Only a few months ago, the leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union appeared poised to succeed Social Democrat Gerhard Schroeder as Chancellor. However, according to the latest polls, Schroeder has regained and widened his lead over Angela Merkel, thanks to what have been termed "blunders" by Merkel and fellow conservatives.
For more more information, see this August 13, 2005 source article in the Times of London.
Comment: Conservatives in various countries have a habit of pulling defeat from the jaws of victory. I give you the example of the Conservative Party in Canada, whose recent antics have brought some discredit to its leadership.
Citizens desire maturity and commitment in their leadership, not flighty leaps to political advantage over principle. And whether sentiments expressed are strongly held or not, radical statements that depart from mainstream beliefs run the risk of alienating the great mainstream of the voting public.
It seems to me that Conservatives in such countries have been away from power for so long, their hunger for it overwhelms their ability to exercise self-restraint and good judgment. This, as with few other things, cannot be good for the cause of conservatism.
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