"Stop It, All Of You": Obama Knocks German Press Over Coverage Of Alleged Tensions With Merkel

At a joint press availability in Dresden, Germany Friday morning, President Obama knocked the German press for playing up alleged tension between him and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The full exchange:

CHANCELLOR MERKEL: Well, I believe you have the possibility to ask questions. Maybe we ought to -- do we start with a German question?

Q: Christiane Meier, from the First German Television. Mr. President, did you have the opportunity to also address the issue of Guantanamo and do you feel sufficiently supported by Europe and here, in particular, by Germany, in accepting prisoners, former prisoners? And does this perhaps overshadow your relationship with the Chancellor or perhaps not -- there has been certain mild, sometimes even wild speculation over the course that your trip took, that you left certain venues open until the end and that this had something to do with your relationship with the Chancellor.

And Chancellor, did you make an offer or were you actually able as regards Guantanamo to give certain assurances to the President and accommodate him?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think your characterization of wild speculations is accurate -- they are very wild and based on no facts. The truth of the matter is, is that the relationship not only between our two countries but our two governments is outstanding. Most of the speculation around my schedule here in Germany doesn't take into account simple logistics: traveling, trying to get from one place to the other, coming off a Middle East trip, having to go to Normandy tomorrow. There are only 24 hours in the day. And so there's nothing to any of that speculation beyond us just trying to fit in what we could do on such a short trip. That's all that there was.

So stop it, all of you. (Laughter.) I know you have to find something to report on, but we have more than enough problems out there without manufacturing problems.

Merkel herself later added that "it's fun to work together with the American President."

Comments

[BUZZARDSTKE]

11:42 AM on 06/06/2009

It is tru tht newspapers have to report on conflict...but the question would be....why? What is it within ourselves that we enjoy conflict?

Think about it, Jon & Kate, the tabolids, the british papers, gossip sites, washington chatter, ect.....if we changed ourself and didn't buy into tht, they wouldn't be so popular huh?

So, maybe, Our loving, wise, intellegient President is saying to ALL OF US......STOP IT...something to think about..

buzzardskorner.blogspot.com

[donnajr]

09:07 AM on 06/06/2009

Germany wants their 300,000 tons of gold bullion back ,that is being held by the N Y Fed . do the math Einstein.

[Cambridge9]

07:47 AM on 06/06/2009

I watched this press conference early this morning on C-Span. Our President has a wonderful way of chiding the press without being a bully. He said what needed to be said - and it wasn't a put down of the press. His smile is infectious.

[Tom Joad]

10:20 AM on 06/06/2009

Our Parent-in-Chief...

[LemonMeringue]

12:04 AM on 06/06/2009

When he speaks it is impossible not to beleve him.

It is always such a mixture of graciousness, intelligence and humanity.

[rich misty]

12:03 AM on 06/06/2009

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS331&q=bush+merkel&aq=2&oq=bush+me

Anybody remember this?

[EuroRant1]

09:39 PM on 06/05/2009

One of the backlashes to living here in Europe is the newspapers ... they are for the most part "tabloids". Filled with gossip, speculations and rumours with a few facts thrown in there to make it look like legitimate news. Most newspapers in Europe are c.rap! And no where is that more so then in Great Britain. Why? Because it sells newspapers.

With newspapers offices either threatened or actually closing their doors weekly ... one would think that with that threat hanging over their heads that they would improve their quality ... just the opposite and frankly the consumer is fed-up. Personally, I do not buy newspapers any longer for this very reason - I strictly now stick to the internet for my news (and I work in the business).

President Obama's stand today in firing back was perfect. I wish more leaders would grow a backbone and say the same: "So stop it, all of you. I know you have to find something to report on, but we have more than enough problems out there without manufacturing problems."

[Howzat]

09:54 PM on 06/05/2009

Right on with your comment. Here in the USA its the TV stations that live on second by second manufactured sound bites. The thing is, they all copy each other and all the TV stations ( cable and network sound all the same. Only the faces change.
Try watching THE DAIL SHOW with Jon Stewart. he brings out the inane quality of media news TV. Like you said ...crap..."
WTG

[weatherwaxx]

09:36 PM on 06/05/2009

Chancellor Merkel probably finds it pleasant to deal with an American President who's a gentleman and keeps his hands to himself. It's nice to have a Prez I can be proud of instead of a continual embarrassment.

[RJII]

09:01 PM on 06/05/2009

I luv this man.

[Pammie]

08:47 PM on 06/05/2009

********** anyone else out there find themselves saying outloud, even when no-one is there,
" i love this president " after maybe watching a clip of him on the news? *******************

pammie

[RJII]

09:05 PM on 06/05/2009

wow. it was my first thought when I finished reading. My eyes literally rolled as I said, Geez, I luv this man.

[lynettema]

12:06 AM on 06/06/2009

Yes. My husband says it, too. 2 years ago he was a Republican. Not to worry.

[CherokeeGirl]

08:24 PM on 06/05/2009

This reminds me of when Jesus got mad at the High Priests letting the temple be used for money changing. They pushed him too far that day. Watch out media, Obama's cool, but he's no nonsense.

[RJII]

09:08 PM on 06/05/2009

I just got the visual.

[lynettema]

12:07 AM on 06/06/2009

Smart, tough, gracious, visionary.

[realpolitic]

07:03 PM on 06/05/2009

Was Merkel much of a Bush supporter? I thought she considered him a cowboy, as did most of the European leaders.

[SweetBabu]

08:17 PM on 06/05/2009

After the impromptu back rub he gave her, I doubt she was much of a supporter of Bush.

[realpolitic]

01:04 AM on 06/06/2009

Yes, I would think so, but she does not seem so at ease with Obama, either.

[Havnagudtim]

08:44 PM on 06/05/2009

I think she considered him an unmannerly oaf with roamin' hands and rushin' fingers.
He laid his hands uninvited on a female head of state!!
GOTT IM HIMMEL

[plaidsportcoat]

06:28 PM on 06/05/2009

I think they both have a lot of self-control and discipline, and maybe that meshes well for them as individuals.

[edwarvir]

05:31 PM on 06/05/2009

I am so proud of this President. He shows
us in everyway that he is a man with a mission
and silly game playing is not on his to do list.

[mhkh87]

05:20 PM on 06/05/2009

He is FANTASTIC in every way!!

[btdenver]

05:14 PM on 06/05/2009

She looks like she wants to give him a little shoulder rub...