Here:

Europe would vote Kerry

His first cousin is a French mayor. His father was a diplomat. He spent school years in Switzerland, among other countries, and now and then vacationed in Brittany. His wife grew up in a Portuguese-controlled part of Africa. He thinks the death-penalty is bad and thinks the Kyoto Protocol, intended to protect the global climate, is good. If the Europeans were allowed to vote for the US President this coming November, a triumph for the Democratic challenger John Kerry would be assured. …

Never has a US President been so disliked in Europe as George W. Bush. A renewed decision on the part of the Americans for this president would strengthen the growing camp of those who see the largest possible autonomy from the USA as the best answer to Europe’s problems.

Even if it was close – a renewed election victory for Bush would confirm the feeling in Europe that America’s word and America’s competence can no longer be relied upon.

The enormous popularity of Bill Clinton showed that Europeans, today just as 40 years ago, react thankfully to a US President who appreciates their culture and approaches the European system of values with respect.

…The period of transatlantic speechlessness will first be at an end, when the President is replaced by his successor.

A lot of Americans will be laughing their asses off after reading this, but a considerable number of Americans will read this over twice, and go, "So what's the big deal?"

And that's what the election will be all about.