Barack Obama seems to have impressed Berliners in his first speech on European soil. Nearly 200,000 Berliners applauded US presidential candidate on Thursday at his rally in German capital. Candid Obama seems to have clinched overseas trust and faith. He has given an impression that he can be a world leader who’ll reconnect US to Europe and the rest of the world.
Obama, dwarfed by the Berlin’s Victory Column, transformed into confident orator with opening lines, “People of Berlin - people of the world – this is our moment, this is our time”. The German crowd loved each line which made a direct reference to Berlin, Berlin Wall, Berliners and Europe. Going tactically back foot and accepting the ‘mistakes’ made by US, Obama left no stone unturned to urge for new stronger US-Europe ties. He urged Germany for more co-operation and more troops to defeat Al-Qaeda and Taliban in Afghanistan.
In the past, Germany has been snubbed by Bush administration for opposing Iraq war. Bush’s attitude has hurt German self-esteem. So there is a reason why Germany is looking forward for more equal partnership with US and is in favour of a change in US leadership. Obama has succeeded in conveying a strong message that he can restore the tarnished image of US abroad with new foreign policies and global partnerships. But many political and media analysts feel Obama’s lack of experience showed. Was Obama’s speech a mere rhetoric to impress voters back home in America? That only time can tell.
Comparisons are being drawn between Obama’s speech in Berlin and historic speeches of other US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. If Obama gets elected as US President, his Berlin speech will be counted as one of the historic speeches of a would-be US President.
source: timesonline
