I don't really see why Germany has to play the 1936 game of "Adolf Hitler vs Jesse Owens" all over again! You would think that the German leaders have learned something from history!

Whatever maybe Mt. Zion in Jerusalem or in Babylon, Iraq for BHO's first speech abroad, surely it will draw local and international attention. McCain 08. Hillary 2012!

@whiner:
you do remember that also germany along with france and some other countries did reject the support for the iraq war, do you? I may quote Mr. Rumsfeld: "This is old europe".

And this "Old Europe" will definitely give Mr. Obama a great welcome.
It does not matter where he will speak, rather than what he'll have to say.

Marie, Berlin

Hey there, Mr. Obama!!!! Germany isn't in the United States!!! What are you doing in Europe? Those Europeans, can't vote this fall. Did you forget that? Or are you just pandering to the American expats that live over there? Or the American military personnel? Sounds like politics as usual to me.

McSame, we are not whiners and our financial pain in not in our heads. Your top economic advisor hasn't got as clue and since you said that you don't understand the economy, neither do you!!!

This is a good example of why Obama doesn't have the experience to deal with foreign policy. Would a leader from another country come and make a speech during their countries election period outside the Lincoln memorial?

I'm no fan of Mccain either - I'm just bracing for another 4 years of the doldrums.

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive…

The Obama campaign just needs to make more news, or something to talk about besides having a real debate with McCain in the land of America where the election will be held. But nothing, nothing Sen. Obama says or does matters anymore to many of us. We won’t be watching the Denver convention this year. We won’t be watching a great speech (with what definition?) period. The media should know it’s all over now. Many of us are done with the show.

McCain if not Hillary 2008!

Obama 08 Female ,60 white.

Arrogant Obama did say our kids need to learn Spanish. This was not cherry picking. I also find it amusing that you have to tell everyone you are white. Do you feel guilty and think if you vote for Obama that will make you feel not so guilty. You are voting for an inexperienced empty suit.

No offense folks,

I understand the trip to Iraq and Afghanistan.

I DO NOT understand making political speeches in Germany. Senator Obama is NOT elected yet. He is NOT running for President of the World…or is he?

I pray everyday that you die.

And don't even think about having the gate as a backdrop and announce your famous speech…"Hope is coming to America". That would be worse than France First Lady, Carla Bruni's new release.

THIS IS TYPICAL EUROPE, CAN'T MAKE UP THEIR MIND ON ANYTHING. I'LL SAY IGNORE THEM FOR NOW…

CNN . . why are you deleting my comments???????

Obama: Show us a certified copy of your original birth certificate.

I hope senator Obama ,if invited to speak at the Brandan Burg gate would appreciate the fact he is or was invited to do sobut offer to speak sometime after he becomes president of the USA.

Rachel
It is not so easy to copy, you have to be an extraordinary intelligent person to be able to do it and WIN ALL THE TIMES.

Female , 60 ,white………..I think you and I would agree that Lou Dobbs is a pompous jerk…..he pretends to be so independent !!!!!

Senator Obama is making history, and not copying anything, for those who don't understand history! Germany is a NATO member nation, their now helping us in Afghanistan. So it is necessary to understand that we draw a lot of of our military power from Germany, france and many other nations from aroud the world!

Joel

It is not about how you raise your child. ABSENT FATHERS AFFECTS ALL OF SOCIETY. THE COST OF SOCIAL SERVICES ,AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN COMES FROM OUR TAX DOLLARS. THE OVER LOAD ON OUR SCHOOL's SERVICES TRYING TO COMPENSATE FOR PSYCHOLICAL ISSUES, AND THE SUPPORT NEEDED BY SINGLE MOTHERS. THINK THINK THINK

There really is no need to "poison" people against Obama.
He is doing a good job all by himself.

DEBATE!

When a woman is at the helm things are done properly! Thank goodness that Kanzler Merkel stood up for the dignity and historical nature of the Brandenburg Gate, a site that should NOT be abused by the Obama machine as a campaign advertising site.

Angela Merkel has my respect!!

Obama sound judgment is what I'm looking for in a President.

Good luck Barack Obama!!!!!

He will still push to give a speech at the Brandenburg gate despite his denials. I'm from the UK and I resent Obama using Europe for his own political gain. He is not a leader he is a first term Senator. It would be outrageous if a British or German member of parliament had a big rally and gave a speech next to the Lincoln statue in Washington. Finally visiting a few famous capitals in Europe does not enhance his foreign affairs crudentials, this is sheer opportunism but that's just typical of Obama.

Joel, It should be "I don't need anyone telling me how I should raise my child." Do you think Obama was talking to you? If so, maybe you do need advice.

Because he's not very familiar with Germany? Just go to Berlin. Everybody'd heard of that.

Yo, Joel,
Maybe you ought to ask your child to teach you how to write a correct sentence without a double negative:)

So who is he trying to be today—Ronald Reagan what a joke.
Its not a "fairytale" but a nightmare. Putting this guy up as president to deal with foreign policy with absolutely no knowledge of whats going on in the world…What a farce. One day he wears one mask the next another. Im so sick and tired of this man and the bias media—My support for Mc Cain grows by the day.

The international community prefers Obama over McCain by a wide margin.

Stay away from the Brandenburg Gate, Obama! You haven't earned the right to speak there — and this comes from an immigrant German!

Will he tell the story about how his great uncle liberated the prisoners in Auschwitz Poland or does he thinks Auschwitz is in Germany.

Well Bush was successful in mudding the water with the Chancellor before Senator Obama arrived. The sad part for Her and Germany is they'll need him before he needs them and I'm sure his campaign staff has long memories. It was silly oh her part because ANY where Obama speaks in Germany he will draw a crowd.

OBAMA …YES!!!!

Why will Obama go all the way to Germany to give a speech, but, refuses to debate McCain at a 'town meeting'??? Because, thats all this empty suit can do…is give 'hot-air' speeches. I demand that my president has Experience, Quaifications, Integrity & Guts. Obama, the 2 year Junior Senator, has none of these. All he can do is read teleprompted speeches.
Obama…NO GOOD FOR AMERICA!!!

Another page in the life and preposterous dreams of the worlds "Great Impostor".

Mr. Obama ,the USA and the Wold are starting to catch up with your fake rhetoric and what at the end of the day most people will believe are nothing but empty promises, loose tall and a lot "BS"

Please vote Republican…!!!!!!!.

The brandenberg gate is no place for any politicians campaign speech. Reagan spoke there as a "PRESIDENT" at the end of the cold war, when there was a wall dividing Berlin. Does Mr. Obama think he is the president already? Why not have other countries people running for office to all come give their election speeches on the white house lawn or red square. I think Mr Obama is showing his arrogance and disrespect for other countries. Taking hagel with him is not showing bipartisnship, he is taking hagel because he is a republican "against the war", why not take lieberman? or hillary? And as much as obama has changed his iraq message, it's not very much different from McCains, he is still going to have about 50,000 soldiers left there for the long run (his contigent force). So americans have been fooled again by a typical politician. It's all politics, he smooth talked your votes in the primary on issues to beat hillary, then he changes everything. Typical politician, tell you what you want to hear until he talks to the next group of voters.

If he speaks at the Brandenburg gate it will be a slap in face of Germans. Nice to see he is taking some people with experience with him to Iraq since he has no qualifications with foreign policy. This guy is the leader of the Democrats???? It is a shame a proven team of leaders (Clinton) got tossed to the side.

Too bad.

Had Obama actually given a pretty little speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate before he even became the actual nominee of the Democratic Party, the Obamarrogant label would have stuck to him for all eternity…

It was such a major mistake on the part of the Obama campaign to have leaked the invitation from the mayor of Berlin.

What did Carville call Obama's handlers, "stupid amateurs" think it was?

Knoxville NFIL

Why does he think he has to give a speech. He's only a nominee not the president. He can go overseas but needs to keep his mouth shut. There is too big a chance that he will mis speak or say something controversial. I hope Michelle isn't going with him. That would be a nightmare not knowing what will come out of her mouth.

The Germans want him there, they love him. Maliki wants the U.S. to draw a timetable to leave and Obama is right in listening because he has always stressed a timetable withdrawal , so really there is nothing for him to say. Obama has always stressed the importance of focusing our attention on Afgan and nothing has been done by the Bush administration and as a result more U.S. troops are being killed. Bush/McCain have mismanaged our military in the worse way so why would anyone want McCain to continue the same.

Maybe the Germans are whiners too like us Americans…according to John McSame!!!!

Today there was an article in the SF Chronicle about the media's focus on the JFK - BO comparisons. However, it was done within the context of media contrived. First of all, JFK was defined by family triumphs and tragedy, with a father who never deserted his family, instead supported his sons. JFK was a Navy war hero - BO never served. JFK loved animals - BO doesn't own a one. JFK's speech in Germany was historical - BO's is a copy cat version with no historical relevance. As far as I can tell, BO cannot be compared so much with JFK as much as he's an imitator.

Nice try audacious one!

But, give it up Obama! Your only claim to fame is now redundant. We are winning in Iraq, and Bush beat you to the draw on withdrawal of troops!

We do enjoy your daily or hourly issue position updates though!

Former Democrat for McCain 08, the only wise choice!

Why haven't you added that the German president does not want Obama to speak at the Brandenburg gate? Not everyone is enarmoured with him CNN.

Why did the Bush Administration lobby the Germany Chancellor to prevent Senator Obama from speaking at the Brandenburg gate?

Are the republicans so desperate to win that they would politicize the office of the Presidency?

That's un American.

This doesn't mention the reported article that notes that officials form the Bush administration approached German officials during the G8 conference "urging" them not to allow Obama to speak at this site….nervous are we Dubya! LOL I love It

"No Mind in Sight". I think they mean, for you Mr Obama…

OBAMA nEW America. vote Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Obama is smart, He will listen!
remember the wise old owl in the old oak tree…
Way to go Obama

CNN forgot the part where Bush Administration was using political strong-hold language to sabotage the up coming event.

Bush used political influence during the G-8 Summit to keep Barack from making a speech at the Brandenburg Gate.

Again another attempt by the Bush Administration to derail Barack's campaign. Bush is a coward and cannot stand the idea of not having the war continue if his guy- McSame is not elected..

No MORE BUSH… NO MORE McSame…….

Yes WE Can… Barack Obama 2008, .. 2012

Then stay at home in Chicago BHO. Our ties with Germany are great or haven't you been reading the news? Chancellor Merkell and Bush get along just fine. Don't go over there and screw everything up…..

Why are American servicemen, still in Germany? that's the real issue!

No one need to know when Obama is going to take these trips, for security reasons.

I don't blame Obama, there is no need to cause any distractions or controversy to where he gives the speech in Germany as long as he gives it and if not this time. Maybe after he becomes President.

What position is that? I still don't know and I have been listen for months. First he will pull them out in 16 months and set a time table, now the table is turned and he has turned as well. He lacks a backbone, and that is scary. What if the rest of the world sees him as a man who lacks conviction?

Obama is admired, respected and loved all over the world. They see what a breath of fresh air he is and they can't all be wrong. Funny how the Mayor of that town went on record to say he welcomed Barack to speak at the gate with open arms and not only that but the citizens of the town overwhelmingly support having Barack speak there.

Good lawd, whats next? an article about what kind of car McCain drives?………where are the issue discussions?

I guess the Germans are not anxious to play the Barack game of pretending he is in the same category as John Kennedy.

What an incurable narcissist is Obama!

I'm surprised Obama dosen't want to put his name on the monument.

He already thinks he's a Rock Star. He has done NOTHING for this country since he has been inpolitics except vote present.

I personally think that it is a huge mistake for Obama until he is in fact a President (if he is elected), to start giving speeches in other countriies. If front of the Brandenburg Gate, where other "PRESIDENTS" having giving speeches, Obama is not a President yet. He should wait until he is elected.

Obama should RIGHT NOW state that he will NOT speak at the Brandenburg Gate and NOT put the President of Germany is such a position in her country.

Besides, who does Obama think he is?????

George Bush evil hand is at work here in denying Obama the venue site……………CNN, do report the news and NOT BURY THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just hope the people of Germany realize that Obama does not speak for millions of Americans. He is not the President, he has not been elected or even appointed to represent the United States. He is merely a candidate running for office. His arrogance sickens me.

John McShame wants to eat his cake and have it too!………….you can either be for rightwing conservatives who hate Hispanics and loathe illegal immigration or for Hiispanics who are seeking a better future for their kids & families….

John McShame, where do you stand on the issues?

Your DOUBLE TALK EXPRESS has lost it's wheel and it's veering off course into a ditch!!!!

Why is he going to Germany? Does he not know it's not part of the United States?

Bush probaly called Merkel and ask her to endorse McCain. People in Europe love Obama no matter what Merkel or any other Bush friend says.

This is much more important to the media than it is for the average American. WHO CARES? This is petty.

it does'nt matter where he makes his speech.
He can be welcome everywhere.
OBAMA 08!

Well is he welcome in Germany? It would interesting to know more about how the German Government, or the German people feel about his speaking at the Brandenburg Gate.

What is the TRUE objection to his speaking there? Give us more information, CNN.

DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!

Go do and rebuild what the Republicans have torn to pieces. Show them that Americans are smart and diplomatic. Represent Obama we believe in you.
Obama '08

Well, this certainly is bad news.

Had Obama actually given a pretty little speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate before he even became the actual nominee of the Democratic Party, the Obamarrogant label would have stuck to him for all eternity…

Well, it was still a major mistake on the part of the Obama campaign to have leaked the invitation from the mayor of Berlin.

What did Carville call Obama's handlers, "stupid amateurs" think it was?

Knoxville NFIL

The German treatment of Obama regarding this issue is, profoundly outrageous! Every American should be furious. When Obama becomes our president, let's just tell the Teutonic twits they aren't welcome here as well.

It is obvious Bush did not possess the intellect to make this kind of address, like the brilliant JFK, but without doubt, Obama represents this century's Camelot. I would fall to my knees to be there at the Gate to hear Obama's presentation before the world. This is a leader to be proud of everywhere!

An excellent statement and firm position. That's the way to handle foreign issues when you are in preparation for the world's most influencial and wanted job. All you Repugs, HRC (nobama) PUMA- and Mckinney freaks should take this as an example for your next candidate in 2016.

I wonder how the Bush/Cheney/McCain/Limbaugh/Dobbs coalition will twist this to try and poison people against Obama? Hopefully most people have caught on to these types and consider where it comes from since it is hard to expect any more from a pig than a grunt.

I DO NOT NEED NO ONE TELLING ME HOW I SHOULD RAISE MY CHILD. Mcobama.

i wouldn't go to germany,at all.i would go to france and have a speech about the usa smear campaign against france,[for not supporting the illegal occupation of iraq],instigated by the bush administration,so they could take oil contracts away from french companies as well as russian.bush is the reason why the world dislikes us and mccain will only be taking up his same call.

Most of the so called "shifts" or "stances" attributed to Obama from this one to VPs are media driven and not based on definitive statements made by Obama himself or on selective cherry picking of his words. For example, Lou Dobbs tirade that Obama said all American students should learn Spanish. A careful reading of the whole speech makes it very apparent that he was stating Americans should learn foreign languages.

Anything to create controversy. For example, using quotes from his website from "so called" disgruntled bloggers…everyone knows that there are trolls on the blogs who are on there to create controversy and dissension. Surely, comments reported as news needs to be vetted and the sources verified.

asked if he knew about the economy…McCain answered with a long pause, then avoided the question
asked about birth control …all McCain could say was duh um did i vote for that?
you people cant really be voting for McCain and calling your selves Americans

How can people stand this. Obama is not making history he is just trying to copy it! he has graduated from using his friends just words speech, to just trying to copy jfk with the statidum, trying to copy regan with branden burg gate and he will accept his nonimation on the same day martin luther king jr gave his I have a dream speech. UGGGH this is bothering me Obama just stop copying.

Barack Obama a true american.