Two hundred thousand Germans turned out today to watch Obama deliver the first ever "global citizenship speech" by an American presidential candidate:The NY Times reports that "He drew warm applause in declaring that the world should be free of nuclear weapons, the war in Iraq should be over, the world should commit to fight global warming, reject torture and welcome immigrants." Ben Smith at Politico writes, "there's a touch of tough love -- Obama stresses the need for more European support in Afghanistan. . . " An American in Berlin blogged "It sure was a substantial speech if he comes through on everything he promised. . . ."Thank you to the citizens of Berlin and to the people of Germany. . . .I come to Berlin as so many of my countrymen have come before. Tonight, I speak to you not as a candidate for President, but as a citizen - a proud citizen of the United States, and a fellow citizen of the world.
You can read the whole speech here. Judging by Obama's reception in foreign capitals, my earlier speculation concerning the potential impact Obama's world tour was probably no stretch (this post).
Photo: by Jotman. Flag flies above the German Reichstag.
For some reason, everyone neglects to mention that Obama spoke at a Free Concert.
ReplyDeleteMaybe all those thousands of young Germans turned up for the two bands that were playing instead of coming to hear a speach in english.
Nah, Obama's charisma is so powerful it transcends language.
More Kool Aid anyone?
Exactly. No mention of the free concert. The media are so busy throwing their panties at Obama they have almost completely abdicated their responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteOne exception is a recent interview with Katie Couric where she actually tried to pin him down on the success of the surge.
He floundered hopelessly without his teleprompter.