Merkel: Hanging with Obama is Fun

[jefferson_dem]

Merkel: Hanging with Obama is Fun
Katie Connolly

Unbeknown to many Americans, Obama's visit to Dresden comes at a time when Europeans perceive tension in the U.S-German relationship. Local reporters have speculated that the two leaders have little personal chemistry, and their cool relations date back to Merkel's refusal to allow Obama to speak at the Bradenburg Gate during his election campaign. Merkel thought the venue inappropriate for a candidate, but Obama still drew a crowd of 200,000 to a nearby monument. He remains hugely popular here. Merkel also refrained from traveling to America earlier this year to meet with the President, preferring to speak with him via video conference. The U.S. and Germany diverge on some policy issues as well. Germany offered a more cautious response to the economic crisis compared with Obama's massive injection of government funds. Germans have also been at the forefront on climate change initiatives, an area where the U.S. has lagged behind. Personally, the two leaders have vastly different styles. Merkel is a serious technocrat whose electoral appeal derives from tough intelligence and sharp policy. Obama's charisma and sweeping oratory is no secret to Gaggle readers.

Today, the two leaders dismissed notions of discord between them. At the press conference, the first questioner, a German television reporter, asked about "certain mild, sometimes even wild speculation" that Obama's decision to opt for Dresden over Berlin was somehow a snub to Merkel. "I think your characterization of wild speculations is accurate -- they are very wild and based on no facts. The truth of the matter is, is that the relationship not only between our two countries but our two governments is outstanding," he said. "So stop it, all of you!" he added lightheatedly, as reporters chortled. Merkel's serious, almost grave, demeanor made her response less convincing. "It's fun to work together with the American President," she said, glancing, completely stony-faced, at Obama before continuing, "because very serious, very thorough analytical discussions very often lead us to draw the same conclusions." Yeah, sounds super fun.

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2009/06/05/merkel-hanging-with-obama-is-fun.aspx

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. It could be worse......

[onehandle]

4. Obama could have given her a big sloppy French kiss.

Never mind. It still wouldn't have been as uncomfortable as Mr. Inappropriate Touchy.

[KansDem]

8. NPR reported this morning that Merkel's relationship with Obama is not as "warm" as with Bush

I thought about these photos and thought "Yeah, right, NPR! Still whoring for the corporations."


Hi'ya, toots! Needa nickname?

[Cha]

16. Freakin' so called "media"..you

really can't believe a damn thing.

[tanyev]

11. I'm sure she's relieved she doesn't have to constantly shoulder-check when Obama's around.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

12. She looked down right traumatized after her famous encounter with the Boy King. nt

[CTyankee]

14. He traumatized her!

No wonder she's afraid to be with a U.S. President!

[BlooInBloo]

2. Your idiot media: Bush's relationship with Merkel was better than Obama's....

EDIT: Heard a few minutes ago on NPR.

[Cha]

18. NPR's contact addy..

They have a link on there that says "submit a correction". :)


http://help.npr.org/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=5670&task=ticket

[CrownPrinceBandar]

3. I wonder if Merkel's icy mood is in result..........

of Obama urging Germany to join in sanctions and cut its exports to Iran?

[MADem]

5. Merkel was right about that speech. And see--Obama's not grabbing her from behind,

or poking and prodding her...! She knows how to handle these rambunctious American fellows!

[Mika]

6. Strange story title, imo. Should read: Hanging Around with Obama is Fun. n/t

[jefferson_dem]

9. I think the author is trying to be a bit cheeky.

n/t

[Clio the Leo]

7. Bibi Netanyahu said the same thing! (ha!) NT

[CitizenLeft]

10. that's funny...

I'm home today, and watched the coverage of Obama and Merkel (and Elie Weisl) and thought, it's nice that they have such comfortable body language when they're together. They must get along great. :eyes: I guess I can't trust my lying eyes.

Damn media.

[LeftishBrit]

13. I'm sure she finds anyone fun compared with Bush trying to touch her up!

[sarah553807]

15. I thought Rush said she hated him

color me shocked

[Cha]

17. We got a "tough intelligence in Obama and

a sharpening policy..and oh yeah, he can write and speak well, too.