is to a "world leader" probably is Merkel and Germany---but I don't think they are close.

There is definitely a vacuum as far as "world leadership" is concerned.

The United States became a "world leader" by virtue of its performance in World War II. That was 70-75 years ago.

The world has "caught up" and surpassed us, so to speak, in many ways--especially morally.

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12 Jun 2017, 9:36 am

kraftiekortie wrote:

...
The world has "caught up" and surpassed us, so to speak, in many ways--especially morally.

I'm not sure what you mean, kraftie. Morally how?

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12 Jun 2017, 9:42 am

We used to keep the "moral high ground" in the old days. Or seemed to. We were leaders in the promulgation of such things as the Geneva Convention. People "looked up" to us. They thought we were an exemplar of what if means to be a "civilized, modern" country.

After Watergate, we ceded the "high moral ground." And it's been downhill since.

androbot01
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12 Jun 2017, 10:11 am

kraftiekortie wrote:

Trump doesn't seem interested at all.

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