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Merkel Denies Bush Interference in Brandenburg Gate-Gate
July 11, 2008 5:26 PM
A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel today denied reports in some German newspapers that the Bush administration pressured Merkel to prevent Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, from speaking at Berlin's fabled Brandenburg Gate during his European swing later this month.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported most notably earlier this week: "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."
"The reports are completely unfounded," Merkel's spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said, according to Reuters.
"There were no expectations whatsoever expressed either outright or tacitly in that regard from American President Bush or his staff. It's pure fiction."
Merkel has suggested that it would be "odd" and "inappropriate" to speak at the historic site, though German press accounts say the fabled gate has hosted festivals for asparagus queens in addition to historical addresses.
- jpt
July 11, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (10)
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A legend in his own mind - and those of his supporters!!! LOL!! Is Obama running for American President or American Idol??!! Am I wrong, or didn't he and his camp criticize McCain for going over to South America instead of campaigning in USA? Double-standard or flip-flop?
Posted by: Beckie | Jul 12, 2008 7:43:16 PM
Mccain raced to Iraq... to visit his son.
He raced to Vietnam because he and Cindy have adopted at least one little girl who was desperate in need of plastic surgery because of injuries incurred.
I LIKE McCain!
He does stuff which needs to be done.... while bypassing the publicity coverage which always trails Obama like the feathers of a peacock.
HILLARY OR MCCAIN
COUNTRY BEFORE BROKEN DOWN DNC PARTY!!!
Posted by: between the ears | Jul 12, 2008 4:19:58 PM
Bush clearly recognizes how much the Germans and the rest of the world wants a new president and a change from the failed policies of the past eight years and is attempting to interfere with it.
Really petty, but not unexpected.
Posted by: Jeff | Jul 12, 2008 12:19:13 PM
Even the Germans pick on Obama--always the victim.
And as the media always says--this will help Obama.
God himself could come out and criticize Obama and his supporters would say--that will help Obama.
Posted by: riley | Jul 12, 2008 9:37:04 AM
Sen.Obamas passport, his plane , now this. Wake up people they are out to get him.... oh wait , its just a distraction to keep Sen.Obamas name in the press. Silly me
Posted by: ThePointIs | Jul 12, 2008 8:46:33 AM
Will Angela Merkel let George W. Bush tell her how to run her chancellorship? If she does, I wonder what the German people will think about that?!
Posted by: Michael | Jul 11, 2008 10:29:48 PM
Germany has been there and done that with charismatic leaders.
Posted by: Mack | Jul 11, 2008 7:45:39 PM
ginny, just be consistent. Is it okay for McCain to race all over. Give me a break.. I want a potential president to meet with foreign leaders. We are a global economy and all. GEE, Just be consistent, will you
Posted by: jl | Jul 11, 2008 6:35:50 PM
Senator Obama is sadly lacking in judgment wanting to speak to the German people in a historic place. He should just speak to the leaders of the country, maybe he would learn something.
Also, sponsoring a gas guzzling car in a race is not presidential; not when people can't afford gas to drive to work.
Posted by: Mary | Jul 11, 2008 6:23:07 PM
It seems totally out of touch for Obama to sponsor a gus-guzzling hobby/sport/American pasttime that requires consumption of vast amounts of extremely high-priced fuel....in the same year most people can't afford even a long-weekend cartrip because it would be too costly. Obama seems to just miss knowing anything about what regular people are going through. Yea, it's real impressive that he sponsors a Japanese car in an American racing curcuit, where thousands of gallons of highpriced fuel is consumed so men can frive in circles and get no where.....sounds right up Obama's alley to me.
Posted by: ginny | Jul 11, 2008 5:43:24 PM
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