Barack Obama spoke to the people of Berlin, in English, today
(Do you suppose he was embarrassed?):
“I come to Berlin as so many of my countrymen have come before. Tonight, I speak to you not as a candidate for President, but as a citizen — a proud citizen of the United States, and a fellow citizen of the world.”
Yeah right.
Obama Goes After the German Vote–
His aides were still insisting today that this won’t be a political rally and is not a political speech.
(Reuters)
Obama stumps in Berlin. Drudge posted the speech:
This is where the two sides met.Ê And on the twenty-fourth of June, 1948, the Communists chose to blockade the western part of the city. They cut off food and supplies to more than two million Germans in an effort to extinguish the last flame of freedom in Berlin.
The size of our forces was no match for the much larger Soviet Army. And yet retreat would have allowed Communism to march across Europe. Where the last war had ended, another World War could have easily begun. All that stood in the way was Berlin.
Ê And that’s when the airlift began — when the largest and most unlikely rescue in history brought food and hope to the people of this city.
The odds were stacked against success. In the winter, a heavy fog filled the sky above, and many planes were forced to turn back without dropping off the needed supplies. The streets where we stand were filled with hungry families who had no comfort from the cold.Ê
But in the darkest hours, the people of Berlin kept the flame of hope burning. The people of Berlin refused to give up. And on one fall day, hundreds of thousands of Berliners came here, to the Tiergarten, and heard the city’s mayor implore the world not to give up on freedom. “There is only one possibility,” he said. “For us to stand together united until this battle is wonÉThe people of Berlin have spoken. We have done our duty, and we will keep on doing our duty. People of the world: now do your dutyÉPeople of the world, look at Berlin!”
Next, comes the Far Left dangerous talking points:
As we speak, cars in Boston and factories in Beijing are melting the ice caps in the Arctic, shrinking coastlines in the Atlantic, and bringing drought to farms from Kansas to Kenya.
Poorly secured nuclear material in the former Soviet Union, or secrets from a scientist in Pakistan could help build a bomb that detonates in Paris. The poppies in Afghanistan become the heroin in Berlin. The poverty and violence in Somalia breeds the terror of tomorrow. The genocide in Darfur shames the conscience of us all.
If Obama still believes that it is poverty in Somalia that is breeding the terrorists we are all doomed.
In Europe, the view that America is part of what has gone wrong in our world, rather than a force to help make it right, has become all too common. In America, there are voices that deride and deny the importance of Europe’s role in our security and our future.
Where did he get that?
Do you think he could name one American who derides or denies the importance of Europe’s role in our security or future?
This is the moment when we must build on the wealth that open markets have created, and share its benefits more equitably. Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few, and not the many. Together, we must forge trade that truly rewards the work that creates wealth, with meaningful protections for our people and our planet. This is the moment for trade that is free and fair for all.
Socialism for all!
Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit is impressed with The One, via Der Spiegel:
“He is a very charming and determined man, who has a vision for America and the whole world.”
Yesterday, the Germans warned Obama not to make any demands on German troop deployments to Afghanistan.
It looks like they got their wish.
(Reuters)
UPDATE: His busy schedule forced him to cancel his visit with the troops:
1:42 p.m.: SPIEGEL ONLINE has learned that Obama has cancelled a planned short visit to the Rammstein and Landstuhl US military bases in the southwest German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The visits were planned for Friday. “Barack Obama will not be coming to us,” a spokesperson for the US military hospital in Landstuhl announced. “I don’t know why.” Shortly before the same spokeswoman had announced a planned visit by Obama.
Hat Tip Discerning Texan
But, Obama did have time for a workout.
UPDATE 2: His campaign said it would be inappropriate to visit the wounded soldiers and Marines.
UPDATE 3: McClatchy Watch did not appreciate Obama out bashing Americans during his global citizen speech.
The Anchoress – “Obama: President of the World?”
Heil global leader!
UPDATE 4: The McCain camp responded: “Barack Obama is wrong,” said McCain spokesman Brian Rogers. “It is never ‘inappropriate’ to visit our men and women in the military.”
