'Obama in Berlin: Skepticism reigns in
Germany's regional press.
Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
German Newspaper Review on Obama: 'No He Can't'
"Yes he can:
appeal to and inspire the masses, even in Berlin. But one thing's for sure:
Obama will not be able to fulfill all the high hopes being placed in him. No,
he can't."
Despite all the enthusiasm over
the Democrat in recent days - the balance of his speech is rather sobering.
German commentators are largely in agreement: If Obama in fact becomes US
president, disappointment will not be long in coming.
Yes he can: appeal to and inspire
the masses, even in Berlin. But one thing's for sure: Obama will not be able to
fulfill all the high hopes being placed in him. No, he can't. If one carefully
scrutinizes the contents of the U.S. senator's speech, it's striking to see how
paltry and disappointingly shallow it turned out to be. He sounds like a
pacifist and pulls you in when he proclaims his vision of a nuclear-free world.
But Obama also hasn't failed to stress the need to maintain a tightly-woven
network of U.S. military bases around the globe. In the event of an election
victory, Obama is determined to continue with the traditional role of the
United States as the world's policeman. And on climate change, he proposes no
concrete objectives. Unfortunately, the parallels with George W. Bush are
striking.
BARACK OBAMA'S
SPEECH AT BERLIN'S VICTORY TOWER, JULY 24
Weser-Kurier (Bremen):
Whatever the ultimate
consequences of this pre-state visit, it concluded rather soberly: In terms of
foreign policy, states tend to very clearly define their own interests. This
also apples to the United States. These interests generally
change very little, whether a Clinton, Bush or Obama occupies the White House.
In this respect, should Obama win the election, little beyond the style of
transatlantic cooperation is likely to change; he will perhaps deal a little
more with one country and a little less with another, since there is only so
much room to maneuver. However, the oratory skills of this politician are
beyond a doubt. Those who witnessed his speech must have been encouraged -
together with America - to do well around the globe. A brave new world. The
best thing would be if Obama could forever remain a candidate. Should he become
president, reality will threaten to do away with the pathos.
Now he's gone again. The "Superstar,"
"Superman" or even tastelessly, the "Redeemer" - as many in
the media have enthusiastically rushed to baptize him. Would one be considered
a killjoy or a realist to ask in a good old Berlin dialect: "Do you happen
to have it in a smaller size?" Barack Obama is still just a charismatic
candidate for the U.S. presidency. His differing looks, mannerisms and
aspirations especially fascinate us Germans -open to romanticism as we are, since
we so regularly lament the mediocrity of our own political officials. Our
genial guest serves as a screen upon which the excessive expectations and
unfulfilled hopes of the United States - the preeminent power - are being
projected. To be sure, despite starting out on the left, this Democrat's
campaign trail is already leading him to America's political center, where
being a diplomatic bulldozer and using military force are seen as legitimate
means of pursuing national interests. Obama is an inexperienced politician -
not yet a statesman. Could he become one? His melodious words in Berlin leave
this question unanswered. Many observers of the United States consider Obama to
be a "political soufflé." If that is the case, it would be better if
the American voter manages to collapse it just in time - if only to save us
from disappointment as well.
Neue Ruhr Zeitung (Essen):
… Yet as president, Obama must
not only speak beautifully, he must act. And in the battle against terrorism,
he wants the Europeans and above all the Germans, to fulfill their obligations.
Obama's Berlin visit was a stage in his election campaign, but it was also a
signal. Collectively, he wants us to take on the problems, which could perhaps
mean that as president, it wouldn't be enough for him to simply turn the
coalition of the willing into a coalition of willing payers. He wants more -
including militarily - in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere. Yet in regard to the
apparent "climate change" in the United States, the Federal Government
still has no answer. Only one thing is certain: It's unlikely that as
president, Obama will receive such a warm welcome.
Braunschweiger Zeitung
(Braunschweig)
Barack Obama's speech in front of Berlin's Victory Column remained
unconcrete. The man, who wants to be the new U.S. president come November, held
on to empty phrases by reminding again and again, the common history and
responsibility of Europe and the United States. But even if the right message
was missing, his appearance demonstrated just how high people's expectations
are for Obama. They yearn for a superpower with a human face. One that not only
demands, but also understands the concerns of others. At least in this regard,
Barack Obama stands second to none.
Schwäbische Zeitung (Leutkirch):
The enthusiasm for the Democratic candidate-designate for the
office of President has so far been due to his freshness and dynamism. The
issues for which Obama stands are less interesting. After eight difficult years
with the clumsy George W. Bush, it was enough for him to simply utter the
rather sponge-like term "change." But should Obama succeed in being
elected president, his oratory gifts won't be enough to impress the rest of the
world. He demands more than just solidarity in words: he insists on a Europe
that accepts its responsibility as a great power. That might diminish his
popularity rather quickly.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
That
Germany nevertheless cheers for the American is due to a longing for certain
emotions. Obama is seen as a People's Tribune , a preacher,
and for many, even a kind of political messiah. Those looking for a
"German Obama" will only encounter people like Ronald Pofalla ,
Dirk Niebel , Claudia Roth or Hubertus Heil .
The latter recently made a fool of himself at an SPD rally when he uttered the
Obama-slogan "Yes, we can." The sobering result was: "No, he
can't."
However:
emotionality and charisma alone won't save the global climate, nor will they
help overcome the economic crisis and lead the Near East [Middle East] toward a
more peaceful future. Politics is not "ersatz-religion."
It is characterized by the fact that it recognizes problems and effectively
solves them. Whether Obama can actually do that, we become known in the New
Year - if at all.
