The French presidential election turned out pretty much as expected; well, in fact, Macron did better than expected taking some two-thirds of the valid votes cast (a pretty good initial analysis of the voting is found in the UK Telegraph here. ) Macron took a stunning 90% of the valid votes in Paris. He did somewhat less well in the countryside, but turned in an impressive electoral victory, nevertheless. I don't know the internal dynamics of French politics very well, so I am not in a position to say that Le Pen's loss and Macron's win were due to message, personality, organization, or the thousand other "factors" that pundits pull out of the air to explain an election result. We will wait on the wise ones to tell us.
Just a few observations from geographically distant California. I would note that Le Pen's followers are not rioting or claiming that Macron is illegitimate. I thought they were the fascists? Hmm . . . I wonder if the reverse would have been true? I also note that Macron was preparing his own "the Russians did it" line of defense should Le Pen have won.
I also note, that our own Hillary Clinton sent out a Tweet that read,
"Victory for Macron, for France, the EU, & the world. Defeat to those interfering w/democracy. (But the media says I can't talk about that)"I guess that means, forgive my crudeness and lack of knowledge about the "settled science" on such matters, that Marine Le Pen does not have a vagina? What happened to "the special place in hell for women who do not support other women"? Will Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright be taking up residence in that "special place"? The "media" doesn't let the poor baby "talk"? Ah, more pathos, more self-pity, more bathos . . .. Sorry, didn't mean to make the French election about the US.
Turning back to France, I see this as a possible Petain moment. (Or maybe this?)
Will Macron be the new Petain?
Will he acquiesce in the occupation of democratic France by a hostile force driven by a totalitarian ideology?
It sure seems that way.
Hope Macron proves me wrong.
I have the feeling that Macron will be pretty much a do nothing, but make appearances, deliver crafted, scripted comments to show that he represents the beautiful class, like Trudeau does for Canada, and Obama did for the U.S.
ReplyDeleteMaybe. That would be the best result, I guess.
DeleteOne thing Macron has done already that I approve of. He has invited all the climate change folks to come to France, and he promises to fund them. I can only hope Bill Nye takes his offer.
DeletePétain was able to pull off his stunt because he had been a war hero. There are no heroes in France now.
ReplyDeleteTrue. Good point.
DeleteA lot of press about Macron's much older wife... fawning reports of how they've "turned standard expectations on its head" and how wonderful it is that they've been together some 10 years (france, low bar...).
ReplyDeleteAt the bottom of most of these articles, will rest an inocuous statement that his now-wife left her husband and three extant children to marry this drama student of hers.
Nice little family rip there Macron: got you what you wanted, I suppose... and I'm sure it's about time to let that one go and pick up something else.
- reader #1482
"10 years (france, low bar ...)": Mr Trump. Slick Willie. LBJ. JFK.
Deleteeach year, 3.7/1000 people in France get married. in the US, that's 6.7/1000. I was really talking about generals in that parenthetical, not presidents. I've been disabused of the notion that politicians are to be role models. not sure who came up with that.. probably dirty politicians.... and meant to excuse their behavior more than anything else.
DeleteA full third of the French votes were invalid (spoiled or no choice indicated). This meanes that Macron only got about 44% of the votes ... hardly a landslide or mandate ... particularly in the French countryside.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's why I kept saying of the valid votes cast.
Delete"Will Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright be taking up residence in that "special place"?"
ReplyDeleteYes, yes they will...
How do you fancy being director of the FBI, Mr Mad?
ReplyDeleteNot enough gold in Ft Knox . . . .
DeleteObama had 8 years to get rid of that gold.. doubt there's anything left.. it's in some IPCC-run vault and held hostage for the paris 'agreement'.
DeleteIf forced to choose between the penitentiary and the Directorship of the FBI, I would say the penitentiary, thank you. (William Tecumseh DiploMad)
DeleteVichy la France!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you know that Daladier was one of the people rescued in "The Last Battle of WWII." The Germans had him imprisoned and would probably have executed him at the end. It was a unique battle as some Germans joined the Americans to free the prisoners. It was the only battle in which Germans and Americans fought on the same side.
ReplyDeleteMK! Heroic Story with acts of courage and sacrifice to do what rightly needed to be done... Valorous Action, may the West always be honorable enough to muster such an intrepid cadre of men for combat! "On Watch~~~
Delete"Let's Roll"
Le Pen was right in one thing. One way or another, a woman was going to rule France, in this case Merkel.
ReplyDeleteEU = Fourth Reich
ReplyDeleteWhy has France cut off the blue and red ends of their flag?
ReplyDeleteOui stengle, hard to even sympathize with the French, let alone respect the Tricolore since the people have spoken, well maybe half of France has, it now seems clear they and their terrorist brethren are in charge. Bonne chance losers, you had a shot at cleaning up the Socio-Islamic cesspit you've become. Have fun mit Angela's Krauts und euro-Jihadis, life is a cabaret, chum...
ReplyDeleteOn Watch~~~
And sometime in the future, maybe not that far away, French citizens will be pleading for another D-Day. Another "Saving Private Ryan".
ReplyDeleteNot likely.