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Obama Calls on Europeans to Help Solve Global Woes

Posted on: Friday, 25 July 2008, 06:00 CDT

By Kathy Kiely

BERLIN -- Barack Obama is betting he can win votes at home by proving he can win hearts abroad.

The Democratic presidential candidate, as he neared the end of his seven-country foreign trip, staged an unusual public rally here Thursday that drew more than 200,000 people to a historic park that is Berlin's equivalent of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

It was the emotional high point of a trip that demonstrated that Obama has the staying power for the rigors of a fall campaign and the star power to draw a big, enthusiastic crowd into a foreign capital. Obama closes out his 16,000-mile odyssey, which began in Afghanistan and Iraq, with calls on French President Nicolas Sarkozy today and several top British leaders, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Saturday.

For Obama, the tour of world capitals and hot spots represented a test that "was necessary to pass," said Edward Haley, a specialist in politics and international relations at Claremont McKenna College in California. "It looks as if he's done far better than just passing. He's aced this tour," Haley added. "If there was any doubt of his stature on the world stage, I think he's more than answered that. He hasn't put a foot wrong in any of these places."

Getting a head start on the role he hopes to play as leader of the free world, Obama in Berlin made a direct appeal to citizens of other countries to help solve global problems such as terrorism, climate change, nuclear weapons proliferation, and free and fair trade. "Now is the time to join together, through constant cooperation, strong institutions, shared sacrifice, and a global commitment to progress, to meet the challenges of the 21st century," Obama declared at a dramatic sunset appearance that had all the trappings of a campaign rally. He promised a new style of international leadership that would involve close consultations with U.S. allies.

"America has no better partner than Europe," he said.

Republican candidate John McCain suggested that Obama is getting ahead of the U.S. electorate. Poking fun at his Democratic rival's globe-trotting, McCain dined Thursday at a German restaurant in Columbus, Ohio.

"I'd love to give a speech in Germany," McCain said at Schmidt's Sausage Haus und Restaurant, where he had bratwurst with local business leaders. "But I'd much prefer to do it as president of the United States rather than as a candidate for president."

Obama's Berlin audience stretched almost a mile from the Siegessaule, an ornate victory column commemorating German victories in 19th century wars, to the Brandenburg Gate, which divided East Berlin from West Berlin during the Cold War. The crowd dwarfed Obama's largest U.S. crowd, 75,000 May 18 in Oregon.

Obama used the once-bifurcated city as a symbol of the divisions he wants to overcome if elected president. He urged Europeans to take up "the burdens of global leadership," borrowing themes from his campaign speeches.

"People of Berlin -- people of the world -- this is our moment. This is our time," Obama said.

A once obscure member of the Illinois Legislature until he rocketed to national prominence after a speech at the Democratic National Convention four years ago, the 46-year-old, first-term senator was received respectfully by leaders from Afghanistan to Jerusalem to here. After hosting Obama at an intimate dinner at his private residence, Jordan's King Abdullah II personally chauffeured him to the airport in the royal Mercedes.

Perhaps most significantly, Obama's 16-month timetable for withdrawing U.S. combat troops won a qualified endorsement from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki through the government's spokesman, Ali al-Dabbagh.

Obama's appearance in Berlin drew such large throngs of curiosity seekers that city officials had to set up police lines around his hotel. "He reminds me of the Kennedys," said Beth Woodward, an American who teaches the children of military personnel stationed in Europe. She took the train from Frankfurt to see Obama speak.

Obama took a moment of his speech to indulge in a little flag-waving overseas. Though he said there's room for improvement in some aspects of the USA -- promising to be a better and more open partner with foreign allies -- Obama described himself as "a proud citizen of the United States" and told his audience "how much I love America."

Not all of Obama's listeners were won over. "I wasn't impressed," said Berliner Gabriele Seye. "He is like all the Americans. They see America as the savior of the world."

Contributing: Jill Lawrence and David Jackson in Washington, D.C. (c) Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

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