Panis et Circense (?)

Senator Barack Obama and his 200.000 "Obametes" in Berlin.

It is notorious that American democratic presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama is a great speaker who's got huge charisma, charm and charateristics of leadership. He apparently is one of the most well intentioned American politicians who has emerged since years indeed. And not forgetting to mention the fact he is already globalized by birth; son of a white American girl with a Quenian guy, and half-brother of an Indonesian girl. All of that makes me think that the future can be a better place to stay. And yes, if I was American I would vote on him for those and other reasons. But his first international speech in front of the Siegessaeule at the Grosser Stern in Tiergarten, Berlin, last July 24 addressed to over 200.000 people - his largest speech ever - made me wonder. Obama used this opportunity to increase his electorial campaign in the States. What a great marketing campaign! And if I was Obama I would do the same. But after the first moment of "frenesi" concerning this increadible event and by living in Germany since seven year - what gives me a bit authority to ask the following questions - I still kept wondering; Are the germans (and obviously the others tons of foreigners presents at the venue) really so into the American elections? Or were they so fascinated by the physical presence of this man (or mythos) only? Do they really have the need of a great rhetorical of the spectacle? Or do they have the need of a spectacle of the rhetoric? Questions.