Early reaction to Obama’s Berlin speech
The full text of the speech - “A World That Stands As One” - can be found here. Video is here.
Personally, I think Obama has done better, both rhetorically and delivery-wise — this wasn’t his best effort. But it’s very possible that the huge hype that has been building over this speech for the past two weeks (and the fact that it was inevitably going to be compared to the legendary speeches given by JFK and Reagan at the opposite end of the same plaza) make it understandable that Obama didn’t quite live up to what might have been unrealistically high expectations.
A roundup of initial reaction to Obama’s speech:
- Politico story: “Obama promises to ‘remake the world.’
“…His 27-minute speech at the gold-topped Victory Column was interrupted by applause at least 30 times, with occasional audience chants of “O-ba-MA!”
Billed as a speech about Transatlantic relations, it turned out to be a manifesto for the planet, with an appeal to “the burdens of global citizenship.”
Local authorities said the crowd was more than 200,000 — triple Obama’s previous record of 70,000 in Portland, Ore.
- TNR’s Noam Scheiber: “Rhetorically, I thought it was one of the better speeches of the campaign–the exact right combination of love for America and plea for international cooperation.
[...]My only concern was the atmospherics. Every pundit I’ve heard opine on this has held up the imagery as the most valuable take-away for Obama today. I’m not so sure. In addition to looking a little too much like a mega-campaign rally for some voters’ taste….I worry that the combination of the visual and some of the rhetoric–”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”–was a little too post-nationalist for the typical American swing-voter.”
- Daily Kos comments section:
“You could not watch this speech and not be moved.”
“…today JFK would be very proud of Barack Obama. What a fabulous speech!”
Kathleen Parker: “Obama’s speech struck me as so riddled with clichés that even he was bored. It seemed like his speechwriters went through a bunch of old speeches, pulled favorite phrases and strung them together between a few poll-approved Big Ideas. I had the weary feeling I’d been there and heard that. And Obama seemed to feel it, too.”
Amy Holmes: “Unlike JFK, Clinton, or Reagan, Obama’s purpose in Berlin was essentially self-serving. The great cause at stake was his own campaign — not the threat of Communism, or adapting to a post-Communist world. The great purpose to which Obama was asking his Berlin audience to rally was his own presidential aspirations. Pretty thin, not the stuff of history books. And so far the American public agrees. All of the hoopla leading up to this moment has been in the press — not in the polling. Obama has yet to see a Berlin bounce. Maybe the visuals will help. The text was forgettable.”
- Huffington Post’s Frank Schaeffer: “We are watching history unfold. This life-long Republican white man is moved, humbled and changed. Tens of thousands of people who have been highly critical of our country gather to hear an American political figure. They are not burning our flag. Instead they wait, as we do, for the new day. God bless you Senator Obama. Thank you.”
- Ann Althouse: “I’ll summarize: Come on, people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another, right now.”
- Sister Toldjah: “I feel like I just ate a York Peppermint patty.”
- WashPo’s Chris Cillizza: “The speech had clear — and intentional — echoes of what, in our mind, is the strongest element of Obama’s message: the time for change is now. “People of Berlin, people of the world, this is our moment,” Obama declared…Obama’s candidacy is fueled by the idea — unspoken but very real — that a man and a moment have met, and the result could be the fundamental alteration of not just American politics but the way in which countries see their role in the global community. “We cannot afford to be divided,” Obama warned.”
- McCain campaign: “While Barack Obama took a premature victory lap today in the heart of Berlin, proclaiming himself a “citizen of the world,” John McCain continued to make his case to the American citizens who will decide this election. Barack Obama offered eloquent praise for this country, but the contrast is clear. John McCain has dedicated his life to serving, improving and protecting America. Barack Obama spent an afternoon talking about it.”
A CENTRIST,
TAPPER the reporter sounds like a McCain fan and an Obama hater, just like you, doesn’t he. By the way, what was your point in pasting this reporter’s disgruntled opinion, could you explain that to us?
Your comment for me was left under the incorrect thread you are responding to my suggesting that you do some research on the Enron loop-hole?
Just listened to the speech. Not bad, nothing great but certainly not bad. I’m not sure I get how he is abusing the electoral process as Think states. Did y’all notice he had his flag pin on? By the way, in order to “assure a large audience” you have the free concert after the speech, not before. People tend to leave after the music if that’s all they came for. I doubt 200,000 showed up on a weekday to hear Reamonn and Patrice and stayed because, by the way, that American is here.
Just like every other speech he’s made, I thought that it was vacuous and completely forgettable. I don’t know where people get the idea Obama’s a great orator. He isn’t. It doesn’t take much effort to speak in gauzy platitudes. If you pay attention, it’s obvious that despite all the flourish, he doesn’t say anthing meaningful at all.
I think one the main reasons for Obama’s popularity is because we’ve become so accustomed to poor rhetorical and critical thinking skills. When someone comes along who can string together a complete, although not necessarily cogent sentence, we think they’re Demosthenes.
Question: If a Republican candidate for president staged a campaign rally for a mass German audience in a park that celebrates Prussian military victories in wars of conquest (which just so happened to be the favorite war memorial of a certain 20th century German chancellor who shall remain unnamed), do you think it would raise an eyebrow?
The Enron loop-hole? You asked me who was in concert before Obama’s speech and I told you to do your own research which now Bob was kind enough to help you out.
Like I said, Tapper works for ABC - not FOX - so I don’t think he is an Obama hater and neither am I. Where did you get that impression? Why would I hate Obama?
A CENTRISTS,
Just because Tapper works for ABC doesn’t mean he is not an Obama hater, where is the common sense here?
Also, maybe I missing something, but please explain how what Bob has pasted helped anyone out to understand the ridiculous point that you were attempting to make?
Go-Fish; How is anyone supposed to answer that question? I’m certainly not phsycic and I doubt you are. Since the park was there before the Victory Tower I don’t think it’s dedicated to any wars. I’m not sure what the fixation with Hitler is all about but he’s been dead for over 60 years and the German people have not seen fit to move the monument so I guess they like it there. Maybe ol’ Adolf had a good eye for landscaping.
Poor neo-cons. They have spent the past months criticizing Senator Obama for his “lack of experience” and “lack of international experience”.
So now that Senator Obama is making the grand tour and listening to the various leaders any President may have to work with, and now the neo-cons are slamming him for making the trip. Particularly when he makes a speech at a location the German government chose for him.
McCain’s people are boo-hooing that the press did not cover his grand tour in the same manner. Of course, rhetorically, Senator McCain is not the most dynamic speaker, although I do give him good marks in the “town hall” format.
By the way, Senator Obama is not running for presdient of the world, that was a term used by the German press, which the verbally challenged neo-cons have seized upon because they could not top it.
One last thought. Senator Obama does need to remember he is running for President of the US. After his grand tour, look for him to do more here where his voters are.
D. Walker, I know you can’t help but bow down and worship the king, and must give him all the glory in very post you make here. But let’s be serious for a minute … Obama may be stone cold chillin’, but he is certainly NOT an executive of the caliber he seeks to portray. JFK was elected to congress 14 years before he became President. Reagan, who was parodied for his lack of experience, served as governor of California for 8 years prior to becoming President. Obama has been a senator for less than three years, and has no executive experience at all. Yet because he gives a good speech, somehow he is the messiah?
It think we have 2 good candidates for once.
There is no such thing as THE PERFECT CANDIDATE.
I wish McCain would keep some of his Maverick spirit that he’s always had, but as is politics he and Obama are moving toward the center.
Wake up strictly partisan people-
THEY ARE BOTH FLIP-FLOPPING/ERS! (the most annoying term around)
I’m also a bit disappointed in all the negative campaigning from McCain (not PACs but his people)
continue grumbling everyone!