IS HE RUNNING FOR THE EU PRESIDENCY? (via Matt Murphy):

Huge Crowds Left with Mixed Feelings (Mark Waffel and Josh Ward, 7/24/08, Der Spiegel)

"I want to be here for our 'Ich bin ein Berliner' speech," Julie Hagedorn, 38, a Canadian living with her German husband in Berlin told SPIEGEL ONLINE before the speech. "I want to hear it with my own ears when Obama says 'Ich bin ein Europäer (I am a European)."

This sentiment of hoping that the speech would signal the beginning of a new relationship and healing process between Europe and the United States was shared by many of those in the crowd. "This is a rare event," said Alla Samkova, 68, a native Muscovite who has been living in Berlin for 45 years. "In the end it doesn't matter what he says; it only matters that he's here."

Still others -- many others -- expressed joy at being able to get a far-off glimpse of the man promising so much change for the US and the world. "To put it cynically, it's always nice to see a country getting rid of its own junta, even if it elected it itself," said Carsten Winkler, 43, a native Berliner working in the solar industry.

The folks at the New Yorker could take a lesson from Mr. Obama on how to satirize his campaign.

Posted by Orrin Judd at July 25, 2008 6:08 AM