The culprits have been found - members of the N24 news network have been found to be the fawning germans!
Excerpt from an article in Germany`s "Frankurter Allgemeine Zeitung" of today:
"Am Nachmittag strahlt N24-Reporter Heiko Paluschka wie ein kleiner Junge, der beim Fußball gerade zum Mannschaftskapitän befördert wurde: Er hat mit Barack Obama gesprochen! Exklusiv! Und sonst keiner! Hektisch unterbrechen die Moderatoren im Studio ihre Analyse, um zu ihm zu schalten, dann laufen die sensationellen Bilder: Obama steigt am Potsdamer Platz aus dem Auto, die N24-Kamera wackelt hinterher, aus dem Hintergrund ruft eine Stimme: „Mr. Obama, how do you like Berlin so far?" Obama weiß nicht, wo er hinschauen soll, ruft „It's wonderful" in die Menge, winkt und verschwindet wieder. Die Kollegin im Studio sagt begeistert: „Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Heiko. Du hast es geschafft!" So sehen Höhepunkte einer Reporterkarriere aus"
Very rough translation: "In the afternoon N24 reporter Heiko Paluschka is grinning like a child that has just been made captain of his soccer team: He spoke with Barack Obama! Exclusive! Hectically the anchormen in the studio stop their analysis switching to him, then the sensational pictures appear: Obama is leaving the car at Potsdamer Platz, N24`s camera is bouncing behind, from the back a voice is heard: "Mr. Obama, how do you like Berlin so far?" Obama doesn`t know where to look, answers "It`s wonderful!" in the direction of the crowd, waves and disappears again. Presenter in the studio says: Congratulations, Heiko. You made it!" So looks the climax of a reporters career!"
My Conclusion: McCains (or Mr. Bound`s) remark was rude. Still some of my countrymen act funny - (purposely?) overhearing that even Obama expects a stronger German engagement in Afghanistan.
Having not been part of that throngs I don`t see a reason to feel personally insulted.