Obama Decision On Brandenburg Gate Speech Is Imminent
It looks like we may be on the verge of finding out whether Barack Obama will opt to deliver his July 24th speech before Berlin's historic Brandenburg Gate, which would associate Obama with JFK and Ronald Reagan and add a great deal of historical resonance.
Der Spiegel reports today that "a resolution to the issue is imminent," adding that members of Obama's advance team on the speech are "expected to arrive in Berlin early this week to iron out the logistical details" for the speech.
Had Obama chosen the Gate, it would have sent a powerful symbolic message to Europe about his intention to restore America's global image and credibility. But Obama has said that he doesn't want the venue to be a distraction from the speech itself. The controversy over the Gate has been nothing if not a distraction, so it's hard to see how this speech will end up being made there.
Indeed, Der Spiegel floats several far more likely venues:
But it is far more probable that Obama will appear at a more neutral location -- in front of the former West Berlin city hall in the Schöneberg district (where Kennedy gave his famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech), Tempelhof Airport, in front of the Reichstag (home to Germany's parliament) or at picturesque Gendarmenmarkt Square.He'll have plenty of opportunities at any of those locations for photo ops of cheering Europeans that he can then use for his campaign at home to show that he has support on the continent.
Photo-ops of cheering Europeans? Der Spiegel isn't exactly displaying the keenest grasp of American politics there, but whatever. We'll keep you posted.
I want Obama to do it at the Gate if for no other reason than to stick it to Bush.
July 14, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, in a sane political world, he might be able to use those scenes, but in the world of Republican rightwing talking points, cheering Europeans would just be so "European", and we all know what that means.
French, and petless.
July 14, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
der spiegel not showing the sharpest grasp of American politics there.
July 14, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mild understatement.
I didn't see what you wrote at the end--if I had, I wouldn't have made that comment. Redundant.
July 14, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
You got that right! :)
I've had Spiegel subsriction for the last 5-7 years (yes I'm from Germany) and coverage of US politics isn't their strongsuit. It'S basically watered down rightwing-punditry (Bolton, O'Hanlon, Kristol as sources) sprinkled with a few liberal tidbits here and there.
July 14, 2008 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that a majority of Americans are tired of the US being despised in the world and would like a president that was welcome in the world.
July 14, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would not totally discard this possibility either, despite what Greg and others say. I mean, we're talking about low-information swing voters who probably aren't going to be paying all that much information anyway. A big speech will definitely make the news and cut through some of the chatter, and it could look very Kennedy-esque and presidential, particularly if that location is chosen.
I'm pretty sure if you are rabidly and reflexively anti-European, in the over-the-top AM radio sort of way, and that hatred includes even conservatively governed Germany, then you aren't voting for Obama anyway.
July 15, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nothing against the Germans (I'm part German, myself), and not to denigrate the Europeans' enthusiasm over Barack, but is this...
... meant to be ironic?
July 14, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like how they called it "the continent".
July 14, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alas! There may be such a thing as German humor after all.
July 14, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Moment of Pedantry: JFK's speech wasn't in front of the Brandenburg gate, it was in front of the Rathaus Schöneberg.
July 14, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg needs to read the story he's linking and quoting more closely, which gets the Kennedy speech location right. I'm for having the Obama speech there as well!
July 15, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
The more I think about it, the more that I am concerned about him doing a big speech in europe. The republicans will be able to go to town with that. I think that he should just do meet and greets with the leaders and that's it. No speeches. The people posting on this site would love it, but the middle of the country might not. I think that it comes off as kind of pretentious and could be negatively used by republicans. I know I'm in the minority on this, but I have a bad feeling about it.
July 14, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
What makes you think people in the "middle of the country" hate Europe. That's so ridiculous. I think Most Americans have positive views on Europe despite what the republican B.S. Machine spews out.
Euro-hatred was spun up in the runup to the Iraq war, but they turned out to be right anyway. The vast majority of Americans does not want our country to be hated in Europe or anywhere else in the world.
Rush Limbaugh listeners and other sundry republican dead-enders might dislike Europe, but those people are not going to be voting for Obama anyway.
July 14, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
1. Did I say that they hated europe? Also, I agree that the bulk of america wants us liked overseas. However, that doesn't correlate to a huge campaign rally in downtown berlin. I just don't see it.
2. He is only a presidential candidate, he is not the president. Has there been any time in history when a candidate did a huge campaign speech in europe? I am unaware of it, maybe you know.
3. I just don't see the benefits vis a vis the risk. The press has reported that europe loves obama. I am sure that there will be tons of people greeting him at the airpor and lining his motorcade route. Does he need to do any more to get the point across?
I just don't think it's necessary and could backfire. Just my opinion.
July 14, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about McCain's trip to Colombia and Mexico?
July 15, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am from Memphis. That is about as close to the middle of the country as you can get. I think it is agreat idea for Sen Obama to be seen in front of cheering crowds in Europe.
July 14, 2008 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, now could you assure us that everyone in tenn. would think it was a great thing to see, knowing the spin from the republicans. Mcbush will be running around saying that obama is the president for europe, but he is the president for america and will look out for america. I can see the adds already. Do you really think the people in the hills of tenn. will not be persuaded by the spin and the photo of cheering europeans? Also, tie that in with the way middle america despises the un based on republican spin. I'm not saying its right. I'm just saying it is what it is and it's not worth the risk.
July 14, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sen Obama is the most skilled practicioner of political stage craft arround today. I will trust his judgement on this one more than ours. I keep hearing GOP pundidts talk about how arrogant he looks standing in front of 70,000 cheering people but the only people I have heard that from in person are dito heads who would not vote for a democrat unless you waterboarded them.
July 14, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is hard to know what potential swing voters who aren't paying the presidential race much attention are going to like.
He'll win Memphis but lose Tennessee, so perhaps we need to ask someone from another state. I'm not sure how it will play on the margins in Ohio.
Worked for Kennedy and Reagan, though, right?
July 15, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's a good idea, only if they hand out tiny American flags to the crowd. That will shut everyone up at home, including the republicans. Imagine 200,000 people waving tiny little American Flags at Obama's speech in Europe. The picture alone will win Obama the election.
July 14, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I think it's a good idea, only if they hand out tiny American flags to the crowd."
What a outstanding idea calchala, that imagery would be stunning.
July 14, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not saying there wouldn't be risk. But with every great risk lies great reward....
Germans like Obama, period. Didn't Germans do something similar with Kennedy? I'm trying to recall if they did....
July 14, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you think the Germans would wear these suits? Talk about a picture!
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4704/454/1600/flag_crazy3.jpg
Just kidding. I think your flag idea is a good one, actually.
July 14, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
If he can pull it off, the tiny American flags idea is great. Thousands of US flags waved by Europeans would really be a statement about his ability to rally our allies.
July 14, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's actually a great idea.
July 14, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course, you only need one guy to burn a flag there for the image to be completely monkey-stomped by idiotic pundits.
July 14, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Make them out of asbestos then? I really dig that idea though...
July 14, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
For some reason i'm reminded of Kodos (or was it Kang?) from the classic treehouse of horror.
"Abortions for all!"
crowd: Boooooo
"alright, abortions for none"
crowd: Booooooo
"hmm...ok. Abortions for some, miniature American flags for others!"
crowd: cheeers
July 14, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why would Germans want to wave American flags?
I'm of the school of thought that a big speech is a bad idea. Meet, greet and photo-op with other leaders and be happy with that.
I also worry about Security at these open venues.
July 14, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think its a great idea.... love to see Fox News broadcasting the speech.....WOW!! 200,000 tiny American flags.
Does anyone know if the July 24th date is a firm date?... cuz, i am planning on going.
July 14, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely!
Merkle is an idiot to follow Bush's lead this late in his administration! She is going to have to deal with an Obama administration and should get use to it now. It reminds me of when Blair allowed the Clinton travel records to be reviewed, in efforts to aid a smear of his road scholar days.
July 14, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not up to an American presidential CANDIDATE to decide whether he'll give a speech at a spot in a sovereign country which has been traditionally reserved for the speeches of HEADS OF STATE. I think it's up to the ALREADY ELECTED German head of state where she thinks it would be appropriate for an American CANDIDATE to give a speech.
July 14, 2008 5:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, it's up to the mayor of Berlin, who's all for it. With that established, it is up to the candidate, er, CANDIDATE at this point.
July 14, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uh, Horst Köhler is a man. Your concern is, however, noted.
Pariser Platz. Newly-reopened US Embassy. The Gate just happens to be nearby.
July 14, 2008 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, I think cheering europeans really would be good. Most americans are not bizarrely filled with hate for Europe the way Mitt Romeny and Rudi Guiliani pretend to be.
Most Americans, I think, actually want the rest of the world to like us, and if voting for Obama is a way to do that it will count in his favor.
July 14, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Having been in Berlin last summer, in front of the Reichstag would be awesome. It's a forward-looking building and the yard is HUGE and the crowd would be great.
Of course the Brandenburg Gate would be great, but I understand Känzlerin Merkel's concern.
July 14, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amazing what a Bush back-rub will do!
July 14, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I live over here (a couple hours outside Berlin)... One thing to think about: Berlin, and Germany as a whole, have tens of thousands of american expats... yes, BO's popular here with the Germans, but many in the crowd will be eligible voters.
July 14, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Germans also love David Hasselhoff!
July 14, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that might be more embarrassing than the French loving Jerry Lewis.
I look forward to Obama saying "I am a jelly donut" just like JFK did.
July 15, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's an urban legend. Berliners don't refer to a jelly donut as a Berliner.
July 15, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
The fact that people can see a cheering crowd of europeans expressing the ideals of hope and change for America thru Barack will be a huge bump for him. People thru out the world want a change for what we have done to the world and the world conditions. Contrast that image with Bush's standing up at the end of the G8 with his fist held up and saying.."goodbye from the world biggest polluter...
July 14, 2008 6:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Look at what a field day conservatives had with John "French" Kerry. German is a socialist state as far as many Americans are concerned, and besides being on the wrong side of 2 wars and being peacenicks that didn't want our nukes, they at least drink beer. That's about as far as the understanding of Europe goes, except post-Rumsfeld people think there's a New Europe and Old Europe. But Europeans are fairly consistent, and Americans simply won't like much of their ideals.
July 15, 2008 1:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
How would americans feel if a German Politician came here and demanded to give a big speech in front of the Statue of Liberty or Mt. Rushmore? I don't think we would like it. We should respect the Germans sensitivity to using their historical sites for political venues. I don't think a Nominee for president should get to speak at the Brandenburg Gate. No nominee ever has. Only elected officials. Obama doesn't deserve special treatment. Go Germans!! Put that guy in his place, please.
July 15, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would be fine with it. Who is demanding, anyway? You are just making that up.
July 15, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Would not a most appropriate site for an Obama speech in Berlin be at the Berlin Olympic Stadium -- site of the 1936 Olympics, complete with the ghost of Jesse Owens? I bet he’d fill it – and it brings closure of sorts to all sorts of images.
July 15, 2008 11:26 PM | Reply | Permalink