I'm not sure I understand Barrack Obama making a public speech in Germany. Can anyone clue me in to this? Last I checked, German citizens can't vote in our elections. Why is Obama grandstanding for these people? Also, why Germany instead of France or Italy or Spain? Seems I have heard some speculation that Obama may use out takes of this speech, filmed in Berlin, in campaign ads. Again, what is the thinking on this? Is the overwhelming adulation of Germans supposed to persuade us to vote for Obama?
Speaking as a conservative, I feel about as positive about Obama making a public speech in Germany as I would my wife discussing our private life at a company Christmas party. It doesn't seem CLEAN.
He wanted to give his speech where Kennedy and Reagan gave theirs, but Angela Merkel the Chancellor of Germany rejected the idea. Good for her. First he needs to win the election before he should think he is qualified to make a speech in another country speaking on behalf of Americans. He seems to think he is the president already.
It was embarrasing to say the least. I'm ashamed when an American goes abroad and can't even speak the language. I didn't even hear "merci bocu" to show he even knows a single foreign language.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
Now its well known that GHWB was seldom out of the country before he became president. Our foreign policy after he became POTUS reflected that fact. And if Obama was speaking another language, the conservatives would be yelling: "See! He's not really an American,"
What's Obama doing in Germany? Its called a victory lap.
Now its well known that GHWB was seldom out of the country before he became president.
Perhaps you should study your facts just a little more before you post something like this.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
I think Obama was certainly out of place acting like he was already the president, but honestly it was all thanks to Dubya for him being able to attract such a crowd in a foreign country! It was no doubt due to the hatred of Bush in Germany (and throughout much of the world) that someone who was only a candidate for the presidency could draw such a crowd and be given such a podium. If we had a sitting president who was liked at least a little, a person who was only running for the presidency would not get this much attention.
Is the overwhelming adulation of Germans supposed to persuade us to vote for Obama?
They have an adulation for scheisse films as well- maybe that's why they like Obama?
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Obamanfreude - 1. taking pleasure from the misfortunes of an Obama supporter as he or she is adversely affected by the policies of their Dear Leader.
Just heard a radio talk show host commenting on this. His take was that Democrats feel that theU.S. andespecially its Presidentneed to be loved by the Europeans. By making this trip and taking full advantage of the PR opportunities, especially in Europe,Obama is convincing his main liberal support base that he is the main man in the eyes of the Europeans. This should also help to deflect some of the criticisms that have resulted in his "changes" in positions on certain issues recently.
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"Shoot him again....his soul is still dancing"
It was no doubt due to the hatred of Bush in Germany (and throughout much of the world) that someone who was only a candidate for the presidency could draw such a crowd and be given such a podium. If we had a sitting president who was liked at least a little, a person who was only running for the presidency would not get this much attention.
"But in the darkest hour," said Sen. Obama, "the people of Berlin kept the flame of hope burning. The people of Berlin refused to give up. And on one fall day, hundreds of thousands of Berliners came here, to the Tiergarten, and heard the city's mayor implore the world not to give up on freedom. 'There is only one possibility,' he said. 'For us to stand together united until this battle is won"¦. The people of Berlin have spoken. We have done our duty, and we will keep on doing our duty'." This, from a U.S. Senator whose consistent message to the people of Baghdad, a similarly besieged city, also dependent on America's protection, has been, in effect, to give up.
Mr. Obama reiterated this view earlier in the week while traveling in the Middle East, in an interview with ABC's Terry Moran. Mr. Moran asked the Illinois Democrat whether -- "knowing what you know now" -- he would reconsider his opposition to last year's surge of U.S. troops in Iraq. "Well, no," Mr. Obama replied.
What Mr. Obama "knows now" is that the surge he opposed has saved Iraq, much as Harry Truman's airlift saved Berlin and underlined America's intention to defend Europe throughout the Cold War. The surge has also saved American lives in Iraq, with combat-related deaths (so far, there have been seven this month) at an all time low.
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Quote:
It is hard not to be moved by the sight during the speech of hundreds of American flags being waved, rather than burned. Then again, the last time a major American political figure delivered an open-air speech in Berlin, 10,000 riot police had to use tear gas and water cannons to repel violent demonstrators. It was June 1987, the speaker was Ronald Reagan, his message was: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." Press accounts characterized the line as "provocative"; the Soviets called it "war-mongering"; 100,000 protesters marched against Reagan in the old German capital of Bonn. Two years later, the Berlin Wall fell.
Reagan's speech is a lesson in the difference between popularity and statesmanship. Watching Mr. Obama yesterday in Berlin, and throughout his foreign tour, was a reminder of how far the presumptive Democratic nominee has to go to reassure people he is capable of the latter -- "people," that is, who will actually get to cast a ballot in November.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
Obama in Germany
