I just watched Obama's Berlin speech. Here are my short, initial, unfiltered thoughts.

When was the last time an American politician’s presence on European soil, Berlin so less, was so exciting? Regardless of whom you support for president, today was a proud moment in American history.  The vision of an estimated 200,000 people listening to the presumptive Democratic nominee was but another hit in his seemingly endless collection of goose bump moments.  To see that the respect that America once had it not loss but temporarily buried under the weight of the present administration’s megalomania and haughtiness of pride is indeed cause for hope.

The historical emphasis that Obama placed on the unique relationship that links America, Germany, and Europe conjured images of “Ich bin ein Berliner” and “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”  The key point for me was his admission that America is far the from more perfect union that is professes, but that does not diminish his love for it. 

A while one could not resist the comparisons to Kennedy and Reagan, it was also quintessentially Obama in that the look on the faces in the crowd in Berlin is the same look I’ve seen in De Moines, Charleston, San Antonio, as well as my 12-year-old-son. 

If you saw the speech, I would love your thoughts whether you agree or disagree with my feelings.