Jamie

Weinstein

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July 28, 2008

Obama in Berlin: Lots of Spectacle, No Substance

When Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan traveled to Berlin, in 1963 and 1987 respectively, the Western world led by the United States was in the midst of a great global conflict with both ideological and military dimensions. Berlin was a literal symbol of the divide between East and West.

It is within this weighty context that these presidents delivered speeches that are remembered today as among the most significant of the Cold War. When Kennedy visited, the Cold War was in full swing. The Soviet Union had recently constructed a wall separating East and West Berlin. Kennedy implored those around the world who didn't understand what the Cold War was about, who didn't understand the "evils" of Communism, who thought Communism was the wave of the future, to come to Berlin and see the reality for themselves. Turning his attention to the Soviet Union, Kennedy passionately orated, "Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us."

Reagan too came to Berlin to challenge the Soviet juggernaut. Speaking directly to the Evil Empire, Reagan issued a stern challenge:

"There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace," he said standing boldly in front of the Brandenburg Gate. "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

Barack Obama had the opportunity last Thursday to stage the most memorable performance in Berlin since David Hasselhoff sang his heart out on top of the crumbling Berlin Wall at the end of the Cold War. In theory, it was a brilliant idea. Obama was going to wow the world and show Americans that he is larger than life.

But something just wasn't right. Who was he speaking to? With what authority did he speak? Why should anyone in the world listen?

When Kennedy and Reagan went to Berlin, they traveled with the authority the office of the U.S. presidency bestows. They spoke for America and the American people.

And while undoubtedly they sought to convey their message to several different audiences, their main audience was clear – the Soviet Union. They were challenging the Evil Empire from that tiny oasis of freedom in the midst of it.

In contrast, Obama is an Illinois Senator and the presumptive Democratic nominee. Such titles confer upon him the power to speak for the citizens of Illinois and/or the Democratic Party. But unless or until he is elected president, he does not speak with the authority that office bestows.

This is part of the reason the speech seemed so strange. We generally don't pay much attention to those who give extravagant speeches claiming all the authority of a "citizen of the world."

It also wasn't clear who Obama's main audience was. Was it the 200,000 people in attendance? Europeans in general? The world as a whole? Or was his speech really directed toward Americans, to vividly display to them that he is beloved by the world?

If the last of these is the case, I am not sure this is something one should puff his chest about.  Popularity is not synonymous with correctness and righteousness. Plenty of unpopular decisions ridiculed by Europeans and scoffed at by the world have proven over time to have been correct. Remember what Europeans thought of Ronald Reagan's military build-up in the 1980s?

Europe's infatuation with Obama can be attributed to his newness. Europeans, like Americans, don't really know all that much about Obama. He has yet to make decisions that they don't like. But if his supporters think that upon assuming office, Obama, through his personal charm, will somehow compel Europeans, for instance, to provide more troops in Afghanistan, I suspect they are going to be disappointed.

This brings us to the reality of the situation. If Barack Obama is elected president, Kim Jong II, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hugo Chavez and the rest of the world's totalitarian gang will still exist. Obama's charm won't convince them to take actions that they have so far steadfastly refused to. Iran won't miraculously stop its nuclear weapons program and North Korea won't suddenly lift the bondage of its gruesome rule by the mere appearance to the international stage of a pretty face with a glowing smile. 

Much of Obama's appeal lies in the fact that many Americans project powers upon him that he does not have. We live in dangerous times. We are engaged in multiple wars. Dangerous leaders with diabolical schemes abound. We want to believe that all of this can be settled with a snap of the fingers or the election of a magical man. Barack Obama has many talents. Magic is surely not one of them.

But by staging grandiose speeches in larger-than-life settings, Obama can give the impression to the many who so eagerly want to believe in political magic that he is this powerful revolutionary. To them, Obama is no politician. He is the golden child who will lead not only the United States, but the world into a new era of prosperity and peace.

An honest appraisal of Obama's speech in Berlin, however, gives an unfavorable comparison to Kennedy and Reagan. Not only did Obama lack the stature of these men, but his words were unremarkable. There was no great "ich bin ein Berliner" or "tear down this wall" moment. Obama simply served up a plate of generalities, tired platitudes and naïve global visions.  

© 2008 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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