Obama Arrives in Berlin
(CBS)
(BERLIN, GERMANY) Barack Obama's speech at Tiergarten Park tonight has garnered a lot of attention and some criticism that the presumptive Democratic nominee did not expect to receive.
"Let's tamp down expectations here," Obama told reporters when asked how he prepares to speak to what some reports predict could be a crowd of a million people. "I doubt we are going to have a million screaming Germans," Obama predicted, however.
On the flight to Berlin, Obama chatted with the traveling press, asking them how they are enduring the rigorous schedule.
"I'm doing ok," Obama said of himself adding that he hasn't been getting much sleep. Despite a little chit chat, the conversation quickly turned to questions about the speech, and after a little hesitation, he gave a few nebulous details.
For one, Obama said the speech will not be a "wonkish policy speech" but it's not exactly a campaign stump either. "The people in the crowd aren't voters, so in that sense it's not designed to get them to the polls," he explained.
Will portions be in German? "Probably not," Obama said, "My German is not real good.".
When asked if he looked to the Kennedy or Reagan speeches in Berlin for guidance, Obama replied, "They were presidents and I am a citizen."
How long did it take him to write it? About two weeks, though he spent an extra half hour on the plane after landing in Berlin to tweak his remarks.
So what exactly is the speech about? "A substantive articulation of the relationship I'd like to see between the United States and Europe."
I guess we have to wait until tonight to hear the speech for ourselves
Perpetual War, Mismanaging of Federal Treasury Funds, and Fear Mongering.
Increased Governmental $pending while cutting Taxes to the Wealthy.
Unfair Taxation of the Middle Class.
High prices for GASOLINE, Electricity, and Everything Else!
High Medical Costs and Prescription Drugs.
Pollution.
Invasion of Privacy, and disregard for our Constitution.
Corruption, Corruption, Corruption.
Religious Hypocrisy and Abuse of Tax Laws.
Politicalization of the Justice Department.
Degradation of our Infrastructure.
Continued export of American Jobs to overseas Slave Labor.
Decline in US stature and respect of the World Community.
Voting against one%u2019s own better interests is stupid.
The question is, are you implying that the fix is already in for the 2008 election? It certainly sounds like it.
And for CBS, it has been a traitor to truth and to the American people for at least the last 7 and half years as enablers of, and propagandists for, the Illegal War in Iraq and other major crimes by the Bush Administration.
Finally they were caught with their pants down, doing what they have been doing for years with the phony interview of John McCain.
The only thing that could be said about CBS can be summed up in three words---Corporate Bull ***!
America has awakened. We''re simply "not going to take it any more"---to quote a famous movie line.