Obama Coming to Germany

I could hardly believe my eyes when I read it: On July 24th Obama will be giving a speech in Berlin. This however has caused some controversy among politicians as there are rumors that Obama would like to give the speech at the Brandenburger Gate. While Merkel says, she feels "alienated" by the fact that someone is using the historical monument as campaigning grounds, Minister Steinmeier believes that the Gate is a central part of German-American friendship, and Obama's request should be welcomed.

For what it's worth, I have to go with Steinmeier on this one. Not because I am such an Obama fan, but because I think the use of the site is justified: Many high ranking politicians and non-politicians have been giving speeches there, from Kennedy to Clinton to the Dalai Lama. If a potential American president, that stands for hope and change, would like to express his thoughts there, I believe he has every right to do so. I think it underlines the basis of democracy. That being said, I also believe that John McCain should be permitted to speak there, if he wanted to.

Though I would recommend him not to. Because Germany, as many surveys show, is Obama land. Whether or not "Unter den Linden" will be transformed into an Obama Fan-Meile on July 24th remains to be seen. I, for one, now need a reason to be in Berlin on the 24th.