Barack Obama in Berlin, Germany today

[Kirsten]

Well, it's all over the media here. Barack Obama is visiting Berlin today. He spoke to the German chancellor this morning, and now everybody's waiting for his public speech at the "Siegessäule" ("Victory Column") in Berlin. Ten thousands of people are expected to come. I'm curious to hear what he'll have to say.

from CNN: Obama in Berlin

Kirsten

[lizbud]

He is a very charismatic fellow. It would be interesting to see how he
is recieved over there.

[Kirsten]

So far, the people over here love him, wonder how many will come to see him at the Victory Column this evening. And yes, you cannot deny that he has a lot of charisma.

Strangely enough, you don't hear much about John McCain over here ...

Edit: wow, just read a couple of articles and it was said that 150,000 or even 200,000 people came to see him which is much more than he expected. And according to these articles, the Germans liked a lot what he said.

Kirsten

[kitten645]

Yes. I just heard his speach went very well and 230,000 showed up! That's pretty incredible. They talked about his "rock star" status which I think is becoming a bit cliche now
Claudia

[lizbud]

Yes. I just heard his speach went very well and 230,000 showed up! That's pretty incredible. They talked about his "rock star" status which I think is becoming a bit cliche now
Claudia

I happened to be home when his speech started & saw it on CNN. I
thought it was a good speech & the crowd seemed to like it as well.

Read something about there being a music concert afterwards & that was
the reason for the huge crowd. (probably just a dig at Obama)

[Kirsten]

Read something about there being a music concert afterwards & that was
the reason for the huge crowd. (probably just a dig at Obama)

No, that's not correct, the crowd went home after his speech, they only came to see him. It's true that there was a band playing before he spoke, but that was only arranged to entertain people until he arrived.

But it's true that they gave him a welcome as if he was a rock star...

Kirsten

[Lady's Human]

Last time I checked, the election was in the US.

Heck of a place to make a campaign speech, when the majority of the voters are 5000 miles away.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Ladys Human,

SO TRUE!

I guess anything to get your name out there, and to be more recognized, even if it is not where you could actually make a difference

[Kirsten]

Well, actually I think the speech was more adressed to the American voters than to the people of Germany, or Europe. Obviously there have been critics in the past re. Obama's lack of international experience, and this was to show that he's doing great in foreign affairs as well. Also, the fact that he's perceived by many over here as a "new JFK" may be a positive side effect. Well, the election will show if the US voters are really impressed by this.

From CNN:

Obama wins hearts, not minds, in Berlin

From "Der Spiegel" (German magazine):

People of the World, Look at Me

Huge Crowds Left with Mixed Feelings

'A Strong and Gutsy Message'

[lizbud]

Thanks so much Kirsten for the real info from across the ocean.
I really enjoyed reading the thoughts expressed in the links.

I especially liked this quote from one of them..............

"Still others -- many others -- expressed joy at being able to get a far-off glimpse of the man promising so much change for the US and the world. "To put it cynically, it's always nice to see a country getting rid of its own junta, even if it elected it itself," said Carsten Winkler, 43, a native Berliner working in the solar industry. "I'm here to show support for the man who might make that happen."

[Lady's Human]

Junta?

Not even close.