Obama spoke to larger crowd in Berlin than the one that turned out for John Kennedy. A poll question that put Obama over two-to-one over McCain was, "Who will improve the image of the United States?" Obama's Muslim and African roots and, yes, his skin color, (all from his dead beat dad) do give him a certain "one of us" appeal to people in the Middle East. His comparative youth and ideas of change appeal to Europeans. This does not mean Arabs and Europeans embrace him without reservation; there are plenty of both have said as much. Compared to an aged McCain associated with George Bush, the contrast is pretty dramatic.

Strangely, Obama did not visit wounded soldiers in a military hospital while in Germany. The "pentagon" advised that "it would not be appropriate," as Obama is a campaigning candidate, not the chief executive. He did visit wounded troops in Iraq, and no negative comment was made.

As to not giving details with his Berlin speech, I'd not use that to jump to conclusions. Despite the deluge of media coverage, we don't know what views or ideas were "really" exchanged with world leaders and perhaps never will. 

If Obama's tour be the stuff of rock stars, then rock on. 

Well said, catpaw.

This was just a trial run, a dress rehearsal for soon-to-be President Obama. You think 200K people anywhere would come out to listen to McCain? Uh....no.

Another reason I dislike Obama, not only did he say that he opposes the surge even though it worked, but he wont visit the troops there because he cant bring in camera and get a bunch of coverage, if he cared at all or meant anything he says he would have visited the wounded troops.

But he didn't. What kind of crap is this?!!!?? The pentagon can't allow the military to pick sides so they said no camera and all the media, just him a couple advisers and that's it, no rock star event. But Obama and his camp didn't think it worth doing with out the press.

Obama is going to lose this election and thank god for it.

The only reason such large crowds show up for him is because he has very popular bands put on concerts for free, right before he takes the stage. The majority of those people only show up for the free concert.

The mainstream media isn't covering this part..........................

No, tony, the reason such large crowds show up for him is that unlike John McBush, Obama is not simply four more years of failure.

It's not Obama's fault that McBush can't fill a diner even with free bratwurst.

Wrong again, RF

Obama speaking to larger crowds in Berlin than Kennedy doesn't say a lot considering the media coverage now as opposed to the coverage then.  Probably three fourths of Germany didn't even know who or what Kennedy was in the early 60's.  When comparing noted figures, people tend to forget that the world is a lot smaller and a lot more people know what's going on these days.

If you want an enemy to know what you're up to for instance,  you can thank a reporter.

Tony, you *KNOW* better.  Just repeating the lies spread by the Oxycontin King doesn't make them any less lies.

Obama pulls five times larger crowds than the bands do.  Just admit that after seven years of the Worst President in History, the world wants to see America   And they *DON'T* want to see four more years of Bush, which is what McBush is promising.

.

Nancy, that's not true.  Reporters didn't tell Bush's enemies--the American people--one-tenth of what he and his fellow crooks were up to.

If you believe that RF, then IF your boy gets into office, you can believe the same thing will happen with him.

"If you want an enemy to know what you're up to for instance,  you can thank a reporter."

Reporters didn't come up with the brilliant idea of color-coded security days, Nancy, one of the dumbest ideas ever out of th Bush league Administration.

BS, Tony...keep dreaming. Obama is going to be elected President on Nov. 4, 2008.

Still not feelin the Obama hubris yet.

Is it gonna take an endorsement from God for me to get interested in Obama?

Why can't I stop yawning?

Please, someone lend their pair of Obama-colored glasses.  I wanna be part of the group.

I guess you just gotta "have faith."  ; )

I find it funny that you guys criticize Obama for not acting "presidential" then on another day, he's acting too Presidential. I'm sure none of the McSame-iacs even read or heard his speech either, so your critique is most likely repeated from another source. It was another great, historical speech with the same message he's been trying to get out the whole campaign. Hope, unity and improving the world situation together. 

tonyh, Which "very popular" band(s) played before he came on in Berlin? (hint: there's a reason it wasn't reported)

Ellis, did you read or hear the speech?

still voting for obama , funny florida i like that. but i think that was the little man bush cabinet, because homeland security

in new orleans was a cartoon

tonyh, did you find out which bands played yet?

Maybe you should back up what you say rather than post lame pictures.

None of the names mean anything to me, but my kids knew who they were.

My teenaged boys were the ones telling me about Obama having free concerts before he speaks in public.

I don't think the pictures are lame Pee-Pee. I think they're funny.

If you want to know the names of the bands, go out and find them yourself. I'm busy.

None of the names made me want to go and see.

I don't consider you a good judge of what's "lame" so don't worry about it. 

So your last statement about not wanting to see those bands just contradicted what you said earlier. That the only reason all those people were there was to hear bands play. They were there to see Obama plain and simple. You have to admit, it was an impressive crowd.Did you realize they chanted USA USA USA for him? I doubt any foreign crowd ever did that for Bush, or McCain.

My last statement didn't contradict anything. My Teenagers wanted to see those bands. If they could, they would have gone just for that. I'm not in my teens, twenty's or even thirty's and, at my age, don't give a hoot about those bands. The people showing up in the crowds for Obama are of those ages who are though.

Oh, and Pee-Pee, I don't consider you to be in possession of good judgment period. You really should do more with your life. Go places. Do things. Judgment comes with experience. These are things that I tell my 16 year old Son. His judgment is about as good as yours at this point............................................ .....

If you believe that RF, then IF your boy gets into office, you can believe the same thing will happen with him.

Oh, I don't for a moment think the US media will let Obama get away with anything.  They support the Right Wing, remember?  Remember how they ripped into Clinton over his *CHRISTMAS CARD LIST*?  Over one of Chelsea's slumber parties?

I'm quite sure the media will snap back awake as soon as Shrub slinks off.  And, of course, they'll consider any crimes *HE* committed "old news."

Considering the damage President Bush's administration has done to the reputation of the United States, I'm surprised to see anyone AT ALL show up in Berlin. But Half-A-Million people?  Europe IS far more vulnerable to terrorist attack than we are, so you can understand why Germans would love to see the tensions in the Middle East reduced or eliminated.

The thing I recall best about John McCain (I recall because I do admire him on a certain level) is his criticism of the lack of stamps on Obama's passport.  It made ME think twice about Obama's qualifications in foreign policy.  Senator McCain talked about this lack of travel incessently while Obama was still engaged in his campaign struggle with Senator Clinton.

I thought at the time that Obama really didn't have the leisure to abroad when his campaign was still struggling to earn the nomination.  McCain emerged early as the GOP nominee, so he had a head start in getting out there and looking Presidental by visiting foreign nations.

So, after all the criticism of Obama for not showing any foreign relations skill, it's just mystifying to me why now, when Obama goes to the MIddle East and Europe and creates a wealth of good feeling between our country and the nations he's visited, why is it TODAY a big criticism of Obama for DOING what he was criticized for NOT doing?

Too little, too late? Apparently not when 500,000 people show up to greet you in a country that declined the invitation to turn Iraq into a rocky place where people used to live.

Must be political.  

The only reason such large crowds show up for him is because he has very popular bands put on concerts for free, right before he takes the stage. The majority of those people only show up for the free concert.

So why did everyone stay through his speech?

Didn't think of that before making such an outlandish claim, did you?

This is yet another reason why McCain is going to lose:

What McCain is claiming today:

“From the early days of this war, I feared the administration was pursuing a mistaken strategy, and I said so.”

What McCain actually said during the early days of the war:

EARLY 2003: MCCAIN PREDICTED A SHORT WAR IN IRAQ, SAYING “WE WILL BE WELCOMED AS LIBERATORS”

McCain: Predicted a “Brief, Successful War In Iraq.” In March 2003, just prior to the start of military operations in Iraq, McCain said on the floor of the Senate, “The costs of these enterprises are not known with any degree of certainty at this time. Nor are the costs we will incur after what I believe, what I fervently, hope, will be a brief, successful war in Iraq, as we seek to establish the foundations for a peaceful, stable and democratizing Iraq.” McCain also added, “I believe the war in Iraq can be concluded successfully in a relatively brief time.” (Congressional Record, 3/18/03)

McCain Proclaimed “There’s No Doubt In My Mind…That We Will Be Welcomed As Liberators.” “There's no doubt in my mind that once these people are gone that we will be welcomed as liberators,” McCain said on MSNBC’s Hardball in March 2003. (MSNBC, “Hardball”, 3/24/03)

McCain: Iraq War Will Be “Relatively Short.” During a March 2003 interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” McCain said, “I believe that this conflict is still going to be relatively short. I believe we’ve achieved significant goals and successes.” (NBC, “Meet the Press,” 3/30/03)

McCain: End of Iraq War “Very Much In Sight.” In interview on ABC’s Good Morning America, McCain was asked “At what point will America be able to say the war was won?” McCain replied. “We've still got the oil fields in the north that have to be secured. Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown, I would imagine there'll be some die hards there that, but I think that we, it, it’s clear that the end is very much in sight, and today I think Americans should be very proud of their leadership, their technology…There are still some foreigners, Syrians and others hanging around. But it won’t be long. It will be a fairly short period of time, but this happens in wars. I’m confident that once they are confident the area is no longer a threat to the Marines and to or army troops that they’ll start imposing discipline. In the meantime, we’ll have a short period of chaos.” (ABC, “Good Morning America”, 4/9/03)

McCain Said He Was “Sure” The End Of Conflict In Iraq Was Near. During an appearing on “Lou Dobbs Moneyline,” McCain was asked, “Is it your judgment that we are near the end of this conflict?” McCain replied, “Oh, I’m sure that’s true.” (CNN, “Lou Dobbs Moneyline,” 4/10/03)

· SUMMER 2003: MCCAIN SAID THE “MAJOR CONFLICT” WAS OVER IN IRAQ

McCain: “The Major Conflict” Is Over. McCain said in 2003, “I have said a long time that reconstruction of Iraq would be a long, long, difficult process, But the conflict, the major conflict is over ... The regime change is accomplished.” (Fox News, “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” 6/11/03)

McCain Proclaimed “Massive Victory” in Iraq and Credited Combat-Readiness for "Our Victory" in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom demonstrated to the world what we saw just 12 years ago. We went to war as the most combat-ready force in the world. The value of that readiness is clear. We won a massive victory in a few weeks, and we did so with very limited loss of American and allied lives. We were able to end aggression with minimum overall loss of life, and we were even able to greatly reduce the civilian casualties of Afghani and Iraqi citizens. . . . Our technology edge in Afghanistan and Iraq would have been meaningless if we did not have men and women trained to use it. Having the best weapons system platforms in the world would not have given us our victory if we had not had the right command and control facilities, maintenance capabilities, and munitions." (Congressional Record, 5/22/03)

McCain: The Mission Is “Accomplished.” In an interview with Salon.com. McCain said, “I just think -- as I said -- I think we will find weapons of mass destruction. Now, I think it's entirely appropriate now that regime change has been orchestrated -- and though the danger is certainly not over, the mission is ‘accomplished’ -- it's appropriate to have a hearing.” (Salon, 6/13/03)

TSM,..............

Aw, never mind. You're more trouble than you're worth. I won't even try.............................................. .

McCain today on CNN: "Iraq War has had a positive impact on Afghanistan"

More American and coalition troops died in Afghanistan last month than during any other month since the American-led invasion began in 2001, the latest evidence of a strengthening Taliban insurgency that has menaced NATO forces and reclaimed control over some southern and eastern parts of the country.

A recent Pentagon report about Afghanistan painted a stark picture of security conditions inside the country, a militant force that had “coalesced into a resilient insurgency” and a central government in Kabul that still could not extend its reach into the hinterlands. An American commander, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser, has said that militant attacks on coalition troops increased by 40 percent from January to May compared with the same period last year.

Before departing Afghanistan last month at the end of a tour as senior commander there, Gen. Dan K. McNeill called Afghanistan an “under-resourced war,”

General McNeill said the Afghanistan mission “needs more maneuver units, it needs more flying machines, it needs more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance units.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008...

I won't even try

You haven't yet, why start now?

A monkey could do a better job of posting than you're doing.

VetVoice: McCain's Double Standard on Campaign Visits to Military Bases 

http://www.vetvoice.com/sho...

Barack Obama canceled a pre-planned visit to the troops in Germany yesterday after being told by the Pentagon that the trip would violate a Pentagon policy prohibiting campaign stops on military installations. No problem there.
However, the McCain campaign is now blasting Obama:

The McCain camp has nonetheless been using Obama's canceled trip to insinuate that he's anti-troops. "Barack Obama is wrong," McCain spokesperson Brian Rogers said in a statement yesterday. "It is never 'inappropriate' to visit our men and women in the military."

The problem here is that the McCain campaign was denied a visit to a military base under the same policy back in April. Of course, there was no outcry or false outrage from Brian Rogers at that time.

From CNN:

With Department of Defense rules prohibiting political campaigning on military bases, it was determined that in some cases McCain could visit the installations as a senator but could not engage in any political activity or have news media present.

McCain campaign officials said Thursday they intentionally did not campaign on military property.

"We follow the rules," said senior McCain adviser Steve Schmidt.

I understand that the McCain campaign is disorganized and pathologically clueless when it comes to utilizing the media, but they're clearly being dishonest in this case. McCain is demonstrably criticizing Obama for following a Pentagon rule to which the McCain campaign itself has been subjected recently. That's a fact. So this seems to be a simple cheap shot at Obama, in the hopes that the media won't be internet savvy enough (i.e., able to use Google) to figure out the whole story.

"We follow the rules," Steve Schmidt from the McCain campaign said.

Exactly. And they have no problem attacking Obama for doing the same. That's the very definition of "double standard."

McCain said (among other things) that he'd love to make a speech to a crowd in Europe, but as President. He'd probably love to make a speech to a crowd in the US. He was a hit at a German restaurant, which as far as image goes, makes him look pretty feeble. I would have, incidentally, taken the time and effort to see McCain in Bakersfield. I would have been courteous and respectful even if I couldn't ask a question. It's just that, darn it, I don't happen to have an extra $1,000 laying around to have lunch at a country club.

McCain's campaign is just trying not to lose too badly this fall.  They are playing the same "go to the base" strategy but the base is much, much smaller now.

I dunno..there's something about his NOT traveling abroad until after all the criticism that smacks of ....well....something.

Obama had a much longer campaign row to hoe than McCain, for one thing, and as has been pointed out repeatedly by those who say he's not experienced enough, he's only been in the Senate a relatively short time. How many trips could he have made?

He's stuck in a "can't win" situation on this matter: first he's criticized because he hasn't gone abroad. Okay, he listens, he agrees, he goes overseas, and he's greeted with enthusiasm.

Now he's being criticized for being overseas by the people who were earlier criticizing him for not going.

"after all the criticism that smacks of ....well....something"

Here Nancy, let me help you out a bit.........

McCain said (among other things) that he'd love to make a speech to a crowd in Europe, but as President.

He didn't seem to have a problem making speeches in Canada or Columbia in the last 45 days.

Now he's being criticized for being overseas by the people who were earlier criticizing him for not going.

If nothing else, conservatives are good at being hypocrites.

Conservatives expected Obama to fall flat and instead he shined. Now they're in full panic mode.

Tony~ Chocolate ice cream?  So smack me already!

Whatever either of these two do will be torn into witty bits, shame really.

Impresive crowds at the Gate.With all the trouble Obama had getting that location,I'll believe the "rock band" story when I see it. 

That was the least-disgusting picture of  "poo" that I could find. It does look like ice cream though.

You guys are funny today.  Hehe.

Actually, his inexperience is the point...and has been all along.  Along with the fact that he's a Democrat.  :-)

Based on personal experience with Republican presidential candidate appearances (i.e., Dole here in '96), there's frequently a band before the candidate arrives, presumably to keep the crowd involved and interested because the candidates are almost never on time. But believe me, except for their significant others and maybe their mothers, NOBODY comes to a political appearance to hear the band.

Nancy, I've said it before: experience can be overrated. Especially in politics.

In my opinion, politics and politicians are overrated.

edited

It makes me hopeful that Obama can restore our frayed relationship with Europe and the Middle East.   At least he sees the need to try!

Audrey, remember http://www.sorryeverybody.o...?

"If you want an enemy to know what you're up to for instance,  you can thank a reporter." Off Topic but~ anyone else catch the History Detective the other night? Apparently during WW2 armed balloons from Japan landed through out the west,their plan was to cause wildfires. We were never told about this operation ,so as to not panic us or encourage the Japanese to send more...but they are warning folks not to disturb any odd looking objects found in our forests and wild lands. Thank the gods for a more open press these days....I hope.

If the amount of good will engendered by Obama's travels is "success without substance" then what is good will worth, nothing?

Sorry Pete.  Would've answered your question sooner--been gone all day.  You know how that goes.

Anyway, no I didn't hear or read the speech.  You really think that would be the tipping point for me?  I dunno.  Maybe.  I just think that if speeches really "did it" for me, I'd already be an Obama supporter.  I've already heard lots of his speeches.  Is this one really better than the others?