Morning Notes for June 1st, 2005

My 15 Minutes

Well, it appears that my new "Morning Notes" format is paying immediate dividends. I was shocked to discover that my post yesterday morning on the "Non" fallout made it onto Slate. Thanks to Rachael Larimore for the exposure and all those Slate readers who have stopped by. This is the closest I will ever come to celebrity...

Speaking of Europe, by the time I post this the Netherlands will be well into their own referendum on the EU constitution. Early indications are, like the French, Dutch voters will reject the constitution outright. The FT reports:

Interview-NSS, in a poll for Dutch television, found 60 per cent of voters against the treaty, up from 56 per cent. TNS-NIPO meanwhile put the No vote at 51 per cent against 37 per cent Yes, with 12 per cent undecided.

Regardless of what the Dutch do the damage has already been done. The mere fact that the French rejected the treaty has at a minimum provided Euro-skeptic camps in other states with rhetorical fire power. The argument will probably go something like this: "If a state like France, which has been at the center of European integration since the 1950's, has enough doubt to vote down this constitution than certainly we should have strong reservations." This is certain to give Blair fits in Britain--as if he didn't already have his hands full convincing the Brits to "go Euro". If the British postpone, which they are likely to do now, future postponements of ratification votes in other member states are sure to follow.

Return of the CDU in Germany?

Last week the ruling SPD/Green coalition in Germany took a body-blow by losing an election in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, a SPD stronghold for almost 40 years. In what can only be described as a "convulsive" reaction, current (and, by all estimates, soon to be ex) German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder immediately declared that he will seek early elections this year. The opposition CDU has named Angela Merkel as their candidate for Chancellor. In all likelihood, the CDU and Merkel will come out on top and Germany will have its first ever female Chancellor. Additionally, the election of the CDU and Merkel would likely bring proposals for labor market reforms domestically as well as opposition to Turkey's ascension to the EU internationally (as well as a greater rapprochement with the US)...

Deep Throat

Well folks, the speculation can finally end. It wasn't Rehnquist, Buchanan, or even the lovable Ben Stein. No, it was Mark Felt. The Washington Post confirmed yesterday that the infamous informant was actually the former deputy director of the FBI. It is still astounding to me that a secret of this magnitude could have lasted this long. Oh well, I guess everyone will have to go back to the whole "who shot JFK" mystery now...

Update: As if one cue, the BBC ran this story today detailing the mysteries that still remain after the unmasking of Deep Throat--not surprisingly, the JFK assasination is on the list...

Filed as: EU, Constitution, Deepthroat, Germany, Angela Merkel