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By Katie Connolly
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Unbeknownst to many Americans, President Obama's visit to Germany comes at a time when Europeans perceive tension in the U.S-German relationship. Local reporters have speculated that the two leaders have little personal chemistry, and their cool relations date back to Chancellor Angela Merkel's refusal to allow Obama to speak at the Brandenburg Gate during his election campaign. Merkel thought the venue inappropriate for a candidate, but Obama still drew a crowd of 200,000 to a nearby monument. He remains hugely popular here. (Story continued below...)
Merkel also refrained from traveling to America earlier this year to meet with the president, preferring to speak with him via videoconference. The U.S. and Germany diverge on some policy issues as well. Germany offered a more cautious response to the economic crisis compared with Obama's massive injection of government funds. Germans have also been at the forefront on climate-change initiatives, an area where the U.S. has lagged behind. Personally, the two leaders have vastly different styles. Merkel is a serious technocrat whose electoral appeal derives from tough intelligence and sharp policy. Obama's charisma and sweeping oratory is no secret to Gaggle readers.
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Today, the two leaders dismissed notions of discord between them. At the press conference, the first questioner, a German television reporter, asked about "certain mild, sometimes even wild speculation" that Obama's decision to opt for Dresden over Berlin was somehow a snub to Merkel.
"I think your characterization of wild speculations is accurate—they are very wild and based on no facts. The truth of the matter is, is that the relationship not only between our two countries but our two governments is outstanding," he said. "So stop it, all of you!" he added lightheartedly, as reporters chortled. Merkel's serious, almost grave, demeanor made her response less convincing. "It's fun to work together with the American president," she said, glancing, completely stony-faced, at Obama before continuing, "because very serious, very thorough analytical discussions very often lead us to draw the same conclusions." Sure, that sounds fun.
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