Barack Obama's Visit to Berlin, Germany. Is The American Image Changing?
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
United States
July 23, 2008 8:43pm CST
Walking around Berlin recently, the American visitor could be forgiven for thinking Germany was the 51st state in the Union - and that it would vote heavily for Senator Barack Obama on November 4.
Joggers in local parks proudly sport Obama T-shirts; the trendy expat hangout White Trash Fast Food was turned into an Obama campaign center for a day; and a city magazine has published instruction on how to craft little American flags to wave in welcoming the junior senator from Illinois, who visits on Thursday.
The city has been buzzing with anticipation over Obama's visit, and his reported request to use the Brandenburg Gate as the backdrop for his only public address in Europe sparked a local media frenzy.
Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted with "bewilderment" to the senator's request to speak at this historically charged location, and appeared concerned that approving the request would be interpreted as taking sides in the U.S. presidential race. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, for his part, welcomed the suggestion that Obama speak at a venue rendered iconic by John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, saying it was "a vital expression of German-American friendship."
While politicians bickered, however, the German people had long ago made their choice - one poll showed that 60% were in favor of Obama speaking at the Brandenburg Gate. And if Germans had a say in the U.S. election, 74% would choose Obama.
The media can barely contain its excitement. "Germany meets the Superstar" read the front page of the weekly Der Spiegel in reference to a popular TV show, while the tabloid Bild called Obama "Berlin's New Kennedy!" and gushed: "It's like 1963," describing the presidential candidate as "just as young, sexy and charismatic" as John F. Kennedy. And that's before he's even set foot here.
For many Germans, Obama is the embodiment of the American dream and the ideal of a land of opportunity where everyone can make it to the top, regardless of race or social background. At a moment when anti-American sentiments have reached unprecedented heights in Germany - a 2007 study by the Pew Research Center found that only 30% of all Germans hold a positive view of the U.S. - Obama is seen by many Germans as a symbol of change.
Barack Obama is already improving our standing around the world. Could it be that the day of the "Ugly American" can be coming to a close?
The Europeans were been staunch allies of the United States. Something changed during the last 8 years. I really think Barack Obama can change our image worldwide, thus leading to greater cooperation in reagards to dealing with the problems that face the world today.
What do you think? Does how people think of Americans really matter? Should we just ignore the overwhelming European support for Barack Obama?
Lloyd
5 responses
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
24 Jul 08
A friend of mine was visiting from Germany a couple of moths ago and she was also saying how enthusiastic the Germans (she is also German) were about Obama. I soon set her straight on the many issues I had with him and she was astounded as the German media has not informed the German public just how dangerously insane it would be for the USA to have some one like Obama for president. He has never stuck to anything he said. He says exactly what the people he is talking to wants to hear and the next week says the opposite to a different audience. I would not trust him an inch to safely run our country!!
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
25 Jul 08
N4life yes I have read his books and actually they only serve to reinforce my opinion. I think we are definitely in need of a huge change in our country and I think that Obama's long term deeply rooted connections to Islam and racism do not bode well. Basically I think both our choices stink and at the moment is seems to be a matter of which one is the lesser of two evils.
@N4life (851)
• United States
26 Jul 08
OK I see. I interpret things a little differently. The racism you refer to in the book was there. I just do not personally know one American who has not had issues with another race at sometime in their life. He is just being honest about this. As for his ex-step-father being Muslim. I don't care. A fundamentalist Christian would scare me a lot more than someone who once had a Muslim for a step dad or explored the religion when it was popular in black culture. Having read his books and then to say he never sticks to what he says to me is just not paying attention. I want someone from humble roots who educated themselves in charge for once.
Having said this I am not claiming Obama is our saviour as many like to paint his supporters. I just see him as a chance. Americans may be so jaded that they refuse to give their country a chance?
@N4life (851)
• United States
25 Jul 08
Just curious if you have read either of Obama's books? If you had read them with an open mind like I did you may change your thinking. Maybe not, but I am also curious why you think it would be so dangerous? I have never seen a politician that did not change a stance on issues. If a person is honest with there self they will change stances when new evidence arises. This is the Bush way of thinking.."stay the course" no matter if the course is the wrong one. We finally have an educated man who has modest roots who will be president. This gives me and many others hope for a better America. We need to cooperate here and think about a new way of living.
@tigertang (1749)
• Singapore
24 Jul 08
Ever since World War II, Germany has been one of the closest allies that the USA has had. Germany, contrary to what many people may think, is the most important country in the European Union. The German's pay for most of the bills in the EU and they are also on the border between what you can call West and Eastern Europe - ie what Donald Rumsfeld used to call Old and New Europe. Since World War II, the USA has relied on Germany to keep Western Europe prosperous and democratic.
When you look at the history of Germany since the second world war, the recent 'bad-blood' coming from the German refusal to endorse the war in Iraq is actually an oddity and a sign of gross incompetence in relationship management by the Bush Administration of a key ally. Yes, in the Cold War, the Germans tended to do what the USA wanted it to do. But then Germany would have been the first place to fall to a potential Soviet attack and the German's needed US military protection (mainly because the USA and her allies ensured Germany would not develop a strong military).
But after the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, Germany started becoming more of a 'partner' of the USA, rather than a protectorate. Part of being a respected partner is having the ability to say no, particularly when you think the other partner is doing something that is illegal (as the Iraq War clearly was). Hey, Gerhard Schroder had no choice, the Germans would never have elected him if he wanted to goto war. After World War II, Germans have become very pacfistic by nature.
I guess the Bush Administration could not handle a trusted ally telling them they were not joining the "coalition of the willing," and so we got Old and New Europe. Everything German and French became bad.......
So, when you look at the US-German relationship, you'll realise that Bush's decision not to respect Germany's right to say No to the Iraq war hurt the German people. Here was a liked ally kicking dirt in their face. I think most Germans put the deterioration of the relationship to Bush rather than America and cannot wait for someone who will restore the friendship and give the Germans their due respect. I guess, the view is that this person is Senator Obhama.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
24 Jul 08
Germany has been one our closest allies. That's why I couldn't understand the hostility Donald Rumsfeld and George Bush showed them when they made a decision not to join the war effort in Iraq. Unlike the President Bush, the leaders of Germany, at the time, listened to the German people.
French and German leaders, Chirac and Schroeder, reacted angrily to comments by the US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld describing the two countries as "problems" in the crisis over Iraq. I believe this was the turning point in regards to world opinion of the United States.
I also believe that the German people hold no grudge against the American people. That is why they support Barack Obama. They believe our relationship will return to normal under a Barack Obama Presidency.
Thank you for your well thought out reply. You've really put things in perspective.
Lloyd
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
27 Jul 08
I remember when France decided to listen to the will of it's citizens and not send troops to Iraq. There was dismay among people supporting George Bush's war efforts.
I was shocked by the Republican's childlike response to France's decision. A popular right-wing radio host here in America, Bill O'Reilly , tried to start of boycott of France and French products. It was a complete failure.
Another pro-Iraq war US congressman, Republican Representative Walter Jones, campaigned for French fries to be renamed "freedom fries".
This is the kind of thing you get when President Bush says 'You are either with us or against us'
Hopefully people around the world will not hold the past 8 years against the American people.
So far it seems as if they understand that a Barack Obama presidency will bring the changes necessary to heal the bad feelings bougth upon by the Bush administration.
Lloyd
@tigertang (1749)
• Singapore
29 Jul 08
I think the world will definitely be a better place when Europe and America realise that they have more to gain by working together than by squabbling over adventures in the Middle East that they most certainly cannot afford. For much of the past 50-years, the world has been made a more prosperous place because America and Europe worked together on most of the major issues and I think, because these two continents chose not to work together in the last 8-years, the world has become a more dangerous place. I think the Bush Administration needs to be held to account for the way it has antagonized its most natural allies and although I'm not going to endorse Barak Obhama with a blank cheque, I think his popularity in Europe is a very helpful and hopeful sign for the future of American-European relations.
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
24 Jul 08
BarrsckObama is a great potential leader-it doesnt matter whether they vot him or not! His being black is completely immaterial!
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
24 Jul 08
I believe that Barack Obama would be a welcomed change in American politics.
As you can see from his worldwide support, his skin color is of no concern.
Lloyd
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
24 Jul 08
When I saw the footage of people reacting to the visit it just went to further my feeling and my friend's feeling that Obama is bad stuff.
Watching some of the germans proclaiming that Obama was a profit and a messiah.
This cult mentality around this man should be frightening.
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
24 Jul 08
Well tell me what the point of him speaking over here in Europe anyway? He is not your president and only a candidate. If he is defeated in his race then all his talk was for not obviously. I think it is rather pompous for him to do this and can not see the point. German feelings for him make not difference as German citizens can not vote in your country.
No, I do see a bad thing when muslim germans are wearing shirts with his face and proclaiming him the profit and messiah. That point to me is obvious. As for change- Anything would be a change from Bush obviously and not all change is going to be a good change.
I did like McCain's response to the event in which he said he would love to talk in Germany but as the President and not just a candidate. At least he saw that move as pointless actually too. I think that Obama talking like he is already president is presumptuous and more of a clear sign that something isn't right.
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
24 Jul 08
As for flag burning- Normal people don't go around burning other nations flags. I have seen a variety of people around that would wear a shirt featuring an American flag and what is the big deal? So they weren't burning flags. That has nothing to do with Obama- that has everything to do with normal people being out. Sheesh. You really think Obama coming made for these people to not burn flags? You think all Europeans like to burn the American flag?
Only people I seen here in NL burning the American flags were the muslims celebrating 9/11. - Which are obviously not normal people.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
24 Jul 08
How do you feel about the fact that the citizens of Germany were waving American Flags as opposed to burning them?
Maybe the "cult mentality" you speak of is the cult of change and hope. Maybe it's the cult of being friends with our allies once again.
The only people I've heard refer to Barack Obama as a profit and a messia are conservativer talk radio hosts Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh.
I believe these two guys really admire Barack Obama, since they can't go 10 seconds without mentioning the messiah's name.
Lloyd
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
24 Jul 08
I think this is the hope a lot of us share. After 8 years of the "cowboy" Bush it would be nice to have genuine support of the United States by our European allies. The media is really playing this up. It is almost as if the entire world media, including the US media, is considering Obama as the greatest thing in years. It is almost sure to fail because he is human and will surely make mistakes. But at this point McCain must be pulling out what little hair he has because he can't seem to get any good press. If Obama gets elected I hope that he will be able to continue his good relations with our current and former allies. It has been too long since the most powerful nation in the world has been looked at with respect. It would be nice, but the cynical me is still waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
24 Jul 08
It is the hope I share. Eight years of "Cowboy Diplomacy" has basically ruined our reputation throughout the world.
It is so refreshing to see things starting to change. I sincerely believe that people over the world don't hate Americans. I beleive they hate the policies of our elected officials.
The expectations for Barack Obama are very high and he will make mistakes. However, I like what I see so far. I believe he is the best hope for our country.
To be honest, I really don't care about John McCain's feelings. The world does not want to see John McCain as the next President of the United States. He doesn't offer any alternatives to George Bush's policies. No one wants 4 more years of that.
Lloyd
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
24 Jul 08
I agree with you. Obama is the future, McCain is the past.
