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Obama's Big Berlin Speech

by BooMan
Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 01:58:03 PM EST

David Broder says that 'July has been a cruel month for McCain.' If Obama gives a good speech in Berlin today, July will get just a little bit crueler. The New York Times, Spiegel, and Time all have coverage of Obama's appearance.

Although the Kennedy name is almost inevitably invoked whenever Barack Obama is mentioned in the German media, there is more to his popularity. The cover of the current issue of Zitty, a local Berlin magazine, shows a photo of Obama accompanied by the headline "I'm black and that's a good thing" — a reference to Berlin's openly gay mayor, Klaus Wowereit, who strongly supported Obama's request to speak at the Brandenburg Gate and had once publicly announced, "I'm gay and that's a good thing." Jarring as that headline may be, it partly explains why Obama is likely to receive the warmest welcome given to any senior American politician in Berlin since Kennedy visited in 1963 and made his famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech.

His speech will begin around 1:15pm Eastern Time.

Update [2008-7-24 14:1:3 by BooMan]: Here's the transcript. So...what'd you think?

Obama's Big Berlin Speech | 36 comments (36 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (4.00 / 2)

Chancellor Angela Merkelsays she won't resist a back rub:

Reuters:
[.]
Asked at a news conference on Wednesday what she thought of Obama, Merkel responded: "I would say that he is well-equipped -- physically, mentally and politically."
Bush was famously caught on camera at a G8 meeting in 2006 giving Merkel a quick backrub and the chancellor was asked on Wednesday whether she expected more massages from Bush's successor -- whether it's McCain or Obama.
"That's not really up to me," she joked. "But I wouldn't resist."
[.]

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 11:27:00 AM EST

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

there's some sexually charged undertones in that which is kind of amusing. I wonder if something is lost in translation. Saying that he is well-equipped physically is probably not the same in the original German.

by BooMan on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 11:40:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

my german ain't that good so I won't touch that one...given collateral cultural overtones...Hmmmm. eh? physicallly welll-equiped could be handsome but then the conversation went on to massage that she wouldn't resist.

OK, I promised not to go there.

I'm amused at the planning of Obama's overseas tour. Lot's of detailed planning for symbolism and substance -maximised for back home coverage and a 3:1 bang for the buck in terms of free publicity: Case in point:

Go take a look - send McCain and the RNC some facial tissues

Spiegel Online has a Live Ticker (minute by minute blogging - just about) -

Obama Calls Berlin a 'Symbol of the Victory of Hope'

++ Obama Ahead in the Polls ++
5:42 p.m.: The latest opinion poll to be released in the US shows that Obama is leading his Republican rival John McCain by 6 percentage points, with 47 percent of those polled saying they would vote for Obama in November compared to 41 percent who would vote for McCain. The poll was conducted for the Wall Street Journal and NBC News.
++ Hold-Ups as Visitors Throng Fan Mile ++
5:08 p.m: The huge amount of people hoping to gain entry to the Fan Mile is causing big hold-ups. It is currently taking around half an hour to gain entry to the area.
++ Obama Extends his Berlin Trip ++
4:59 p.m.: Obama seems to like the German capital. He is to stay longer on Friday than he had originally planned, delaying his departure for Paris by two hours to just after noon. According to his team, however, these plans can change at any time.
++ Obama Takes Time to Work Out ++
4:49 p.m.: Obama enters the luxury Ritz Carlton hotel wearing a T-shirt, black sweatpants and white trainers -- apparantly to work out in the hotel's gym. He kept up the campaigning on the way there, smiling and waving at tourists and other onlookers.
++ Obama Signs Berlin's Guest Book ++
4:33 p.m.: The meeting between Obama and Wowereit lasts 20 minutes, during which the Berlin mayor asks the senator about integration strategies in the US. Obama then signs the city's guestbook, which Wowereit has brought with him to the Hotel Adlon. He writes: "Thank you so much for this open-hearted welcome. Berlin is a symbol for the victory of hope over fear and that it is impossible to separate people in their pursuit of freedom."
++ Americans Throng toward the Fan Mile ++
[.]

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 12:14:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

So many ways to parse that. Does "physically equipped" mean

-healthy in general (and does that mean he's a young man vs. McCain)
-stamina for a demanding job
-or strapping and packing (and if she didn't mean that, then maybe mentioning that she wouldn't mind a backrub--ew!--wasn't a great idea).

I just don't know. I've got some German friends--I think I'll ask for their opinion on that.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 12:44:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

ask them if 'equipment' is a code-word for family jewels in German.

by BooMan on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 12:46:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

Sure thing.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 12:51:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

in some English speaking cultures you don't need a German translation...nor a lesson in the nature of things.
In the context of the conversation, the direct question that followed: a man being described "well-equipped physically" ...followed by "I won't resist [a back-rub]"..

Merkel is one down to earth lady. But I'll give her the benefit of the doubt - she meant to say 'tall and handsome'

OK, that's also a descriptive in the same vein. let's leave this alone.

AP, go ahead.... ask your German friend.

See ya.

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 01:13:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

My kind request... (none / 0)

Can anyone point me to the original German text? Is it embedded in any of the above links? That would be so helpful! Thanks!!!

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:02:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My kind request... (none / 0)

only the Reuters news service would have it.

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:36:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You don't need a German dictionary (none / 0)

She is simply complementing him. She is not taking off his clothing.

She is a woman of the world. When she goes to the opera, she wears a gown with a plunging neckline, and is not ashamed of her physical person.

by dataguy on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 03:05:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

I took it to be a comment on McCain's relative dodderhood without making an overtly partisan comment.

And she didn't bring up the backrub thing, it was asked by some moron "journalist", as I understand it.

Bush is "the first President to admit to an impeachable offense." --Former Nixon counsel John Dean

by DaveW on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:18:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

the quote cited is quite clear. no one within this thread claimed Merkel brought up the back rub.

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:37:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

He's HEALTHY, not old and pink and wheezy.
He's HAPPY, and confident and generous.
He's LEADING, with competence, vision and results.

I AM living in interesting times.

by greenbird on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 09:18:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (4.00 / 2)

I really appreciate Obama's skill at writing. He or his speech writer really understands the tools of the rhetoritician - repetition, pacing, patterns, and the soaring result of simple words well coordinated.

I am sure that this fine speech was even better coming from Obama's mouth.

by dataguy on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 03:08:42 PM EST

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 1)

I saw a profile of one of his main speechwriters and he was just a kid! Really, like 24 years old.

"Don't waste your time on the clowns, watch the real show"

by Second Nature on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 03:09:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

oops, he's 26 (none / 1)

Link

"Don't waste your time on the clowns, watch the real show"

by Second Nature on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 03:11:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama Meets German Leaders (none / 1)

.
Deutsche Welle - Obama Meets German Leaders Before Major Speech

"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."

by Oui on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 01:12:33 PM EST

Re: Obama Meets German Leaders (none / 1)

via TPM: Full text of Obama's speech

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 03:01:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I liveplurked it (none / 0)

Obama's speech in nanoblog form.

Blogging While Brown Convention Atlanta, GA July 25-27, 2008

by fabooj (fabooj [at} mail [dot} com) on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 01:59:50 PM EST

Heh (none / 0)

In the interest of equal time....CNN is covering McCain's press conference at a sausage house in Ohio.

"Don't waste your time on the clowns, watch the real show"

by Second Nature on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:15:18 PM EST

Re: Heh (none / 1)

...and he's being upstaged by a windchime.

"Don't waste your time on the clowns, watch the real show"

by Second Nature on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:17:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 0)

I bet there is a cuckoo clock in there somewhere too...

by ericy on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:18:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 1)

there's something about McCain's schedulers. They seem to be kings of inadvertent negative symbolism.

by BooMan on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:19:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 0)

sausage is what his campaign is making...an exercise you don't want to watch.

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:39:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 1)

McCain: "Ich bin ein wurst."

by RollaMO on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:45:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 1)

LOL...and I think the lederhosen are best suited for a younger man.

"Don't waste your time on the clowns, watch the real show"

by Second Nature on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:48:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 1)

McCain can't catch a break.... He would be prohibited from using "McCain's" to brand those sausages. That's already been trademarked.

Maybe Cindy's and a bud?

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:50:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (4.00 / 2)

Currently appearing at Schmidt's Sausage Haus are Schnickelfritz and Sneezin' & Wheezin'....

"Don't waste your time on the clowns, watch the real show"

by Second Nature on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 03:01:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

Confident going forawrd:

Ambinder: Obama Team Begins Work On Presidential Transition

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:47:46 PM EST

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 1)

As with his conduct in Afghanistan and Iraq, he's given me hope.

I just wish when he comes home he puts a figurative fist in McCain's face about all the screwups that have gone on while he was gone.

I also would like to see the MSM take one in the face for backbiting him for his popularity overseas. They parroted the McCain line about not going overseas, hounding him to go, so he went. Now they're unhappy with the results and are dropping negative spin? Damn.

" A woman puts on her husband's shirt and we think it's charming. That it shows love and intimacy between them."

by robertdsc on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 02:58:59 PM EST

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 1)

I thought the speech was good. Keeping in his campaign frame, even though he opened saying he's not there as "a presidential candidate, but as a citizen of the world". The only downfall, was the odd hopscotch, terrorism, free trade for a hot minute, back to terrorism.

Blogging While Brown Convention Atlanta, GA July 25-27, 2008

by fabooj (fabooj [at} mail [dot} com) on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 03:02:10 PM EST

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

Pretty speeches are nice and all, but talk is cheap.

by Hurria (Muslawia@gmail.com) on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 07:34:22 PM EST

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

are you channeling Hillary now?

by BooMan on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 07:43:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 1)

Hillary has nothing to do with it, BooMan. I was even less a fan of Hillary than I am of Obama. I am just not impressed by pretty speeches outside of the theatrical stage, and never have been.

by Hurria (Muslawia@gmail.com) on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 07:55:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

David Broder, John McCain got the week he earned. And it's only the beginning. No matter if he loses the presumption to a surprise (oh, say, Colin Powell...) there is nothing under the curtain and no clothes in the closet. There is no reason, John McCain, to get snippy for being shown to be what you are.
Those who put magic-realism on your words are sadder than you are; if they understood what you meant and accept it, if they fawn and coo at the performance of having wisdom, not the fact of wisdom, if they drool for their hoped-for bennies, if they scheme for the place at table, they join the losers, and are lead by the loser.
Someone please do a parody-musical of the entire campaign to thrust crusty McCain up on Swagger McBushy's throne; such a wealth of material.

I AM living in interesting times.

by greenbird on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 09:13:05 PM EST

Re: Obama's Big Berlin Speech (none / 0)

sorry: forgot to add-- OBAMA 44 *

I AM living in interesting times.

by greenbird on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 at 09:14:03 PM EST

Obama's Big Berlin Speech | 36 comments (36 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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