Barack Obama urges stronger alliances

Again....I can't for the life of me understand why the media would cover this and not some millionare telling us the price of milk in the aisle of the handi mart.

I believe everything starts locally. Obama wants countries to get along. Yet for 20 years he attended a parish that has a message, once brought to light, drives a wedge between Americans. I conclude he has no experience uniting people, and now he wants to unite countries ?

Imagine that. A candidate for president using diplomacy instead of my way or the highway.

If only Dubya could have figured that out early one, we wouldn't be wasting away in Iraqiville and maybe we would have had the resources to put into Afghanistan to get Al Queda and and their Taliban comforters.

It's great to see that the World doesn't hate us as much as we think. All the World wants is change for the better. It would be a great idea for the world to look upon the U.S. favorably.

Hmmm...I agree. We need more unity shown to us by Bush/McBush Administration. My way or the highway and Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran is a great first step.

Why wouldn't they love him, they're socialists, so is he. The only thing Obama loves is Obama and he proved it today - it's about him and his ego.

To bill "Hussein" r.: Perhaps it would be helpful for you to take the time to understand what constitutes news and what does not. As an African-American candidate for the US Presidency, Obama gave a major overseas speech drawing a audience of over 200,000 in a country who's citizens aren't exactly happy with US policy. That's pretty significant and denying that is to blindly play party politics.

Thats what um talking about! That is what I call - RESPECT. Some want fear, but Barack wants unity. That is what I call leadership. Looks like Oregon all over again. What a beautiful sea of HOPE. Touching.

ambient - i'm pretty sure that's exactly the point bill was making. it's called sarcasm.

The arrogance of Mr. Obama is astonishing. He rides in an "Air Force One" type plain. He designs a Presidential seal for himself. He tours military fronts as if he were a commander in chief. He addresses international audiences, adorning himself with the mantle of the leader of a superpower. And the man is only a few percentage points ahead of his opponent (who has a good deal of experience and foreign relations credentials) to be in a forthcoming general election.

What's most troubling is how Obama's fans surround him as some form of cult figure, a savior of some sort. . Obama is simply a combinantion of the ignorance and inexperience of GW Bush; the leftist rhetoric of Jimmy Carter; and the vacuous pop-culture appeal of Bill Clinton. Unlike certain previous Democratic Presidents (JFK, Roosevelt, Truman, Johnson), Mr. Obama is all style, no substance and, if elected, America will suffer greatly because of him.

Unite people?! 200,000 germans attended his speech! and cheered him! Obama is trying to do what the last president should have, bring people together for a common goal. People keep attacking him for things other people did. This man is passionate about making all the wrongs we have lived through with Bush, right. I am a huge Clinton fan but this man inspires me to do better and live better, this is before he gets in office. What does Bush or McCain inspire you to do? What do the Republicans inspire you to do?

I did not get a chance to read the transcipt of his speach.

Did he mention jelly donuts?

To Ambient.: Perhaps you should re-read Hussein's comment and allow your ability to detect sarcasm take over. I believe his point was that this IS much more important than McCain standing in a milk isle.

We love you Barack! You make a Sox fan from the south side of Chicago proud! Thanks for helping us heal...."We've made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions," he said.

BHO 08!

Posted by: Ambient | July 24, 2008 3:24 PM

I believe chad covered it quite nicely.
Thanks...
Maybe I use sarcasm a little too much....but the trenches in the swamp get a bit fiesty sometimes.

There's no question that most Americans realize that we're not going to win any wars on terrorism or any economic wars. Most Americans realize that the global economy, presented to you no less than by the Republican party, has changed our ability to dominate the rest of the world.

McCain wants to stay - alone - in Iraq until they get with OUR program. In the meantime, we need more troops in Afghanistan, where the real terrorists are "chillin'."

McCain and Googles say they also want to send more troops to Afghanistan, but the availability of troops is dwindling - unless we start giving international furlongs.

So bottom line: either move with the Global Economy, or get stuck in some time warp and start punching everyone and everything that attempts to get in OUR WAY.

Actually, "they" are not socialists - they are Germans, and only about 8% of them vote for a socialist kind of party in the context that we Americans would understand as being socialist. The Social Democrat party is center left, the Christian Democrats are center right. Get your facts straight before you write some hogwash.

By the way, just got back from the Obama speech - fabulous. Asking for more help from NATO countries in the Middle East conflicts - something that will never work under a McCain presidency.

who cares what the world thinks

Ich bin ein Obamer

Ex-Printers Row:

Excellent points, i.e. that the vast majority of Berliners did not attend Mr. Obama's speech and, quite possibly, the vast majority of Germans may disagree with many of Mr. Obama's leftist leanings. ;)

During the primary, Obama trashed Hillary and all of the "unity" went out the window. But now he's over in Germany calling from "unity"? How does the "uniting" theme work for us here in the US? That's what I want to know.

Mike Koutsouris, very clever. I hope you start something with that. I will repeat it. Illinois and Chicago must be very proud 'tho you wouldn't know it sometimes from the comments in The Trib.

Maybe obama can move to germany when he loses in november...what a joke he is! He's gonna save the world..the messiah.... yeh right!

Don't forget jeremiah wright,bill ayers, michael phleger....

Cups! Cups! We need more cups! We have all this Kool-Aid but we've run out of cups!

yes, that is correct, Alex.

Most of the attendees (ca. 140,000) in Berlin are actually American left-wing Obama supporters. The other 60,000 are Americans who formerly supported the Republican party.

What a great speech by President Obama!

What a great political moment!

It was really nice of Grampy McBush to dare Obama to take an oversea's trip!

I'm just going to sit back and listen to the Republic Party minions on here cry because at this point that's pretty much all they have left to do.

to Alex G - What is astonishing to me is how you feel comfortable commenting on someone's arrogance without even taking the time to proofread your rant. I am sure Sen. Obama is traveling Europe in a "plane."
To the critics, first Obama isn't qualified enough for the job. Now he is taking proactive steps, doing some homework as it were, in order TO prepare himself properly for the job and still receiving negative attention for THAT. As opposed to complaining about Obama's actions, why not ask what YOUR candidates are doing to prepare themselves to be worthy of the job.

That's what I want to know.

Posted by: Ryan | July 24, 2008 4:11 PM

I think you may be a bit naive if you think Hillary is the victim of trashing. They all got trashed. Obama, Hillary, McBush, Mitt, Hucklberry....that's politics son. You need to get over it and vote on the issues.

alex - a few questions for you:

1) exactly what "foreign relations credentials" does mccain have other than getting shot down in vietnam? i'm being serious.

2) what makes you think obama is a "leftist"? do you know what a "leftist" is? or are you just displaying your skills at parroting right-wing talking points? because if you've paid any attention to his campaign or the election in general, you'd realize he's actually a centrist.

The German people never stopped liking America. If they had, they wouldn't have elected a chancellor who has made no secret of her admiration for America. Merkel sees America as "a force that has brought freedom to the peoples of the world." And in France, Pres. Sarkozy was elected saying things like "America can count on France." Yet in Obama's mind: "In Europe, the view that America is part of what has gone wrong in our world, rather than a force to help make it right, has become all too common."
If it's all too common, how were Sarkozy and Merkel elected? Maybe Obama just wants to believe that people see America as a force for evil.

Look at that picture. To me it's not so much showing support of a man many know little about...yet, but just the whole world's wonderful relief that the idiot Chimp will soon be heading back to his Texas village .

[[Ex-Printers Row: Excellent points, i.e. that the vast majority of Berliners did not attend Mr. Obama's speech and, quite possibly, the vast majority of Germans may disagree with many of Mr. Obama's leftist leanings. ;) Posted by: Alex Garcia | July 24, 2008 4:01 PM]]

brilliant observation, that the "vast majority" of the 3.5 million people who live in berlin did not attend the speech. just brilliant.

Braack. Yip yippie yay! Cheerleading himself all the way!

Now do your job Senator.

yes Alex, that is correct - not a German in sight at the event.

Only Americans who formerly voted republican. Amazing to hear them all chant Yes We Can. Nearly brought a tear to my eye. Nearly.

Nobody says that in Europe there are many people who support Obama for his idea socialist.
Besides the curiosity of seeing the first black candidate who can reach the presidency of the most powerful country in the world.

Obama wants to be like JFK, and its ease of the word help, but his arrogance disassembles the rest. He speaks and speaks, when the reality of today is crude, and not enough to feed, give a job, pay the mortgage and the kids return to the war.

You can say nice speeches, but I don't think that will solve the real problems, let Obama to Hollywood to continue with his arrogance of being the savior of the motherland, immaculate.

Just to see their real friends to find out what kind of man is.

Mean while back in Chicago:

In addition to a land deal, Sen. Barack Obama's ties to indicted dealmaker Antoin "Tony" Rezko include an internship the senator provided the son of a contributor at the request of Rezko, an Obama spokesman confirmed Saturday.
John Aramanda served as an intern for Obama for about a month in 2005, said Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs. His father is Joseph Aramanda, a Rezko business associate who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal corruption case against Rezko.

Wow, 200,000 Germans. I'm sure they will all be voting in November too. Keep campaigning overseas, Barack. McCain already has your lead down to 4 percentage points. Won't be long now...

Ryan, please cite one thing Obama did to "trash" Hillary. I genuinely want to know how you're keeping score--not to fight with you, but just to check, because my memory of the primary is different. In my recollection (and I was genuinely undecided until pretty late in the game) she did more to "trash" him than the other way around. (Frankly, that's what turned me off...) Be specific, and I'll listen. I genuinely want to know what you're calling "trashing" from Obama himself.

Won't be long now...

Posted by: RLC | July 24, 2008 4:53 PM

Actually, it won't be until November...when he is swept into office by a wide margin :)

As this man has done time and time again, as he has won over the minds of the American people, he is now winning over the minds of the Europeans and from people from all over the world, Ladies and Gentlemen, The next President of the United States of America... Can we say landslide!

Thankfully, we stopped letting Europeans decide our rulers in 1776.

Got news for you Obama fans, the large crowd wasn't there to hear Obama talk. If you noticed they were all young people. Young people that were there for the two very popular bands that preceded him with a concert. Gotta give him credit for orchestrating more hype for you morons to buy into. I've always found that whenever someone is pushing a hard sales job what they are selling isn't worth buying, if it were it would sell on it's own merits. Right now the media are running around like a bunch of used car salesman and I'm not buying.

Isn't it wonderful to see American Flags waving instead of I HATE AMERICA Protest signs? For 8 yrs we have been hated abroad.....those waving American Flags were so nice to see

AN AMERICAN STORY

It is wonderful that the World loves America under the leadership of Barack Obama and looks forward to cooperating with America again in friendship, peace and economics.

America, Europe, Asia, South America and the World are looking forward to cooperating and working with Barack Obama.

Constitutional Law Professor and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama will be the smartest and most beloved President in American History.

America Loves Barack Obama
America Loves Barack Obama
America Loves Barack Obama

Germany Loves Barack Obama
Germany Loves Barack Obama
Germany Loves Barack Obama

France Loves Barack Obama
France Loves Barack Obama
France Loves Barack Obama

England Loves Barack Obama
England Loves Barack Obama
England Loves Barack Obama

Russia Loves Barack Obama
Russia Loves Barack Obama
Russia Loves Barack Obama

Italy Loves Barack Obama
Italy Loves Barack Obama
Italy Loves Barack Obama

Mexico Loves Barack Obama
Mexico Loves Barack Obama
Mexico Loves Barack Obama

Venezuela Loves Barack Obama
Venezuela Loves Barack Obama
Venezuela Loves Barack Obama

Brazil Loves Barack Obama
Brazil Loves Barack Obama
Brazil Loves Barack Obama

Spain Loves Barack Obama
Spain Loves Barack Obama
Spain Loves Barack Obama

Hillary Loves Barack Obama
Hillary Loves Barack Obama
Hillary Loves Barack Obama

It is wonderful that the World loves America under the leadership of Barack Obama and looks forward to cooperating with America again in friendship, peace and economics.

daniel j.m.:

Equally astonishing is how you were apparently compelled to reply without first checking to make sure that you are using proper punctuation throughout your post.

Anyway, you appear quite smitten and very defensive of your savior, the presumptuous Democratic nominee. I'd like to ask you - What foreign policy credentials does your glorious leader bring to the table? "Hope" and "Change"? The adaoration of the American and European left?

Regards,

Alex

McCain is SO going to lose.

We were in Berlin for a week in May and had opportunities to talk with 'real people' there; don't believe for a minute that the Germans (and most Europeans) dislike Americans (well, OK, maybe it's our AMEX cards they like the most, but that's another topic). They have an intense interest in the upcoming US elections and, almost to a person, still can't understand why our country has been so arrogant and misguided for the last eight years. Sad to see that an earlier poster indicated they were 'socialists'; he/she had best not level that charge at them in person -- it's all too indicative of the bully attitude and name-throwing we've been subjected to during the Bush regime. We're better than that!

Chad Broski:

Since you're being so serious, a few responses to your questions:

1) McCain has several terms in the U.S. Senate and the resulting foreign relations and policy experience. In other words, far more experience than the one-termer Barack, who only recently felt compelled to bolster his foreign policy credentials now that he is desirous of a higher office;

2) Indeed, I do know what a leftist is. In fact, I'm married to a recovering one. Anyway, read some of Mr. Obama's writings while at the University of Chicago and, previously, at Harvard. They leave a pretty strong impression regarding his leanings.

PS - Reading this board, I'm becoming confirmed in my opinion that it's the less educated people who hate O'Bama the most.

Got news for you Obama fans, the large crowd wasn't there to hear Obama talk. If you noticed they were all young people. Young people that were there for the two very popular bands that preceded him with a concert.
Posted by: The whole picture | July 24, 2008 5:06 PM

Yes, but the bands PRECEDED his speech, so if that was the only draw, why didn't the crowds leave after the bands finished?

Alex Garcia, the whole POINT is to try to look Presidential. If he didn't look Presidential, the media and you guys would be all over him for that. How about closing mouth to prevent the toads from leaping out and just vote for the candidate of your choice?

Maybe Obama should now throw down the gauntlet for McCain to go over and make a speech at the same location. Would be interesting to see what would happen...

It's baffling to read the negativitons [my word] in this comment section. Truth is, I'd be glad to see a crowd like this for McCain in an overseas location. This is a positive event, as tr at 5:10PM so aptly stated.

Maybe Obama should move to Germany and run for office. I don't recall that Germany will be electing our President. As for McCain, he has moved into a close tie in the polls with Obama. Maybe he isn't like as much as the liberal media thinks. I think in Nov, Obama and the dems are going to be very suprised when BHO is defeated and sent back to Illinois with a close second.

Ahhh, what do they know? Thousands cheered Hitler there too. When they vote in an US election, then it means something.

Wow, 200,000 Germans. I'm sure they will all be voting in November too. Keep campaigning overseas, Barack. McCain already has your lead down to 4 percentage points. Won't be long now...

Who is Mike Dorning?

Look at what you wrote:

"...Obama came not as the leader of the free world but as a candidate for the office."

Excuse me, he's not even the official candidate yet. Talk about Modern Liberal bias!

(Ex-Printers Row:
Excellent points, i.e. that the vast majority of Berliners did not attend Mr. Obama's speech and, quite possibly, the vast majority of Germans may disagree with many of Mr. Obama's leftist leanings. ;))

The vast majority of Germans did not agree with Ronald Reagan's right-wing leanings, but he was still popular in Germany and around the world.

;)

Good for Berlin. I hope that they let him raise their taxes and give away millions to illegal in their country.

My favorite quote from obama as he started one his hype speaches...."America is the greatest country in the world! (selected crowd cheers) Are you ready for change?" Crowd cheers again.

Watched THE speech and although I knew Obama was running for President of the USA I also learned he is seeking coronation as King of the World! Wow! As a Danish-American (I use the hyphenated version as it is so cool) I was deeply offended that he chose to stand in front of a monument to the Prussian Wars that enslaved Denmark, along with many others. If Obama should be defeated maybe he could tear down some walls and make peace in Chicago where there seems to be a lot of unrest.

This just in: McCain is linked to Chicago crime boss Tony Rezko. It was learned today that Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain has been linked intimately to Chicago crime boss Tony Rezko. A spokesman for the McCain campaign, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, has reluctantly admitted that McCain does regularly associate with a known associate of Tony Rezko. "McCain has been seen talking to this associate in the Senate chambers on several occasions and he has also debated with him from time to time." said the source.
John McCain angrily denied having any links to Rezko but the proof is there. "McCain definately knows a guy who has met Tony Rezko...of that I am sure" said another tipster from McCain's campaign. If this is true, the news could be devistating to the McCain campaign. "For a man of his stature, to associate with an associate of an indicted Chicago crime boss is simply unacceptable in this day and age." said a high level McCain campaign employee and head of 3 powerful PACs.

Couple of points:
1. Ich bin ein Beginer!!!

2. 200,000?? Milions listened and cheered Hitler, besides there were two free concerts before his speech.

3. Did you listen to the speech?? No??? Here:
"The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down. "

He want to tear down the dividing walls?? What walls?? What is he talking about? World was never more open then now. I swear he lives in his own little buble, and now he pretends to be the man of the WORLD?? A Diplomat?? Go to school Barack!! School of Life!! Acting out like his a president.... man..... I am mad... He is really ignorant and stock up.

Chewing gum when he talks to people?? Ignorant and disrepectful...

4. Why do people blindly believe him!!! Wow..... I am speechles...

5. People read some history!!! And remember that History repeats itself over and over again, you can not please the entire world.... USA should look at its own intrest, and nobodys else. Nobody is going to help us when we will be in need... Hell they are not helping us now ( except few countries )

Obama-mania! The Germans have had a history, by the way, of loving good speakers with bad ideas. What's really amusing to me though is that the left gives Obama all this credit, calls him intelligent, and so forth, and all he does is READ what has been written for him from a teleprompter. Just like your nightly news anchor does. When Obama doesn't have the teleprompter, he stumbles over Uh, Uh, Uh, and says some really dumb things. Like he tried to take credit for being on the Senate Banking Committee which he isn't even a member of when speaking of freezing Iran's assets potentially. But, he looks good on camera, makes whites filled with white guilt feel better about themselves and can read from a teleprompter really well. I saw this same sort of insanity when Carter ran in 1976 and you see how that turned out. Worst inflation and unemployment rates ever.

Let's try something.

Let's have McCain go to Germany, anytime between now & November. Wonder what the response would be.

Conservatives need to face reality for once. McCain, (or Romney, Thompson, Gulianni, etc) would never get this type of incredible response overseas like Obama has. & remember, many foreigners actually know as much or more about US politics then most Americans here.

Play it down or spin it anyway you want. Obama is fearlessly crushing conservatives all over the place & your fox & rush have completely fallen apart & are inaffective agianst the onslaught.

(McCain has several terms in the U.S. Senate and the resulting foreign relations and policy experience.)

McCain was Ahmad Chalabi's greatest backer in Washington, DC, before Chalabi was identified as an Iranian ally and double agent.

McCain continues to back the Iraqi War regardless of the fact that the environment has become explosively unstable.

McCain has talked openly about throwing Russia out of the G8 and of bombing Iran. Irresponsible to say the least.

As Republicans go, I would trust Dick Lugar far more for his foreign policy experience. McCain 'is a hotheaded maverick who believes in force, force, and more force. I seriously doubt he has the restraint and wisdom necessary to enter the presidency.

O'Bama does not have much foreign policy experience, but he carries one critical quality -- his consistent approach in taking a hard look at the entire picture, questioning every bit of data thoroughly, seeking feedback from advisers of all stripes (including his critics), before making a decision.

Those are the qualities of a President.

He may not become a soundbite president but he will restore some intellect and depth to the office.

Hey, the world knows a true leader when it sees one.

What a speech in Germany! Here is the man to try and heal the world issues! Treat countries with respect! What a theory. And STILL, some cannot hear and understand what he says. We have not had a leader like this in decades - who hopes for peace - I am SO proud of Obama and apparently so are a lot of other people around the world. When are you also going to understand that most Americans and peoples around the world do NOT want wars and killing. It is going to be the leaders that tell OUR message of peace - and we have finally found one that will talk for us!

"Let's try something.

Let's have McCain go to Germany, anytime between now & November. Wonder what the response would be.

Conservatives need to face reality for once. McCain, (or Romney, Thompson, Gulianni, etc) would never get this type of incredible response overseas like Obama has. & remember, many foreigners actually know as much or more about US politics then most Americans here.

Play it down or spin it anyway you want. Obama is fearlessly crushing conservatives all over the place & your fox & rush have completely fallen apart & are inaffective agianst the onslaught.
"
Roman B. .......

Ignorant!!!
Why would I care about what Europe cares? Do you truly believe the Europe is looking over OUR interest? They want whatever is best for us?

I want a president that will look over OUR interest and not
" ohh look Europeans like us again " Everybody is looking over their own interest.

"I know my country has not perfected itself " Why is is excusing us, he does not represent me nor the country. Ignorant........

To all you Peace LOvers!!!!

Once again I will say read some history... Neville Chamberlain ( Psst... he believed in history )

"if you want peace prepare for war"

I was at a dinner party recently and the conversation quickly devolved into a Barack Obama informercial. After quietly listening for, oh, probably 30 minutes, I had the audacity to say something complimentary of John McCain. The looks and reactions I received were almost as if I had clubbed a baby seal or something.

Not too long after that, I was in Brussels for business and attended a series of receptions over the course of the week that I was there. Repeatedly, despite my best efforts, the European hosts would turn the topics of discussion to politics and, again, I would have to listen to Obama infomercials and no one wanted to hear otherwise.

In short, there is a new cult of personality brewin' folks, and it is called the Church of Barack. It really does give you pause.

Marcin Swierzowski, you used the term "ignorant" to describe Barack Obama and his speech in Berlin. Read your post again and explain to the group how the author of this rambling, almost unreadable post gets to call ANYBODY "ignorant".

Good thing the Germans aren't voting for Obamalama...what arrogance the man has. Speaking in a foreign country and disparages the USA, how bold he is! What are his actual policies, what are his accomplishments? An empty suit. The media O'basm continues.

I hope his words regarding walls can be taken literally after seeing Israel's Separation/Apartheid Wall. FREE PALESTINE!
http://www.theironwall.ps/

I disagree. After having watched this speech I came away with the impression that it actually reaffirmed and supported neo-conservative agenda; the view of the world composed of us "allies" against these threats - terrorists Iran China Russia. Ironic for Obama to speak about breaking walls while at the same time asking the world (European allies) to unite and stand up to these threats: hence in reality building walls. There is no real difference between Obama's speech and the current President's speeches in my opinion. Obama's speech looked like a campaign speech geared towards the US audience more so than a ground breaking diplomacy speech. It was comical to have a US potential president give a speech in Berlin concerning Europe; Iraq (the elephant in the room) merely a side note. And, why is it that Obama chose to speak in Berlin about a conflict years ago. If he wanted to evoke ground breaking Reagan what he should have done is give a speech about the world and breaking walls..... in Iraq. But unlike Reagan Obama had no balls to confront the issues where they lay because a predictably peaceful Europe is a better safer speech backdrop than just coming out of the woods Iraq. Man and you'd think with the way some Dems on Capitol Hill just took and ran with the story of Iraq supporting Obama's plan to withdraw---you'd think Obama would draw crowds upon crowds in Iraq.... BUT in Berlin, the odds of people chanting "yes we can" are more likely and go more with the campaign v Iraq where the odds of "death to America" are more likely and go less with his campaign. It all makes you wonder if Reagans speech would have had the same effect had he given it in the Philippines instead of Germany.

Posted by: Bill | July 24, 2008 6:24 PM

So, you're not getting it, are you? Sorry you keep embarrassing yourself. One man's "infomercial" is another man's compliment.

HEY BLUESKY HAVE YOU SEEN THE LATEST POLLS, THAT JUST CAME OUT TODAY, MCCAIN IS LEADING obama IN THREE STATES THAT obamaWAS AHEAD BEFORE, AND AGAIN IN AN WSJ-NBC POLL MCCAIN BEATS obama 53% TO 35% AS BEING MORE PRESIDENTIAL, SO BEFORE YOU GO OFF AND SHOOT YOUR LIBERAL MOUTH THAT MCCAIN IS GOING TO LOSE, I WOULD START READING SOME OF THESE POLLS, EMPTY SUITMAN SHOULD BE IN DOUBLE DIGITS ABOVE MCCAIN , BUT HE SURE AIN'T IS HE?????? THIS LOVEFEST, THIS MESSIAH CORONATION OF obama BY THE PRESS AND MEDIA IS GOING TO BACKFIRE, IT IS SICKENING ALL THIS GUSHING, AND KNEELING AT obama's FEET, AND THIS SPEECH TODAY SOME OF THE LAST LINES CAME OUT OF ONE OF BUSH'S INAUGREAL SPEECHES, LIKE BILL CLINTON SAID, HE IS A FAIRYTALE!!!! HE IS NOTHING BUT PHOTO OPTS, SPEECHES, WORDS, NO SUBSTANCE AND THE PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE THIS, I CAN NO WAY IMAGINE HIM OUR PRESIDENT, HE LOOKS LIKE A BOY. I CANNOT STAND HIS ARROGANCE, ELIETISM, HE ACTS LIKE HE IS BETTER THEN EVERYONE, HILLARY NEVER ACTED LIKE THAT. THIS PRESS AND MEDIA ARE A TRAVESTY, NO CREDIBILITY, REMEMBER EVERYONE SNL??? HILLARY WAS SO RIGHT ABOUT THE PRESS AND MEDIA ESPECIALLY MSNBC!!!!

alex - nice try, but i was looking for specifics. what SPECIFIC foreign relations experience does mccain have from his long tenure in the senate? what treaties has he negotiated? what expertise does he have in dealing with foreign leaders? it seems as if every chance he gets, he displays his foreign policy ignorance (claiming al qaeda was being supported by the iranians, constantly mixing up shi'a and sunni, etc.)

as for his "leftist" leanings, perhaps you could point us to some reading material?

1 point and I'll let you yahoos bicker about everything...

John McCain would draw about 50 people if he held the same event in Berlin.

Obama for Prez!!!!!!

Isn't it wonderful to see American Flags waving instead of I HATE AMERICA Protest signs? For 8 yrs we have been hated abroad.....those waving American Flags were so nice to see

Posted by: tr | July 24, 2008 5:10 PM

See, this is the exact purpose of this publicity stunt. Yes, and by the looks of President's Bush visit to Albania there was no shortage of American flags there either. I'd be more impressed if I'd see these American flags abroad....... in Iraq.

These are the same European countries that asserted, via numerous UN Security Council Resolutions, yes, that Iraq possessed, used, and was propagating weapons of mass distruction, yes ? These are the same European countries who rejected the recent USA annual intelligence report that concluded Iran is no longer developing nuclear weapons ?

The Republicans had their little clock running to show how long it's been since Obama went to Iraq. Well, now he has gone there and they aren't happy with the way he's carrying himself. What's he SUPPOSED to do..go over there with his head hanging down and acting like an ILLITERATE HILLBILLY????? As far as Wright, the south side priest, etc., you're beating a dead horse. That's ALREADY been hashed out AGAIN AND AGAIN OVER AND OVER.The average person...if you don't know by NOW...is more concerned about what's going to affect THEM...like losing their HOME!!!!! Which issues do you think are going to carry more weight in Nov.????? Do you REALLY think we want MORE OF THE LAST 7 YEARS?????

Just a couple of weeks ago, McCain et al were carping about Obama not having made any recent trips to Iraq. NOW they're complaining that he's made this trip and the only thing in the news is: the trip! Well, duh! So what's more news-worthy? Obama pictured with a high profile general, or Grampy McCain in a sexy golf cart? I'm so glad to be done with boring old white guys (and I'm a boring middle-aged white woman).

To all who hope to scare everyone with your reminders of Wright, etc., I have to tell you that people are going to be a whole lot smarter this time around. Of course, you're the same group who either believed all the Swiftboat type of slander or were helping to spread that garbage.

You were also the ones who were lining up for the Kool-aid in 2000 and again in 2004.

Thank goodness the US has been given another chance.

I'm just curious...are we going to have mass suicides if Obama DOESN'T get elected?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1038120/Beware-Obamania-As-vis
its-Britain-presidential-hopeful-resembles-young-Tony-Blair.html

Read it. It's ok to have faith and believe if you can face facts.

Ted Sorensen must have had a hand in drafting this speech. Not that Barack can't turn his own memorable phrases. But Sorensen wrote the JFK Berlin speech we see excerpted so often in Letterman's "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches".

The press and public should be ecstatic that an American would be received this way in Europe.
Right wing press, however: nothing but venom.
Do they ever get a clue that, at this stage in the game, attacking Barack is in fact an attack on America?

Bill, just a small correction:

That's the Church of St. Barack.

In short, there is a new cult of personality brewin' folks, and it is called the Church of Barack. It really does give you pause.

Posted by: Bill | July 24, 2008 6:24 PM
_________________________

Nope. Doesn't give me pause. I am all in favor of it. Liberal media bias? Bring it on, love it. Obama adoration? Yep! Great! It is all good! The more liberals that get elected, the better. If connies hate it, it makes me very happy.The more liberal bias the better! I can only hope the liberal media bais totally destroys the rethuglican party in this country. Then we would really have a great socialist state and we'd take care ofthose that need it.

Mean while back in Chicago:

In addition to a land deal, Sen. Barack Obama's ties to indicted dealmaker Antoin "Tony" Rezko include an internship the senator provided the son of a contributor at the request of Rezko, an Obama spokesman confirmed Saturday.
John Aramanda served as an intern for Obama for about a month in 2005, said Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs. His father is Joseph Aramanda, a Rezko business associate who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal corruption case against Rezko.

Posted by: Truth | July 24, 2008 4:52 PM

Uh, "truth", are you that naive that you think obama is the only politician to ever give an internship to a friend or a donor's kid? Wake up, son!

People like you, along with the likes of the rest of the dittoes on this board parroting Fox news blurbs, are pitiful, yet still quite freightening. Please do us all a big favor and focus on what really matters.

It's good to see something more than multi-national dissention and extreme privacy, but Barack don't forget about restoring the true "Alliance" again!

Mccain is a tool that shadows himself in Bush's footsteps. I love to hear the word 'socialist' because that is all the empty ammunition republicans have anymore; Time to deflate your egos, little republican dolls.
As for Obama, watch out for middle-class tax breaks; we may have enough dollars in our pocket to finally pay the bills....

If we wanted a rock star leading the country we'd vote for Mick Jaggar! Osamabama can't even clean up and fix his own hood, the South side of Chicago, much less the country..
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

Remember people, it is very important that the US be popular amongst the Europeans. In fact their favor is the only thing we should strive for, despite the fact that they created a currency designed specifically to undermine our economy and the fact that we compete directly with them in a number of markets. But America is bad and has been bad, and particularly white American men are bad, so if we don't do well, we probably deserve it.

Go Obama.

Obama brings dignity back.
McCain is so lost.

don't forget the 50 million german-americans!!!!

For all you nobama fans, please name me one accomplishment that barack obama has had in his career??? I'm waiting..

waiting...

still waiting...

still waiting.....

Still waiting...

wait..community organizer...friend of jeremiah wright...friend of bill ayers the terrorist....friend of phleger...nice accomplistments nobama!

MCCAIN in 08!

I'm concerned about USA politics since long time ago as I'm involved in my life. I'm Italian but I feel myself a citizen of the World. George W. Bush is the worst President ever elected. I like John McCain but he is definitely too old. I would have any doubt which candidate I would choose: Obama fo sure. I didn't know anything about him before he became a candidate. I attended almost all the debates taken through the campaign trail. Obama appeared the most impressive candidate I've ever seen. Don't be wrong again America.

This guy is starting to scare the hell out of me.

Adoring masses... overflowing emotions... saving the world...

Frightening.

Again same question. Does that mean the Germans are less racist now than they were 6mths ago when i was there?

Wonder how the injured troops at Ramstein felt when they found out that instead of visiting them he went shopping. Some guy for commander in chief.

Of course he skipped troop meetings in Iraq and Afghanistan, too, so what's the surprise.

Can someone please tell Barrack to come home. The city in which he is from has had taxes and crime sky rocket, the mortgage boom went bust, banks are failing, people are loosing their jobs and he wants to talk to Europe? This does not make any sense to me. I would rather have him tell us how he will fix these issues rather than travel the world in 30 days.
How can a thinking person vote for him if he has no plan, not a strategy ..

If 200,000 cheering germans like obama that must mean he is OK because they make all those great cars that people want to buy plus beer and sausage. The news of this big crowd convinces me to vote for the big O.

Seriously, many Germans differ sharply with some of Senator Obama's recent statements such as his big Carrot and big Stick policy and his call for increased participation by the Germans in fighting terrorism. The differences are as deep with Obama as with Bush. Obama is a curiousity to the Germans, not someone they take seriously.

If 200,000 cheering germans like obama that must mean he is OK because they make all those great cars that people want to buy plus beer and sausage. The news of this big crowd convinces me to vote for the big O.

Seriously, many Germans differ sharply with some of Senator Obama's recent statements such as his big Carrot and big Stick policy and his call for increased participation by the Germans in fighting terrorism. The differences are as deep with Obama as with Bush. Obama is a curiousity to the Germans, not someone they take seriously.

Even Hitler was loved in Germany. Who cares what Europeans think?

First off, I heard on the radio that there was a good reason for such a big crowd..... a couple of popular music groups were orchestrated so that they went on just prior to Obama's speech. (this wasn't the first concert set up prior to speaking)

My mouth dropped open when I heard him act apologetic about the U.S> "my country has not perfected itself" "our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions". That made more than a few people angry.

He seems to want to put out this super humble person, but I don't want him speaking for me in such a way that he has.

I'm curious about his views on whites paying reperations for slavery.....anyone hear anything on that issue, or is he saving the best for if he's elected??

How can Barack unite a country and world plauged
with violence when he can't even help his own state or neighborhood that has blacks killing each in record numbers since Barack Hussain was in power? He is a fraud.

This is the difference between Bush and Obama - Bush wants to rule the world. Obama wants to lead it. Subtle but important. McCain? He apparently wants hang around the Moo and Oink with the kid who restocks the dairy case.

This is the difference between Bush and Obama - Bush wants to rule the world. Obama wants to lead it. Subtle but important. McCain? He apparently wants hang around the Moo and Oink with the kid who restocks the dairy case.

What's most interesting to me is that Obama only holds a very slight edge and is tied in some polls with McCain. But you'd never know if from the press. It's still not impossible that McCain could poll this off. Just because people aren't excited about McCain like Obama's supporters are excited about Obama doesn't mean McCain won't get elected. Will it spark a second Civil War? Stay tuned, folks...

NYU and UCLA researchers have found that liberals have greater cognitive skills meaning that they have a strong capacity for recognizing solutions and solving problems. Conservatives on the other hand are unable to process new information against their philosophy and mindset. Therefore conservatives are unable to comprehend what liberals are trying to accomplish.

So your anti-Obama rants are expected to continue. Obama supporters: just ignore the bashers, for they can not help themselves.

The similarities to Hitler are endless...

I'll bet Obama thinks that Germany is one of the 57 states that he said made up the U.S.

what a clown..

As a Hillary supporter I was very impressed. He gave a speech to unite the world. I even cried at times. You can really see good in his heart after watching him. Yes, I know he is not experienced but do u go for someone that has the right heart or the background? To me Hillary was it all but now we have to choose. I vote for Obama. His good spirit will lift us higher!

What the media is not telling people is that 200,000 people were there to see 2 of the biggest rock groups perform. thats why so many people were there!! Obama is a joke!!!

Americans and the world must realise that it's peace and not war that has got to be preached. Obama and not the bom bom bom... Iran MCcain & Bush loves.

The truth is, people like America(ns) but hates the behaviours of some few who claims they have more experience in foreign policy. What policy? and not their interests?

Read Thomas Friedman's book 'The World is Flat' and begin looking at the world from there and not fighting in vietnam and draw your conclusion. America(ns) must change and one that they can believe in surely. Don't make the world think you are very ignorance as they look at you at the moment.

Bravo Obama!

obama lost the election. for the first time in history a candidate for president denounced america in a foreign capital. obama must really hate america to waste his campaign like this. berlin was the right site for his defeat speech since berlin knows defeat. when obama loses historians will trace the loss to this hate speech to non americans. the polls have now drawn mccain even to obama. exactly what was the piont of this trip. americans have made a collective judgement and are moving to mccain. once mccain gets a lead beyond the margin of error obama will never catch up.obama looking back on today 20 years from now will be embarressed of himself.today was the day obama lost the election.

Obama has said pretty words, nothing more.
Words that do not help solve an economic problem worldwide, as we all have an interest in what they decide to make, the most important and influential country in the world.
Obama is only one candidate, and only he can talk and talk, but as they say specialists of all these governments, He is unclear.

When battling for the nomination with Hillary said he would protect the American product, now in Europe isn't clear about this, and I think the economy is important for everyone.
And struggled to bring the troops home of Iraq, but now says that we must lead over our children to war in Afghanistan.

It has nothing to do his color, he's an ambitious man and arrogant, you want to reach anyway for the presidency.
And nobody knows what he is, and thinks, and that is very dangerous, see the best friends, and spiritual guide.

A pretty face, with a nice smile does not mean you're a person honest and sincere with what he says, is just one more "typical" political.

I am so glad this dog and pony show is about over. For a brat and a beer if I might have shown up for his speech too. He has 300 handlers? I in my years of life have never seen such a spectacle. Wait a day and he will insert foot in mouth. He does that regularly.

NObama.

I was in Berlin yesterday, when Obama spoke to more than 200.000 Germans and Americans, and to many millions all over the world.
The place was very well chosen, because most of you might not know what happened 60 years ago in Berlin. How the Americans helped the West-Berliners to survive, how a great friendship started between America and Germany.
It is also a place where things changed, where families met after 28 years of seperation, where the Cold War ended.
Instead of concentrating if you like or dislike Obama, you should more carefully listen to his message.
I think Obama did a great job strengthening the alliance between Europe and America.
The problems he adressed were:
Climate Change
Nuclear weapons
and a strong realtionship.

I am asking myself, how does America want to cope with the Climate change all by themselves, how will they fight against terrorism all by themselves. Wake up! Change is needed.

In a globalized world, there will be no more Isolationism.
What we need is more technology transfers to cope with climate change, to cope with economic issues, economic alliances, and most of all people form abroad who do not hate us but are willing to work with us together.

And that is the message Obama delivers.

And a note to "fedupwidstupid": I feel sorry for your ignorance.

Who's paying for this?

How many more days are they going to run this lame story of Oprahma in Germany? I don't really care whether or not the German's think Oprahma is a rock star. As far as I am concerned, he's a baloney slicer. This is yesterday's news.

Proves more and more Obama is all talk- Really what has he acomplihed besides making friends with the wrong crowd here in Chicago- Admit one thing he knows how to waste taxpayers money-

Why is the tribune not reporting that the crowd was not there to see Obama, but to a concert. It is amazing how things can be so twisted. Do the Germans get a vote now in American politics.

Obama's one clear message is this:

I have no clue what to do, so I will let the EU make all the decisions for me.

Is the US to bow to the will of Europe?

In Europe, there are MILLIONS of CCTV cameras watching every move. Is that what Obama wants?

Health care? In England, there is a 6-8 month wait for a heart bypass operation, 4 months for an MRI, 12-18 months for a hip replacement and 2 YEARS for certain dental operations (assuming the BBC is telling the truth). This is what Obama wants here.

In every nation in Europe, being born there does not make you a citizen. And illegal aliens are routinely thrown out. Is that what Obama wants?

In Europe, proportionally far more electricity is generated using nuclear power plants. Is that what Obama wants?

Gas prices in Europe are 2-3 times HIGHER than in the US, due mostly to taxes. Is that what Obama wants?

In Europe, the legal system is Loser-pays. That means when some goof-ball lawyer sues McDonalds for making his client fat, and he loses, he has to pay all of McDonalds legal fees. You think any trial lawyer in the US will tolerate that?

Obama is so naive as to be laughable, but then again so are the people covering him.

Bush and McCain are losers. Obama rocks. END OF STORY!!! Obama 2008

Your article missed the dramatic climax of Obama's speech in Germany.

At the end of his speech, he raised his fist and proclaimed, "Ich bin ein already Presidenter!"

Yet another Obama gaffe, from his Berlin Sermon-on-the-Mount:

"People of the world, look at Berlin, where a wall came down, a continent came together, and history proved that there is no challenge too great for a world that stands as one."

But the "world" didn't "stand as one" during the Cold War. In fact the World was divided between the Communist/USSR bloc and the US/free West. The Berlin airlift, and later the takedown of the Berlin Wall, exemplified the determination of the U.S. and the West to hold firm against an implacable foe, not some kind of mystical world-wide unity.

You'd think the most brilliant person of the modern age would have heard about the Cold War...

Obama goes to Germany and 200,000 people of all races show up to see him. What does McCain do? Goes to a German neighborhood in Ohio.....all white and more Nazis probably than in Germany. Doesn't anyone remember that most of the Nazis who lied to get into our country ended up in german neighborhoods in Ohio? Can't anyone see the future? McCain is just an old white man trying to refight the VietNam War. No good will come if he is elected.

There are some fine phrases, but I am disappointed overall.

Obama, sadly, felt the need to emphasize his American identity and his love of country.

What else could he be but American? He comes as an American candidate. He sounds like an American. He talks from an American perspective. He didn’t need this weak, saccharine-flavored emphasis.

As far as the love of country, hasn't the world had enough of American jingoism?

It has been nothing but a source of pain and injury to others, death and destruction on a rather massive scale from the holocaust in Vietnam to the destruction of Iraq.

And there is something painfully embarrassing about the need to tell crowds you love your country. It really reminds me of the urges of Fundamentalist Christians to declare their love of the Lord.

That Puritan strain seems to drench, almost like cheap cologne, much of America’s communications, from info-mercials for mops to policy speeches abroad.

Do other foreign leaders come to America and make featured speeches about their love of Britain or France or China?

At least he spared us a team of baton-twirling girls in red, white, and blue sequined panties.

Obama's line about finding the future for the children was ghastly stuff. Where do you hide a future?

A very smooth and professionaly staged event. The outcome, I'm sure, was well worth the Deutschmarks spent. When will the absentee ballots be sent over? I'll finish my little talk in November at the polling booth with a vote for McCain. Good Luck Barry on your German citizenship.

To "Truth Detector":

Obama said "People of the world, look at Berlin, where a wall came down, a continent came together, and history proved that there is no challenge too great for a world that stands as one."

You proved your own ignorance with this line: "You'd think the most brilliant person of the modern age would have heard about the Cold War..."

He TALKED about the Cold War, and he TALKED about the END of the Cold War. So sad that your reading comprehension skills are so lacking. You must have been one of those children left behind. Pity.

There is something eerily authoritarian about Mr. Obama's need to speak before mass audiences. At first, I thought it merely demonstrated the man's pop-culture appeal. Now, it's simply too similar to events the likes of Castro and Chavez stage.

Who's paying for this?

Posted by: InkSpot | July 25, 2008 6:18 AM

The Obama Campaign is paying for all but the Iraq and Afghanistan portions of this entire trip.

On an issue of substance, more troops to Afghanistan, Ms Merkel has already told him no.

Europeans for the most part understand the futility of this American crusade.

And I do think it inevitable that Obama disappoint Europeans, although there will never be the intense antipathy George Bush invites with every utterance.

The Americanism stuff in Berlin only suggests how difficult, almost impossible, it is to be truly different at the top of American politics.

There is a large group of very wealthy and powerful people whose views drive American policy. They have interests in keeping a conservative state at home and an aggressive imperial force abroad.

Pesidents come and go, and anyone abroad who thinks they have the power to greatly shift the emphasis of America simply do not understand the country.

America 5:12am-I think you failed to mention the Middle East. Does Israel love Obama? Now Iran and Hamas may love Obama, but all of that speaks for itself doesn't it!

David 4:14am- I forget, what was Obama's deadline for all the extra troops (WAR) he plans to put in Afghanistan??

Repuglicans are trying out some new talking points above, but they're not very consistent. They claim an audience of 200000 showed up for some other purpose than to see Barack. Why did a lot of them bring American flags if all they wanted was a beer? Barack is alternatively, inarticulate, but then characterized as an authoritarian demagog. Which is it? Meanwhile back in Chicago blah blah blah. Chicago is doing quite well compared to the backwaters some of these posters apparently hail from. Obama's neighborhood, in case you haven't heard, is up for the 2016 Olympics--4 blocks from his house . Obama is "scary". That's the most poisonous Repuglican talking point of all. A very thinly veiled appeal to racism. A throwback to the 1983 mayoral election in Chicago where the Repuglican (white Jewish) candidate, Bernie Epton, running against Harold Washington, put out as one of his official slogans : EPTON--BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. It's time someone denounced these paid Repuglican trolls who are trying to fan flames of racism.

I wish I had been there yesterday but I am living too far away from Berlin to make this trip during a work week. Still, I watched the news channels and read the news paper articles afterwards. It looks like there is a very large array of interpretations to this visit out there.

I read accusations of anti americanism and excessive liberalism and I generally get the feeling from the blogs that many Americans are insulted by the fact that somebody else cheers a *local* political candidate. This insulted feeling then interprets Obama's visit to be a display of neglect for the American Nation. From a German point of view, I would like to offer a few corrections:

1) I do not see parallels between him and Hitler. This is idiotic.

2) People in Europe flock to him because he is the opposite of Bush. We have hit the "ignore" button for the current president. The list of political failures that he produced is so long, that people who normally love the US go into hibernation.

3) Now, if your best friend is about to make a mistake, you let him know and make a point. When you get brushed off several times in a row, you let him get his bloody nose because experience will teach him better. People now have the feeling that there is somebody who is more reasonable and less willing to run head first through the next wall.

4) The war on terror escalated the situation in the middle east and the US is stuck with it. I know that Mr. Obama as well as Mr. McCain will call on Germany to send more troops. Quite frankly: I will not vote for my government to raise troop numbers if I know that the next US president is about to torch yet another country while there are German soldiers dying to clean up the mess of the first arsonist. Bush foreign policy is dead in the water over here! However, bringing a change about will get you support.

5) Obama in front of Nazi symobls. Idiotic! The Victory Column was moved by Hitler because he needed space for his proposed redesign of Berlin into "Germania". The column itself is one of the last military symbols and I - as a German - think it deserves to be there. The series of wars that it resembles were fought to fight off the remains of the Napoleonic rule over Europe. It united my country into it's first geopolitical form after Napoleon sliced it appart. That being said, the place was well chosen if history slackers don't get it.

6) Last but not least everybody taunted him for not having any experience abroad. McCain does, so he can stay home. Obama had to make a run for it to prove that he can act on an international stage. Why is nobody happy that he can actually deliver?

Obama is not a Messiah. He is only a man with great potential. I would trust him to open doors FOR the US that Mr. McCain will need a lot of effort to open.

Alas it is your election and nobody will take it away from you. However, I would enjoy to see the culture of mischief, distrust and discord that has taken hold over the past seven years to be finally reversed.

Many of the major newspapers (great newspapers) have Obama in Germany on the front page. Not the Northwest Herald- why??? Are they a racist newspaper??????

comment to ornery: People had flags because Obama supplied them!! There were 2 of the most popular rock bands there that people came to see!! Look at the crowd mostly young people. Wake Up!

What the media is not telling people is that 200,000 people were there to see 2 of the biggest rock groups perform. thats why so many people were there!! Obama is a joke!!!
Posted by: pyramid | July 25, 2008 2:58 AM

You and Teresa did not mention that the rock groups PRECEDED the speech, so why didn't they just leave after they were finished playing?

And, yes, invading Iraq was a huge mistake and Obama has the right to speak for himself and the majority of Americans who think so. It has played a huge role in undermining our standing in the world. Most of the world stood behind us after 9/11. Maybe Obama can gain some of that support and standing back.

God, what a bunch of jealous whiners. If McCain could create this kind of enthusiasm, I'd be glad, even if I wasn't going to vote for him.

Great!
Now that he has locked in the German vote..

So now we can expect more European help in Iraq and Afganistan?

And which European nation will lead the effort to pull Darfur from chaos?

And BTW where have all those cheering crowds been for the last 50 years, when our country was the only thing saving them from the Soviets??

Apparently even the evolved, sophisticated european kids have short term memories..

There was no WORLD partnership that saved Berlin after WW2 ended- it was US planes, flown by US servicemen paid for by US citizens...

the messiah is co-opting history and spinning it to support his world view...

@ Skynet:

I think what troubles many is that there is a certain nihilistic quality to Barack Obama. He does seem to believe that concepts such as country, faith and family first are quaint, but ultimately unnecessary tenets, which he must kow-tow to in the short-term, but will discard after he reaches office.

In their place, Mr. Obama apparently would like to erect a certain cult of personality around himself, which is evidenced by his need to always be in front of audiences akin to popular rallies staged by authoritarian regimes. Also, he speaks in "internationalist" terms, a characteristic often (but certainly not always) associated with global socialist agendas. His left-leaning background and legislative record would appear to substantiate this.

If he is elected, we will likely hear much more about "social and economic justice" and so forth. My fear is that the great irony will actually be a resulting erosion of civil liberties and dissent under an Obama regime, something that would pale even in comparison to what we have experienced under Bush Jr.

ornery !0:08am- ha ha ha, yep, I know before I got out to knock a few down at a beer fest/concert (favorite local bands), the first thing I say is>now, where did I put my America flag ha ha. I live outside of Chicago Mr Silly, they have gang murders constantly in the news and poor moms crying their eyes out...it's an outrage! His poll numbers in his own state are dismal (pollster.com).

Obama IS SCARY, and I'm a Black person saying that, it's not a racist thing goofy. Everyone has a right, in THIS COUNTRY, to have their own oppinions, that isn't race, it's 1st amendment. That slogan by that man hadn't an ounce of racism in it. You are looking to hard for it because your imagination is working overtime.

I sense wing-nut desperation in the air. You'd think that the past 7+ years had been pure bliss the way McSame supporters talk. Latest AP-Ipsos Poll reports just 17% believe the country is on the right track. Why would anyone believe that the guy who's supported Bush's policies 95% of the time will deliver a different result?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25271602/

Senator McCain said he would love to go to Germany and give a speech, but said he'd rather wait until he was President. Yeah, in other words, taxpayers' money!!! Obama for President!!

Skynet - you don't really know anything about Sen. Obama. Alll you know is what you've been spoon fed. Would 200,000 people have crowded into that space if two of Europe's biggest rock bands hadn't played just before that speech? Since you are a German, I'll ask you this. Do you have an American flag in your closet that you take out and wave every now and then or maybe just keep it for special occasions like the Sen. Obama visit?

I am writing from France. I used to live in Chicago and enjoyed it. Do you Americans realize the powerful positive message you would deliver to the world if you voted for Obama ?

I am one of those Berliners who were there to hear BO's speech. Although I won't have a vote, I'm (like all the other Germans) very interested in the US-presidential election and would like to say a few words about the reasons for 200.000 to gather for OB'speech from my (local) perspective:

1.The outcome of this election effects Germans as much as the outcome of our own elections. Indeed the next US-President won't decide, what taxes I will have to pay or which healthcare-system I'll have to deal with. But the US-President is (and that's not just a phrase) the leader of the free world. The (-thank god- growing) part of the world where free men and women have the right to choose their own destiny and where not a handful of powerful people, but law rules. Thanks to the US, which did't give up Europe (in 1939 and after 1945) and especially Sowjet-surrounded W-Berlin (I grew up two blocks away form the Berlin-US-Army-headquarters-Clayallee), this is the part of the world I have the luck to live in. But in a world of globalized economy, globalized crime, globalized terror, awaking communist China, with Iran and not to mention a global climate no single country (not even the US) will obtain this way of living in solo attempt. Only the countries of the free world together will be able to deal with the current and upcoming problems. And that is - no doubt about that - only possible under US-leadership. It requires a strong US and a strong and wise US-president. Whether my children and grandchildren will have the same luck, I had, depends much more on him than on the next or current german chancellor. And that's why I went to see one of the two men, who will possibly be the next leader of the free world.

2. In the german point of view G.W.Bush is the worst US-president ever - or at least for the last 50years (I must admit that my knowledge about US-Presindents ends there). His policy weakened the US and with that the whole free world. It weakend (delibaretely or not) one of the foundation pillars of our (and that includes especially the US) way of living: the rule of law (Guantanamo, AbuGraib, homeland security and so on). It also damaged the credibility of the US by using false reasons to justify the war against Iraq (again:delibaretely or not). He also at least delayed all attempts to fight global warming.

That's why everyone here is looking so hopefully and joyfully forward to see a new man in the Oval Office.

And despite the broadcasted picture of Germany that includes Mr. McCain as well. I belong to the (I'll give you that) much smaller group of Germans who would like to see him in the Oval Office (for me BO is to much empty phrases like "Change" and "yes we can" without content whereas Mr.McCain is a proven war hero who says what kind of politics he will make - popular or not. And to add this rightaway: he differs in many ways form GWB by seeing the danger of global warming, respecting the rules of laws as well as the freedom of only by circumstances fishy looking individuals and not at least by knowing, what it means to loose friends, sons and brothers in a war. I doubt that he would have started the Iraq-war with the knowledge GWD had to this time. That he is against leaving Iraq now and in previous votes means nothing. It only means that he is not willing to leave Iraq to warlords and radical muslim-leaders by a too early withdrawal after suffering all this losses. And I'm sure on 9/11 we wouldn't have seen those spooky pictures of a US-president, who sits confused in a kindergarden for felt hours who says nothing after this terrible strike on the US. JMcC would have been faster on his feet than a 20yearold and show the US and the world leadership, when it was needed the most. And he wouldn't trust all this so called advisors with there mostly financial interests.). I know many Germans (but again: clearly a minority) who would like to see JMcC in the Office. The reasons why you don't see them on TV is: 1) JMcC was not in Germany and 2) they are conservatives, and conservatives in Germany (and I think not only there) tend to express their opinion more likely in polls and written word than by assambling and waving transparents.

You must understand that all that demonstrations and criticism against/on the US was not anti-american (except for this 5% real communist we have inharitaged from former East-Germany - they would like to rebuild a "better" Communism - and some mostly underaged airheads). It was about what GWB did with the country we identify with and on which our childrens future will (if we want or not)depend on. All of you who say that you heard less complains about Russian, Chinese or Iranian politics than about US-politics here in Germany are damn right. Is that because we feel more associated with those countries than with the US? NO! The opposite:
Question:
Would you criticize a complete stranger, you have nothing in common with and from wich you know he will not listen to you?
Answer:
Probably from time to time to clarify your point.
Question:
Will you criticize someone you look up to, you care about and on whom your future depends on - who is - in your point of view - on the wrong track?
Answer:
Again and again without cease!!!!!

Bottom line: Criticism against US-Policy and 200.000 Germans at a assembly to hear a US-presidential-candidate are not a contradiction but a logical consequence.

3) School and university holidays started a week ago + we have great wheather here :-)

And to all of you, who ask, why aren't there more german soldiers in Iraq and Afganisthan:

To send soldiers to Iraq would be against oúr constitution. It allows German soldiers only to defend the homeland and to take part in UN- or Nato-Operations (this rule is a direct consequenze of WW II and is supposed to prevent, that german soldiers do any harm to people anywhere in the world again).

We have 3.000 troops in Afganisthan. In addition to that there are 25.000 on the Balcan, in Somalia and another African state, wich I can't spell in english. That is altogether a very big part of all well trained and well equiped soldiers we have. The reasons for our small and bad equiped army are:

Most Germans have a bad feeling about everything that sounds or looks like german military. After WW II it was even considered to forbid by constitution to built up an army again for all times. The beginning cold war and the understanding, that we could not lean back and let other people fight for our freedom prevented this (that was a controvesy decision - many memerbers of the generation 1 afer WWII were and still are "hardcore"-pacifists). But when the cold war ended the majority of Germans meant, that we should spent much less money on military (we needed the money to rebuild East-Germany: estimated 2.000.000.000.000 Euro so far). The (naive) opinion that there is no need for military at all was widly spread. For jears the military spending was cut shorter and shorter. Although that changed after 9/11 and with recovering economy german army still is a small number (I think with stuff 200.000) of bad educated soldiers with a pile of junk as equipment. For most of them going to the war zones in Afghanistan would be a suicide mission.

And with the unpopular GWB as commander in chief our parliament is reluctant to send additional (bad equiped) soldiers in a war zone. But if you follow german politics this is changing in the moment.

I am pretty sure at the latest the next US-president (Obama OR McC) will get every german soldier who can hold a rifle the right way, if he asks insistent enough.

Greets from Berlin, Simon

Sandra 6:56pm>HAVE I GOT SOMEONE FOR YOU TO MEET......HEY, ROGER, CHECK OUT SANDRA'S POST HEE!

dt-2:45pm-hey congress has been run by DEMOCAN'TS for a while now......Pelosi is batting a 9% for congress for not getting done what she promised. Amoung Republican supporters Bush is at 67% because he's doing what he told us he would.

I am forwarding this email I got from Jeffrey S. Porter who is an American Soldier." I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for about an hour on his visit to 'The War Zone'. I wanted to share with you what happened.
He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the commander here at Bagram.

As the Soldiers where lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and didn't say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the General. As he finished, the vehicles took him to the ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to Soldiers to thank them for their service.

So really he was just here to make a showing for the American's back home that he is their candidate for President. I think that if you are going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank those that are providing the freedom that they are providing for you.

I swear we got more thanks from the NBA Basketball Players or the Dallas Cowboy Cheer leaders than from one of the Senators, who wants to be the President of the United States. I just don't understand how anyone would want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost that he was scared to be around those that provide the freedom for him and our great country.

If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry but I wanted you all to know what kind of caliber of person he really is. What you see in the news is
all fake.
In service,
CPT Jeffrey S. Porter
Battle Captain
TF Wasatch
American Soldier"

I hope his words regarding walls can be taken literally after seeing Israel's Separation/Apartheid Wall. FREE PALESTINE!
http://www.theironwall.ps/

If Fidel Castro or Hugo Chavez were to go to Berlin to give a speech, preceeding by a rock concert, I'd venture to say that there will be 400,000 people show up to listen to the speech.

Obama said: "to form a more perfect union; to seek, with other nations, a more hopeful world."

How naive can Obama be? Does Obama really think that the Europeans are going to stop taking advantage of the strong Euro and stop buying American companies, and laying off thousands of workers in the process? Does Obama think that the Europeans (the Germans in particular) are going to do their fair share of fighting terrorims in Afghanistan and Iraq? Europeans troops (with the exception of the British) are avoiding southern Afghanistan where the fighting is heaviest. Does Obama think that the Germans will stop competing with Americans in the world political arena? Does Obama think that the Europeans will help the US in picking up the tab of the United Nations (currently we're paying for something like 25% of the total costs)?

Being cheered on by 200,000 Germans is good if you're running for office in Germany. Not so much here at home in Chicago. Again, it's classic Obama: giving a good speech, but with very little substance.

@Ryan

You know it's funny that most of the Europeans will say the exact same thing if you exchange the words "American" and "European" in your comment. During the last years we watched companies that have been e.g. German for decades being bought up by American private equity companies to be bled to death and dumped for bankruptcy. BOMAG, GROHE, SOCIAL HOUSING DRESDEN, just to name a few. The enemy is not a country but a globalized investment system that invites abuse of local economies. Think big!
Simon explained why German troops are not allowed to be moved into a aggressive war but have to remain on the defensive. The allies have put this into our constitution after WWII. Don't confuse cause and effect.
The strong Euro is not a result of Europe taking over the financial market, but a US Dollar failing on the market after some US investment bankers made the profit of a lifetime for themselves. Just go ahead and look up who made the most money out of the imploding housing market. Spoiler: They're not European.

Skynet: My point is that Obama is not realistic. He lives in a dream land where everybody gets around the camp fire and sing cumbaya all the times! It's OK to dream once in a while, but Obama is doing too much of that. It turns him into some guy who's out of touch with reality , and we can't afford to have a president like that.