Viewed from washington, Latin American politics can sometimes seem like a throwback to an earlier age, as if the U.S. were watching a meeting of a Che Guevara fan club. Leftist, anti-Yanqui sentiments, thought to have faded with the 20th century, have made a comeback, embodied by leaders like Venezuela's radical Hugo Chàvez, Brazil's former union boss Luiz Inàcio Lula da Silva and Bolivia's socialist Evo Morales. Never mind coming to terms with these leaders--the U.S. finds it hard even to talk with them. An interpreter would be useful.
Cristina Fernàndez de Kirchner has the qualifications for the job. She is...