[chuckee]

The German people love Obama.How about an even up trade.We will take Angie Merkel and we will send them Obama decked out in lederhosen.

[Lexinom]

I’ll take that trade.

[wolf78]

The German people love Obama.How about an even up trade.We will take Angie Merkel and we will send them Obama decked out in lederhosen.

That is a misunderstanding. Germans love two things:

a.) Being right. Imperial German poet Geibel once famously rhymed: "Macht und Freiheit, Recht und Sitte, klarer Geist und scharfer Hieb zügeln dann aus starker Mitte jeder Selbstsucht wilden Trieb, und es mag am deutschen Wesen einmal noch die Welt genesen!" (Force and freedom, justice and moral standards, clear mind and sharp blow rein in from the sturdy center every wild selfish impulse, and thus the german way may heal the world some day).

Never try telling a German how to do something.

b.) Politely getting along. Compromise is an art form in Germany. E.g. gay marriage and abortion are total non-issues in Germany. They were settled in the 80s/90s (abortion is illegal but will not be punished if certain conditions are met / civil unions but no marriage) and that's it.

Therefore Germans liked Clinton but thought Carter was a moron. They loved Bush sen. but not Bush jr.. They liked Obama when he campaigned as a moderate. The don't like being lectured by Obama.