‘Hangover After the Obama Rush’: Financial Times Deutschland Editorial

It seems – as we saw yesterday at WORLDMEETS.US with the editorial translations of a number of regional German newspapers – that after an orgy of Obama-mania in Berlin, Germans are having some second thoughts.

Perhaps, this editorial from Germany’s Financial Times Deutschland ponders, a President John McCain would be easier to refuse when he seeks more German troops for southern Afghanistan?

The editorial says in part:

“Those who cheer Obama today may have to negotiate with him over Afghanistan tomorrow. … The United States will not accept an indefinite situation in which they wear themselves out fighting the Taliban, while the Germans offer friendly help with reconstruction.”

And when will reality hit home for German voters?:

“While the government already knows what’s coming its way, the voters for the major parties could soon experience a rude awakening – when they find that Obama’s new America has the same old objectives. Up to now, Germans could refuse a more robust mandate for Afghanistan by quietly hinting that one really mustn’t follow the lead of George W. Bush. But it will be much harder after one has just applauded him, to reject the first urgent request from a President Obama.”

EDITORIAL

Translated By Julian Jacob

July 26, 2008

Germany – Financial Times Deutschland – Original Article (German)

Those who cheer Obama today may have to negotiate with him over Afghanistan tomorrow. For the Union and the Social Democratic Party, this could become a problem during the 2009 federal election campaign.

If you want to know what the foreign policy of a possible President Barack Obama might look like, take a look at the route of his itinerary. Before the U.S. senator was cheered in Berlin, he visited Afghanistan and Iraq – the sore points for the Americans. Beyond the desired PR campaign effects, one can identify a clear sequence: First, Obama sees a problem. Then he goes where, from his point of view, the solution lies.

Obama’s speech in Berlin was an advertisement for the common battle against terrorism. For the federal government, this very clearly means that a greater commitment is expected. The United States will not accept an indefinite situation in which they wear themselves out fighting the Taliban, while the Germans offer friendly help with reconstruction.

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