http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,617868,00.html#ref=rss

While the American media paints Barack Obama’s European tour as a balm on strained relations with EU allies, Europeans have a much different reaction to Obama today.  After Obama endorsed Turkey’s bid to enter the EU, the Continental grumbling has broken through in the media — and the political class.  Der Spiegelreports that German and French officials have begun complaining about Obama’s arrogance in injecting himself into a European decision, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

As Glenn Reynolds is wont to write, they told me that if I voted for John McCain, we’d continue to alienate our allies through diplomatic arrogance.  And they were right!

Once again, this is what happens when we elect a head of state with no experience in foreign policy, and an apparent lack of curiosity about policies and issues.  Even a moderately interested observer of EU politics would know that Turkey’s membership application has generated a lot of resistance and controversy.  A well-informed head of state would realize that the kind of declaration given by Obama would likely damage those prospects, as it would represent a challenge for the EU to show some autonomy from the US.

Instead, we elected a rookie, and he’s already acted more arrogantly and with less skill than his predecessor, whom Obama criticized indirectly but obviously in town-hall meetings in Turkey and France.  After this episode, George Bush and his careful handling of the Turkish question might gain some new respect from the EU.

Update: Yes, this has been the position of the US for a while, at least since 2006.  Notice that George Bush managed to voice it in a manner that didn’t tick off our allies and demonstrate American arrogance?  I guess Bush was just more adept at diplomacy than the new guy.