Competing optics: Cheering Germans or American military? Update: Snubbing wounded soldiers? Update: Touring Berlin instead? Update: It is/is not a campaign event?
posted at 10:50 am on July 24, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
I guess this is a question of priorities. Barack Obama apparently ran short on time in his visit to Germany today, and travelers know how schedules can slip during long tours, even without all of the events Obama had planned. Those circumstances force people to prioritize their time, and eliminate less-useful stops.
So what did Obama cut today? Der Spiegel’s blog reports on Obama’s priorities:
++ Visit to US Military Bases Cancelled ++
1:42 p.m.: SPIEGEL ONLINE has learned that Obama has cancelled a planned short visit to the Rammstein and Landstuhl US military bases in the southwest German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The visits were planned for Friday. “Barack Obama will not be coming to us,” a spokesperson for the US military hospital in Landstuhl announced. “I don’t know why.” Shortly before the same spokeswoman had announced a planned visit by Obama.
On the other hand, the campaign apparently has no problem in keeping this event on its schedule:
The message here is that thousands of screaming German fans at the Tiergarten take precedence over visiting Americans serving their country at Ramstein and Landstuhl. Maybe one of the networks following Obama could interview a few of the soldiers about how they perceive that set of priorities from Obama.
Der Spiegel also notes that the French seem diffident about Obama’s visit to Paris, with none of the enthusiasm of the neighbors to the east:
++ Paris Left Cold by Obama Visit ++
3:30 p.m.: While Obama’s Berlin visit has caused a stir, hardly anyone is interested in his trip to Paris on Friday. There are hardly any French media reports on the eve of his visit. There is merely some grumbling about the extensive itinerary for his trip to Berlin. “A speech in Berlin, five little hours in Paris,” writes French daily Le Monde.
Heck, why didn’t Obama skip Paris? He could have still worked in a visit to the American bases in Germany. Apparently, even diffident French get priority over American military personnel.
Update: A number of Hot Air readers reminded me that Landstuhl’s mission includes treating the wounded from the war:
The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) is an overseas military hospital operated by the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense. LRMC is the largest military hospital outside of the continental US. It is located near Landstuhl, Germany, and serves as the nearest treatment center for wounded soldiers coming from Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, it serves military personnel stationed in Germany as well as their family members.
A large proportion of serious casualties from the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters are treated here, flown in via the Ramstein Air Base.
So Obama’s priorities look even more askew than first thought.
Update II: Well, this gets better. According to Jake Tapper, the problem wasn’t scheduling at all:
Obama noted that in a break from his whirlwind schedule, “we’ve got some down time tonight. What are you guys gonna do in Berlin? Huh? Huh? You guys got any big. plans? …I’ve never been to Berlin, so…I would love to tour around a little bit.”
Obama canceled a previously-planned stop to visit thousands of American service personnel, including troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan being treated at Landstuhl, so he could hold a political rally for Germans and go shopping in Berlin. Now that’s a nice set of priorities for a man who wants to become Commander in Chief.
Update III: The spin on this has gotten so bad that T. Boone Pickens might want Team Obama in his new wind farm. First, from Jake Tapper, the O-Team says a visit to Landstuhl would have been “inappropriate” for a campaign trip:
“During his trip as part of the CODEL to Afghanistan and Iraq, Senator Obama visited the combat support hospital in the Green Zone in Baghdad and had a number of other visits with the troops. For the second part of his trip, the senator wanted to visit the men and women at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center to express his gratitude for their service and sacrifice. The senator decided out of respect for these servicemen and women that it would be inappropriate to make a stop to visit troops at a U.S. military facility as part of a trip funded by the campaign.”
And CBS gets the opposite story:
“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,” Obama said precluding the buzz that his speech today is a campaign rally.
So which is it? A campaign event or not a campaign event?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 »
Wow.
Everyday with this guy it’s something new that makes me shake my head with disbelief.
brak on July 24, 2008 at 12:22 PM
They have young, lazy leftists just like anyone else. The media loves to showcase the young, starry-eyed, socialist asshats of Europe. Well, when they are fawning over a Democrat or protesting a Republican, they’ll get air time.
They aren’t all like that.
Not yet.
reaganaut on July 24, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Remember when Carol Moseley Braun ran for congress. And after she got elected; she used her campaign office to just go around the world and visit places. This sounds a lot like that right now. Both from Chicago too, so I’m not overly surprised.
lorien1973 on July 24, 2008 at 12:24 PM
I saw that clip also on FOX. It was amazing! Obama had no clue. Gee, the troops don’t want to watch the liberal dhimmi channels that slander them all the time! Who knew!!??!
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 12:25 PM
No, it isn’t.
Dusty on July 24, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Also, becki, I meant to add, notice how he tries to cover his ignorance by blaming it on Pres. Bush!
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 12:26 PM
MayBee on July 24, 2008 at 12:01 PM
do you have a link to the Jake Tapper item. I want to archive it
entagor on July 24, 2008 at 12:26 PM
dustoffmom on July 24, 2008 at 12:27 PM
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I cant wait to see what Bill O’Reilly says about this. Last night he said he will go after ANYONE who slams Fox about their presidential coverage. This is gonna be good!
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 12:28 PM
….as i was saying before my comment got somehow lost…..nope, not in my experience. In fact I have rarely encountered people so wildly distrustful of politicians, all politicians regardless of party or nationality.
dustoffmom on July 24, 2008 at 12:29 PM
No doubt the Democratic Party approves of their party leader-to-be’s “Judgment to Lead” on this one, too.
Dusty on July 24, 2008 at 12:29 PM
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Everything is Bush’s fault!! LOL
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Ed linked it as Update II
Buy Danish on July 24, 2008 at 12:30 PM
What we’re seeing is the Obama Presidency in Test Drive mode. Every day lots of sizzle, and very little steak. The man’s strength is not in his resolve, but in his lack of it. Just as in 2000 GWB and Gore were a contest between white bread and Wonder Bread, today, Obama’s showing that America wants sizzle-not steak.
.
It’s gonna be a field day for the late night comedians (well, except for Jon Stewart
scottm on July 24, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Ein Reich, ein Volk, ein Obama….
MrScribbler on July 24, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Just saw a shot of several fellas at the plaza with
‘The World Tour/Obama 08′ T-shirts.
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Yep!
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 12:33 PM
He probably sleighted France because Sarkozy likes President Bush. Sarkozy is likely to rebuff his hi-ness as much as possible, or at least perhaps be called away and have to cut their visit short. I hope so.
MsUnderestimated on July 24, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I’ve got a feeling that Obama’s people weren’t aware of Landstuhl when they first planned his European tour.
Obama’s reason for going to Germany in the FIRST place should have been to visit Landstuhl with his Berlin speech in the background.
Texas Gal on July 24, 2008 at 12:33 PM
The band sucks. lol
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Hussein gives a campaign speech to foreigners who can’t vote, and claims membership on a committee of which he is not a member.
He depends on the MSM to permeate the airways and print media with glorious photos of his Messiahtude while describing the tingles that go up their collective leg, just like he depends on them not to report such a
gaffelie as claiming to be on the Senate Banking Committee.If he wins it means God’s really angry with us.
Akzed on July 24, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Hmmm. That’s interesting and odd.
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 12:35 PM
I know nothing about rock bands, but the one playing has ‘Pearl’ on the drum skin. Dunno if that is the band name or the mfg logo :)
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Question on the Tagesshau Live broadcast. Does it have sound, ’cause I’m not getting anything but hum.
Dusty on July 24, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Obams’s campaign is much like the pet rock craze the hula hoop craze, cabbage patch, or iPod.
It feeds on itself, it becomes a movement for the sake of the movement, with no real rhyme or reason…it is what it is.
right2bright on July 24, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I’m getting no sound also (WinMedia player)
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 12:38 PM
hmmm Ive never heard of them, but I was raised in the 70’s, so who knows? :)
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 12:39 PM
btw..I only heard them briefly on Fox. Maybe I rushed to judgement?
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 12:40 PM
#7 in the popularly acclaimed Series: “Meet Barack HUSSEIN Obama’s (PBUH)(SAW)(SWT) Brain:
This is Obama’s Brain: Bis’mallah Ar Rahman wa Ar Raheem….Mohammed Rasululullah….
This is Obama’s Brain on Drugs: Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, Über alles in der Welt,…
Dale in Atlanta on July 24, 2008 at 12:43 PM
He’ll blame it on someone else, but the overall perception remains. He doesn’t dare claim ignorance of the fact wounded servicemen/women were available to him.
a capella on July 24, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Easily over 100k now and there is still over an hour before Barry walks up.
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 12:47 PM
[Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 12:38 PM]
WMP for me too. I tired the other options and still nothing.
Dusty on July 24, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Ditto. I’ll see if I can find another live feed.
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 12:49 PM
This just showed Obama is easily ‘led’ by his handlers, and he has never been any kind of ‘leader’ himself.
If he EVER worked for a honest job with a support staff, he would know the fundamentals of leadership.
He substituted the Leadership 101 with ’staying in a Holiday Express last night’.
Sir Napsalot on July 24, 2008 at 12:49 PM
The fact that this is a surprise to many on this BLOG is a SURPRISE… This EMPTY SUIT will take STYLE over SUBSTANCE anytime… No surprise there.
pueblo1032 on July 24, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Note to Team McCain: Here’s the material for your next ad.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 24, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Has anyone informed the Obamaschweinfuhrer that Frauleins in Berlin’s shopping districts don’t vote in American elections, but soldiers at Ramstein and Landstuhl do?
Steve Z on July 24, 2008 at 12:54 PM
HERE with sound.
BTW my clock was wrong…he should start soon.
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I swear both of the canidates are using the Dare tactic with the American Voters as in I Dare you to Vote for ME. Obama on National Security and John McCain with his Comphrehensive Immigration Reform. Could there be two more canidates, this out of touch with the American Electorate?
Dr Evil on July 24, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Honestly, what would Obama say to any wounded troops? Does anyone really think he has the balls to go up to any of them and say their sacrifice was for nothing, the war was a mistake, and we have to get out of Iraq ASAP? They would spit in his face.
However, the fact that there are 50,000 U.S. citizens living on those bases in Germany and he chose not to visit any of them should be a huge issue in this campaign.
rockmom on July 24, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Obama’s people know he will get a vanishly tiny percentage of the military vote, so they don’t care. They need to convince the idiot celebrity worshipers over here that he is the rock star they’ve been waiting for, or whatever.
funky chicken on July 24, 2008 at 1:02 PM
BHO needs a photo op at Check Point Charlie.
He’ll take credit for the fall of Berlin somehow, kinda like all the committees he oversees back in DC.
shooter on July 24, 2008 at 1:03 PM
[Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM]
Wunderbar! Danke.
Dusty on July 24, 2008 at 1:06 PM
right2bright on July 24, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Winner.
Bishop on July 24, 2008 at 1:06 PM
There are no longer any US military personnel stationed in Berlin, as far as I know. So this decision was no gaffe. It was purposeful.
baldilocks on July 24, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Here he comes
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Obama is still a senator, he hasn’t even been nominated by his party yet, he should have taken the time to meet with the people he represents, not an adoring foreign public.
PLEASE please please RNC, make a few campaign ads of Baracky being cheered by a foreign audience, then show a clip of Landstuhl devoid of the Obama fanfare. Showcase his snub; America loves its soldiers, no matter what the press might tell us.
Bishop on July 24, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Obama thinks Bush ordered our military could only watch Fox News?
This shows he has no concept of the executive power.
Sir Napsalot on July 24, 2008 at 1:13 PM
While I’m no McCain supporter, Obama World Tour is bringing me closer to pulling the lever for Mac. Not because I want McCain, nor because I can’t stand Obama. I am about ready to vote Mac JUST TO SEE THE GLOBAL MELTDOWN that would result from an Obama loss.
P.S. - Anybody watching the live feed - is the weather there sunny enough to possibly make a TelePrompter hard to read? (Hoping)
innominatus on July 24, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Remember not JUST rhe military personnels at Rammstein and Landstuhl US military bases.
They have family, multiply that! If I am a military spouse, I would be MORE offeneded than my better half.
Sir Napsalot on July 24, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Which is why it is interesting that they would have been told that Obama was coming to visit only to be told he wasn’t. I suspect if this picks up any buzz, that cancellation will be reversed as soon as they identify some military that support him inside the hospital.
Texas Gal on July 24, 2008 at 1:18 PM
EXACTLY!
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 1:20 PM
just played the race card
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 1:24 PM
and now the ‘class’ card
dustoffmom on July 24, 2008 at 1:25 PM
“but my father grew up herding goats in Kenya. ”
Well, he continues the lie that his father was a goat-herder in Kenya…h/t Drudge
Dale in Atlanta on July 24, 2008 at 1:27 PM
ahhhhh…..the ‘one world’ slant
dustoffmom on July 24, 2008 at 1:30 PM
“And yet retreat would have allowed Communism to march across Europe.” h/t Drudge…
Can you image the Gall and hypocrasy of this guy?
He’s advocating “retreat” and withdraw from Iraq!
To allow the citizens there, to be the victims of Genocide, if necesary, and now he’s in Berlin, praising the OPPOSITE!
Is this guy a lying POS, or what?
Dale in Atlanta on July 24, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Wow, Obama’s giving a history lesson on Berlin, to the Germans! How funny!
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Obama for chancellor!
Seixon on July 24, 2008 at 1:31 PM
“people of the world”??? He IS campaigning for Leader of the World!!
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Here we go on the Climate Change lecture, how us bad humans are responsible for destroying our planet.
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Obama: “When the Berlin Airlift started, my father, grandfather, four uncles and sixteen cousins were the first to fly cargo planes through Russian flak to deliver baby formula and schnitzel to hungry Berliners”.
Bishop on July 24, 2008 at 1:32 PM
BTW, he just maligned the military AGAIN.
“We were outnumbered and outgunned by the Russian army, we didn’t stand a chance against them…”
Obviously Baracky has never heard of Patton.
Bishop on July 24, 2008 at 1:33 PM
hahahaa
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 1:34 PM
new world..new world..new world…hes sounding like a broken record.
I am having this urge to rip that flag pin off his jacket! grrr
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Walls between the countries with the most and the least cannot stand….
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 1:35 PM
That is why America cannot turn inward.
This from the POS who opposed Free Trade, NAFTA, etc…
WHAT A LYING HYPOCRITE!
Dale in Atlanta on July 24, 2008 at 1:35 PM
It ain’t no mystery
If it’s politics or history
The thing you gotta know is
Everything is show biz…
Heil myself, watch my show
I’m the German Ethel Merman, don’tcha know
We are crossing borders
The New World Order is here!
Make a great big smile
Everyone Sieg Heil
To Me! Wonderful Me!
rockmom on July 24, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Rush just had a good point: Baracky is speaking english to Germans…gawd, how “embarrassing” to be an American today.
Bishop on July 24, 2008 at 1:36 PM
do I hear some hecklers as well as the cheers? Not sure, audio is not that great on the crowd
dustoffmom on July 24, 2008 at 1:36 PM
“Ich bin der größte Berliner” (I’m the biggest jelly donut).
“Ich bin euer schwarzer Berliner” (I’m your black jelly donut).
“Ich bin euer Retter” (I’m your saviour).
“Deutschland ist gut - die U.S.A. wird wieder gut sein” (Germany is good. The U.S. will be good again).
Alle, miteinander “Ja, wir können! Ja, wir können! Ja, wir können!” (All, together, Yes, we can, repeat, repeat).
~ ~ Barack Obama, in Berlin circa 2008
…the crowds went wild; the thunderous voice was deafening; myriad pants and panties went wet, and sticky, the fainted bodies are still being collected…dreams persist…
The Germans are giving Obama the Siegessäule, as a souvenir to bring home, and also as a good luck talisman for Nov.?
Meanwhile, the American Joe and Mary silently observes and goes “What the f**k is this? Who does this punk think he is? Is he running for president of Germany? Duely noted”.
Entelechy on July 24, 2008 at 1:37 PM
The guy is talking about walls, he is channeling the anti-Christ Ronald Reagan.
Haysoos marimba Baracky, do you have a SINGLE original thought? You walk in the steps of great men and STILL end up stumbling like the bum you are.
Bishop on July 24, 2008 at 1:38 PM
we can stand with Muslims…….interesting phrase
dustoffmom on July 24, 2008 at 1:39 PM
we must stand with muslims?? muslims who reject violence? are there any??
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 1:39 PM
“You mean 60 years ago we were against communism??”
/Pimple_Faced_College_Obamabot
innominatus on July 24, 2008 at 1:40 PM
dustoffmom on July 24, 2008 at 1:39 PM
uhoh..we had the same thought!
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 1:40 PM
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?Ê
But NOT the “Iraqis”; we’ve got to withdraw there, ASAP, surrender, just to prove a point!
POS!
Dale in Atlanta on July 24, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Lightworker
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 1:40 PM
He just needs to select David Hasselhoff as his running mate. That would sew up the German vote, because we all know that Germans love David Hasselhoff.
coyoterex on July 24, 2008 at 1:40 PM
So do the people at Ft. Hood in Texas, where McCain wanted to hold a town hall with Obama, could Obama just couldn’t fit it into his schedule, Another great campaign ad for McCain.
Wethal on July 24, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Notice by the way, it was the German people who did all these great things; NOT the US Military…
Dale in Atlanta on July 24, 2008 at 1:41 PM
‘Seek the peace of the world without nuclear weapons’….
Idiot.
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 1:41 PM
we must work with Russia…..uh, i sortta thought we were and have been, at least in theory
dustoffmom on July 24, 2008 at 1:42 PM
The Germans are Hosenscheisser over Obama. All they’re going to be left with is a mustard-like substace in those Hosen. Nov. can turn really ugly for them.
This rally will backfire with those who can vote in the U.S. In retrospect it will have been the megakiller. It will take time. Videos are an interesting tool, for good and not so good, depending on which side…
Entelechy on July 24, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Baracky mentioned the Balkans, did he mean the place where a DFL president attacked a country which had to way to harm us and had no WMD? The place where, ten years later, American troops still patrol? The place he failed to visit while on his whirlwind tour of Europe?
I guess the shopping in Kosovo wouldn’t be nearly as fun for Michelle as it would be in Paris.
Bishop on July 24, 2008 at 1:43 PM
We must stand with Iraqi’s….or at least what will be left of them once we dump them
dustoffmom on July 24, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Stop Iran….clap….er….clap
Stop CO2…..ROAR!!!!!!!!!
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 1:45 PM
” This is the moment to give our children back their future. This is the moment to stand together”….
Sounds similar to, We are the ones we’ve been waiting for…
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Notice by the way, it was the German people who did all these great things; NOT the US Military…
Dale in Atlanta on July 24, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Replace “German” with “Iraqi” and you have the speech he gave a few days ago.
Only a lib could manage to insult multiple generations of veterans; it must be in their DNA.
Bishop on July 24, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Obama ist wunderbar.
Johan Klaus on July 24, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Is he going to start singing “We are the world”?
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Stop CO2…..ROAR!!!!!!!!!
Limerick on July 24, 2008 at 1:45 PM
“You can’t hug a child with global warming arms”.
Bishop on July 24, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Wounded soldiers are fine for democrat talking points. Visiting wounded soldiers to thank them for their sacrifices is not so important. Obama would be funny if he was not so sad. Typical lib.
chief on July 24, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Because he thinks they’re yucky.
peacenprosperity on July 24, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Is he going to start singing “We are the world”?
becki51758 on July 24, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Nope. “Its a small world after aaaaaaaaaalll”.
Bishop on July 24, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Does he sound like a preacher to anyone else?
4shoes on July 24, 2008 at 1:49 PM
The only difference here is that Carol Moseley Braun wasn’t running for President. And if anyone knew Braun like we here in Illinois knew Braun, you’d understand why she wound up only serving one term in office.
pilamaye on July 24, 2008 at 1:49 PM
IF McCain had the “stones”, here’s his campaign ad:
The AMERICAN People are not voting for someone with
an empty resume
hollow rhetoric
an oversized ego
and an empty suit….
Of course, we’ll never see it….
Dale in Atlanta on July 24, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Comment pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 »