Brussels and other European capitals eye Democrat for White House

While no one is writing off the Republicans this early in the U.S. presidential race, Europe's top diplomats are quietly banking on the prospect of a Democrat as the next occupant of the White House.

But the same leaders also know that any demand from Obama, Clinton or McCain would be harder to refuse than if it were coming from Bush -- widely unpopular among European publics.
"The 'Bush excuse' excuse goes away," said one source at NATO headquarters in Brussels, where the United States has for months been trying largely in vain to win pledges of European troops for the war in Afghanistan.

Gee, what will Europe do if they can't blame their problems on someone else.

STORY AT REUTERS