Roundup on Obama from Regional German Newspapers: ‘No He Can’t’

In regard to Obama’s speech in Berlin, German skepticism finally seems to be setting in.

In this editorial review from the Financial Times Deutschland of six smaller, regional German newspapers, it’s clear that beyond his eloquent oratory – Obama failed to impress.

Here’s a sampling:

From the Oldenburgische Volkszeitung in Vechta, which is in Germany’s northwest:

“Yes he can: appeal to and inspire the masses, even in Berlin. But one thing’s for sure: Obama will not be able to fulfill all the high hopes being placed in him. No, he can’t. If one carefully scrutinizes the contents of the U.S. senator’s speech, it’s striking to see how paltry and disappointingly shallow it turned out to be.”

From the Weser-Kurier in Bremen:

“Whatever the ultimate consequences of this pre-state visit, it concluded rather soberly: In terms of foreign policy, states tend to very clearly define their own interests. This also apples to the United States. These interests generally change very little, whether a Clinton, Bush or Obama occupies the White House. … Those who witnessed his speech must have been encouraged – together with America – to do well around the globe. A brave new world. The best thing would be if Obama could forever remain a candidate. Should he become president, reality will threaten to do away with the pathos.”

GERMAN EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Translated By Ulf Behncke and Suzanne Angelow

July 25, 2008

Germany – Financial Times Deutschland – Original Article (German)

Despite all the enthusiasm over the Democrat in recent days – the balance of his speech is rather sobering. German commentators are largely in agreement: If Obama in fact becomes US president, disappointment will not be long in coming.

Oldenburgische Volkszeitung (Vechta):

Yes he can: appeal to and inspire the masses, even in Berlin. But one thing’s for sure: Obama will not be able to fulfill all the high hopes being placed in him. No, he can’t. If one carefully scrutinizes the contents of the U.S. senator’s speech, it’s striking to see how paltry and disappointingly shallow it turned out to be. He sounds like a pacifist and pulls you in when he proclaims his vision of a nuclear-free world. But Obama also hasn’t failed to stress the need to maintain a tightly-woven network of U.S. military bases around the globe. In the event of an election victory, Obama is determined to continue with the traditional role of the United States as the world’s policeman. And on climate change, he proposes no concrete objectives. Unfortunately, the parallels with George W. Bush are striking.

Weser-Kurier (Bremen):

Whatever the ultimate consequences of this pre-state visit, it concluded rather soberly: In terms of foreign policy, states tend to very clearly define their own interests. This also apples to the United States. These interests generally change very little, whether a Clinton, Bush or Obama occupies the White House. In this respect, should Obama win the election, little beyond the style of transatlantic cooperation is likely to change; he will perhaps deal a little more with one country and a little less with another, since there’s only so much room to maneuver. However, the oratory skills of this politician are beyond a doubt.

READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated foreign press coverage of the U.S. election.