Red All Over

How to make friends and influence people

Josh Marshall makes the obvious but important point about the totally under-reported South Korean election today:

It is the continuance of a global trend in which elections in countries allied to the United States are being won by parties advocating loosening ties with America. Running against America -- or really against George W. Bush makes for great politics almost everywhere in the world.

We saw it in South Korea two years ago. Then later that year in Germany. Recently in Spain. And now again in Korea -- with many other examples along the way.

Each election had its own internal dynamics. But in each case opposition to the policies of the Bush administration became a salient, even defining issue.

Let's not forget Latin America -- specifically Venezuela and Brazil -- where "loosening ties" would be just a bit of an understatement.

Perhaps John Kerry was right?