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German Intrigue: Did Bush Official Ask Merkel to Prevent Obama From Speaking at Brandenburg Gate?
July 10, 2008 9:36 PM
The plot thickens … on German Chancellor Angela Merkel's reluctance to let Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., deliver an address at Berlin's famous Brandenburg Gate.
Der Spiegel writes: "The respected Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper reported this week that a member of the Bush delegation approached Merkel's foreign policy advisor, Christoph Heusgen, at the G-8 summit in Japan to discuss misgivings about Obama's planned speech."
HERE'S the story in question, from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which does indeed report in German as follows: "Es heißt, der außenpolitische Berater der Bundeskanzlerin, Christoph Heusgen, sei auf dem G-8-Gipfel in Japan von einem Berater Bushs angeblafft worden wegen Obamas Plänen."
- jpt
July 10, 2008 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | Share | User Comments (36)
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What arrogance on Obama's part. A speech on the Brandendurg Gate, one of Germany's cherished national treasures? How many foreign political candidates, much less actual heads of state, just decide they are going to commandeer the steps of the Lincoln Memorial so they can deliver a campaign speech to help their campaign back home? What an embarrassment by a candidate who is completely full of himself.
Posted by: Political Realist | Jul 11, 2008 1:31:05 AM
I simply do not see any need for Senator Obama to speak to the German people in a public place. Talking to the leaders of foreign countries might give Obama some insight into their stance on certain issues.
Posted by: Mary | Jul 11, 2008 12:56:01 AM
I don't understand why Obama wants to give a speech in Berlin. He is not running for President of Germany. He is acting like he is already the President and he is NOT!! What does he want? To rule the World? This man has some serious problems and if people don't wake up we the Americans are going to be in REAL TROUBLE. Just because a man
can talk is not a reason for him to be President. There is not a company in th world that would hire a CEO like Obama.
People stop and think about what he is really saying and what is going to happen to this great country. It will not be for the BEST.
Posted by: Barbara | Jul 11, 2008 12:11:04 AM
Allowing Obama to make a speech at the gate would be tantamount to taking sides in the American election. It's a bad idea, no matter which candidate it is.
Posted by: Buford Gooch | Jul 10, 2008 11:53:41 PM
Not surprising since Merkel is a conservative. But I would really love to see it happen as would many Europeans. It would be awesome!
Posted by: Cindy | Jul 10, 2008 11:10:30 PM
Guess the backrub did some good after all.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 10, 2008 11:10:11 PM
Good thing that the Chancellor is not the decider, in Bush's words. However, the Mayor of Berlin is and said he thinks it is a fantastic idea for Sen. Obama to speak there. Ha!
Posted by: DRS | Jul 10, 2008 11:06:25 PM
the source was a 'respected' newspaper? very amusing-like the media is beyond reproach, or does not have an agenda ever? not that i am defending the tactics if any-just questioning the reference to the source.
Posted by: sonia trevino | Jul 10, 2008 10:50:54 PM
Would Obama please just quit trying to emulate John F. Kennedy. JFK he is not. We knew John Kennedy, and he does not even come close. he is so full of soundbites and staging to evoke past favorable images of American heroes and martyrs, that it makes him appear lacking of any substance of his own. Enough!
Posted by: georgia | Jul 10, 2008 10:28:28 PM
I'd agree with you only if McCain would stop trying to be a older version of Bush.
Posted by: brigitte | Jul 10, 2008 10:49:40 PM
Martin - wise up!!!
As Obama said most people in the world speak more than one language and a good number of Germans speak English too.
Posted by: Madge | Jul 10, 2008 10:41:15 PM
Would Obama please just quit trying to emulate John F. Kennedy. JFK he is not. We knew John Kennedy, and he does not even come close. he is so full of soundbites and staging to evoke past favorable images of American heroes and martyrs, that it makes him appear lacking of any substance of his own. Enough!
Posted by: georgia | Jul 10, 2008 10:28:28 PM
Hmm. Why does this seem unlikely? If Obama really is up and the Germans expect him to win, why would they grant a request like that?
Something about this story is either wrong or the whole picture isn't out there. Not that I put it past the Republicans nor would Obama do it differently if he could. Just that it doesn't make sense from the Germans.
Posted by: len | Jul 10, 2008 10:26:02 PM
Bush is jealous of Obama.
Posted by: Truth Matters | Jul 10, 2008 10:16:40 PM
Bush/Cheney = bottom feeders.
Posted by: linda n carolina | Jul 10, 2008 10:14:58 PM
This clearly demonstrates that when it matters, when it really matters, Bush > Obama.
Posted by: p0s3r | Jul 10, 2008 10:00:11 PM
Typical. Just when you thought the Bush Administration couldn't get more corrupt, this occurs.
Posted by: Chris | Jul 10, 2008 9:57:44 PM
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