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Berliners captivated by Obama visit, speech

I thought that Democrats didn't believe that terrorism existed, nor that it was a threat to our way of living?

From Spiegle, a German magazine:

"Anyone who saw Barack Obama at Berlin's Siegess�ule on Thursday could recognize that this man will become the 44th president of the United States. He is more than ambitious -- he wants to lay claim to become the president of the world."

"Maybe we can have some peace now" I wasn't aware that there was a lack of peace in Germany. I am glad to see Obama rally these nations in favor of fighting despotism and terroist because until now we have seen little help from our Western Europe allies. However, not great to go abroad and criticize your own government and President, whose father was instrumental in bringing down that Berlin wall. This is all propaganda. Senator Obama has yet to prove himself a capable leader.

I heard Obama's speech. It was centered around America supporting Berlin in 1948 with the air lift. I didn't hear this criticism of America.

I think Germans where impressed hearing a potential president who could speak English. After, Bush, Obama seems every articulate.

Obama had a great chance to visit injured troops but he said it wasn't right during a campaign stop. What was this all about? Didn't he visit the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan during his big photo-op? Why not visit the troops in Germany? How come these and other questions aren't being asked by the media? How come you Obama Kool-Aid drinkers aren't asking the same questions?

Obama was cheered by 300,000+ people, Bush would be jeered by 300,000+ people. It ain't just a spelling error...

It doesn't say much for the international audience that it can be captivated by political platitudes such as "This is our time," or "This is our day to make a difference," or "we need change," which were used repeatedly throughout this speech. No explanations were offered, no definition of change given nor apparently demanded by the crowd, just a lot of generalized feel-good statements to enthrall the lazy masses. Unfortunately the world is getting exactly what it demands of its leaders: shallow platitudes, telegenic bearing, and promises no logical person could possibly expect will be kept.

I have to agree with some of the things "Annonymous" 12:46 wrote. I saw the speech live over here in Germany and there was a huge response. I wouldn't go as far as to say that Obama criticized the government--at least not in a malicious way. He (or his advisors) seem to be well aware of the attitudes that exist here in Germany and the rest of Europe and he was simply addressing those. While I really don't know whether Obama will get my vote or not, I must say that whoever becomes president needs to have better foreign relations. I'm not sure it was a good move for Obama to have come to Berlin or not, but the response was so massive that it could possibly have an effect on the election if McCain doesn't attempt something similar now. I could be wrong...I guess it depends, too, on how much US media coverage there was of the event and how much weight voters place on the ability of the candidates in foreign relations.

Isn't it nice to see an American leader who is respected in the rest of the world.

Nouthing worse than a doubter that knows nothing to start with
Quite clear the old way was not the way to go
Getting the World together is the way to go
If Obama is the World President?
So Be IT!
He is showing McCain, and doing a great job
Obama is very well educated, McCain is just a rich boy on the block
Paid for everything and did nothing in his life

Obama goes overseas and is a hit. And bloggers complain?? Seriously, folks, can Bush lead? Obama is the best thing since sliced bread!! We might even get the world to appreciate us in the future, listen to us, help us, etc. Obama is better than cold milk and cookies.

He looked presidential and acted presidential because he is presidential material. The only thing McCain could do overseas is sing, "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran."

We are very fortunate to have Obama at this very critical juncture of our nation's history. He will choose a very intelligent and experienced vp. Just wait.

McCain? He will choose a mid aged white guy who makes McCain look good and elderly: that is the man's only hope.

Obama, send him to the Olympics and upstage the Chinese.

What is with this false notion that the USA is the motherland of all torture? I'm so sick of Democrats feeding this nonsense to the rest of the world. The USA has actually been quite restrained on the War on Terror. It's a shame to see Obama propagating this lie even further to the Europeans. Did anyone notice how no one clapped when Obama discussed how the rest of the free world needs to help fight against terrorism, yet everyone what crazy with applause when he indirectly bashed America for being the Evil Empire of Torture?

Terrorism exists? 12:37 - Your understanding of the Democrats beliefs on terrorism is wrong. They understand that it exists and they are serious about bringing an end to it. That's why they support finishing the job in Afghanistan where the leader of terrorism is still hiding out now some 7 years after he masterminded an attack on America.

Anonymous 12:47 If you read the full text of Obama's speech you will find that he didn't criticize America, he simply acknowledged that there are some misperceptions on both sides of the Atlantic and that we need each other if we are going to stop terrorism because no nation, regardless of how strong they are, can do it alone. Many of the major arrests of terrorists in the past several years have come from intelligence gathered by the police and national security forces in European nations.

I didn't know that the German people could vote for Obama. Wow! Our elections must be held in many places of the world, that I didn't know about. Seems our servicemen overseas can't vote, but now Obama is trying to garner European votes. Who knew, our servicemen and women aren't afforded the same opportunities to vote in our elections as the Europeans. McCain was down South America way trying to increase his election numbers. I was unaware we had world-wide elections. Makes me wonder.

Way to go Obama!
Cut through all the ideological BS Neocons have been shelling out to the world and get to the heart of the matter -
Interdependence.

Barack Obama is so popular because he represents hope for the world, something Republicans have destroyed.

Not only did he bash his own country, he has cancelled his visitation to our wounded soldiers in Germany.His arrogance to assume a presidential mantle points to what kind of leader he is.With the Clinton machine out of his way, he has now assumed the "entitlement" that Hillary once possessed. Those of you that are his ardent supporters,be advised that without a sript or prompt in front of him, he is indeed an empty suit. He did nothing in that "speech" yesterday than to plagiarize JFK & Reagan.And not to forget, how about that opening racial remark he made? He is picking up where Bill Clinton left off.So there were 200,000 supporting fans with him at the Brandengurg Gate? Hmm, reminds me of another time in history where that scene played out to another crowd of "hopefuls".

McCain goes overseas because perception has it that one of his strong points is foreign relations and the war on terror. He wants to attempt to weaken Obama by traveling internationally and showing off his strong points.

The perception of Obama, a 1st term Senator, is that he is very weak on foreign matters. So he is traveling internationally to strengthen this weakness. Come Fall and the campaigns intensify Obama wants these international trips to strengthen his weakness.

Obama draws a crowd in Europe because he is the democratic candidate. Bush (Republican) is in the White House--Europe is more left leaning, it seems, and they do not like the war in Iraq, so it is not a surprise that they favor Obama.

Obama draws a huge crowd, perhaps, because he is historic. The first black man to be a major nominated candidate for president. He also presents well. For the many people who don't bother to be well informed, don't read newspapers, don't think deeply about society and history, these people can easily be won simply by presentation. That is why Obama's gaffes, lapses in judgment, and poor policy proposals don't matter to them. They like him because of presentation.

You folks have to remember that the Germans were also mesmerized by Hitler. The are easily persuaded by a charismatic speaker. I wouldn't trust who they support given their history. Don't people investigate what Obama has done or should I say hasn't done! His whole approach and the reaction by so many of his supporters goes to show you that stupidity/ignorance is still the number one uncurable disease. It looks like there is a contagious epidemic in Europe and it has been spreading like wildfire here in the US. I sure hope people come to their senses before this egotistical maniac who thinks he'll rule the world is elected. Come on people wake up to reality.

Let's see: Obama is loved in Germany, respected in the middle east... and we should vote for a guy who said, "I don't understand economics" (yes, McCain did say that... hmmmmmm).

Obama in November.