The World and I

As Obama embarks on his first stop of his European tour,manyquestion where the line is between "Obamathe DemocraticNominee"and "President Obama." In fact, in theory, Obama is noteven theofficial Democratic Nominee yet, however, apparently(according toGerman News this morning), the Presidential Suite hasalready beenreserved in one of Berlin's finest hotels. Crowds ofthousands ofpeople are awaited today to hear Obama talk. The onlydifference itseems was enunciated by Chancellor Merkel, when sheput her footdown at Obama giving his speech in front of theBrandenburg Gate.Although this would have definitely beenhis preferred venue(imagine the imagery that would have beencreated between Kennedyand Obama, a comparison that has alreadybeen floating around for awhile now), he will now "only" be oratingin front of theSiegessäule, another massive landmark in Berlin. Andnot to worry,just down the road and in perfect view is theBrandenburgGate.