Barack Obama in Berlin - The next JFK!?

[Joanne98]

Walking around Berlin recently, the American visitor could be forgiven for thinking Germany was the 51st state in the Union — and that it would vote heavily for Senator Barack Obama on November 4. Joggers in local parks proudly sport Obama T shirts; the trendy expat hangout White Trash Fast Food was turned into an Obama campaign center for a day; and a city magazine has published instructions on how to craft little American flags to wave in welcoming the junior Senator from Illinois, who visits on Thursday.


The city has been buzzing with anticipation over Obama's visit, and his reported request to use the Brandenburg Gate as the backdrop for his only public address in Europe sparked a local media frenzy. Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted with "bewilderment" to the Senator's request to speak at this historically charged location and appeared concerned that approving the request would be interpreted as taking sides in the U.S. presidential race. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, for his part, welcomed the suggestion that Obama speak at a venue rendered iconic by John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, saying it was "a vital expression of German-American friendship."

Obama's people and Berlin authorities finally agreed to stage the speech instead in front of the Siegessäule (victory column) monument — or "Goldelse" ("Goldlizzie"), as Berliners affectionately dub it because of a golden statue of the goddess of victory that crowns the monument. Built in the second half of the 19th century to commemorate Prussian victories against the French, the Danes and Austria, the column has been a backdrop for various mass events, such as the annual "Love Parade," a huge open-air techno party. The right location, some commentators only half-jokingly remarked, for a political rock star.

While politicians bickered, however, the German people had long ago made their choice — one poll showed that 60% were in favor of Obama speaking at the Brandenburg Gate. And if Germans had a say in the U.S. election, 74% would choose Obama.

The media can barely contain their excitement. "Germany Meets the Superstar" read the front page of the weekly Der Spiegel in reference to a popular TV show, while the tabloid Bild called Obama "Berlin's New Kennedy!" and gushed, "It's like 1963," describing the presidential candidate as "just as young, sexy and charismatic" as John F. Kennedy. And that's before he's even set foot here.

http://katikatz.livejournal.com/3239.html

I can't wait for the pictures!

:bounce:

[Kittycat]

1. I have goosebumps all over - I'm so freaking excited.

It's about time this country put forth a leader that will represent us home and abroad. One that will calm the political storms and fires set by BushCo.

[bdamomma]

3. well Obama is trying re unite us with the world again

now we won't disappoint the world in November 2008 will we????

[bdamomma]

2. Obama is very humble in his comment.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2008/07/20087248347110577.html

He played down comparions with the late president John F Kennedy's "Ich bin ein Berliner" vow to the then-divided city in 1963, or Ronald Reagan's call in 1987 to "Tear down this wall".

"They were presidents, I am a citizen," he said.