Germany's reaction to Obama...."you've lost that lovin' feelin...."

I emailed a very dear friend in Germany, a business man with whom Mr. Z dealt, and asked him what Germany's saying now about Obama.   He wrote back today about what he's reading and seeing in Germany and this post today, below the image, is all his. His English is obviously very good and I only changed a few things that you might not have understood.  Many Germans bought into the glamor and 'hope' but I think many of you will remember that, while the American media said Germany was glowing under Obama's spell as he spoke in Berlin, many Germans found it inappropriate that any American candidate would campaign there, particularly asking to speak at the Brandenburg Gates (he was turned down and wasn't happy), where only the highest Germans ever are allowed to speak. When I said to Mr. Z "But look how many thousands are out there to see him" he reminded me that on a rare warm night in Germany, anybody will come out for free food and rock music before any speaker. But, many Germans, of course, mostly the very left-leaning intelligentsia at the big papers and magazines like liberal Der Spiegel, loved him..HOPE! CHANGE! Hurrah for America! (remember, many of them only have the Int'l Herald Tribune to read in English, which reprints their owner, the NYTimes' articles so they don't get all the truth). The latest Der Spiegel cover, provided to me by my friend, is here along with Klaus's review of what even very liberal Spiegel is now saying:

P I T Y   (SCHADE means PITY...or "How sad")
Obama's failed presidency.
Obama- a President of Disappointments


He is responsible for the big "Graben" (fissure) between the Americans and the demerger and schism of the American society. The article names many of his failures and shows that he did too many promises that he didn't keep. He failed with his so intensively announced  project of national reconciliation, on the contrary, he has contributed to America's split. The cultural struggle has strengthened, rather than to (become) calm during his presidency. But the Republican-dominated House of representatives makes it extremely hard for him and in such a climate, no president would have the opportunity to shape the world to his wishes.


Consequently, for many citizens Washington became an object of hate, the epitome of mediocrity and botch-up.  Many are willing to reckon up his deeds (ignore the problems) with his charisma, what is irrational and naive.He has stylized himself to the noble knight of the change. CHANGE stood on his flag.. His slogan "yes, we can" went around the world , but in America now the feeling prevails - even with his adherers and fellow party members, that he simply didn't deliver and perform on many fields.


What I notice in the financial economy and with my many international contacts is pretty alarming - at least for me.  Many of these guys fear that Obama could win some terrain in the last months so that they believe he'll be re-elected.
What a creepy vision !!  **  End of Klaus's input.

Thank you, Klaus, for your overview of the Spiegel article and the sense you're getting from those you talk to.  It is alarming, you are so right.

Z