Merkel warns Obama not to use landmark for 'electioneering'

Agence France-Presse ^ | July 9, 2008 | Deborah Cole

[Free ThinkerNY]

BERLIN (AFP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has slammed a request by Barack Obama to give a speech this month before the Brandenburg Gate as inappropriate, her deputy spokesman said Wednesday.

The conservative leader said that while she would be pleased to meet the US Democratic presidential hopeful, it would be wrong for him to hold a "campaign rally" at the historic symbol of German unity.

"It is unusual to do electioneering abroad," spokesman Thomas Steg told reporters.

"It is unusual to hold election rallies abroad. No German candidate for high office would even think of using the National Mall (in Washington) or Red Square in Moscow for a rally because it would not be seen as appropriate."

Authorities in the capital have confirmed that Obama plans to visit Berlin on July 24 and is interested in speaking at the foot of the Brandenburg Gate.

The left-leaning government of the city-state, which has the sole right to approve such a request, has not yet made a formal decision but Mayor Klaus Wowereit gave his backing Tuesday.

Steg said Merkel had "limited understanding" for such a request and found the Obama team's initiative "a bit odd". But he said it was up to candidates such as Obama to decide what was "in good taste".

[NCjim]

Kenedy said "Ich bin ein Berliner" which is perfectly good German. He was expressing unity with the German people. "Berliner" in this case means a resident of Berlin.

"Berliner" is also German slang for what we would call a jelly doughnut, so many non-Germans thought that he had made a mistake. The Germans, for whom the speech was intended, had no problem whatsoever understanding his meaning. Even in those days the MSM had an agenda... sadly.

If I went today to NYC and proclaimed that I was a New Yorker, only the idiots would think that I was claiming to be either a magazine or a Chrysler. :-)

[wolfcreek]

And to think he wanted to reach out the parts of the world the Bush admin. had forsaken. He’s already in trouble.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks Smedley. I’m sure you weren’t alone. Take care.

[DoughtyOne]

It makes perfect sense to me, what he said. I don’t know German, but the concept is very clear.

I appreciate your response.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

There are a few versions of what JFK really said with the “Ich bin ein Berliner” part of his speech. Claims that it translates back into English as “I am a woman ( jelly doughnut, sandwich, and pancake have also been used )” may not be true.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/historical/a/jfk_berliner.htm

[FatherofFive]

He’s an empty suit, and he knows it better than we do.

Empty suits think they are far better than they are. A good man knows his limitations. An empty suit has confidence in his inexperience.

[livius]

Me too! I never thought I’d regard Hillary as almost a statesmanlike figure, but compared to Obama, she sure is. And while I have disliked McCain since day one, he suddenly looks - well, like the guy I’m going to vote for. Pretty amazing.

[E. Cartman]

Ich bin ein Scheisskopf.

Unless a Scheisskopf is something to be eaten, the proper German would be "Ich bin Scheisskopf." Using "ein" changes the meaning completely.

When JFK stood before the Brandenburg Gate and said, "Ich bin ein Berliner," what he was actually saying in German was "I am a jelly doughnut." To say "I am a Berliner," he should have said "Ich bin Berliner."

[Billthedrill]

"It is unusual to do electioneering abroad," spokesman Thomas Steg told reporters.

Not for the first World-Elected President. Why, the election will be a mere formality by then, a little something to mark time between now and the coronation.

We can hope for over-reach but I think the American public is numb enough to it by now not to notice his Nuremburg-in-Colorado moment or the fact that he's on a triumphant world tour before he's even been voted in. Hussein's handlers figure they're giving the Germans the President they want, and see nothing presumptuous about it. Certainly if the newly-crowned Nancy Pelosi can travel the world conducting her own foreign policy a Presidential candidate can do the same. A reminder to anyone snickering - she got away with it.

[bamahead]

Or to be more accurate: Horse-s*it Head.

:)

[True Republican Patriot]

“B. Hussein Obama is a buffoon.”

Buffoon Osama HUSSEIN!!
No wonder the Terrorists LOVE B.O. HUSSEIN!

[CharlesWayneCT]

Ouch. Now foreign leaders have to teach Obama how he’s supposed to act.

If only Barack spoke German instead of Spanish.

[True Republican Patriot]

Amen! Everyone must read your post! This is the truth, the horrifying truth if he scams his way into office.

[pleikumud]

Obama will say: Ich bin ein East Berliner, and Ronald Reagan was wrong to call the USSR an “Evil Empire”..... etc

[Rome2000]

OBAMA/HITLER TRIUMPH OF THE WILL SPEECH

[Cyber Liberty]

But he said it was up to candidates such as Obama to decide what was "in good taste".

To paraphrase that alien in "Scary Movie," we're so screwed.

[j_tull]

it was up to candidates such as Obama to decide what was "in good taste".

Bring it Barry! Do tell us how the Brandenburg gate represents everything wrong with America.

[Doogle]

...he better start thinking about whether or not he should fly Fort Marcy airlines again.
Take his speech writers teleprompter reading skills away and he becomes a stuttering moron who has to correct or explain the previous days comments or statements... and he has to remember who he's talking with because he talks out of both sides of his mouth

[Monkey Face]

Maybe he should try Dachau? I mean, if he wants to really throw his hat into the ring, he may as well do it up right.

I keep hoping he’ll really mess up...this may be his chance...

;o]

[newzjunkey]

Urban legend.