President Obama enjoyed a wave of popularity in his first 100 days in office. It was interesting to watch how the media uncritically admired him, his family and his dog. He was a tremendous hit with Europeans because of his constant reference to U.S. arrogance and insensitivity in the past, and his public apology for these sins, as well as a mea culpa for being the only nation that has ever used a nuclear weapon. Clearly, the French and Germans were pleased to hear all this.

After all the adulation and cheering crowds, our President asked the Europeans for troops for Afghanistan (troops who would fight, rather than cooks and bottle washers not permitted to go in harm's way). Universally, the answer was "'no." We are constantly...