American liberals have to be frustrated by the rebirth of European conservatism. America’s liberal press hopes to perpetuate the myth of a solidly social democratic Europe by ignoring this transformation of European voter preference—at least until after the U.S. presidential election. So then, who will share this good news with the American electorate that despite liberal denial, conservatism is alive and well in Europe? It’s up to the new media, and time is of the essence.
Newsweek recently chose to address this inconvenient and unfathomable truth by publishing an anti-conservative tirade by the Honourable Denis MacShane, British Labour Party MP, and admitted Europe worshipper. The title to MacShane’s article says it all: “The Right-Wing Resurrection: Conservatives rule almost all of Europe. What they will do with all their power is an open question.” MacShane opines, “Today’s conservatives running Europe have plenty of ministerial limousines, but they have no leaders, thinkers or philosophies.” What they do have, MP MacShane, are the voters.
Could it be that European voters are just as “bitter” as Americans about energy and food prices, open borders, radical Islam, the threat of terrorism and other issues that Barack Obama dismisses as “wedge” issues? Could it be that “bitter” Europeans are clinging to “wedge” issues because governments run by social democrats or democratic socialists have failed the European voters? This is a conclusion that the old media will never even consider.
The Europeans, although steeped in big government, are today not buying the liberal solution. Yet, if asked, most American voters would probably think that Europe is populated by, and governed by, liberals—and that America is headed in that direction. While the stories of conservative landslides across the continent are truly astonishing, they are simply trees falling in the forest for now. The new media has its work to do, but there is no lack of cannon fodder.
The New York Times characterized the May 1, 2008 election of Conservative Boris Johnson as Mayor of London as, “… a sure sign of a deep national weariness with the Labor government. London has been resolutely Labor in recent years, and its loss is a bitter blow to the national party.” Perhaps not surprisingly, The Times completely omits any discussion of why London voters are weary with Labour.