There is much tongue clucking amongst the mainstream media gurus in the aftermath of Barack Obama’s speech in Berlin. Was it hubris? Arrogance? Too much from a United States senator, who is a presidential candidate, but not yet (or perhaps never) President of the United States? I say no.
John McCain said when asked about Obama's speech that he would rather give that sort of speech after he became president. (Notwithstanding the fact that McCain recently spoke both in South America and Canada). On the other hand, what a great demonstration to the American voting public, that may have forgotten in the last seven years, of what is possible when an American leader goes abroad and gives a speech.
One of John McCain’s main campaign themes argues that Barack Obama is a foreign policy lightweight. He practically goaded Obama into this Middle East/European tour; and Obama has used this trip to demonstrate to the US electorate (and the world) that McCain is wrong. How Obama plays on the world stage is very much a relevant question, and one that has now clearly been put to rest.
Today’s speech in Berlin did that and more. You say that all he did was make a speech? Where was the meat of his policy? Where were the specifics? Speeches that stir; that promote a vision; that evoke ideas and ideals are sometimes as important as the specifics that come from them much, much later. And in a reality where the US presidency has been shamed and embarrassed by an anti-intellectual, arrogant cowboy, it is refreshing to hear Obama speak to the world simply and passionately about the real ideals that fuel our country.
When was the last time we saw American flags waving amidst cheering throngs in Europe; in the “Old Europe,” the Europe that the Bush administration has derided as practically irrelevant? Obama generated an excitement at the presence of an American leader (albeit not the President) because of the promise he holds and vision he has been articulating. And the promise that through his election the confidence in our country may be regained, within our own borders and across the seas.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Baritone
Barbara,
The visual of a couple hundred thousand people going back about as far as the eye could see was stunning in and of itself.
As for "substance" or "details" this was not a stump speech. He was not (directly at any rate) asking for votes. Rather, he was, as you suggest, making a statement regarding what America should be to the rest of the world. He stated a desire to reclaim our position of leadership and dignity in the world that was squandered by the Bushies, and noted the necessity of sacrifice for all.
Obama will not be the saviour of the country or the world. But he does embody a greater hope to achieve those goals than McCain or anyone else.
The New Yorker issue with the infamous Obama cover also has an excellent in depth article by Ryan Lizza on Obama and how he got to where he is today - "How Chicago Shaped Obama."
Obama's profile is drawn as one who, it becomes apparent, has had his "eye on the (presidential) prize" for a long time. His professional life has been largely calculated to getting to the WH. He has been every bit as determined as Hillary to win the nomination and now to win the whole shebang.
That kind of tunnel vision, if you will, seems to bother some people. However, is it really any different than say a dancer, an athlete or a surgeon who dedicates their every waking hour to the perfection of their craft, to achieve the goal of making it to the top of their chosen profession?
Many people don't seem to like the notion of a "professional" politician. Yet, most of those who throw their hats in the political ring at most any level, do so with at least an eye looking askance at something higher. A candidate for the Podunk town council likely dreams of the possibility of moving upward to state or even federal office. It's a vain hope for most, but there are a few, owing to circumstance and their own drive and abilities who make it to higher plateaus, including the presidency.
Obama has honed his craft, and as above, owing to circumstances has found himself on the cusp of making history. At this point he's not a shoe-in, McCain is far from being out of the game, but the next few months could be fun.
B-tone
2 - Barbara Barnett
What worries me, Baritone, is that Obama isn't 20 points ahead of McCain. McCain who despite the fact that he claims a superior knowledge and background in foreign policy made yet another gaffe. This time, calling Iraq the first major conflict post 9/11. Huh? What happened to Afghanistan? He just trying to make us forget, since it now appears to be going to heck in a hand basket?
3 - Baritone
I agree that the current polling numbers are troubling. Given the record low approval ratings of Bush & Co, it seems that Obama should be surging out of site.
Obviously, there are issues and circumstances which may be holding Obama back. His perceived inexperience is a problem, and like it or not, his race is the defining issue for some.
At this juncture, I think the campaign is in a kind of stasis. I don't think we'll see the big guns come out until after the conventions. I believe that the debates will serve to separate the wheat from the chaff. McCain may find it difficult to hold his own against Obama one on one. We'll see.
B-tone
4 - Barbara Barnett
I also think that after the convention, with the debates and the heavy hitting ads, etc., Obama will become more well known.
And you're right that there is an undercurrent of racism (though no one will admit it). We shall see.
5 - bliffle
The Obama speech reminded me that Europe (and much of the rest of the world) is actually eager for the USA to assume leadership of the world. Bush let that leadership opportunity slip away as he pursued mean goals, i.e., invade Iraq and demean other nations.
The German Consul general spoke at the World Affairs Forum the other night and pointed out that in 2000-2006 the USA invested 4 times as much in Germany as in China and did 3 times as much business. The Bush admin was quite foolish to belittle Europe.
The massive crowd for Obama dwarfed the Reagan crowd of about 20,000 that attended the famous 'tear down this wall' speech.
6 - Barbara Barnett
Bliffle--That's the truth. I think that yes, Europe has been waiting for the USA to step up. Those days of the "old Europe" and "Freedom Fries" were shamefully embarrassing.
7 - Baritone
Obama has been drawing huge crowds pretty much everywhere he's gone over the last few months. It's difficult to judge how that will translate into votes.
My son who lives about an hour or so north of Berlin intended to go hear the speech, but at the last minute had to work. It would have been difficult for him to get anywhere near the place, though.
It was good to see American flags being waved on foreign soil NOT in flames.
B-tone
8 - Matt
I just found this pretty awsome article, The Last Patriot, that sheds some light on the first encounters america had with Jihadist back in the late 1700s. Its a really interesting article worth checking out.
9 - Arch Conservative
The Osama Obama European tour is just like everything else we've seen from the great Barry so far. Meaningless symbolism and empty rhetoric.
Mccain is the worst possible candidate the GOP could have selected. Watching his campaign being run it seems as if he's purposely trying to lose. There is still a lot of anger toward Bush, the GOP and Iraq. Despite all of this Obama is barely ahead of Mccain in most polls.
Obama is nothing but an empty suit. He's a puppet of George Soros. Soros's money couldn't buy the election in years past but that hasn't deterred him. The mainstream media's love affair with Obama due to the novelty of him being half black and the ineptitude of Mccain and his people has given Soros hope once again that he can install his manchururian candidate.
Oh we'll have change all right........starting with the renaming of every government agency and department. If Obama is installed each department will begin with The People's...
10 - Ruvy
Barbara,
I know that this man inspires you with hope. He should inspire you with dread. His advisers are the closest thing one can get to a pack of Jew-haters without fitting them with jack-boots. The lies come smoothly and eloquently off of his tongue, just like they did in front of AIPAC - but butter would not melt in his mouth.
With Bush, you at least knew you were getting an idiot; I certainly did, and voted for Gore. I sat 2004 out; there was no difference between tweedledee and tweedldeum from the Skull & Bones Society.
But this time round, I'm backing Obama. That's right, I said Obama. He is just what the doctor ordered for us - albeit not for you. When the reservists realize what a Jew-hater the puppets in Jerusalem are kneeling to, they will throw the bastards out. He is Israel's "great black hope" - in so many different ways....
G-d has a sense of humor, indeed.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ruvy
11 - Barbara Barnett
"Mccain is the worst possible candidate the GOP could have selected. Watching his campaign being run it seems as if he's purposely trying to lose. There is still a lot of anger toward Bush, the GOP and Iraq."
Arch--Hey--agreement! The anger towards the GOP and Bush is more than well deserved. The fact that the gap between McCain and Obama is small (at this point) may be due to the fact that it's early and people still don't know Obama. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't, and right now people know McCain much better than Obama, who is still to many in this country an unknown quantity. There is also the race factor, and despite what we may hope to think, race may be a factor.
Ruvy--what can I say except that you are wrong. (So, nu? What else is new?) McCain's team has its Arabists, too. McCain's advisors on the middle east include
Yes, Malley is an advisor, but so are Dennis Ross and Daniel Kurtzer. Brent Scowcroft is among McCain's advisors (yeah, he's really sooo very pro-Israel.)
WhyMe--I know there was music to entertain the crowds before Obama's speech, but really. An all day concert? That's not what DerSpeigel (and that's the source of this in the Right Wing media for this non-story) is reporting. They were there to see Obama. Waving American flags. When Bush was there, there were protests and no american flags. Give me a break.
12 - Lee Richards
#9:
"meaningless symbolism and empty rhetoric"--
Symbolism and rhetoric, yes, meaningless and empty, no.
Symbolism and rhetoric are powerful tools in the hands of those who know how to use them to attain their goals. Obama is certainly ahead in symbolism and rhetoric.
And he's right about one thing: it's his generation's turn. McCain seems to know little or understand much that's happened since 1970.
13 - Clavos
I'm actually concerned by the seemingly unqualified adulation proffered to Obama in Europe. If the Europeans like him that much, IMO his fitness to be our president is thrown into question. Recent (150 yrs.) history has shown us that European aspirations and objective are not necessarily congruent with our own.
14 - Barbara Barnett
Symbolism and Rhetoric are incredibly important tools when trying to change direction; when trying to undo a lot of damage done to our credibility, and trying to regain some of the political capital lost because of the reign of a "with us or against us" cowboy ideologue.
I was just thinking (I know, dangerous, huh?)...when we say of a person "he (or she) is a natural born leader" we're not just talking about intelligence, and we're certainly not (necessarily) talking about specifics--or even a specific point of view. We think of that person's ability to inspire, to rally, to transmit a vision passionately, to articulate ideas. Those skills can be used for good or evil. To forward good or bad policy.
You can disagree with Obama (or as I do--agree--on most things), but he is doubtless someone who is a leader. Can you say that about McCain?
As far as what they've accomplished or what they stand for--what exactly does McCain stand for? His stands on policy issues have moved from moderate to arch-conservative to fit a republican party that has made conservatives like Chuck Hagel (and even Bob Barr) to call it unrecognizable. McCain stands for nothing. Not any more.
15 - Barbara Barnett
"I'm actually concerned by the seemingly unqualified adulation proffered to Obama in Europe. If the Europeans like him that much, IMO his fitness to be our president is thrown into question. Recent (150 yrs.) history has shown us that European aspirations and objective are not necessarily congruent with our own."
Clavos--I think the adulation we're picking up is the sound of relief that reason and leadership might return to the US after a seven year drought. Our interests and the Europeans are different in many ways, but what Obama was saying was that to overcome some of the big (and global) issues we need to work together as allies, dropping the us/them, my way or the highway approach of the current administration. I think that's what the Europeans are heralding.
16 - Barbara Barnett
I have to go to work WhyMe, but here are a few policy tidbits:
* his fight for universal children's health care in Illinois.
* Ability to forge bipartisan bills (in Illinois)such as a law now requiring police interrogations and confessions to be videotaped.
* work on ethics reform in Washington (the bill that lobbyists and special interests are complaining about right now has his name on it).
* His bill to make the federal budget far more transparent and accessible to Americans via the Internet -
*ork with Republicans to lock down nuclear weapons around the world.
To name some...more to come.
17 - Clavos
I get it, Barbara, but do not agree.
I think it better that we maintain a respectful and polite arm's length distance from our cousins in Europe (and the rest of the world, for that matter). When foreigners begin to imbue one of our presidential candidates with an almost Messianic aura, the alarm bells start clamoring.
18 - Andy Marsh
All of you better be careful....
...sitting around in this Obama circle jerk, you never know what you're gonna get on your hands!
I really like the fact that he said he wasn't there as a person running for president, he was there as an American citizen, but later on he said it wouldn't be appropriate to visit the troops in the hospital, because it was a campaign trip. He's nothing but a christmas turkey..full of all kinds of shit! Or better yet, a pinata!
19 - Andy Marsh
Here's the best piece of satire I've seen to date...better than either the Obama cartoon or the McCain cartoon,check it out!
I found it very amusing, maybe you will too!
20 - Clavos
That's great, Andy! Love that Brit wit.
21 - Baritone
Why Me is asking a question that, unless one has fairly intimate knowledge of Obama's political history, is not answerable. It's much easier to throw out such a broad question in the knowledge that most people - myself included - are not going to stop life to perform an in-depth study of Obama's accomplishments.
Suffice to say that Obama has surfaced owing to his determination, intelligence, skill and perhaps a good tailor.
Conspiracy theorists are alive and well right here on this thread. Arch and Ruvy see Obama as a puppet of the left and/or the anti-Jewish establishment (whatever the hell that may be.) All I can say to them is prove it. Prove that Obama is a "puppet" of George Soros. Prove that he is a Jew hater, backed by Jew haters. And Ruvy, don't just name names. Prove that anyone you name is also, in fact, a Jew hater. (Of course, it seems that to you anyone who shows any sympathy or empathy toward the Palestinians is, therefore, a de-facto Jew hater - the old "you're either for us or you're against us" bullshit.)
What the fuck is George Bush, if not a puppet of the neocons? What "sustainable change" did Georgie accomplish prior to his presidential candidacy? What did he do to "earn" his place in world politics? Oh, that's right, his daddy was president. Enough said.
What "sustainable change" has John (Wayne Gacy) McCain made during his 20 plus years in public life? Where does John (Wilkes Booth) McCain stand as the presumptive leader of the Republican party? What is his message?
Everyone jumps on Obama for changing his positions yet give good ole "Port-O-Potty John" a pass on all of his shifts to accommodate both the ultra-conservatives and moderates within the party and independents without.
McCain was obviously a good soldier who suffered mightily for his country. But does that earn him a pass now that he is entering his demented years? The man is so out of touch with the world, at times he makes GW look fairly intelligent. Well, that might be a stretch, but still.
What do the Republicans want out of their candidate? It would seem the answer to that is "Dumb and Dumber."
B-tone
22 - Andy Marsh
Amazing how the dumb guys get elected all the time. Guess we just can't stand the smug elitist liberals who think that Europe should pick our presidents.
23 - Cindy D
ROFLOL @ Baritone!
John Wayne Gacy McCain and John Wilkes Booth McCain! That is a hilarious way to make an excellent point.
24 - Clavos
Doc? Rose?
25 - Cindy D
RE# 16
WhyMe,
Gee I thought in America your were supposed to earn "your turn" unlike the affirmative action mentality where you are given it.
Gee, I thought America was the Land of the FREE, where we weren't supposed to make some people sit on the back of the bus until 1965, whilst we (the white folks) gorged ourselves at the banquet of private property and educational opportunity.
Affirmative Action was, in part, an attempt at reparation for the grave injustice of missed opportunity we caused. That is what people (who aren't neurotic, insane, or stupid) do when they have injured others. They attempt to repair the relationship.
What version of history are you using to inform your "mentality" WhyThink?