Obama at the Brandenburg Gate?
German chancellor, Berlin mayor bicker over Obama visit
Berlin's mayor wants to grant Obama's wish to deliver a major speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate, but Angela Merkel has misgivings.
By Carsten Volkery
July 9, 2008 | Der SpeigelThe warning from the Chancellery was clear: The Brandenburg Gate is the "most famous and history-rich location in Germany," a Chancellery source said on Monday. In the past, it has been used only on very special occasions for addresses by politicians, and only by elected American presidents. More clearly stated: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama would be better off looking for another location in the German capital to hold a speech.
But Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit appeared unimpressed by the warning from Chancellor Angela Merkel's office and said during a press conference on Tuesday that he would be pleased if Obama were to address the public at the Brandenburg Gate.
"We are not ruling anything out," a spokesman for the Berlin City Council said. "The Brandenburg Gate would certainly be a nice place." The local government also pointed out that the decision over where Obama should make his appearance was in the hands of the City Council and not the chancellor's office or the federal government.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/07/09/obama_brandenburg/index.htm...
Yes I can see some of the similarities.
i believe that JFK had a lot in common with Billy. He never got busted. Even do, he was a good President of his era...
As Ben Franklin said:
In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.
On this one I think Obama is going for continued emulation of John F. Kennedy's 'Camelot' appeal.
I agree with you somewhat brandylady, I guess the more controversy the more media coverage. But I also think locations, especially ones that court much attention and are respected as "the place" to deliver speeches are not picked lightly. Its all about strategic positioning. And I dont think Obama is any more controversial than the rest of them...he only appears controversial because he is "different" and the media as we know love to sensationalise things.
and thats before he gets elected, why he wants to be so controvertial before taking office is beyond me.
Does it really make a difference where he gives his speech, isn't the content of said speech more important than the location?