Why is Obama Campaigning in Germany? (Updated)

Updated: Read the text of the “A World that Stands as One” speech in Berlin, here, the check out Media Lizzy’s “People of the World” radio program from this afternoon.

Also: Get the “Reader’s Digest” version of the speech on D=S!

Here’s an excerpt from the speech:

I come to Berlin as so many of my countrymen have come before. 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.

[...]

People of the world - look at Berlin!

Look at Berlin, where Germans and Americans learned to work together and trust each other less than three years after facing each other on the field of battle.

Look at Berlin, where the determination of a people met the generosity of the Marshall Plan and created a German miracle; where a victory over tyranny gave rise to NATO, the greatest alliance ever formed to defend our common security.

Look at Berlin, where the bullet holes in the buildings and the somber stones and pillars near the Brandenburg Gate insist that we never forget our common humanity.

People of the world - look at Berlin, where a wall came down, a continent came together, and history proved that there is no challenge too great for a world that stands as one.

[...]

This is the moment when we must build on the wealth that open markets have created, and share its benefits more equitably. Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few, and not the many. Together, we must forge trade that truly rewards the work that creates wealth, with meaningful protections for our people and our planet. This is the moment for trade that is free and fair for all.

[...]

And this is the moment when we must give hope to those left behind in a globalized world…People of Berlin - people of the world - this is our moment. This is our time…(more)

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Original post, 07/23/08

I got this from Jason Carini, over at GetRightOK.com, who wrote:

…It appears that Barrack Obama is running for President of the World. No joke, he printed a flier in German for his “non-political” speech in Berlin this week.

Patrick Ruffini, at TheNextRight.com, wrote:

This is pretty extraordinary. A candidate for the American Presidency is using flyers printed in German to turn people out for his campaign rally in Berlin on Thursday. This flyer can be found on a bilingual page on BarackObama.com advertising the event…The German flyers bear Obama’s campaign logo and say ‘Paid for by Obama for America’…(more)

Also see:

• Clarification: We are electing a ‘President of the United States’ this year, not a ‘Ruler of the World.’
• Does Obama Think He’s Running for President of the U.S., or Ruler of the World?
• Michelle Malkin - Next stop, Germany: Ich bin ein beginner!