Emmanuel Macron: New French President

Quetzal said:

We are talking about different things. Sorry I wasn't clear.

I am referring to the Trump admin not addressing Democratic voters in a way that is constructive and welcoming.

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Thing is, though, Trump got a lot of crossover votes from people who used to be Democrats, especially in the key Rust Belt states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. That's the real sad part of it all, since Trump was ostensibly able to know enough about the issues and voters' concerns to tell them what they wanted to hear. How is it that Trump (of all people) knew something that the mainstream Republican and Democratic candidates apparently could not fathom?

It doesn't take a Harvard lawyer or a PhD in economics to know that people are suffering out there, and yet, Trump was the only one who could reach them. How did that happen? Didn't the other candidates understand this? That's what I find so frustrating about all the sour grapes in the aftermath, since it indicates a wanton refusal to learn from one's mistakes.

Stevicus said:

How is it that Trump (of all people) knew something that the mainstream Republican and Democratic candidates apparently could not fathom?

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I really think it boils down to Democratic arrogance. There have been a bunch of different studies on this. But there was no real excuse to lose PA AND Ohio in this election.

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Aaaaand the people of France have just upstaged both the American and British voting populaces. When given the choice of electing a dangerously racist piece of human garbage backed up by frighteningly quasi-fascist or just out-right fascist supporters...they choose the other guy. It saddens me I must actually applaud this now.

Good job.

Germany, don't you dare vote in some far-right candidate. My heart cannot take you losing to the French. Please, just do like you normally do, don't let France become the most respected member of the Free World. You can't let them take over the EU! Think of the Reich! And remember Greece? Do you really think France will make them pay you back? NO!

Don't fail me now.

Stevicus said:

Yeah, although my main point was that Macron seemed a bit more understanding and in touch with his own people, clearly succeeding where the Democrats failed. So, congrats to Emmanuel Macron.

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A lot of people voted Macron as "default" or to block Le Pen. Few, even among his 1st round supporters vouched for him out of true belief. And he only won at 66%.

Then there are the majority of people who gave him their voices just to block the FN -because having this party, in particular, this woman, sitting in the Elysée as president was too horrifying to not do something about it. (talking about a particular event of WW2 and dismissing it almost as nothing, wanting to muzzle the press even before the election took place.)

And then, there are even more who didn't vote or who voted with a blank. More than ever in the history of the 5th Republic.

Macron is president, yes, and I personally rejoice for Europe as leaving it would have been devastating...

But he is now president of a divided France where we can identify 4 great tendencies that we can't even label as left and right anymore.

The angry at the social differences and inequalities, perhaps preoccupied more with ecology than economics (Melenchon) ; those who are afraid, poorer and who live in the countries (Le Pen) ; the catholics and traditionalists (Fillon) ; and those who beneficed from mondialisation, Europe and who live, mainly, in urbanised areas (Macron).

Let me add a more nuanced map of the elections. (source here in French).


And lastly, there is still the elections for the French Parliament that will be the true confirmation of his program, since a president alone can't do much without the approval of the Parliament. Let us hope that the FN won't get too many seats there.

Quetzal said:

Emmanuel Macron: French president-elect to fight 'forces of division' - BBC News

Despite the polarizing rhetoric of the far right, France has elected Macron over Le Pen by a wide margin. Glad to see that France did not fall into the same trap American voters did.

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Le Pen is not far right.

Ultimatum said:

Le Pen is not far right.

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She definitely is a rightest, now whether one says she "far right" may well depend on their own position.

Quetzal said:

I am referring to the Trump admin not addressing Democratic voters in a way that is constructive and welcoming.

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But would disgruntled Democrats actually be interested enough to listen to him blather on about ... whatever?

YmirGF said:

But would disgruntled Democrats actually be interested enough to listen to him blather on about ... whatever?

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I suppose it depends on the topic. But I would be interested in a genuine attempt to mend the lines a bit. I haven't seen it from the white house yet.

Edit/addition: This is from my perspective only. Can't speak for everyone.

Anyways, mark dohl I pray that you don't get your stroke I don't really chain gang.