(A section of the Berlin Wall in the UN Gardens)
Obama in Berlin--Symbolism in so many Ways
Berlin has often been a symbolic stop for American presidents. The once divided West/East city provided a graphic lesson in the contrasts between free and socialist societies. Equally Berlin's 20th century history, much of it dark, has allowed for both stirring rhetorical comparisons and a "teaching moment" on the true meanings of freedom.
The once divided German capital also provided a wonderful podium to stress enduring Transatlantic Relations.
When President John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin on 27 June 1963, JFK spoke at the City hall to a throng of 300,000 cheering Berliners. Even today's often historically illiterate students may have heard of the stirring call,
"Ich bin ein Berliner."
Ronald Reagan came to West Berlin on 12 June 1987. Speaking before the Brandenburg Gate, President Reagan made his clarion call "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down this Wall" Over 45,000
Berliners cheered, but few believed that the Wall, and the East German communist regime who hid behind it, would indeed be gone so soon by November 1989.
Barack Obama came to a united Berlin as a candidate in July 2008. He was given a rock-star reception by Germans and other progressive Europeans who were part of the
Obamamania which was sweeping the world. About 200,000 people cheered Obama.
Now President Obama, returned to Berlin. Speaking at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, to a small, select, and vetted audience of 6,000 Obama's message about nuclear weapons was long on rhetoric but thin on details. Not a memorable address in such a symbolic place.
Obamamania is long gone. Reality has sadly set in. The German weekly
Der Spiegel who once lauded The President, now speaks of Obama as "the lost friend."
