Report: Bush Privately Told Germany He Had Misgivings About Obama Speech

**UPDATE**

German papers find more evidence that the Bush administration voiced strong opposition to an Obama speech at the Brandenberg Gate. Ben Smith reports:

Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt told the tabloid Bild -- the biggest paper in the country -- that "it would be nice if the German government would focus on strengthening its contacts to us rather than already beginning to look for our successors."

Also, a few readers wrote in with more precise translations of the word "angeblafft" in that Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung piece, which -- beyond the point previously translated -- said Merkel's foreign policy adviser Christoph Heusgen was "taken to task," "snapped at," or "berated" by a Bush aide.

On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed unease about a possible Obama speech at the Brandenberg Gate. A spokesman said Merkel felt "great skepticism as to whether it is appropriate" for a U.S. election candidate to speak at "a place with a particular exclusivity, intensity and symbolism."

Thursday, Der Spiegel reported that Bush administration officials privately told the German government that they don't like the idea:

The respected Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper reported this week that a member of the Bush delegation approached Merkel's foreign policy advisor, Christoph Heusgen, at the G-8 summit in Japan to discuss misgivings about Obama's planned speech. The government is also acting out of respect for Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who has long enjoyed strong ties to Germany and good personal relationships with a number of high-level government officials in Berlin.

TPM's Greg Sargent comments:

If Bush officials are privately trying to nix a speech that would give Obama a major boost it's an interesting development and raises more questions, such as whether the administration is possibly letting efforts to help McCain intrude on back-channel diplomacy in other areas.

Comments

[marc1antony]

nothing about B ush surprises me - he lied about Iraq and has the blood of more than 4000 soldiers on his hands, that is a hell of a lot of penance...­. he is going to have a hard time at the pearly gates. now, he is trying to stick his finger in the election and sway it with his presidency. King George is a Marie Antoinette wanna be

[MelDel7365]

This action by the Bush Administration coupled with Gulianni's ridiculous comments (the Europeans like Obama b/c he engenders "anti-American" sentiment.­...just go to show how terrified the Republicans are - I think they are dreading the pictures of a very popular Obama on his world tour...may not bode well for McCain's claims that he will be the better diplomat..­..so the Republicans are starting the spin and do damage control early -- that is all this is.

[mjc]

Can't imagine why Obama would want to make a speech in front of the Brandenberg Gate. Does he not know the history of Berlin, of Germany, of Adolf Hitler and the symbolism which is fraught with fascist overtones? Maybe. Perhaps he thinks that he can overcome ANY symbolism and use it for his own purposes. Europeans are not that stupid, and many Americans will not be either. But it is true that Obama loves the spectacle, the large rallies. And I guess his acceptance speech will be made in such circumstances. Dictators? Demagogues? Is this what Obama really wants?

[Amennyc]

Sorry man, Americans ARE that stupid.

[Strain]

Americans are not that stupid....­lazy maybe. Or I should say used to be lazy. That's how Bush got elected to the second term. He and Senator McCain are in for a big surprise come November..­.bet on it.
If Bush is trying to "twist" arms of foreign diplomats at the G-8 summit, then someone needs to take out a full page ad in every major newspaper in the US. What alot of gall!

[HermioneGranger]

Yes, they are. They don't know squat about foreign countries.

The difference between Republicans and Democrats is, Republicans are stupid and proud of it, Democrats are stupid and believe they are smart.

[Liberoservative]

The Gate is a symbol of Unity and Peace
I think that would be a great symbol for what Obama's campaign is all about... and yes, the Euros are not stupid.. and yes, the Americans might be stupid... but the symbol of having an American President that actually gets the fact of Global Economy and participat­ion.... It will not be missed....

[Pappa]

MJc
You said that you "can't imagine why Obama would want to make a speech in front of the Brandenberg Gate." It is symbolic. In 1962 Kennedy came to Berlin and was received like no other American. I was on guard duty, but after I got off duty all I heard from the German public for weeks on end was about his speech. You could not find a photograph of Kennedy for sale. Regarding adolf (note the lower case name), the youth of Germany was no mor responsible for what he did as as the those involved in slavery in hte US. I don't think any GI since though that much of their Commander-inChief as we did. Nor can we forget a year later how after being on alert in tanks for almost two week, our Commander-In-Chief talked the USSR into turning the missiles around. Please note that I said that he talked to the Russans - Thats why I am voting for Obama.

[mjc]

That I really don't get. Are you referring to Reagan's big propaganda victory, asking the Russian leader to tear down the Wall? Even thought you were in the military there should be no doubt about exactly why the Wall came down. It wasn't because Ronald Reagan ASKED to have it come down. The disintegration of the Soviet empire began actually in Poland but the American President's bold talk might have encouraged an already disenchanted East German population to pick away at the Wall until one day soon after there were was no wall left. While in many ways Obama has the gift of gab that Reagan had, he lacks the political experience and clout. Don't expect him to a global economy or to have much impact on the Europeans. They've heard a lot chatter in their time and in their history.

[nclayla]

Although the Gate was used briefly as a symbol by the Nazis, it has since been known as a symbol of unification and the site where several US Presidents have made significant statements. After WWII, it was restored jointly by both East & West Germany and became a symbol of the divided city when the Berlin Wall went up in 1961 and there was no more free travel through the gate. In 1963, JFK gave his famous ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ speech in front of the gates. In 1987, Ronald Reagan also spoke at the Brandenburg Gate, demanding that the Berlin Wall come down. When the Berlin Wall did come down in 1989, the Gate symbolized freedom and the desire to unify the City of Berlin. In 1994, Pres. Bill Clinton also spoke at the Gate.

[mjc]

We're talking about PRESIDENTS speaking there, not candidates. The Gate has always, more or less, symbolized Prussian/German power and that is why controlling access through it was so important. So....., why is Obama going to speak there?

[klimtone]

The Brandenburg Gate was commisioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II to represent peace. Google something if you ever have doubts about an issue before typing a comment such as this one.

[mjc]

A little common sense will help you. Just because something was commissioned to "represent peace" doesn't mean it represents that at all. There are lots of statues and palaces and monuments that are built as propaganda tools and the Brandenburg Gate was one of these. Freidrich Wilhelm's propaganda was that there would be peace in the new German nation following the Franco-Prussian War. Berlin was the new capital of the new nation. The war ended in 1871.

[WellbornBroad]

Merkel has obviously become Bush's new Sheepdog.

[ignorantwillyharper]

It would have been nice to have Obama step up to the podium and give a speech. It would have left the German People thinking, not everone in the US Goverment is a idiot... like their leader.

[mjc]

Absolutely not correct and stating it is even more ridiculous.

[kizzie]

I'm sick of all the staging on both sides. Why does either candidate need to be at a certain location for certain speeches? Back drops of flags, locations make no difference at all. It looks silly to me. " Look! I have more flags around me than you do!"
Just state the facts and their positions anywhere at any time.

this isn't Hollywood---this is our govt we are talking about. What does that say about our intelligence if we need all the props to convince the followers of where we stand. Silly, silly nonsense. It wouldn't matter to me if they talked in front of an outhouse as long as they were being honest and sincere. but the outhouse does seem to be where our country is heading---­hahahahaha­- Seems both candidates are full of it, if you get my drift. If you can't tell, I'm getting pissed at the nonsense.

[barriosbabe]

Agree.

[DKLA]

Willy A......is that you?

[kizzie]

Who's Willy A? I'm a retired older lady that wants the candidates to cut the crap and fix the real problems facing this country, like:
1. Fix FISA--no immunity
2. Fix SS and quit raping it for the war---do you realize if past and present administrations had never raided it, the funds whould be phenominal and never run out?
3. Find Osama Bin Laden---do not kill for oil, which this was all about.
4. Get rid of Lobbyists.
5. Reform NAFTA to be fair trade, not free trade at our expense. Jobs would quit going out of the country if it was on an equal playing ground.
6. Quit warmongering--it accomplishes nothing but keeping people in an uproar and making it difficult to cope in everyday life.
7. Stop illegal immigration--go through due process or receive no benefits whatso ever.
These are the issues we should be concerned over---not where to make a speech or make a statement that is not going to solve the big problems.

[LilyMaskew]

Obama will give an excellent speech in Germany. The Bush administration realizes this, and will do anything to help their cronies (i.e. McCain), so they try to discourage Merkel from allowing the speech.

Issues are important in this election. Obama has not always spoken about current issues the way I would like, but the majority of the time I agree with him. He is a man who, at his core, has values, intelligence and many attributes that would make him a good president. He is sensible, thoughtful and can remain calm under pressure.

I would have loved to have seen a woman president, but we need to put aside some of our personal, emotional requirements for the good of the country. I think Obama will make a great president and would be a fine representative of our country before the election, after the election, or in the future.

[Donnat]

Maybe they find your successor a little less crazy and evil than you, George. I know I do.

[mhopgood123]

I smell controversy here. WHo does the Bush Administration think is to give directions to a foreign govt on where Obama can deliver a speech? Another example of US foreign policy arrogance.

[Forsetti]

What is Bush going to do if they let Obama make the speech at the Brandenberg Gate make an official proclamation that from now on the following terms will be used?:
Freedom Shepherd
Freedom Chocolate Cake
Freedom Measels

[scouserinlondon]

Brilliant!!!

[DoomtoNeoCons]

Freedom potato salad?

[futurefile]

Freedom propaganda

[klimtone]

Bravo! That made me laugh

[Tillie2]

Hey Mr. Sargent --
"Possible" efforts to "help McCain" by this administration? You have me laughing there--do you seriously think there are NOT efforts to help McCain within the Bush White House?

How long have they been promising the job to McCain? Like, maybe 6 or 7 years? Let's see -- when was the first "huggy Bush" photo? Why else did his tone suddenly turn? First they promised the VP slot in 2004 in case they had to get rid of Cheney, then when that didn't work out, they promised him the White House. All to keep the war hero in line. If you are the son and grandson of Admirals, what else do you aim for?

[Drake4962]

The first "huggy Bush" photo was on John McCain's birthday, when they were celebrating with cake on the tarmac while the levees of New Orleans broke.

[BPCentrisAmerican]

No other conservative party in any European country and Canada is as backward learning as our own Republican’t party, Chancellor Merkel might as well get used to dealing with the next president of the United States, because with people like Dr. Phil Graham in his corner McCain might want just retire, he’s about do, don't you think?

[lisakaz2]

This explains the "unease" but wth is with Merkel listening to this idiot about anything??? Didn't she get enough of Booo$hie with that back rub garbage?

[yvetteb]

Maybe she enjoyed it. Merkel + King George, sittin in a tree...

[Herekitty]

From the look on Merkel's face when Bush was mauling her was definitely not "enjoyment"!
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/360bazaar/entries/2006/07/18/unexpected_shoulder_rubs_not_c.html

[HermioneGranger]

Your need to let got of the backrub-thing. No wonder American men have a reputation as wankers when you can get exited over that....

[gditty]

Enough of the big crowds & speeches, let's have a debate....­..


Unknown author

[PoliticalJNKY]

Don't worry, you'll get your debate.
You're just going to have to wait until they are officially nominated as the nominees of their respective parties.
THEN you'll get your debate

[brendanm]

It was a Hillary reference.

[TheMastadon]

Can't wait for a debate, whne your man get's owned by BO

[eden4barack08]

Wouldn't be fair to McCain.

[new logic]

think....J­esse Owens.....­.....Olymp­ics......

[Strain]

I haven't forgotten. I'm willing to bet most people don't know who Jesse Owens was and what he had to put with, and not just in Germany. Need to get out your history books folks.