OMG, that speech in Berlin

[TayTay]

Took my breath away.

That was unbelievably amazing.

I really think the rest of the world likes us.

We helped make that happen. We did. If that isn't a humbling and profound thought, I don't know what is.

WOW!

[beachmom]

1. Biggest crowd yet for Obama: 100,000. I liked, too, that Obama

said we should not be divided between "native and immigrant", and talking how we need to come together -- Christians, Muslims and Jews. The Germans needed to hear that, even if they didn't want to, especially when it comes to Turkish immigrants.

It was a great speech, and McCain looks mighty foolish appearing in towns in America with the name Berlin. That is only helping Obama. Chuck Todd said he should have done a quiet bus tour through Michigan instead, and not tried to compete on the national stage this week. Yup.

[Mass]

2. Excellent speech on the necessity of cooperation between countries and people.

Sadly, pundits will try to destroy it. Todd already said it was a speech McCain could have given (Come on, can you imagine McCain saying it).

On Marc Ambinder' blog, somebody wrote this (so fast she forgot to proofread).

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/07/gopers_wait_a_lifetime_for_a_m.php

Well, hopefully, people will get to see more than chopped pieces of this speech.

(I'm going to read newspapers tomorrow. I am curious to see how Europeans received the speech).

[beachmom]

3. This is a good image to cut through the BS: Germans holding American flags:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/24/134659/098/1021/556313

[ladym55]

15. Especially since the Berlin he visited in Ohio

is a tiny crossroads Amish community. Maybe McCain addressed the cows there? (Hope not ... could curdle the milk)

And then he ate a bratwurst at German restaurant in GERMAN Village in Columbus, Ohio.

[MBS]

4. Video is now up on CSPAN's "front page"

[ginnyinWI]

5. I only heard the beginning of it, but have it dvr'd.

But-- I was in the car later and searched the dial for someone talking about it--and came up with Limbaugh who was playing parts of it. So I heard some nice clips courtesy of the right wing! The old windbag was trying to pick it apart line by line but frankly, he sounded totally demoralized and discouraged. He knows what a great speech and great event this was today! I can't wait to see the whole thing tonight!

Europe wanted Kerry last time by 70-something percent, and they want Obama this time by the same high percentages. I hope with all my heart that they will get their wish.

[karynnj]

6. That was a wonderful speech

in so many ways. This was a leader who lived up to the praise that Kerry and Kennedy gave him last January. On the foreign policy side I saw so many echoes that sounded like Kerry - I can see why Kerry speaks of having the same foreign policy DNA, but what blew me away was his statement of American values - given abroad - recapturing what had before (long before - decades before) made us attractive as a nation.

This entire trip may be seen in retrospect as what made people see that Obama not only has the requisite foreign policy experience, but the ability to be the transformational leader who will change the course. Though I could see the wisdom before in what the MA Senators did, this really confirmed it - neither Clinton or even less Edwards could have made that speech. (In 2004, no one could give this speech overseas without being killed politically.) This entire trip was amazing in the careful design and the way it has showcased Obama - who, of course, then excelled just as he did in 2004. It did one remarkable thing, Obama seemed to transcend politics into statesmanship and just pure inspiration, while the media's favorite POW looked not just ordinary but cranky - not to mention progressively more confused with every foreign policy statement he made.

Who would have thought a year ago that it should be McCain who should dread the foreign policy debate. Last August, my husband spoke to Richard Clarke at a wedding - one thing he said was that Obama, who he had worked with on national security, was a very quick study and he always asked the right questions - he clearly was right on that. Fortunately, he was wrong on his other comment - that HRC would win the nomination.

[Inuca]

14. Transformational is the keyword

Let's be honest, the experience is limited. But he has a vision, is a brilliant deep thinker, and I would guess, as Clarke has said a sponge for information and ideas coming from other smart people. I think I heard Hagel say something very similar when I saw him at a book signing. And of course, the natural oratoric skills are very useful too. I heard the "citizens of Berlin! citizens of the world!" part several times yesterday, and each time I was amazed at what I see as perfect delivery of these few words, the perfect emphasis, tone, everything. In a perfect world, the form should not matter, but it does. Anyway... great speech and great visuals.

[Island Blue]

7. It was incredible.

I suddenly feel a deep need to be in DC on January 20, 2009. It's so mind boggling to think that we're witnessing a new chapter of history being written.

[MarjorieG]

8. Really 200,000 and too little space. Loved that Kerry was on CNN giving his usual big picture.

Is McC running on anything other than a tactic called the surge?

Don't like the CW that McC gaining on environment creds, which must mean those fraudulent ads, if gains true.

[PresidentObama]

9. Hey TayTay, nice to see you. It was a great speech. Did you see Kerry's response?

Right after the speech? On CNN or MSNBC, can't remember which.

Kerry hit the nail on the head. Obama's speech was incredibly effective, and politically important. He sent a message to the world that once elected, the Bush days are over and America is back at the world table to be diplomatic and respected again!

[TayTay]

10. No, I didn't get to see Sen. Kerry's comments, I was at work

I will have to see if my tape of the speech included that. (Yes, that is all kinds of ironic. Sorry.)

[wisteria]

12. I hope Kerry gets his wish whoever is elected. n/t

[europegirl4jfk]

11. Yep! The rest of the world likes you! :-))

I wish I could have been in Berlin today. I especially liked him saying that he is a "fellow citizen of the world".

Can you imagine? My parents skipped their favorite TV show to watch Obama live on German TV (with translation of course *g*)

[YvonneCa]

13. The rest of the world just wants America to be...

...America again. Me, too. :) I think we're on our way, thanks to a lot of very patriotic leaders.

I'll even go a step further...I think the economy will improve, too, just as soon as Obama appears a 'done deal'. The psychological impact of the end of the Bush administration will have a HUGE, positive, impact on so many aspects of American life.

Not to mention the fact that I may finally be able to lose the 15 lbs. I've gained since 2000. :7

[ladym55]

16. It was an incredible speech

Obama reminded the world what America CAN be and HAS been.

Europe is behind Obama, just as they were behind Kerry in 2004. A friend of ours was in Europe at the time of the election in 2004, and his colleagues were stunned that America chose "the cowboy" over "the gentleman." Difference between US and Europe is a FREE PRESS. That is why they look at us right now and say, "How on EARTH can this election be even remotely close??"

Naturally all day I've been hearing sniping about the speech ... it was presumptuous, it was vague ... was it appropriate for a CANDIDATE???

As a nation we owe the world a leader with a brain, eloquence, and compassion. We had the chance in 2004 ... we can't blow it in 2008.