Big Crowds Expected at Obama’s Berlin Speech While Candidate Calls It a “Crap Shoot”
Talking to reporters on his campaign plane early this morning in Tel Aviv, Barack Obama asked reporters what they would do with their down time in Berlin tonight. “You guys got any big plans?” he asked before he said he’d love to “tour around a little bit.”
Rather, the candidate met with Chancellor Merkel, Foreign Minister Steinmeir, and the mayor of Berlin, who presented the presumptive Democratic nominee with a porcelain bear. Admiring his gift, Obama smiled and said, “That’s a beautiful, beautiful bear.”
Following his meetings, Obama dropped by the Ritz Carlton around the corner from his equally opulent hotel to work out. It seems that every time the candidate hits the streets in his conspicuous motorcade, hundreds flock to catch a glimpse along the city’s sidewalks. There was even a big crowd waiting for him at the Ritz - a stop announced to traveling press minutes before he left to work out.
An enormous crowd is expected at Obama’s only public speaking event abroad - to be held in Berlin’s Tiergarten Park tonight. Some foreign press are predicting between 100,000 and 1,000,000 will show up.
But when asked about it on his campaign plane this morning, Obama tried to downplay expectations. “I doubt we’re gonna have a million” show up. “Let’s tamp down expectations here. If we get a few tens of thousands…” he said. “We have really no idea what’s going to happen. Sort of a crap shoot,” Obama said candidly.
The candidate said he began working on the speech about two weeks ago, and said he was happy with the final product. “It should be good,” he told the city’s mayor.
When asked by reporters if he considered it to be a campaign speech, he deadpanned, “As opposed to?”
He then explained, “The people in the crowd aren’t voters, so in that sense its not designed to get them to the polls. You know its not a political rally. Hopefully it will be viewed as a substantive articulation of the relationship I’d like to see between the US and Europe.”
Realizing people at home will be watching, Obama said, “Well I mean, I’m hoping to communicate across the Atlantic about the relationship and how we can build on it.”
Watch Obama discuss the speech here with reporters:
done
I am sure John McCain regrets daring Obama to go abroad. I heard Xindu went NOP and tried to play in the oil slock thinking that would be a good off-shore drilling publicity stunt.
Did you notice the band and preformers on stage befor Obaba made his appearance? Why does he have to have an act to draw crowds? Is he that bad?
The level of media biased coverage isn’t just in America; foreign media sources follow criticisms of American networks. Follow the money trail
http://www.ibdeditorial.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=301702713742569 The level of biased coverage is out of control. The numbers of the polls regarding who people think will win the campaign are 49% for Obama, 27% for McCain and 22% unsure. The question is who you think will win because the “Rock star candidate” is constantly before the cameras. Obama has only been in office for almost 4 years two of which have been spent campaigning.
I have to tell you that I am extremely worried and scared of Obama. A guy who is a presidential canidate but who doesn’t campaign in his own country? He is not the president yet! And the way that he is trying to make the world become one is sounding like an anti-christ to me. I am very religious so you can see how scared I am that he is doing this!
Hey Gimini210, When you get a crowd of more than 100,000 many have been there for hours and hours and a little entertainment to take their minds off of the fact that their feet are hurting and they’re sweaty, etc. is very much appreciated. I know, I was part of the 75,000 in Portland a couple of months ago. We got there about nine hours before the speech so we would get a good spot. As it was we were still about 100 yards away from the stage. I had never heard of the Decemberists, the band that played before Obama spoke, and I didn’t particularly care for them. Believe me, very few people were there to see the band. Perhaps McSame should start having bands play before he misspeaks, er, speaks. Get a five-person band to play and his attendance numbers would double.
Biased coverage? How many national news organizations have edited out HUGE errors in favor of Obama? None. How many for McCain? ONE. And surprisingly it wasn’t Fox News. When McCain starts making news give the news outlets a call. Right now the only news McSame is making is his repeated errors. Why else did he shut down his only presser scheduled yesterday? Kind of silly to complain about media coverage and a bias when you cancel the only press availability of the day. Hey DR, POOF, I just made you a news producer. You have limited resources and you’re responsible for the lead story on that night’s newscast. Where you going to send your camera crew and reporter? To cover McSame’s speech in a half-filled VFW hall or Obama’s speech in front of 100,000-plus?
WHAT A SIGHT!!!! LOL McCain and his camp should of never pressed Obama to go over seas LOL Do they still have that stupid count down clock on their website??
LOL
Anyone who thinks Obama is a Christian is a fool. A Christian does not swear on the Koran, period!! Its easy to critisize McCain for misspeaking, he isn’t scripted like Obama is, as to why Obama won’t do a hometown meeting style. He’s affraid of the questions that will be posed.
Powerful presentation of the issues that matter to the world . He will swing Repubs to him unless his VP choice is Hillary. The Repubs like myself who may stay home or vote third party instead of for McCain will come out of the woodwork, not to vote for McCain but to vote aginst any possibility of a Clinton returning to the white house .
Hey Chuckles, What about Obama in Israel when he “misspoke” about which
committee he was on?
Don’t think I would stand for hours just to hear something like this. Maybe the Portland rain
has gotton to you; you sound “all wet”
I could care less what obama has to say. its all rheotic anyway
i wish him to go away…….
i think mccain knows how hillary felt now, when it was the primaries. everything she SAID WAS BLOWN UP AND SHE GOT NO MEDIA coverage, the men and women of the media are goo-goo eyed for obama and its sickening, to see grown adults act this way, this is something that i have never seen.the worst are chris matthews,keith oberman,jack cafferty, wolf blitzer, msnbc chuck todd,rachel madden and david gregory…..please make it stop,its driving me crazy hearing ALL the time about obama……
well chuckles you showed your intelligence standing in line for nine hours to see a man that has done nothing for this country except win over some dumbasses such as yourself. i hope you get him because you deserve him.
It was a fantastic speech, and it was so wonderful to see Europeans embracing an American Politician again…its been a very long time!
Really Now Caleb??? Just Because someone is popular it doesn’t mean they are the Anti-Christ… I for the life of me will never understand why being liked is a BAD thing??? Bush is hated in the world and it hasn’t made life in America any better or me and my family any safer. Maybe it is us that confuse being disliked by the world as being superior to it. That is what I’m truly afraid of…
very powerful speech about he issues that really matter to the World. A glimmer of hope that America might once again gain the respect she deserves as a leader in steering the world towards a future of hope instead of a future of doom.
He will get my Repub vote as long as he doesn’t pick Hillary as his running mate. I cannot abide the thought of a Clinton in the White House again.
Call me dumb, but I don’t know what vote he’s going after here? These people hate our guts, 60 years ago we were fighting them in the largest, most evil war in the history! I know the public school system has rewriten the history books, but did they take out the part about 60.000.000 dead? and that it was the german’s that started it? WOW This Obama reminds me of my 17 year old son when it comes to history. If this is the face of the new democratic party then god help us
Caleb - You are not the only one who feels this way !
I knew that there were a lot of idiots, who don’t understand anything but, the ignorance of some people never ceases to amaze me. Before you criticize everything that Obama does, take a look at McCain the alzheimer alternative.
RE: Caleb (a worried 17 yr. old teen):
Why are you suggesting that Obama is the anti-christ? If you are as religious as you say you are, perhaps you should trust the Bible and follow it’s teachings. Judge not, that ye be not judged. - Matthew 7:1
He is on a fact finding mission overseas, he is not campaigning for votes over there because they cannot vote in our election. John McCain just finished a trip to Colombia and Mexico, does that mean that he is the anti-christ as well?
Obama team has organized this campaign to an art form and you have to give them credit for that. But that does not change who Obama is.
Obama delivers speeches but is unable to talk freely without ‘hmmming’ a lot or making gaffes.
His rock star status does not change the fact he has some very scary friends and supporters not does it change the fact he attended a racist hateful church for 20 years, nor that he is a dirty manipulating Chicago politician. And this ‘tour du force’ around the world still does not change the fact Obama has no experience especially in international polices or diplomacy. God help us all if Mesia-Obama gets into the white house!
Did you notice the band and preformers on stage befor Obaba made his appearance? Why does he have to have an act to draw crowds? Is he that bad?
*****************************************
Maybe McCain could have a band at the supermaket before he stands in front of the “cheese section”?
By the way, if you guys had not “punked” him into going on this trip, we would not be having this conversation.
Question: What happens when you dare someone to do something, they do it and the response for what they have done is overwelmingly in their favor?
Answer: Ask John Mc Cain… lol….lol….lol…
Obama is a FRAUD!!! His entire campaign and this trip are one big stage show and the media are the props. All staged to perfection - and fake - just like a movie. Obama is NOT qualified and I will not vote for him - guess McCain is a better 2nd choice.
America First…I am not interested if he is liked by socialist,communist, and other liberal leaning countries. I want someone that stands for American priciples not appeasment.
I wish these dems would look at who he is instead of voting out of anger for their past two poor choices for president.
Wright, Ayers, paharakan, Pflager…The list goes on of the shady people that he is associates and friends with.
Hollywood politcs..never thought we would be voting for a fake wannabe hollywood socialist.
The Logan ACT
FROM: A Member of Puma PAC.
People United Means Action, the Voice of the Voters in the Democratic Party (http://blog.pumapac.org)
MESSAGE: We will REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER! THE LOGAN ACT
The Logan Act, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 953, states: Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply, himself or his agent, to any foreign government or the agents thereof for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.
Does trying to bring down a presidential candidate, (republican or democrat) fill your gas tank, put food on your table? We are in trouble no matter who gets elected. And we need someone who doesn’t alienate the world, because we are currently in debt to the WORLD. Especially China. There is going to be a rude awakening for all of us. There is no going back, America is forever changed and not for the better. But let’s adjust and flow instead of sinking.
That was a weak speech, I hate when obama gives a little history in the first part of his speeches. Is he giving his youthful suppoters history lessons? obama has the biggest EGO since Benito Mussilini.
Not one of those idiots watching him pays American Taxes or will cast a vote. NOBAMA. I resent his assumption of his presidency. All that was missing is a crown and robe.
If the “MEDIA” blitzes the world for votes for Senator Obama, then Senator
Obama is doing what they did in the 50’s with Payola to get a song played.
It was criminal then and it is criminal now, there is no unbias where this
Senator is concerned with the media. Reporters from ages ago would be
ashamed of todays Media.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs
Reagan Socialized Medicine….”Obama touts socialized medicine”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pbp0hur9RU
A Time For Choosing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpARv7vsBpA
We will never have another with such testicular fortitude.
Is this the same speech that has the free concert before hand with 2 popular german groups performing?
The one that the people attending are supposed to be forbidden from bringing in their own signs and posters?
The same non-campaign speech that Sen Obama cancelled a visit to the military bases (including lahndstuhl which is where the wounded service members evacuated out of Iraq and Afganistan go to) in Germany for?
ALL I hear on these FOX Blogs is Obama this and Obama that. Complain, Complain, Complain.
You McCain supporters need to find a reason to vote for McCain other that he is not Obama.
Clearly this strategey, is not generating any excitment for McCain.
Most Americans are smart. They will vote on the issues and who they believe is qualified to be President. What the media is doing is meaningless.
How is trying to build unity with other civilized countries a bad thing. We all have seen first hand over the past eight years, that a singular, our way or the highway, approach doesn’t work. I am shocked that people think another four years of our failed policies will do us any good.
How many times do you have to touch the hot stove before you realize it will burn you??
I’m not excitied about McCain as president, he is not my first or even second choice.
But Obama as president scares me, I fundamentally disagree with just about all that he stands (or stood, depending on who he is talking to at that moment) for. I fear that his proposed policies would have grave consequences for America, domestically and abroad.
I fear that America is at a critical crossroads and too many Americans are uninformed on the truth of the World at large let alone the facts and realities of Iraq and Afganistan. Instead of looking for the truth people are content to sit and have the “news” spoonfed to them and take it as fact instead of the biased opinion that it so often is.
Hey Michael did you hear that BO got heckled in Jerusalem. The PROTESTERS SHOUTED
“JERUSALEM IS NOT FOR SALE OBAMBA.
Mike you need to go back to your home base of CNN and MSNBC and not come over here to the FOX forum and spew your trash.
ONE of 18 million PUMA’S that can’t wait for November to show everyone that we don’t forget.
FOX NEWS IS FAIR AND BALANCED.
Richard says, “That was a weak speech, I hate when obama gives a little history in the first part of his speeches. Is he giving his youthful suppoters history lessons?”
I gotta say, at least when Obama gives a history lesson, he get the history correct, which is more than we can say for McCain, as evidenced by his recent gaffe.
By the way, it was McCain himself who challenged Obama to travel overseas (and make no mistake, McCain has spent MUCH more time outside the country during this campaign than has Obama), so why are all of you whiners (to take a word from McCain’s economic adviser) now complaining about Obama traveling abroad? If your own candidate does it and criticizes Obama for NOT doing it, why do you all now feel you have the moral authority to complain when Obama acts more like your candidate and takes your candidate’s advice? Oh, that’s right, you guys always want to have it both ways.
Hey Mike i don’t want to be warm and fuzzy for either of these guys but i will not vote for a fake that says how much he loves this country and hangs out with bombers and racist and is married to somone that is only proud of this country when things are going good for her.There are plenty of people that are hurting out there and are still proud to be an american. Plain and simple the guy is no good for this country let him go to france and be a STAR.
While watching my favorite station, they announced that 63 percent of the people gave BO NO BOUNCE for his trip abroad. Why do I find that not suprising.
PUMA.
IRT Tucson living
“America First…I am not interested if he is liked by socialist, communist, and other liberal leaning countries. I want someone that stands for American priciples not appeasment.”
Exactly, I hate appeasers…stupid cheese-eating surrender-monkeys. Especially people who appease agents of intolerance…like Hagee, Robertson, and Fawell. You tell em’ Tucson!
“Hollywood politcs…never thought we would be voting for a fake wannabe hollywood socialist.”
What like Ronald Regan? Oh yeah, except he wasn’t a socialist just a laze fair capitalist…which is debatably as bad… and you people are bible bumpers? Jesus would have punched you out like the money changers for that type of laze fair capitalism. Oh, and Hollywood is a part of this country like S.F. and the other places conservatives focus their fears.. don’t hate on America.
I was wondering who the hell are these people??? Then I realize it’s Fox website. All makes sense now.
Michael
You need to find a reason to vote for Obama beside the fact he can give a good speech. People are trying to tell the Obama supporters that he is a empty suit. You don’t seem to want to hear any of the reason’s people are not willing to support Obama. The Obama supporters are too busy name calling and making the world think he walks on water. Those who have done the research and have come away with the decision not to support the man have done so with the same conviction that you seem to have for voting for him. Read these blogs and tell me one thing that the Obama supporters have said that sheads light on why anyone should support him except for the fact they say so. Like I said ‘empty suit”.
For a second I was like who are these people? Then I realized it was Fox News website. It all makes sense now.
He couldn’t even speak German, I was shocked! I tihink I saw him kiss himself.
Hey Steve how about obama doesn’t know Tel Aviv is the capitol?
The man can’t speak. Teleprompter please.
Euopeans come out and wait for hours in the heat to hear a snake oil salesman is a suit. Wow, what a bunch of idiots. Seriously, luckily here in America, SMART people are not fooled by this ‘one man show’ that Europe thinks is some sort of rock star. It’s funny to see them all there listening to …….nothing. Funny , Obama’s little trip overseas, and the obvious media bias, has done nothing for him in the polls, in fact, he seems to be dropping a bit. As far as Europe and middle eastern countries favoring Obama for President it makes me want to vote for McCain even more.
d-mac You are 100 % correct. If you look at ousroucing taking out the chance to create our won wealth we are on the way down. I hope we learn to get along instead of balmming each other.
If attracting crowds overseas is the criteria for becoming President of the United States, why don’t we just elect Michael Jackson … he would be just as qualified as Obama.
For some reason, everyone neglects to mention that Obama spoke at a Free Concert.
Maybe all those thousands of young Germans turned up for the two bands that were playing instead coming to hear a speach in english.
Nah, Obama’s charisma is so powerful it transcends language.
More Kool Aid anyone?
I have a good reason to vote for McCain. Obama–
McCains strategey is good . McCain loyal to this country and answers questions. Obama runs.See how he sqarms when they started asking questions and starts walking away. I watch Obama and I am motivated to get out and vote for McCain.
This “Logan Act” is baloney. First off, Obama has authority of the U.S. government - both as a U.S. Senator AND as a presidential candidate. The ignorance on this post is truly amazing. He is an elected official! How many senators have traveled to countries and spoken with authorities - the answer is ALL of them. McCain, as he likes to remind us, has traveled and spoken with heads of states for 20 - 30 years. Is he in contention of the so called Logan Act? Only if you are completely ignorant about what you are talking about - which of course you are. This is why I seldom ever go on Fox News - the least educated people seem to gather there for their news. We will be lucky to have a president as educated and enlightened as Obama. Unfortunately, our education system and indifferent public seem to gravitate to the lowest common denominator, which is how we elected Bush twice, inspite of his absolute and utter failure in all areas.
Bush has humiliated our country repeatedly in front of the world - by his arrogance, his incredible ignorance, and his enormous ineffectiveness. The world is rooting for us to redeem ourselves. Let us hope the racists and ignorance of many Americans will not defeat us, again!
Who cares what the rest of the world thinks of the person we elect to be president? I don’t and I am sick of the media telling me the world hates Bush and they want a democrat to be the president. The rest of the world can just be quiet. Stop telling the United States what to do. We will elect who we want to be our president and they do not have a say in this decision. Only citizens of our great country can elect the president. So for Obama to go over to the Middle East and Europe and pretend he is not campaigning is a joke. But the joke is on him because they can’t vote.
Well, I hope Obama enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame, because it is over for the boy wonder. Here is a test for all you Obama supporters, read a line from his speech and then a line from the song “we are the world” and I bet you will confuse the both of them
if mc cain went to the real berlin in germany i expect he would just about fill a phone box , hes so jealous of obama. instead of talking about his own aspirations all he does is knock obama, it makes mc cain seem so petulant.
Obama should have told the people in Berlin, “Ich bin eine beginner.”
repubs are such sour grapes losers, and obama didnt swear oath on the koran ,he used the bible, how many times do you have to be told that?????? also he dosnt put his wife down with filthy comments, mc caine is a jealous bad tempered old man, he has senior moments regularly,is this who you want to commander-in -chief,how dumb you must be, check other sites besides fox ,you get a wider view of the real world ,but some of you are so red necked and biggotted you wouldnt know a decent and intelligent person if you fell over them,grow up ,being a christian means listening to all sides before painting them what you want , you know obama is decent ,you are so entrenched in the past and bush problems you dont think much at all.
I didn’t know that there was so many anti- obama person out there , but tell me this do you have a reason to hate this man other than because he is black ? ( no ) he have never got a chance from some , they never listen , alway hear what they want to hear . It’s too bad that the colour of the skin play such apart in today world , I really taught we had pass that part in our life . what happen to you respect the person regardless of the colour of their skin ? and to think that most people say that they are christian . we all God’s people . some of the comments make me sick to think that this is the world we live in .
Why dont we form a north american alliance from ecuador to northern part of americas why join in on the euro?
why do we have problems with our countries on our continent. come to together and our alliance will be stronger than the euro.
Comment by Michael from Atlanta
July 24th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
ALL I hear on these FOX Blogs is Obama this and Obama that. Complain, Complain, Complain.
You McCain supporters need to find a reason to vote for McCain other that he is not Obama.
Clearly this strategey, is not generating any excitment for McCain.
==============================================================
You will reap what you sow.
Those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
DR said: “The question is who you think will win because the “Rock star candidate” is constantly before the cameras. Obama has only been in office for almost 4 years two of which have been spent campaigning”
DR, in the past I’ve heard people say they’ll vote for X because he’s handsome, vote for Y because she owns a dog, and so on. So yes, a “rock star” image Will affect the vote, just as a “grampaw” image will affect the vote. The average mental age of the U.S. voter in the 1960s was 12, and America has been deliberately dumbed down since then. In paticular, because of the way television affects neuronal pathways, many people have lost the ability to think analytically and sequentially for any exended period of time. Most people will rely on some ‘authority figure’ to tell them who to vote for.
As to what Obama has done in office, you’re misinformed. His legislative record (and McCain’s) can easily be checked at ProjectVoteSmart.
Well, feels like time for a siesta. I think I’ll listen to some McCain speeches so I can go immediately to sleep. - Talk amongst yourselves.
Yes, LOTS of reasons to vote for McCain, low taxes, strong on terror, free market for healthcare, DRILLL, DRILL, low taxes, minimal nanny state, gun rights, low taxes, over-QUALIFIED, war VETERAN!!!!!
I really don’t understand all the criticism about European politicians and the European ‘friends’ of Obama. Its ridiculous that socialism or social-democrats are seen as ‘evil’-people. I mean look at the United States at the moment; healthcare problems, the low dollar, the bad real-estate market. In the European-Union we all don’t suffer (as much) as the americans do. Paying a little bit more taxes isn’t always bad. I think it would be even a good thing because an other solution to prevent that the debt of the US becomes to big isn’t available. And the free market for healthcare isn’t also a very good thing. Healthcare is (to my opinion) one of the basic principles were a country should take care of. For everybody, rich and poor.