Obama staying in Presidential suite in Berlin
I’m traveling in Europe at the moment, and this morning German television took viewers on a tour of Obama’s hotel suite. Obama has chosen Berlin’s luxurious Hotel Adlon, and will be staying in the Presidential suite. The cost, according to the hotel’s website, is roughly $20,000 per night (I’m sure Obama’s donors will be glad to hear that). The TV reporter made sure to point out that George W. Bush stays in the same suite when he is in Berlin - another example of Obama acting the part before being cast in the role by voters.
It’s amazing that Obama has kept his distance from reporters on this trip, and yet will emerge later today to address thousands of cheering Germans in Berlin. He is unavailable, except to the adoring masses. Does this not strike anyone else as a strange thing to do, especially given some rather unfortunate episodes in German history? Will Americans be impressed by Obama’s overseas popularity, or will the scenes from Berlin evoke memories of an earlier cult of personality?