Merkel leads Germany and Europe

It looks like Germany found a more than worty successor to Schroeder. In three weeks her approval rating went up 3% as she raised taxes (by abolishing tax exemptions) and pleased the European Union through positive Summit negotiations (including giving 100 million euros due to eastern German provinces to poorer Polish provinces as an act of good will). She also had a positive meeting with Rice and the economy is looking better due to improved exports (although this last one really should be attributed to her predecessor). Good stuff! Someone should take note and learn!! Although considering someone doesn't read the newspapers (especially not the foreign ones) he may not have heard! We have a big stick dammit so why should we walk quietly? Because that's good diplomacy.