GERMANY: Souring on Chiracism?

One German source complains of how Germany became a ‘prisoner’ of Jacques Chirac’s foreign policy during the build up to the Iraq war: “We were more dependent on the French in that situation. But this will not be a permanent situation.”

Another adds, “We have to be careful that we are not identified with every word that the French president utters. We must have our own identity and be a little more clever.”

Yes.

UPDATE: Be worried — Germans are angry, and they’re drinking less beer.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Power Line notes: “The aftermath of the Iraq war has largely vindicated the administration’s diplomacy, but this good news has been lost in the ‘Bush lied!’ frenzy.”