The Brussels offices of the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) and the French institute of international relations (Ifri) organized an event on the U.S. elections with John Harris, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Politico and politico.com; and Laurence Nardon, senior research fellow, head of the United States Program at Ifri. Ian Lesser, executive director of GMF’s Brussels office, moderated the discussion, which took place on November 16.

The conversation focused on the results of the elections, the dynamics behind these results, and what 2012 may tell us about the future of the U.S. as a society and as a transatlantic partner. Much of the debate tackled the possible reasons that led to the defeat of Mitt Romney. While Laurence Nardon, stressed the impact that the Tea Party had on the Republican campaign by pushing the moderates to the fringe, John Harris argued that Romney’s limited skills as a politician compared to his managerial achievements was a reason for his loss. Nardon and Harris agreed that Republicans need to change the dynamics, change their image and to some extent the substance of what the Republican Party stands for. Such a defeat by the radical wing of the party might be reason enough to bring back moderates on the front stage.

The discussion also emphasized challenges and opportunities facing the re-election of President Obama. Harris argued that although Obama’s personality is different from the “ecstatic aura” that surrounded him in 2008, most Americans wanted to give him the opportunity to finish what he started during his first term. Predictions on what the new priorities will be are difficult to make. Harris acknowledged that President Obama will have no choice but to focus on domestic issues, while Nardon added that finding a solution to the looming fiscal cliff will test Presdient’s Obama’s ability to work with and around Congress.

Questions from the audience raised further debate on the American media and to what extent it distorts American politics. The media has become fragmented, since, according to Harris, not a single organization is able to put pressure on the national agenda. Other comments and questions focused on targeted policy issues related to taxes, climate change and foreign policy.