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

[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...

[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.

[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.

[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...

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[DRPike]

Take a nap.

[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?

[theMightyT]

ahhhhhhh... i love the smell of right-wing jealous desperation in the morning.

[NoSandwiches]

To those who remember JFK when they were young and were inspired by him, try to remember what your parents and other older generation thought of your infatuation. Now you are old, and you don't get it an cannot stand the comparison--it is an affront. Guess What? Obama inspires the young and the young at heart. Todays youth are worldly and cynical and have more information available to them than you ever dreamed of and they are overwhelmingly inspired by this man. Forget the man for a minute and look instead at the affect he has on people. Can't you see it?
My young son has been quick to judge, hard to impress, and doubts his ability to change the world or make a difference. Obama changed his view of the world and continues to inspire him. He's at the point in his life where he is going to graduate from college next year and is at a crossroads. I see a difference in his attititude that I attribute to the words of Obama. Obama =JFK? You bet!

[Sparhawk]

He is no JFK...not even in the same league

[robodweeb]

Right. He didn't have old Joe K "paving" the way for him.

[DRPike]

And exactly what "league" is that? Can ANY of you that poo poo the headline say?

[gladys46]

O's not trying to be JFK ... he is exciting, visionary & most hopeful for America on his very own steam!!

O is a league of his own!

Weep Willow!!

[Witchitalineman]

I am one of those old enough to remember JFK very vividly and how he inspired me. I have the same excitment for Barack Obama. You can't judge the older generation with such a blanket indictment.

[NoSandwiches]

I'm not trying to judge you, just understand...well..the democrats at our convention who shouted in outrage when a speaker had the audacity to say tha he was reminded of JFK. This was someone who likely like you, was originally excited about politics at the time of JFK. This was someone who was a strong Obama supporter. Yet a huge contingent of his generation of Democrats felt the need to attempt to drown him out with their protests. This was still while Clinton was running. My mom gets quite irritated by any suggestion that Obama could possiby light a candle to JFK as well. Nostalgia? Was it always better in the good 'ole days?

[CarolinaObserver]

i couldn't even get through this post without vomiting...

[NoSandwiches]

HuffPost's Pick

It's okay with me if you vomit. I would be more interested in knowing just what causes the bile to rise, however. Looking at your profile, you are 21. So...my comment wasn't even directed at you. I'm trying to understand the anger of those of the older generation who were inspired by JFK and are angered by those who dare to compare Obama with him. I'm trying to understand it myself, because I personally was born in 1964 and so don't have the same experience, yet Obama has given me hope and impetus to get involved in my local politics and start really paying attention to ways that I can help the system work instead of staying home and griping about it. Obama didn't set out to try to emulate JFK and isn't trying to brand himself as JFK, but maybe that is the impression of the older liberals. I don't know. I am just trying to explain that he has had the effect of awakening a good part of the nation to the promise of hope that we can make our lives collectively better but only if we are willing to stand up and do our part. Is that not the perceived effect of JFK?

[barbwiregrrl]

Actually it was my parents who turned me on to JFK not vice versa. JFK was not branded as Obama is and that is the problem...it is all about sales...promotion and branding....yes we wil vote for him we have no choice but stop marketing him already.