Guardian UK: Obama speech expected to draw at least 100,000 after meeting w/ Merkel

[marmar]

Obama speech expected to draw at least 100,000 after meeting with Merkel
Elana Schor and agencies
guardian.co.uk, Thursday July 24, 2008



More than 100,000 people are expected to attend a speech by Barack Obama in Berlin today as he starts the European leg of his foreign tour.

The rally will follow talks on Afghanistan with the German chancellor, Angela Merkel.

He arrived in Berlin after two days in the Middle East where he outlined a newly hawkish line on Iran's nuclear programme and appealed to US Jewish voters by pledging "unshakeable commitment to Israel's security".

Obama's campaign organisers originally hoped the US presidential candidate would speak at the Brandenburg Gate – the site of visits by John F Kennedy and Ronald Reagan – but settled for the Victory Column war monument after Merkel objected to the famous landmark.

The chancellor and Obama are scheduled to hold talks before his speech, with Nato's role in Afghanistan high on the agenda. Merkel has forged a bond with fellow conservative George Bush since her election, reversing the slide in US-German relations brought on by Berlin's refusal to endorse the Iraq war.

Merkel appeared to warm to Obama yesterday, when she told a news conference that the young American candidate "is well-equipped physically, mentally and politically".

Reporters followed up by pressing the chancellor on the now-famous shoulder rub Bush gave her during the 2006 G8 summit in Russia. Asked whether she anticipated getting another massage from Obama or McCain, Merkel quipped: "That's not really up to me. But I wouldn't resist." ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/24/uselections2008.barackobama

[saltpoint]

1. Upwards of that many people listening to a promising candidate for

the U.S. presidency makes me feel really good.

Hugs to all those people who gather to lend their ears and cheers for Barack Obama for being the one who prmopted that caliber of attention.

This is not an "Old Europe" thing, or a "New America" thing; it's a Common Future thing.

[opihimoimoi]

2. no shit...he does me proud. 100,000 people will send a screaming message

this Obama is Special.

They know....How America goes...so goes much of the developed World....They want Obama to be our president....its for the good of the World...

[thewiseguy]

3. I was expecting more

[Dawgs]

4. You've got be kidding.

100,000 would be larger than the turnout in Portland.

[thewiseguy]

5. No I am not kidding you. They were talks of possibly a million attending.

100,000 falls way short of that.

Obama admitted today that his campaign may have set very high expectations with this speech which was not a good thing.

[saltpoint]

6. True. The people there want to root for us, and they

want to root for Obama.

They've had to endure Bush from a distance, even as we've had to put up with him on the home theater.

[opihimoimoi]

7. McVain is fading fast....we might see him drop out soon....the Pubs are flummoxed no end.

The German Peeps are smart...they know a good thing....and they want him as our president....I hope it comes true