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back from obama speech in berlin -- part 1
There has already been excellent commentary by Greg Sargent on the content of Obama's speech on TPM, so let me give you all the on the ground view.
The security was intense, but the Germans managed to secure the area around Obama's podium and checked the bags and possessions of 200,000 (police estimates) of the attendees. We were asked to turn on digital cameras and telephones and the woman in front of me was asked to dispose of a tiny aerosol bottle. We waited forty minutes pressed against a fence and other people before we got through.
Berlin's population turned out in all of its diversity -- punks with pink mohawks, a Turkish family with veiled mother, business women with four inch heels, and a large number of English speaking Africans --Kenyans???
Once inside the security lines, there was beer for sale, warm up bands and schnell imbiss, or all sorts of grilled meats sold from tents. Berliners know, after the World Cup 2006, how to throw an outdoor party at the drop of a hat.
Unfortunately, The Rolling Stones' old favorite, Sympathy for the Devil was played, but no one seemed to notice because Europeans don't pay attention to English lyrics.
Obama appeared at 7:15, and was eloquent, comfortable and relaxed. He was restrained in his address of the crowd, and emphasized the kind of liberal internationalism that made me think of the very best moments of the Cold War. He referenced the Berlin airlift a number of times, drawing a reaction from the older members of a very young crowd who had no particular memory of that moment in Berlin history. Obama, however insisted upon invoking that sense of place and history -- and the popular reaction was, I would say, hesitant, but positive. Perhaps it was because he gave the speech in English with no German translation...although it did seem as if everyone did speak a form of Euro-English or other. The crowd cheered his statements about cooperation and responsibility in dealing with situations like Darfur and global warming and were less enthusiastic when Obama invoked NATO and the war on terrorism.
As the gigantic crowd broke up, one Scandinavian asked another behind me, "What did you think?" and the other replied, "He was very American." I couldn't help myself and said, "That is how we are, we Americans, we're very American." He laughed and said, "I guess the Swedish are very Swedish!" If the Europeans expected Obama to be European, then they must have been disappointed, but what he was, was something else, -- a poised, level-headed, powerful orator...an American, who could evoke his African roots in the same breath as his love of country.
My son, who was a real hero and waited through the steam security line, and then for two hours for Obama to finally speak, asked me why he didn't say, "Yes, we can!"I tried to explain that that was something that he did in America, and that the Germans didn't really understand the chant, and that that idea of infinite possibility and optimism didn't translate into other languages.
I would say, if there hadn't been two hundred thousand spectators that the Germans are reserved in their curiosity about and enthusiasm for this American, who is after all, so very American, but in this extremely international and cosmopolitan city, the very presence of African housewives, pressed against environmental activists, pressed again young professionals and the occasional football hooligan just goes to show how deeply Obama has resonated with all sorts of people, who find in his very public success as a US presidential candidate grounds for dreams of a different world. In that sense, Obama brought together one of the most diverse crowds I've ever seen in Europe and in his very presence at the foot of a monument whose historical significance he did not fail to cite, he is the very embodiment of that idea we call the American Dream. And in that sense, yes he can inspire us to imagine that we can be dreamers and thinkers, immigrants and fighters for social justice, black and white, Americans and Germans, looking for that critical slice of common ground that we have taken for granted and given up on....
Comments (23)
Thank you for the report.
I watched the live webcast and got the same impression. In some ways this reminded me of a cold war speech. This time the enemy being international terrorism.
Overall, I give it a B+ on the Obama scale. On a McCain scale it would be a A+++.
But speech content aside, the scene on tv was unforgettable....I cannot imagine a republican candidate of the last 20 years mustering such a crowd...people overseas know what the republicans stand for...
A great occasion for Barack Obama, and it shows that Europe hasn't given up on us entirely..
July 24, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for your report!
July 24, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Caliu thank you for sharing.
I watched Obama on CNN and thought he did extremely well.
When the cameras panned the audience I paid attention to the facial expressions to get a sense of their feelings toward Obama.
Although people were applauding they were not smiling -- at least not until about half way through his speech. I noticed a lot of skepticism or what I interpreted to be skeptical expressions, but even that seemed to soften, too.
It is amazing how diverse the crowds are here at home and overseas. As a delegate during the primaries I could not help but notice the vast array of cultures, colours, nationalities of the people joined together in a common cause under the same roof that otherwise would not be. That gives me hope.
I sense that if Obama is elected the "walls" that separate us -- for whatever reason -- will begin to come down, at least to some extent. It will not happen overnight, but it will be the beginning of a process.
Obama's vision of a fairer and more just world is something all of us share. By focusing on what we have in common rather than what divides us is the first step in a series of steps toward manifesting that vision.
Thanks again for sharing your experience.
July 24, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
A really beautiful on-the-ground view of the event. It was impressive on TV. It must have been staggering on the ground, though you might not have gotten the panoramic perspectives we saw at the time. It was quite impressive.
July 24, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
A really beautiful on-the-ground view of the event. It was impressive on TV. It must have been staggering on the ground, though you might not have gotten the panoramic perspectives we saw at the time. It was quite impressive.
July 24, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain pre-Iraq invasion, denouncing Germany for not supporting the Bush invasion of Iraq:
February 11, 2003 press release, Senator McCain said, "The majority of Europe's democracies have spoken, and their message could not be clearer: France and Germany do not speak for Europe.
link
A German Rip Van Winkle from the 1960s would not understand the lack of political courage and cooperation with its allies on the question of Iraq exhibited in Berlin today.
link
McCain would likely be greeted by more security personnel than admirers if he ever tried to give a speech in Berlin.
July 24, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was moving to see all the American flags out there in the crowd. You have to go back to the Clinton to see such enthusiasm in a European crowd.
I've listened to a rebroadcast of the speech and am revising my own initial impression. It was a great speech.
July 24, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the eye witness account. I was out of radio contact all day so missed it all. I'll try to catch it somewhere on TV tonight.
July 24, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Once again Obama has shown that he is able to stir the feelings common to every human being. Whatever this silly criticism of him is that he is too lovey dovey misses the point. He is at home deep within himself. It is that foundation that allows a strong connection with other people and engenders trust. Resonance. Empathy. Essentialness. Humanity. And all in constant abundance. A reminder of higher inner goals that inspire. I am thankful we get another chance to build a great country and a great union among all people........Whew, in the nick of time!
July 24, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
MSM - worse than barking dogs:
The Jennings wannabe anchor on MSNBC:
but Obama is not running for President of Europe, switch to Ohio where McCain is wiping his nose a lot while eating a sausage in a 'German' Diner in the sticks, old white lady says "McCain thinks like us"
ABC, after report from Berlin, Gibson looks like he sat on a large pointy microphone, says voters more concerned with events at home than Obama in Europe, then Gibson cuts away to report on McCain who says - Vote for him because the Surge is leading to victory in Iraq. Gibson does not repeat his mantra on voters focused in the USA.
July 24, 2008 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
At one point in the speech... I cannot remember offhand which line, some in the crowd did invoke the chant "yes we can" briefly and you could also hear chants of "Obama!"
Of course the acoustics from TV are different from where you were in the crowd.
A great report and loved the reference to schnell imbiss -- remembering one of my family favorite diversions when we lived in Germany -- well, back in the last century.... Thanks for the report... and the memories...
July 24, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I heard that "Yes, we can" also. There was something poignant and sorrowful stirred in me by it.
So much hope the people have, all over the world, for someone who will bring a reign of peace and brotherhood....someone who can remove the subtle shackles they feel binding them.
July 24, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I heard the chants too.
July 25, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lux Umbra Dei, I don't think the people in Berlin were thinking of "someone who can remove the subtle shackles they feel binding them." That's exactly the kind of goofy American messianic sentiment that they strongly resent, and that's the kind of sentiment that led so many here to support a stupid war. The folks in Berlin were thinking of someone who could make them believe again in America, someone who could rejoin their love of America and their feelings about its leaders. Someone who won't come to them only when he needs them and then behave like they do not count or matter. They aren't thinking of or looking for a savior. Keep your salvation to yourself. I live in Europe for many years, and I know that what they're hoping for, for America's sake, is someone who would help America redeem itself in the eyes of the world.
July 25, 2008 12:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well said.
But I was not advocating an American Messianism but something far subtler...
Something about closing in and breaking out, about power and goodness, about the open horizon and the bad infinite...
Don't mind my maunderings, you write well and I agree with many of your points.
July 25, 2008 12:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just got to the computer this morning again and haven't had a chance to digest the press coverage.
Charlie Gibson should not have been allowed to comment further on this election after his behavior during ABC sponsored democratic debates, but what do you know? He still has his job.
And those of you who commented that on the ground, there was no panoramic view of the crowd...you're right. I couldn't fathom how many people there were...
NobleCommentDecider is right on to remind of us of what the Republicans were saying about the French and German, who had refused to be treated like puppet states of the Bush regime during the run up to the Iraq War. That's damage that has to be repaired. Obama acknowledged that, which for many Germans, is a hopeful sign!
July 25, 2008 3:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I may prove to be one of those rare moments in history that I will forever wish I was standing in your shoes.
Thanks for taking the time to share it with us.
July 25, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for sharing the on-the-ground perspective. I watched on TV, and while the shots of that huge crowd were impressive, they didn't convey a sense of what it was really like to be there.
I was impressed and touched with the American flags waving. I can't remember the last time crowds in Europe were so positive about America. It gives me hope that we actually can repair the damage that Bush has done.
July 25, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
At least Spiegel wasn't fooled. Read "Obama's Romantic Revolution".
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,568121,00.html
What are all you hapless romantics going to do when you become terminally disappointed? Already you have produced a dazzling array of excuses for his recent, and very UN-progressive, positions.
July 25, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
By TSTRIB:
"He is at home deep within himself. It is that foundation that allows a strong connection with other people and engenders trust. Resonance. Empathy. Essentialness. Humanity. And all in constant abundance. A reminder of higher inner goals that inspire."
Jesus Christ. Are you talking about Ariel Sharon, Jim Jones, the Bhagwan Rajneesh, L. Ron Hubbard, or Idi Amin?
July 25, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Some of you may think that some of us drank the Kool-Aid, but I am not looking for a leader to tell me what to do and make my life better. I do think, however, that the reinvigoration of public life and political participation might give some young Americans more than just a cynical sense that collective life means either competition or philanthropy.
July 26, 2008 3:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Caliu, don't be mad, but you wrote this:
"And in that sense, yes he can inspire us to imagine that we can be dreamers and thinkers, immigrants and fighters for social justice, black and white, Americans and Germans, looking for that critical slice of common ground that we have taken for granted and given up on...."
As Spiegel says, very 'romantic'.
My observation - at least pertaining to myself - is that I didn't need Obama to come along and remind me that dreamers and thinkers, and fighters for social justice, etc etc, were worthwhile and important; nor, as you imply, that they had somehow disappeared and now urgently required inspiration to re-appear. I never took anything for granted, nor have given up. And I'm quite sure this is true for many people.
You are lauding the "re-invigoration of public life and political participation". Okay, good. So do I. But I want thinking and reflective and intelligent participation. Boosh was elected by a re-invigorated public, alright, but surely not a responsible one which was critical and used its brains.
I am more disgusted with the zombies and mob who backed Obama in such a strident and knee-jerk fashion that I am with Obama himself. Witnessing the first election of Boosh changed my life, because I realized that most people (lambs, really) - naive, manipulated, blinded by their illusions - who vote should not be allowed to do so. And I've seen no difference between Boosh-neocon zealotry and the Obama zealotry. Except we can't very well make that a policy, now, can we . . .
Ever since, I have become gun-shy to any 'movement' whose particularly objectionable traits seem to be conformity and mob-mentality. And Obama's supporters largely fitted that description to a Tee. And I am not about to forget it; and I intend to throw it back into the faces of those who so mindlessly allowed themselves to be manipulated and carried along with the tide. Why? Because it is dangerous. It is just as dangerous with an Obama as a Boosh. Obama may be a hundred times the better, but nevertheless it is the mob-conformity of his success that imitates Boosh and Reagan, and Clinton for that matter, exactly. And for me that is an infuriating and painful thing to have to watch.
July 26, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Miki,
I'm not angry with your comments. I have actually been writing about these issues, and I don't want to burden the comments with the academic stuff. Let me just say that I'm not disagreeing with your sentiments about mass movements and their blind leader worship...however, I don't think that it's possible to mobilize people without inspiration.
I think that Bush and the right are authoritarian leaders who endorse the use of violence and illegal tactics....I do think militarism and its proto-fascist fantasies were at play here....
I don't think this is what Obama's leadership is about. The fanaticism of his followers is not something I've actually come into such visceral contact with, and I don't think their idealization of Obama is nearly as dangerous as the idealization of the military and military solutions and illegality that we have lived with for the past eight years.
July 26, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
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