SubscribeThe Full Text Of Obama’s Berlin Speech
Via ABC News:
Thank you to the citizens of Berlin and to the people of Germany. Let me thank Chancellor Merkel and Foreign Minister Steinmeier for welcoming me earlier today. Thank you Mayor Wowereit, the Berlin Senate, the police, and most of all thank you for this welcome.
I come to Berlin as so many of my countrymen have come before. 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.
I know that I don’t look like the Americans who’ve previously spoken in this great city. The journey that led me here is improbable. My mother was born in the heartland of America, but my father grew up herding goats in Kenya. His father — my grandfather — was a cook, a domestic servant to the British.
At the height of the Cold War, my father decided, like so many others in the forgotten corners of the world, that his yearning — his dream — required the freedom and opportunity promised by the West. And so he wrote letter after letter to universities all across America until somebody, somewhere answered his prayer for a better life.
That is why I’m here. And you are here because you too know that yearning. This city, of all cities, knows the dream of freedom. And you know that the only reason we stand here tonight is because men and women from both of our nations came together to work, and struggle, and sacrifice for that better life.
Ours is a partnership that truly began sixty years ago this summer, on the day when the first American plane touched down at Templehof.
On that day, much of this continent still lay in ruin. The rubble of this city had yet to be built into a wall. The Soviet shadow had swept across Eastern Europe, while in the West, America, Britain, and France took stock of their losses, and pondered how the world might be remade.
This is where the two sides met. And on the twenty-fourth of June, 1948, the Communists chose to blockade the western part of the city. They cut off food and supplies to more than two million Germans in an effort to extinguish the last flame of freedom in Berlin.
The size of our forces was no match for the much larger Soviet Army. And yet retreat would have allowed Communism to march across Europe. Where the last war had ended, another World War could have easily begun. All that stood in the way was Berlin.
And that’s when the airlift began — when the largest and most unlikely rescue in history brought food and hope to the people of this city.
The odds were stacked against success. In the winter, a heavy fog filled the sky above, and many planes were forced to turn back without dropping off the needed supplies. The streets where we stand were filled with hungry families who had no comfort from the cold.
But in the darkest hours, the people of Berlin kept the flame of hope burning. The people of Berlin refused to give up. And on one fall day, hundreds of thousands of Berliners came here, to the Tiergarten, and heard the city’s mayor implore the world not to give up on freedom. “There is only one possibility,” he said. “For us to stand together united until this battle is won. The people of Berlin have spoken. We have done our duty, and we will keep on doing our duty. People of the world: now do your duty. People of the world, look at Berlin!”
People of the world — look at Berlin!
Look at Berlin, where Germans and Americans learned to work together and trust each other less than three years after facing each other on the field of battle.
Look at Berlin, where the determination of a people met the generosity of the Marshall Plan and created a German miracle; where a victory over tyranny gave rise to NATO, the greatest alliance ever formed to defend our common security.
Look at Berlin, where the bullet holes in the buildings and the somber stones and pillars near the Brandenburg Gate insist that we never forget our common humanity.
People of the world — look at Berlin, where a wall came down, a continent came together, and history proved that there is no challenge too great for a world that stands as one.
Sixty years after the airlift, we are called upon again. History has led us to a new crossroad, with new promise and new peril. When you, the German people, tore down that wall — a wall that divided East and West; freedom and tyranny; fear and hope — walls came tumbling down around the world. From Kiev to Cape Town, prison camps were closed, and the doors of democracy were opened. Markets opened too, and the spread of information and technology reduced barriers to opportunity and prosperity. While the 20th century taught us that we share a common destiny, the 21st has revealed a world more intertwined than at any time in human history.
The fall of the Berlin Wall brought new hope. But that very closeness has given rise to new dangers — dangers that cannot be contained within the borders of a country or by the distance of an ocean.
The terrorists of September 11th plotted in Hamburg and trained in Kandahar and Karachi before killing thousands from all over the globe on American soil.
As we speak, cars in Boston and factories in Beijing are melting the ice caps in the Arctic, shrinking coastlines in the Atlantic, and bringing drought to farms from Kansas to Kenya.
Poorly secured nuclear material in the former Soviet Union, or secrets from a scientist in Pakistan could help build a bomb that detonates in Paris. The poppies in Afghanistan become the heroin in Berlin. The poverty and violence in Somalia breeds the terror of tomorrow. The genocide in Darfur shames the conscience of us all.
In this new world, such dangerous currents have swept along faster than our efforts to contain them. That is why we cannot afford to be divided. No one nation, no matter how large or powerful, can defeat such challenges alone. None of us can deny these threats, or escape responsibility in meeting them. Yet, in the absence of Soviet tanks and a terrible wall, it has become easy to forget this truth. And if we’re honest with each other, we know that sometimes, on both sides of the Atlantic, we have drifted apart, and forgotten our shared destiny.
In Europe, the view that America is part of what has gone wrong in our world, rather than a force to help make it right, has become all too common. In America, there are voices that deride and deny the importance of Europe’s role in our security and our future. Both views miss the truth — that Europeans today are bearing new burdens and taking more responsibility in critical parts of the world; and that just as American bases built in the last century still help to defend the security of this continent, so does our country still sacrifice greatly for freedom around the globe.
Yes, there have been differences between America and Europe. No doubt, there will be differences in the future. But the burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together. A change of leadership in Washington will not lift this burden. In this new century, Americans and Europeans alike will be required to do more — not less. Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity.
That is why the greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another. The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down.
We know they have fallen before. After centuries of strife, the people of Europe have formed a Union of promise and prosperity. Here, at the base of a column built to mark victory in war, we meet in the center of a Europe at peace. Not only have walls come down in Berlin, but they have come down in Belfast, where Protestant and Catholic found a way to live together; in the Balkans, where our Atlantic alliance ended wars and brought savage war criminals to justice; and in South Africa, where the struggle of a courageous people defeated apartheid. So history reminds us that walls can be torn down. But the task is never easy. True partnership and true progress requires constant work and sustained sacrifice. They require sharing the burdens of development and diplomacy; of progress and peace. They require allies who will listen to each other, learn from each other and, most of all, trust each other.
That is why America cannot turn inward. That is why Europe cannot turn inward. America has no better partner than Europe. Now is the time to build new bridges across the globe as strong as the one that bound us across the Atlantic. Now is the time to join together, through constant cooperation, strong institutions, shared sacrifice, and a global commitment to progress, to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It was this spirit that led airlift planes to appear in the sky above our heads, and people to assemble where we stand today. And this is the moment when our nations — and all nations — must summon that spirit anew.
This is the moment when we must defeat terror and dry up the well of extremism that supports it. This threat is real and we cannot shrink from our responsibility to combat it. If we could create NATO to face down the Soviet Union, we can join in a new and global partnership to dismantle the networks that have struck in Madrid and Amman; in London and Bali; in Washington and New York. If we could win a battle of ideas against the communists, we can stand with the vast majority of Muslims who reject the extremism that leads to hate instead of hope.
This is the moment when we must renew our resolve to rout the terrorists who threaten our security in Afghanistan, and the traffickers who sell drugs on your streets. No one welcomes war. I recognize the enormous difficulties in Afghanistan. But my country and yours have a stake in seeing that NATO’s first mission beyond Europe’s borders is a success. For the people of Afghanistan, and for our shared security, the work must be done. America cannot do this alone. The Afghan people need our troops and your troops; our support and your support to defeat the Taliban and al Qaeda, to develop their economy, and to help them rebuild their nation. We have too much at stake to turn back now.
This is the moment when we must renew the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. The two superpowers that faced each other across the wall of this city came too close too often to destroying all we have built and all that we love. With that wall gone, we need not stand idly by and watch the further spread of the deadly atom. It is time to secure all loose nuclear materials; to stop the spread of nuclear weapons; and to reduce the arsenals from another era. This is the moment to begin the work of seeking the peace of a world without nuclear weapons.
This is the moment when every nation in Europe must have the chance to choose its own tomorrow free from the shadows of yesterday. In this century, we need a strong European Union that deepens the security and prosperity of this continent, while extending a hand abroad. In this century — in this city of all cities — we must reject the Cold War mind-set of the past, and resolve to work with Russia when we can, to stand up for our values when we must, and to seek a partnership that extends across this entire continent.
This is the moment when we must build on the wealth that open markets have created, and share its benefits more equitably. Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few, and not the many. Together, we must forge trade that truly rewards the work that creates wealth, with meaningful protections for our people and our planet. This is the moment for trade that is free and fair for all.
This is the moment we must help answer the call for a new dawn in the Middle East. My country must stand with yours and with Europe in sending a direct message to Iran that it must abandon its nuclear ambitions. We must support the Lebanese who have marched and bled for democracy, and the Israelis and Palestinians who seek a secure and lasting peace. And despite past differences, this is the moment when the world should support the millions of Iraqis who seek to rebuild their lives, even as we pass responsibility to the Iraqi government and finally bring this war to a close.
This is the moment when we must come together to save this planet. Let us resolve that we will not leave our children a world where the oceans rise and famine spreads and terrible storms devastate our lands. Let us resolve that all nations — including my own — will act with the same seriousness of purpose as has your nation, and reduce the carbon we send into our atmosphere. This is the moment to give our children back their future. This is the moment to stand as one.
And this is the moment when we must give hope to those left behind in a globalized world. We must remember that the Cold War born in this city was not a battle for land or treasure. Sixty years ago, the planes that flew over Berlin did not drop bombs; instead they delivered food, and coal, and candy to grateful children. And in that show of solidarity, those pilots won more than a military victory. They won hearts and minds; love and loyalty and trust — not just from the people in this city, but from all those who heard the story of what they did here.
Now the world will watch and remember what we do here — what we do with this moment. Will we extend our hand to the people in the forgotten corners of this world who yearn for lives marked by dignity and opportunity; by security and justice? Will we lift the child in Bangladesh from poverty, shelter the refugee in Chad, and banish the scourge of AIDS in our time?
Will we stand for the human rights of the dissident in Burma, the blogger in Iran, or the voter in Zimbabwe? Will we give meaning to the words “never again” in Darfur?
Will we acknowledge that there is no more powerful example than the one each of our nations projects to the world? Will we reject torture and stand for the rule of law? Will we welcome immigrants from different lands, and shun discrimination against those who don’t look like us or worship like we do, and keep the promise of equality and opportunity for all of our people?
People of Berlin — people of the world — this is our moment. This is our time.
I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we’ve struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We’ve made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions.
But I also know how much I love America. I know that for more than two centuries, we have strived — at great cost and great sacrifice — to form a more perfect union; to seek, with other nations, a more hopeful world. Our allegiance has never been to any particular tribe or kingdom — indeed, every language is spoken in our country; every culture has left its imprint on ours; every point of view is expressed in our public squares. What has always united us — what has always driven our people; what drew my father to America’s shores — is a set of ideals that speak to aspirations shared by all people: that we can live free from fear and free from want; that we can speak our minds and assemble with whomever we choose and worship as we please.
Those are the aspirations that joined the fates of all nations in this city. Those aspirations are bigger than anything that drives us apart. It is because of those aspirations that the airlift began. It is because of those aspirations that all free people — everywhere — became citizens of Berlin. It is in pursuit of those aspirations that a new generation — our generation — must make our mark on history.
People of Berlin — and people of the world — the scale of our challenge is great. The road ahead will be long. But I come before you to say that we are heirs to a struggle for freedom. We are a people of improbable hope. Let us build on our common history, and seize our common destiny, and once again engage in that noble struggle to bring justice and peace to our world.
If Mr. Obama is not there as a candidate, who is paying for this event?
21 Responses to “The Full Text Of Obama’s Berlin Speech”
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July 24th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Whose paying for this event? Hell, that’s simple; Obama said that while he was going to Iraq and Afghanistan as a senator (on the taxpayer dime) his campaign would PROBABLY pick up some of the tab for the extra stops in Germany and Great Britian.
Not to mention that the German press has been complaining because his speech today was costing cash-strapped Berlin a half million Euros (do the math).
Why is he pandering to foreigners? Is he not going to start imposing his one world order where everyone gets to vote in our elections? When has any foreign candidate come to the U.S. to give a campaign speech to us?
Or maybe he understands how easily swayed the Germans can be. Remember, they followed Hitler.
I have never liked Senator Obama from his days in the Illinois senate. Now my disgust with him is bordering full fledged hatred. This clown is dangerous.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
All that stood in the way was Berlin.
Well maybe the USA had a little something to say.
but the Messiah will never say anything good about America.
Sorry, I could not read the whole thing, I puked about half way…
July 24th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
“Now the world will watch and remember what we do here”
Christ, is he now trying to sound Lincolnesque? What the hell did he do there? What does he think throngs of Germans shouting “Obama, Obama, Obama” means? Is it any different that 70 years ago throngs of Germans shouting “Heil Hitler, Heil Hitler, Heil Hitler”?
If history is any indication of the hand that the Germans extends to the rest of the world, we are in deep shit.
My God, maybe my mother is right; he is the anti-Christ.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Interesting when he says…..
“The size of our forces was no match for the much larger Soviet Army. And yet retreat would have allowed Communism to march across Europe.”
Yet when our forces are vastly superior to the terrorists in Iraq, Obama deep down still thinks retreat is what we need to do so the terrorists can march all over, no matter what pandering he does that says otherwise.
Makes perfect sense in a Obamaspeak universe.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Apparently, Obama is under the false impression that he’s the first black (half) American to travel to Berlin and speak. Or perhaps he thinks he’s the first skinny American to speak in Berlin. Or perhaps he is concerned that if he doesn’t point it out, no one will think he’s an American. After all, his policy flavor-of-the
-month-day doesn’t come across as in the best interest of America, so I understand why he needs to reiterate just how ‘American’ he is.Oh, we could only hope, Sen. Obama, that somewhere, someone in Germany will answer our prayer and allow you to go to school there. Maybe you should try Russia. Anywhere but here in the US. Perhaps if you write some universities in Pakistan, they’ll take you in. After all, you spent some time there while in college. Then, perhaps, we wouldn’t have to watch the United States retreat into the weak-kneed nation, psycho-analyzing our enemies, yearning that they’ll talk to us like some ugly wallflower sitting in the corner waiting for someone to ask her to dance.
If I remember correctly, that was a decision between 2 countries - the US and Britian (along with South African, Canadian, and New Zealand troops) - frought with risk and uncertain outcome. You know, the same kind of risk and uncertain outcome that you want to retreat from in Iraq (and God knows where else…) Oh, and if you’ll take a look, Sen. Obama, the first two countries that took that risk in Germany, are also taking that risk in Iraq. Perhaps you could add this ‘lesson learned’ to your field trip - the good guys do not shirk away from doing the right thing just because it’s hard, unpopular, and risky.
Wow - apparently, the freshman senator from Illinois hasn’t read the latest reports from scientists - the ice caps aren’t melting and drought isn’t happening because a soccer mom started a minivan in Iowa. I’ll include the link in case the freshman senator wants to take time out of his summer camp trip to do a little light reading: American Physical Society - http://www.aps.org/units/fps/n.....nckton.cfm
Sorry folks - I just couldn’t go on… the Freshman is so innane and self-promoting I couldn’t read any more. Most of what he said in that speech were references to what is good with the US; yet, an undertone of how the US has screwed over the rest of the world (really? from where I sit, it’s been pretty much the US that has come to the rescue when someone needs rescueing) weaves through his speech. I can only believe this is because he really does hate the US, that he hates the fact that it was founded by white guys, that he hates that real men of courage knew how to separate fact from fiction and good from bad. Unfortunately, the examples that Obama holds up as examples of good are exactly opposite from what he plans to do if elected.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Look closely at B Hussein’s hijacking of everything we remember about a great America. He is riding on the coat tails of people who actually did something, people with principle, character, a backbone, and most of all, leadership.
He is simply showing us how duped the public at large is concerning his record, his experience, and his ability to lead. I can never look at the Brandenburg Gate again the same way…..he has ruined that too…
July 24th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I’m confused. Is this delusional freshman senator running for President of the World? Or is he just under the mistaken notion that Germany is one of our 57 states?
July 24th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
take_no_prisoners,
Lest we forget: Obama08 - saving the Universe, one planet at a time…
I hear he has a fact-finding trip planned for Mars to investigate the reduction in the Martian polar ice caps. Apparently, all this earthly human consumption has jumped planet and is now effecting Mars, too. Obama needs to go to Mars to “fact-find”. No word if he plans on campaigning among the Martians, though the Obama camp did issue a press release today stating that Sen. Obama does remain in sympathetic solidarity with the proud people of Mars and the plight of their shrinking polar caps…
(seriously, the latest from the Academy of Physical Sciences released data showing that the ice caps on the other planets in our solar system are seeing a similar (to Earth’s) reduction in ice due to increased solar activity).
July 24th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
“At the height of the Cold War, my father decided, like so many others in the forgotten corners of the world, that his yearning — his dream — required the freedom and opportunity promised by the West. And so he wrote letter after letter to universities all across America until somebody, somewhere answered his prayer for a better life.”
Obama Sr. used his newfound “freedom and opportunity” to launch a series of abusive marriages (if indeed he bothered to marry the women), siring multiple children, whom he then abandoned, retiring to Mother Africa where he bragged and drank his way into an early grave, a complete wastrel. That sure is a beautiful dream.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Helena, but wait, didn’t Obama tell us that it was due to the Kennedy student air lifts that Barry, Sr. came to the U.S. to study? So has that story changed, as well?
Nevermind that his father was a devote socialist who viewed the policies of Marx to be the way Kenya needed to go. Nevermind that even the Kenya politicians saw that Obama, Sr. was wrong and spurned him. Nevermind that he was a total loser who left children roaming over two continents that he never took care of. And yet, Obama chose to align himself with the part of his family that was Marxist, Muslim and anti-American. Until it is time to run commercials in a state that is primarily white. Then we get to see pretty pictures of Obama, his granny and grandpa and Mama.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
At first we were told 1 million Berliners were anxiously awaiting the “Masiah”. Then it turned out that only about 100,000 showed up. Then I also heard that his campaign was handing out free beer and bratwurst. I think the only people who were waiting with baited breath was the US press corps. Although I would have loved a free bratwurst myself, they are yummy. I guess the feed the world tour got started a little earlier than everyone thought.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
-’Is this delusional freshman senator running for President of the World?’- Master of the Universe, let’s all get it right.
However, the frightening thing is this part: -’That is why the greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another. The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down’- It reads like a no borders, no nation, OneGlobalWorld of peace, justice and understanding crock. Because I go back to the Who decides - what language, what religion (or lack of), what form of government, what laws. Who decides - Obamanation - I don’t think so. This quote of his should speak volumes to every single American as to his inexperience, his hypocrisy, his stupidity and well the danger he poses: -’ “My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you’ll join me as we try to change it.”‘-
I don’t like people who imply that we all can simply ‘Imagine’ and all of the problems of the World and life will go away. Historically, it is those people with a conviction of a moral position and the courage to stand and protect and defend it - who have made the major positive moves in life - both for themselves and others. Not those who see evil, danger and wrong with the systems - it is the people in those systems - and those people who are a danger are those without a moral conviction and courage.
Putting down our guns (nukes, knives, bombs, and tanks) won’t end violence, war and make us the better ‘people’ - It will make us vulnerable and quite probably dead people.
The point is to arm yourself to the point that no one on the block can or will attack you - then one by one you protect, defend, free and eventually arm your neighbors and finally the only one left vulnerable is the thug that wanted to attack in the first place.
I’d love to nuke some of the World’s problem Leaders - but until they cross the line of bombing, nuking someone else - that is provocative. But I won’t ever advocate destroying our nukes to be some euphemistic ‘better’ country - ever. Me first is sheer stupidity.
Obamanation - take a long study of history - there have always been violent, thuggish people whose sole intent is to prey on those weaker and less likely to be violent. Oh, heck Obamanation - you don’t even have to study history - take a look at the continent of Africa - it is one thug after another (with very few exceptions) attempting to take everything they can from anyone not them. . .
Sort of like you.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
What some of his supporters say about the speech is nothing short of amazing. Please keep in mind that they are serious:
http://www.americablog.com/200.....qus_thread
July 24th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I just read the first batch of posts at americablog………somehow I fail to understand how they can see someone totally different than the person I see filling a suit. seriously…they are acting like he is actually a true world leader. Which shows you how little they know about world leaders….
obama has a lock on the easily mislead. They vote. Democratic. Well….we survived carter…we can survive this one. Appalling leaders do not a society make…..we are our own society…..that of Americans! Real Americans. Those are the people who will absorb the pus that is the liberal left that has become an infected boil on our country.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
If I was a Berliner, it would be Barf-o-often . As an American , THIS gives me the dry heaves .I have an air mattress with a higher I.Q. JERK !
July 24th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
” In the winter, a heavy fog filled the sky above, and many planes were forced to turn back without dropping off the needed supplies.”
Guess again, you freakin’ clown! NO missions flown during Operation “Vittles” were “turned back” by weather! When Curt LeMay was running the airlift, the orders were to press on regardless. When Bill Tunner took over, he ordered all flights to be made IFR, regardless of weather…all C-54s (and other transports) were then ground controlled by radar from takeoff to landing. If a pilot missed his approach at Tempelhof or Tegel, he turned around, went back to his starting base, landed, was refueled, and FLEW THE RUN AGAIN! The U.S. Air Force DOES NOT TURN BACK! Not now, not then, NOT EVER!!!
The sheer contempt this sociopath has for the United States military is sickening! His outright lies and distortions of American history to foreigners is enough to make a buzzard belch! If the Obamanation thinks this country sucks so much, let him keep his worthless ass over in Europe! If this pile of crap gets elected, I doubt we’ll survive the four years!
July 24th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
sheehanjihad; …..”I just read the first batch of posts at americablog………”
Likewise. Are the morons for real? I hope the momma with the 5-year old daughter and 16-month old son knows how to sew burkhas and fabricate suicide bomb vests. They will be the first useful idiots to succcumb to the purge. What is it Larry says….”Ya can’t fix stupid”?
July 25th, 2008 at 1:04 am
Wow.
(wipes lips with washcloth)
That’s better than ipecac.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:28 am
“ONLY IN AMERIKA: the Legend of Barack Obama” gets a rapturous reception overseas with “Barack Uber Alles”!
“Achtung, you are listening to Deutsche Rundfunk! Ich bin Fritz Lowenbrau…”
“Und Ich bin Hans Jagermeister! Ve’re here aus Berlin mit full coverage uff today’s state visit by ze Herr Prezident uff Amerika, Herr Barack Obama”.
“Nein, Fritz! Iff Ich might korrect du, ze Herr Prezident of Amerika iz nicht Herr Obama, ze Prezident ist still Georg Busch”.
“Busch? Ach, zat kreigmongering dummkopf (makes spitting noises)? Himmel Gott!”
“Careful, kamerad: ‘dummkopf’ ist vun of Ze Ten Vords Du Cannot Sprecht On Ze Rundfunk, remember?
“Ach, ja. Georg Carlin; funny mann. Ve’ll miss hiz fractured take on life”.
“Fur sure. Achtung! Here komms Herr Obama in hiz motorcade!”
“Ja – und ze crowd goes vild! Deutsvche madchen, Deutsche kinder, Deutsche jungvolk – all of zem cheering madly for ze charismatic foreigner –haff du ever seen anyzing like it before?”
“Vell, maybe…”
“Now Herr Obama climbs to ze stage und he vaves to ze crowd, vat is going mental mit enthuziasm!”
“Du know, Fritz, Ich kannot help zinking how wunderbar it vould haff been to do zis event in ze nighttime. Imagine; ze flickering torches, ze searchlights piercing ze nacht sky, ze zound uff trumpets und drums, ze sound uff marching feet…”
“Ja, Hans!”
“…ze new Leader, mit his deep, powerful voice, his passion und energy, ze lock uff hair falling uber vun eye, hiz distinctive little moustache…”
“Ja, Hans! Ja!”
“…bringing uz all together in unity und strength. Vun Leader, vun People, vun Nation!”
“Ja! Ja! Hail Victory! Hail Victory! Hail…”
“Achtung! Zis ist der Kontroller. Mein apologies, Deutsche Rundfunk listeners: ve seem to haff lost our signal from Berlin. Ein musical interlude follows until service ist restored. Now here ist Kraftwerk mit ‘Trans Europe Express’…”
Meanwhile, back at McCain “Campaign” Headquarters, the candidate prepares a powerful response:
“Senator? Your press conference starts in two minutes”.
“Hang on a minute. I can’t find my glasses case”.
“I don’t mean to rush you, Senator but…”
“I SAID HANG ON A MINUTE, GODDAMMIT!”
“Sorry, Senator”.
“That’s okay. Now; what were we talking about?”
July 26th, 2008 at 1:34 am
ja Artboy ja, Nice! Perhaps a bit more of zee Hope und Change ehh?
July 28th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Danke, Lib. “Anderung konnen Sie daran glauben”, as Herr Prezident Obama says. He says “Ja, konnen wir!” too.