| 05.07.2008 |
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| It seems like Barack Obama's trip to Berlin is taking shape. According to Berliner Morgenpost Online, the preparation team for the Democratic candidate's European trip made an inquiry for the last weekend in July for Obama to travel to Berlin. The internet portal reports that there are deliberations for an Obama appearance at Brandenburg Gate, or a speech at a think tank in Berlin. However, the Secret Service voiced objection's against a public Brandenburg Gate visit that is hard to secure, Morgenpost Online reports. As far as Berlin-based think tanks with a U.S. affiliation are concerned, the American Academy as well as the Aspen Institute Berlin come to mind. Both are located outside of the city along beautiful Wannsee and are thus more easily secured. While Germans would surely relish a public appearance by Obama at historic Brandenburg Gate, there are not only security reasons that speak against it. While an Obama speech there would definitely invite renewed comparisons with John F. Kennedy's famous Berlin visit ("Ich bin ein Berliner"), it could also backfire. How would American voters feel if they see televison pictures of the Democratic presidential candidate in front of thousands of enthused Germans? Many would surely be glad that after almost eight years of President George W. Bush his possible successor is not greeted by mass protests but by throngs of fans. On the other hand, for some Americans it might have the contrary effect. If the Germans (and God forbid maybe even the French too) are enthralled by Obama and greet him like a pop star, that alone could be reason enough for some to vote for John McCain. I am sure the Obama campaign is acutely aware of this phenomenon and will try to tightly manage the public appearances by their candidate. Obama's goals during this European trip are to bolster his foreign policy credentials and get some photo ops that show he is comfortable with European leaders. Enjoying a bath in a German or French crowd is not necessarily one of them. |
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| 11 Comments |
| As an American who lived for a time in Hamburg,Germany.I can tell you that the Anti-Americanism in Germany has little to do with President Bush and his policies.It was there long before Bush took the oath of office and it will be there long after a Obama or McCain presidency.Iknow many Americans who will say they lived in Germany and loved it and never heard a unkind word said about the United States.Germans seldom come up to an American and scream they hate the USA.It is far more subtle. They may love Obama now, or say they do.The honeymoon will be a short one.I hope Obama wins in November.I would like to see how he is demonized over the next four years by the Europeans.Americans need to wake up and understand, Europeans will find any excuse to hate the USA. |
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| Ed Hullihan | Homepage | E-Mail | 09.07.2008, 18:31 | ||
| "In fact, if most Americans realize the Left-ward tilt of most German voters, if anything, it might hurt him since he is trying to convince us he is moving to the middle." Not to mention if they knew about the level of anti-Americanism that exists in Germany, along with much of Europe. |
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| T. Allen | Homepage | E-Mail | 08.07.2008, 13:59 | ||
| I can only speak for myself, but I would see a Brandenburg Gate speech as nothing more than a political stunt from a candidate who doesn't have much more experience than the aforementioned MaDonna. His speeches remind me of religious sermons/rallies- get the people wound up with lots of talk and send them home babbling about how great it was. Ask them later what they learned and they can tell you how much they like Obama, but can't really explain why... Incidentally, I visited Berlin last April and really enjoyed my time there. Prost! |
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| Matt Faidley | Homepage | E-Mail | 08.07.2008, 06:57 | ||
| "How would American voters feel if they see televison pictures of the Democratic presidential candidate in front of thousands of enthused Germans?" Not sure many of us would care quite frankly. Last time I checked, Obama was trying out for President of the US, not Chancellor of Germany. In fact, if most Americans realize the Left-ward tilt of most German voters, if anything, it might hurt him since he is trying to convince us he is moving to the middle. |
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| Mike | E-Mail | 07.07.2008, 01:53 | ||
| I read a poll that said Obama had 75% support in Germany. I read that Germany made the request for Obama to speak at the Brandenburg Gate. As an American that is embarrassed at the unjust war waged by President Bush, I would like to see Obama improve our image across the world. At the same time, many of us already fear for Obama's life in the US and would not want him to take unnecessary chances. It is difficult to know how American voters will react to seeing Obama on TV in Germany. There will not be one reaction. I think it could be very positive because there are many people that already realize that Obama has a special gift of communications that is very rare. Many Americans are concerned with our image across the world. One thing is for sure, the American media will use the events for headlines that sell, which are often incomplete or not factual. |
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| Stan | Homepage | E-Mail | 07.07.2008, 00:01 | ||
| Knowing Germany's reputation for racism, I find it interesting that they are supporting a black candidate for President in the USA (which, after all, is not one of their favorite countries). So am I correct in interpreting this to mean that they want to humiliate us (in their own eyes) by having a black President, rather than rooting for Obama because they like him so much? As far as Americans favoring a "positive reception" from Europe, I believe that most Americans couldn't give a flying f**k about what Europeans think. Old Europe (as Rumsfeld so aptly referred to it) is quickly turning into a Muslim stronghold, so they have their own problems to manage. I'm sure many Europeans don't like us, but they won't hesitate to request (no, DEMAND) help from us when they need it. So why should I care what they think? |
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| Nick in Virginia, USA | Homepage | E-Mail | 06.07.2008, 18:52 | ||
| With the very distinct possibility that he may draw a gathering of well over ONE MILLION Germans to hear him speak at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate ~ far eclipsing the largest rallies even Adolf Hitler himself ever staged in that city ~ Barack Obama’s visit to Germany could set the tone for the rest of his upcoming EU-Mideast tour, seeing him address equally colossal audiences in Britain, France, Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Afghanistan and further underscoring the fact that his will be a Messianic Presidency which will transform the Earth and propel America to stratospheric heights of international regard never before scaled in her history. Brandenburg will be the “game changer” in this election and leave John McCain spluttering in Obama’s fiery wake. AFRISTOK-7.BLOGSPOT.COM |
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| PAUL BITA | Homepage | E-Mail | 06.07.2008, 18:30 | ||
| hi, so lets see , for how long do you Germans have to court Americans because of your past. They have been very smart to give you guilty conscience, and they know how to drag it in to next century,and make money,and you never learned to fight back,so if it is only you and English who know, then for how long the world can wait?. |
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| rod noy | Homepage | E-Mail | 06.07.2008, 18:20 | ||
| I have no assurance at all that Obama will be greeted like a rock star. If he is fine, hey, go for it. I think German security is too skittish and they don't want him to seem popular. However, he may totally flop. The way he has been going lately, dancing around, flip flopping, with his dodgy and evasive ways, I really don't see his appeal persisting. But if it does, hey, fine. We are not counting on Bammy for anything, if he rocks, great, if he flops, oh well. Euro crowds like Madonna and they used to love Josephine Baker. Then again, they also love David Hasselhoff. Nothing wrong with that. So it goes, people, so it goes. | ||
| MinnieB9 | Homepage | E-Mail | 05.07.2008, 15:05 | ||
| I have a tendency to think that most Americans will favor a positive reception from our friends in Europe. This being after 8 years of Bush and a damaged international reputation. In 2004, yes it did backfire on Kerry. He was branded to European. Four years later gives some perspective on our current standing now compared to then. | ||
| Larry | Homepage | 05.07.2008, 09:08 | ||
| That is so silly. | ||
| Barney Larson | Homepage | E-Mail | 05.07.2008, 04:13 | ||