Excitement Growing in Germany as Obama Speech Nears

[KarissaMann05]

That's why my mom wants Obama to be president!

 

[Reba]

Get the fact straight. It would look Obama use us and troops as a political if he visit wounded American soliders at the hospital to get votes but he didn't... :roll:

I laughed sooo hard to learn that McCain complaint that Obama didn't visit troops in Iraq and Afghanistan but Obama did... and then look for an excuse to against Obama's oversea trip... then look for another excuse to accuse Obama for disrespect wounded troops for not visit them at hospitial... I bet McCain would criticized Obama to use the troops to raise his votes if he visit the hospitail!

It show itself is McCain is two-faced!!!!

The reason Obama didn't visit the troops in the hospital is because he couldn't take cameras there. He couldn't get a political benefit from the visit, so he didn't bother.

I don't see anything funny about Obama ignoring the wounded troops.

 

[Reba]

Yes, Obama does the same as well... He met politicians in different countries... Do you deny it or what?

Obama visit troops in Iraq and Afghanistan... McCain? :roll:

McCain has visited the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan many times before Obama. McCain visited the troops even before he ran for President. The only reason Obama made the trip was for political benefit.

I guess Obama forgot that the Europeans can't vote for him.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

The reason Obama didn't visit the troops in the hospital is because he couldn't take cameras there. He couldn't get a political benefit from the visit, so he didn't bother.

I don't see anything funny about Obama ignoring the wounded troops.

I was being informed at few hours ago:

Yes, he visited the hospitals and meet with wounded troops in Iraq and Afghanistan without photos and press. He was planned to visit the troops at hospitail in Germany but the visit was cancelled in last minute when the Pentagon contacted him. It tells a lot that he respects, honors and care for our troops. It shows that his visit in Germany was being treated in the respectful manner.

I would consider Obama as an arrogant if he disowned/disrespect the request of the Pentagon to care about his votes to raise but he doesn't... I Obama for his respectful... is LISTEN to the Pentagon and agreed with their logic, as well as recognized their authority to express their view of his visit.

No matter what and how Obama did, but McCain & his supporters did nothing but complaint, whine etc against Obama to neglect their plan for their people and country... Their whines is not what the country needs but the country needs someone to improve the economy, jobs, healthcare, etc. McCain's ranting/raving make me support Obama more and more.

This is horrible to know that McCain has no character for using injured soldiers to profit his campaign. That's definietly a sick. McCain can't keep his fact straight, that it would make him look that he is act like he is president if he visit injuried soliders in hospitails with photos and press.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

McCain has visited the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan many times before Obama. McCain visited the troops even before he ran for President. The only reason Obama made the trip was for political benefit.

Wow! What a hypocrite!

I don't care how many times McCain has been visited to overseas. What has his visit to other countries done? Nothing!!! I only know that his sons are mainly reason why he made a frequent visit to Iraq... It tells a lot that he use it as to boost his votes...

Yes, Obama's last visit to Iraq was in 2006 and then again few weeks ago. It's pretty hypocritical for McCain to attack Obama because his last trip to Afghanistan himself was in 2006, too. What's your point?

Did McCain visit the wounded troops when he was in Europe?

I'm too tired to listen the negative things McCain & his supporters made toward Obama.

John McCain has been obsessed with Iraq and have no plan for Afghanistan. It shows that it's proves itself that John McCain is a phony, and a hypocrite, and a fool.

I guess Obama forgot that the Europeans can't vote for him.

Obama already told us that he is not make political speech but consider himself as an US Citizen. It shows that he know that we can't vote him. What's your point?

Your post sound that you are an anti-European or what? I thought you would be interest to hear Europeans' views but you are not?

Yes, we Europeans have the right to express support for Obama because we beleive that President should have a good judgement and good relationships with many countries around the world, not claim for want to vote him BECAUSE we CANNOT afford to have another Bush, period.

 

[Byrdie714]

McCain has visited the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan many times before Obama. McCain visited the troops even before he ran for President. The only reason Obama made the trip was for political benefit.

I guess Obama forgot that the Europeans can't vote for him.

That may be true but at least he has given Americans insight of what and how the office would be carried out.

And the spread between Obama and McCranky is getting wider as Obama is 49% with McCranky at 40%

 

[Royale]

That may be true but at least he has given Americans insight of what and how the office would be carried out.

And the spread between Obama and McCranky is getting wider as Obama is 49% with McCranky at 40%

The REAL poll is on November 4th. I am not counting on those opinion polls and they are for losers.

 

[Reba]

I was being informed at few hours ago:

Yes, he visited the hospitals and meet with wounded troops in Iraq and Afghanistan without photos and press. He was planned to visit the troops at hospitail in Germany but the visit was cancelled in last minute when the Pentagon contacted him. It tells a lot that he respects, honors and care for our troops. It shows that his visit in Germany was being treated in the respectful manner.

I would consider Obama as an arrogant if he disowned/disrespect the request of the Pentagon to care about his votes to raise but he doesn't... I Obama for his respectful... is LISTEN to the Pentagon and agreed with their logic, as well as recognized their authority to express their view of his visit.

No matter what and how Obama did, but McCain & his supporters did nothing but complaint, whine etc against Obama to neglect their plan for their people and country... Their whines is not what the country needs but the country needs someone to improve the economy, jobs, healthcare, etc. McCain's ranting/raving make me support Obama more and more.

This is horrible to know that McCain has no character for using injured soldiers to profit his campaign. That's definietly a sick. McCain can't keep his fact straight, that it would make him look that he is act like he is president if he visit injuried soliders in hospitails with photos and press.

The reason that Obama didn't visit the hospital is because the Pentagon wouldn't let him campaign at the hospital. As a U.S. Senator, Obama is always welcome at any military hospital. But no political campaigning is allowed on military facilities. It seems that Obama didn't want to visit the wounded soldiers as their Senator. He wanted to get some campaigning benefit for the visit. The military cannot accept politic campaigning. So, Obama's staff canceled the visit. That is very self centered of them. It shouldn't matter to them if cameras and press aren't allowed in the hospital. Obama should visit the patients privately. But he didn't bother. That is NOT showing respect for the patients.

Pentagon disputes Obama camp version of cancelled troop visit
07/25/2008 @ 3:50 pm
Filed by Reuters

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama dropped a plan to visit wounded U.S. troops in Germany on Friday amid concerns the stop would be viewed as a political event.

Planning for a stop at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center had been in the works for three weeks. But an Obama adviser said he was told in recent days by the Pentagon that the military would consider it a campaign event.

"Senator Obama had hoped to and had every intention of visiting our troops to express his appreciation and gratitude for their service to our country," said retired Maj. Gen. Scott Gration, who advises Obama on national security matters.

"Senator Obama did not want to have a trip to see our wounded warriors perceived as a campaign event when his visit was to show his appreciation for our troops and decided instead not to go," Gration said.

Obama was to have stopped at Landstuhl after visiting Berlin on Thursday. He flew to Paris on Friday and will wrap up his trip abroad in London before heading back to the United States on Saturday.

Obama's trip abroad, rare for a presidential candidate, is aimed at burnishing his credentials on foreign policy. His rival in the November election, Republican John McCain, has labeled the first-term U.S. senator as too inexperienced to lead on foreign policy.

The 46-year-old Obama has also visited Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories.

NO PARTISAN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS

The Pentagon, in a statement, cited longstanding Defense Department policy that prohibits military personnel or facilities from association with partisan political campaigns and elections.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman took issue with Gration's statement, saying that the Defense Department did not object to Obama visiting in his role as an Illinois senator but it did not want campaign staff or the media present.

"The Pentagon certainly did not tell the senator that he could not visit Landstuhl," Whitman said. "The issue here is that if you are both a sitting senator and a political candidate, when you are doing things like a visit to Landstuhl, you need to do it in your capacity as a sitting senator."

The visit to Landstuhl had not been announced on public schedules but the Obama campaign said it was planned for Friday morning and that Gration would have been the only adviser to accompany Obama and no media coverage would have been allowed.

The Landstuhl medical center near the city of Kaiserslautern is the largest American hospital outside the United States. It provides treatment to casualties injured in Afghanistan.

Senior Obama aide Robert Gibbs noted the senator had visited troops during the earlier part of his foreign tour in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a stop at a combat support hospital in the Green Zone in Baghdad.

Obama also visited wounded soldiers at the Walter Reed military hospital in Washington last month.

"The senator decided out of respect for these servicemen and women that it would be inappropriate to make a stop to visit troops at a U.S. military facility as part of a trip funded by the campaign," Gibbs said.

Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for the McCain campaign said: "It is never inappropriate to visit and comfort our brave men and women who have served in combat."

In an open air speech to more than 200,000 people in the center of Berlin, Obama urged Germany Thursday to stand by the United States in stabilizing Afghanistan.

The Raw Story | Pentagon disputes Obama camp version of cancelled troop visit

Pentagon Says It Cautioned Obama On Military-Hospital Visit
Friday July 25th, 2008 / 18h10
WASHINGTON (AFP)--The Pentagon advised Sen. Barack Obama's staff that he could visit a U.S. military hospital in Germany only in his official capacity as a member of Congress, without the trappings of a political campaign, Defense Department officials said Friday.

Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, canceled the visit Friday to wounded soldiers at the military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, after deciding the stop would be inappropriate as part of a trip financed by his campaign, a spokesman said.

Pentagon officials said the restrictions were in keeping with Defense Department guidelines aimed at avoiding the appearance of military support for any particular candidate.

"Because his visit is official only, Senator Obama may not be accompanied by members of his campaign staff," a Pentagon memo seen by AFP said. "He may only be accompanied by one member of his Senate staff, and the appropriate number of security personnel."

"While at LRMC (Landstuhl Regional Medical Center), Senator Obama may not address the media to make a campaign or election-related statement or to respond to a campaign or a campaign related event," the memo said.

A Defense Department directive issued in June 2006 prohibits the use of military installations for campaign events or speeches.

The senator from Illinois had hoped to meet with wounded soldiers at Landstuhl as he had in Baghdad, which he visited earlier in the week as part of a congressional delegation.

"We learned from the Pentagon last night that the visit would be viewed instead as a campaign event," said retired major general Scott Gration, an Obama adviser.

"Senator Obama did not want to have a trip to see our wounded warriors perceived as a campaign event when his visit was to show his appreciation for our troops and decided instead not to go," he said.

Robert Gibbs, an Obama strategist, said the senator "decided out of respect for these servicemen and women that it would be inappropriate to make a stop to visit troops at a U.S. military facility as part of a trip funded by the campaign."

Republicans including Obama's Republican rival for the White House, Sen. John McCain, leaped on the canceled visit, saying it was never inappropriate to visit U.S. troops.

Obama last weekend visited soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, but that portion of his trip was as part of a congressional delegation, not an official campaign swing.

The Democrat arrived in Paris on Friday for a six-hour visit, the penultimate stop of his tour of Europe and the Middle East, before returning home from London on Saturday.

Friday July 25th, 2008 / 18h10 Source : Dowjones Business News

Pentagon Says It Cautioned Obama On Military-Hospital Visit - EasyBourse actualité

If Obama really respected the soldiers, he would visit them in the hospital following Pentagon guidelines.

 

[Royale]

Yes, Obama does the same as well... He met politicians in different countries... Do you deny it or what?

Obama visit troops in Iraq and Afghanistan... McCain? :roll:

McCain went there many times as Senator to assess the ongoing situations before he announced his presidency.

 

[Reba]

That may be true but at least he has given Americans insight of what and how the office would be carried out.

And the spread between Obama and McCranky is getting wider as Obama is 49% with McCranky at 40%

I don't mock Obama's name, so I would appreciate it if you would show equal respect for McCain's name.

 

[Royale]

Obama already told us that he is not make political speech but consider himself as an US Citizen. It shows that he know that we can't vote him. What's your point?


Yes, we Europeans have the right to express support for Obama because we beleive that President should have a good judgement and good relationships with many countries around the world, not claim for want to vote him BECAUSE we CANNOT afford to have another Bush, period.

That is full of crap. He used this trip for political reasons and that is why I called it a pure electioneering.

If he said he did it as U.S. citizen, then some U.S. citizens should have same and equal opportunities to do it.

McCain is no Bush. As matter of facts, McCain and Bush privately are not getting along; however, Bush HAS to sponsor and support him for political reasons.

 

[Royale]

Get the fact straight. It would look Obama use us and troops as a political if he visit wounded American soliders at the hospital to get votes but he didn't... :roll:


I laughed sooo hard to learn that McCain complaint that Obama didn't visit troops in Iraq and Afghanistan but Obama did... and then look for an excuse to against Obama's oversea trip... then look for another excuse to accuse Obama for disrespect wounded troops for not visit them at hospitial... I bet McCain would criticized Obama to use the troops to raise his votes if he visit the hospitail!

It show itself is McCain is two-faced!!!!

Don't get me wrong. I used to major in political science and work for several political organizations. I know and understand how, why and what the politics play out into their favors.

ALL politicians regardless of their political parties are two-faced.

 

[Byrdie714]

I don't mock Obama's name, so I would appreciate it if you would show equal respect for McCain's name.

Politics is a nasty game Reba. You should know that.

Besides I haven't decided if I am voting for either candidate yet. I may vote for Osama or McCranky/McCreepy.

 

[Byrdie714]

The REAL poll is on November 4th. I am not counting on those opinion polls and they are for losers.

And in this case it may be for McCranky/McCreepy.

 

[Reba]

Wow! What a hypocrite!

I don't care how many times McCain has been visited to overseas.

Then why are you so wound up about the topic? It's no big deal.

What has his visit to other countries done? Nothing!!! I only know that his sons are mainly reason why he made a frequent visit to Iraq... It tells a lot that he use it as to boost his votes...

How do you "know that his sons are mainly reason why he made a frequent visit to Iraq"? Where did you get that information? Source please.

Why do you when Obama visits overseas but you insult McCain when he visits overseas? He visited the war zone BEFORE he began campaigning for President, so it had nothing to do with getting votes.

Do you really believe Obama's trip had nothing to do with campaigning? Then why did his campaign supporters pay for his trip? (Note my previous post where the news article says, "a trip funded by the campaign".)

Yes, Obama's last visit to Iraq was in 2006 and then again few weeks ago. It's pretty hypocritical for McCain to attack Obama because his last trip to Afghanistan himself was in 2006, too. What's your point?

Hypocritical?

The point was their viewpoints and analysis of the surge in Iraq. It wasn't about Afghanistan.

BAGHDAD, March 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain arrived in Iraq on Sunday to assess improved security attributed to a build-up of 30,000 extra troops of which he has been a strong supporter.

McCain arrived in Baghdad and was due to meet Iraqi government leaders and U.S. officials in the heavily fortified "Green Zone" diplomatic and government compound, U.S. embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said.

"I can confirm he did arrive," Nantongo said...

McCain is making his eighth visit to Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein in March 2003....

U.S. presidential candidate McCain arrives in Iraq | Reuters

Did McCain visit the wounded troops when he was in Europe?

Yes.

... Asked about his criticism for Obama bypassing a visit of injured American troops at a military hospital in Germany when the Pentagon objected to campaign people visiting, McCain, a onetime prisoner of war in Vietnam, said: "I know this, that those troops would have loved to see him...

"I know of no Pentagon regulation that would have prevented him from going there, without the media and all the associated press,'' McCain said. "They are very gravely wounded, many of them... I visited the hospital. The important thing is, if I had been told by the Pentagon that I couldn't visit the troops... there would have been a seismic event.''

McCain on Obama: 'He was wrong': The Swamp

I'm too tired to listen the negative things McCain & his supporters made toward Obama.

No one's forcing you. But what do you realistically expect of a political campaign? Do you expect the opponents to praise each other? Is Obama saying positive things about McCain. Of course not.

John McCain has been obsessed with Iraq and have no plan for Afghanistan. It shows that it's proves itself that John McCain is a phony, and a hypocrite, and a fool.

Is that your well-thought-out and researched analysis?

Obama already told us that he is not make political speech but consider himself as an US Citizen. It shows that he know that we can't vote him. What's your point?

He's not making a political speech?! I hope I don't choke!

Your post sound that you are an anti-European or what? I thought you would be interest to hear Europeans' views but you are not?

Don't be paranoid. I'm not anti-European. I simply stated a fact. Europeans can't vote for the American President, so it doesn't matter how they feel about our candidates.

Yes, we Europeans have the right to express support for Obama because we beleive that President should have a good judgement and good relationships with many countries around the world, not claim for want to vote him BECAUSE we CANNOT afford to have another Bush, period.

You can express your support if you want but it has no value to the American public when they vote. Do Germans care about American opinion of German candidates? I doubt it.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

The reason that Obama didn't visit the hospital is because the Pentagon wouldn't let him campaign at the hospital. As a U.S. Senator, Obama is always welcome at any military hospital. But no political campaigning is allowed on military facilities. It seems that Obama didn't want to visit the wounded soldiers as their Senator. He wanted to get some campaigning benefit for the visit. The military cannot accept politic campaigning. So, Obama's staff canceled the visit. That is very self centered of them. It shouldn't matter to them if cameras and press aren't allowed in the hospital. Obama should visit the patients privately. But he didn't bother. That is NOT showing respect for the patients.


The Raw Story | Pentagon disputes Obama camp version of cancelled troop visit


Pentagon Says It Cautioned Obama On Military-Hospital Visit - EasyBourse actualité

If Obama really respected the soldiers, he would visit them in the hospital following Pentagon guidelines.

Let me get this fact straight...

Obama planned for WEEKS for visit hospitial in Iraq, Agfanistan and Germany. He did in Iraq and Afganistan, not Germany because the Pentagon told him to not go due political ground, so Obama canceled the visit.

We are very annoy by McCain for use troops for political gains whom he know very well that Obama was told by the Pentagon that it was inappropriate for him to visit the troops. If Obama pay his visit to the wounded troops at hospitail then John McCain would have bashed him for going against the wish of the Pentagon, don't he?

It make no difference either Obama visit wounded troops alone or not because wounded troops STILL would see him as a political figure.

It would shows disrespectful, ignorant and poor judgment on Obama if he go ahead to visit troops at hospital against wish of the Pentagon.

No Troop Visits for Obama in Germany | The Trail | washingtonpost.com

Houston Chronicle Advances False Bias Claims | David Ortez

 

[Liebling:-)))]

McCain went there many times as Senator to assess the ongoing situations before he announced his presidency.

Again, I don't care how many times McCain visit to before he announced his presidency but Obama does the same as well before he announced his presidency and again at few weeks ago. When's McCain's visit to Iraq or Afganistian SINCE he announced his presidency..???? If he whines over Obama's oversea trip then do that.. why can't he then?

 

[Liebling:-)))]

That is full of crap. He used this trip for political reasons and that is why I called it a pure electioneering.

I would say yes... Yes, we see him as a political figure since we know he announced his presidency.

If he said he did it as U.S. citizen, then some U.S. citizens should have same and equal opportunities to do it.

Well, For Americans, he is a sen. Obama and for us European - he is an US citizen because he know we can't vote him.

McCain is no Bush. As matter of facts, McCain and Bush privately are not getting along; however, Bush HAS to sponsor and support him for political reasons.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/05/bush-mccain-embrace/

mccain and bush tea cake together during katrina time - Google Bilder




Oh yes, Did you know that they ate cake together during katrina time?

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Don't get me wrong. I used to major in political science and work for several political organizations. I know and understand how, why and what the politics play out into their favors.

ALL politicians regardless of their political parties are two-faced.

Unfortunlately I have to give you right about this. I'm not saying that I know for the sure that he would be good president but I do beleive that he would do his best to improve America and good relationship with many countries in the world.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Then why are you so wound up about the topic? It's no big deal.

If you say it's no deal but why you brought this up in first place then?

How do you "know that his sons are mainly reason why he made a frequent visit to Iraq"? Where did you get that information? Source please.

wow, do you really think McCain ignored his sons during his frequent visit to Iraq?

Why do you when Obama visits overseas but you insult McCain when he visits overseas? He visited the war zone BEFORE he began campaigning for President, so it had nothing to do with getting votes.

Yes I'm very annoy by McCain for use wounded troops for gain his votes to accuse Obama as disrespectful and poor judgment when he know very well that Obama was told by the Pentagon to not go.

It shows that Obama want to respect Europe and their culture. I him for that... It's good to learn his views...

Do you really believe Obama's trip had nothing to do with campaigning? Then why did his campaign supporters pay for his trip? (Note my previous post where the news article says, "a trip funded by the campaign".)

Well, I'm not saying that his visit has nothing do with political reason but when he said that he came to visit Europe as a US-citizin because he is not president yet...and know that we can't vote him. For us and our view - we see him as a political figure because we know it's political ground, he come to visit Europe. He would not visit different countries if he didn't announce his presidency. We only accept his view on this, that's all.

Yes.

Where? I still do not see in that article that he visited hospitial in Europe.

No one's forcing you. But what do you realistically expect of a political campaign? Do you expect the opponents to praise each other? Is Obama saying positive things about McCain. Of course not.

*sigh* of course I know that McCain and Obama critizied each other over disagree which is normal but McCain did is too far... Example of all: he use everyone's name to attack Obama when he know very well Obama was told to not do something.

McCain would bash Obama IF Obama had visited the troops in the hospital in Germany...McCain's response would have been "see how crass he is, he uses wounded soldiers to boost his political campaign". The McCain campaign wants to have BOTH WAYS. Have you see anything what Obama response about McCain's visit to Dalai Lama? Nope...

More example:
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/flipflops

Is that your well-thought-out and researched analysis?

McCain's behavior show itself to disguist me...

Don't be paranoid. I'm not anti-European. I simply stated a fact. Europeans can't vote for the American President, so it doesn't matter how they feel about our candidates.

Of course we know that we can't vote him... What's your point... All what you do is mock me to add emotion because we European can't vote him... It shows yourself is anti-European.

You can express your support if you want but it has no value to the American public when they vote. Do Germans care about American opinion of German candidates? I doubt it.

We show our interest about Americans and their country. We accept American's view over German candidates or Germany... If Americans show no interest of our country which mean is their ignorant.