If the election results permit, then the Social Democrats will definitely give it a try.

Even if Angela Merkel wanted to copy Thatcher's radical renewal program, she would fail bitterly in Germany's political system, where federal states have a strong veto right.

No jovial hand shaker would get far without helping the local economy. Make no mistake, jobs and economic prosperity are the main issues here.

This election would be a vote on a complete change of political direction if there were different coalition alternatives.

Just on grounds of being evasive, he will probably get a core of Democrats who will vote against him. But his nomination is not imperiled by any means.

The Democrats have every incentive, knowing there will be rolling blackouts in California this summer, to try to get a bill to put price caps on utilities. It's good politics to blame the energy companies for high prices.