Thursday, July 10, 2008

BARACK OBAMA

Germany Mulls an Obama Speech at Brandenburg Gate

The latest in the rumors that Barack Obama's campaign wants the candidate to give a speech at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, site of President Reagan's legendary "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" speech...

A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is "skeptical" of the request.

Steg said that "no German (chancellor) candidate would think of using (Washington's) National Mall or Red Square in Moscow for rallies, because it would be considered inappropriate."

He stressed that giving permission to use the venue is a matter not for Merkel's government, but for Berlin city authorities. Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit said Tuesday that he would be "delighted" for Obama to appear at the Brandenburg Gate or elsewhere.

A reader more up-to-speed on German politics than I am notes:

The point that I find disturbing in all this is Obama's ignorance of the local political implications of his outrageous request. Does he know that Merkel now has great poll ratings? Does he know that Foreign Minister Steinmeier is a likely candidate against Merkel in next year's election. Does he know that Steinmeier's SPD ratings are at a historic low point and that the Left Party is eating away SPD strength? Does he know that the foreign policy ideas of the Left Party are similar to those of Cindy Sheehan and Michael Moore? And does he know that if the SPD ever ruled in coalition with the Left Party, we would be up a tree? I find no evidence that Obama is aware that every word he says could have local ramifications in other parts of the world, and his advisors seem equally clueless.

At the very least, floating this idea has created an instant controversy in Germany and put Merkel and the city government in a tough spot. If the speech is approved, they potentially hurt a relationship with President McCain, as they've given the most famous spot in the country, site of not just one but two (yes, Kennedy's was not quite at the gate, but nearby after visiting it) of the most famous addresses by American presidents on foreign soil, to a presidential candidate. Or, deny him use of the site, and appear to be favoring McCain, and potentially hurt a relationship with a President Obama...

07/10 08:59 AMShare