Time Magazine: Berlin Awaits The "Next JFK"

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."

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[HopeandChange]

The next JFK? I wish!!! Tax cuts, start a war with a country that never attacked us, threaten Cuba, try to assasinate the leader of Cuba, and then...

[gladys46]

I remember JFK and his great visions for America and many of his words verbatim. However, how great is it to sum up a 21st Century great vision for America in only 3 words .... YES WE CAN!!

Go Obama!!

[caldarone]

Like I always said watching the talking heads this morning.. THE JEALOUSY IS RISING , why so many people trying to trash talk Obama trip , trying to make something negative about so many germans coming out to hear him speak.. If Bush went over to Germany to speak it wouldn't be not nearly half as many people, nor will it be for McCain, Its just amazes me how they just don't want to give the man the credit that is due, he is an amazing person, he has that "IT" factor, sorry all the trash talk will not take that away. No politician has had this effect on the world in the last 40 years. No Barack is not JFK, he is Barack Obama these 2 great people are individuals in their own right.

[JackND]

If not for Johnson delivering Texas and Daley delivering Illinois, JFK would never have won the presidency.

I think Obama is JFK and then some.

[HopeandChange]

JFK had things he actually believed in. Obama repeats what his professors taught him in college.

[meanguy]

JFK wouldn't be allowed in today's socialis...errr, democratic party

[iranter]

Didn't Kennedy a sitting US president at the time, go there to extol the virtues of freedom in a city that was partitioned by the nasty communists? Or have I re-imagined history?

[SweetSydney]

The Dems were a different party back then.

[iranter]

WHY?

[LaFeminazi]

Russia considers using Cuba for refuelling of nuclear bombers
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/24/russia.usa

the next JFK indeed.

[eahce]

While Senator Obama opens lines of communication across the global, back in our (homeland) law abiding citizens are being spied upon, thanks in part to Senator Obama. People see hope in Obama, all I see is the continued domination of the Military Industrial Complex with Obama's blessing. The next JFK?

[Softnsweet]

I knew you people were going to blame Fissa on Obama. Personally, I don't like it either but this would not have happen if you people did not put Bush in office twice. In addition, Hillary Clinton would have done the same thing. Everytime I see my credit card bill I think of what she did to us as well.

[wkitwizard]

As a college student when JFK was president, everyone admired the way he could electrify a generation with the challenge to "do something for your country". We lost all our heroes during the 60s and became bitter after Watergate. Now, seven years of Bush and his corrupt administration, all Americans are
hungry for new leadership that has a vision for the country. Fear is not what America needs anymore.
The middle class is fading away. The gap between the rich and poor is as great as during the 1920s.
We're ready for real change, not McSame crap.

[RIPHRC]

Remeber this quote from Good Will Hunting?

Go to the link and it's the top quote regarding why he didn't want to join the NSA.

http://www.logan.ws/quotes/good-will-hunting.asp

It's almost prophetic in hindsight....

Or, better yet, watch it on youtube.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOtVg05JLPc

[CarolinaObserver]

if barack would just accept that the surge did some good he would get more credit out of this trip, instead he just stubbornly tows the anti-bush democratic line...not admitting a mistake isn't the new kind of politician...

[gladys46]

Mc & his supporters need to accept & understand the word CUMULATIVE!! That word is a little longer than "surge" !!

Mc needs to just accept factual timelines too.

[DRPike]

That's the republican new favorite straw man. Obama has repeatedly said that our troops have performed excellently and that the surge was one of three actors that reduced violence dramatically. What he wont say, and I'm glad, is that in and of itself is important. What is important is that we remember that the surge is a tree in a forest of foreign policy issues.

Iraq has had time and must govern itself. At this point the best thing we can do to help is a staged withdrawal that will force them to focus.

Iraq is not AND NEVER was particularly important to rational efforts to control the violence of Islamic extremists. Afghanistan is, Pakistan is, and peace between the Israelis and it's neighbors is.

[TAC]

"if barack would just accept that the surge did some good he would get more credit out of this trip..."

He already stated it did. Try to keep up...

[Rapid1]

That is buying into a logical fallacy and I don't believe that you'll find Obama doing that. The more important question is that given security in Iraq is demonstrably improved, for whatever reason, and the Iraqis want the US out. If things are better, what is the rationale for keeping US troops in Iraq? That McCain can't and won't answer. Keep your eye on the ball.

[theMightyT]

"There is no doubt that the extraordinary work of our U.S. forces has contributed to a lessening of the violence, just as making sure that the Sadr militia stood down or the fact that the Sunni tribes decided to flip and work with us instead of with al-Qaeda - something that we hadn't anticipated happening."

Barack Obama's answer to Katie Couric.

Please educate yourself before you post.

[SantaFeStars]

Obama's tremendous appeal to the world is very much like that of the great JFK! After almost 8 years of this disastrous Bush administration, who in their right mind wouldn't be excited over someone like Obama! I. for one, remember JFK very well -was there - voted for him - and, like the majority of Americans, remember him as one of the best Presidents we've ever had! If, you are one of those who just don't get O's appeal, I suggest you move on to McCain. We won't miss you!!!

[meanguy]

JFK was not as great as his admirers 'remember', nor as inept and corrupt as his detractors claim...he didn't have nearly enough time in office to accurately gauge his 'greatness'...but he would have a difficult time even getting the nomination in today's democratic primaries...he was not nearly liberal enough; and likeley would have been derided by the left as a neocon warmonger

[hoopesaz]

Oh gag. I like Obama, but Obama worship is about to do me in.

[DRPike]

So you worship JFK? I'm confused.

[barbwiregrrl]

I worship no man or woman...

I wil vote for Obama but the branding and commercialization of him is getting to be too much already. Are you guys gonna slap a label on his forehead saying...this space for rent soon?

[katok]

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask how you can screw your country! For example, you should have heard the screams of the downtrodden when I cast my FISA vote. That is just one example, I will srcew with impunity when elected

[DRPike]

Take a nap.

[kellygrrrl]

oh, brother

[abby4ever]

I am amazed anyone could manage even your two words by way of a reply, I myself couldn't think of even one...that would have got past the moderators.

[MoeSart]

America isn't very impressed or fooled. It's just a photo op tour. Nothing substantive to it whatsoever.

It has given Obama fans something to cheer of course, but the whole thing is as thin as paper. Just like Obama.

[unity08]

Repeat that often enough and you might start to believe it.

Truth is, it has been very substantive and you know it. Drawing more attention to the desperate need for backup troops in Afghanistan; Al Maliki's declaration that a withdrawal of combat forces should come sooner than later; and the need for America to repair its tarnished image in the rest of the world is quite substantial.

Now, what has the other side accomplished this week?