Behind Obama's Berlin Wall snub

Real Clear Politics ^ | 11/3/09 | Rich Lowry

[SueRae]

In his first year in office, Barack Obama has visited more foreign countries than any other president. He's touched ground in 16 countries, easily outpacing Bill Clinton (three) and George W. Bush (eleven). It's an itinerary befitting a "citizen of the world."

But there's one stop Obama won't make. He has begged off going to Berlin next week to attend ceremonies commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall. His schedule is reportedly too crowded. John F. Kennedy famously told Berliners, "Ich bin ein Berliner." On the 20th anniversary of the last century's most stirring triumph of freedom, Obama is telling them, "Ich bin beschäftigt" - i.e., I'm busy.

Receive news alerts

Sign Up

Rich Lowry RealClearPolitics foreign policy Barack Obama

berlin wall

[+] More

It doesn't have quite the same ring, does it? Obama's failure to go to Berlin is the most telling nonevent of his presidency. It's hard to imagine any other American president eschewing the occasion. Only Obama - with his dismissive view of the Cold War as a relic distorting our thinking and his attenuated commitment to America's exceptional role in the world - would spurn German president Angela Merkel's invitation to attend.

[SueRae]

He makes me sick. I am sick each day knowing that a dumb-downed and/or easily brainwashed electorate put such a dangerous, embarassing, anti-American clod in to office.

[KarlInOhio]

Let's hope we have a better president for the 25th anniversary of the fall of the wall.

[jessduntno]

“He has begged off going to Berlin next week to attend ceremonies commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall.”

He’s still in mourning...

[Doogle]

plain and simple....HE CAN'T MEASURE UP TO THE GIPPER

[sickoflibs]

Sept 13, 1939 USSR (Russia) invades Eastern Poland

Sept 13, 2009 Obama betrays Poland to Russia

[SJSAMPLE]

Obammy knows he’ll have to stand in Reagan’s shadow, and shout to overcome the echos of “Tear down this wall!!!”.

He can’t match up, so he ain’t going to show up.

[ecomcon]

It’s because he laments the fall of communism in Europe, and doesn’t see it as something to be celebrated.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Darn tootin’!!!!!!!

[originalbuckeye]

Bingo!

[ElayneJ]

So - obama received an invitation from Angela Merkel - and he’s turning it down. He’s turning down an opportunity to show the world that he really does support democracy and opposes communism. I find this almost impossible to believe. It would be a great PR stunt and photo op if nothing else. Does he think he doesn’t even need to pretend to support America’s ideals?

[Bigg Red]

mark

[VanDeKoik]

Obama isn’t going to go celebrate a defeat.

[Daisyjane69]

Why should anyone expect him to celebrate this?

He is trying to reinstitute the same system here, only HE THINKS HE IS GOING TO DO IT RIGHT, THIS TIME.

This time, it will be a raging success. (In the world according to the doofus.)

[MotorCityBuck]

Merkel is on TV now speaking to Obama in Austrian :)

[GoCards]

Me too. I cant stand this man. I cant even look at him.

[billhilly]

Obama is highly qualified to be president...of a small town Rotory club.

[SueRae]

:-). Thanks. As one who worked behind the scenes in industry at the time, I take pride in knowing that our efforts helped bring about the collapse of Communism under Ronald Reagan. Yup, about another 5 years, we’ll have another like him. :-) Thanks for cheering me up.

[Oatka]

Kennedy famously told Berliners, "Ich bin ein Berliner."

Obama says "Ich bin ein Beginner."

[MuttTheHoople]

Ich Bein Ein Kommissar.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

President...of Suriname.