Today's featured item is Obama Ist Kein Berliner Ringer T by Obama Ist Kein Berliner!

Evidently there is not enough political banter going on in America between Barack Obama and John McCain, so we are going to let Berlin join the party.

We could debate the benefits of Barack Obama and his planned visit to Berlin on July 24th, 2008 in comparison to the campaign benefits of a week in any state in America shaking hands. But we will not.

Both McCain and Obama have plans to visit Berlin, but what makes Berlin big news now is where Obama chose to speak and why.

It is widely known that the Kennedy's have placed their stamp of approval on Barack Obama as a presidential candidate. One can only wonder what influence the Kennedy family history may have had on Obama's plans for Berlin.

Barack Obama has requested that he be allowed to speak on the site of the former Berlin Wall at the Brandenburg Gate.

John F. Kennedy gave his famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a citizen of Berlin) speech after visting the Brandenburg Gate and finding it covered with banners preventing him from looking at East Berlin.

The conflict begins with the fact that this location has historically only been used by elected officials. Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton have both given memorable speeches there, and Berlin does see America as a country that helped to tear the wall down.

But is it right for an American presidential candidate to use Berlin as a stomping ground? To give a speech at such a historical landmark before he takes office?

Can you imagine a German candidate coming to America and using the White House for a rally? It really does not seem appropriate.

The majority of the population of Berlin is thrilled that Obama is coming, even though nearly two-thirds of the population disagrees with America's decisions on everything from the death penalty to gun control.

However, the government is concerned about Obama's choice of location and his intentions.

They simply do not want this to be seen as their stamp of approval on a presidential candidate.

Hence the phrase "Obama ist Kein Berliner" which translates to "Obama is not a citizen of Berlin", which has recently popped up on a t-shirt.

Obama Ist Kein Berliner Ringer T by Obama Ist Kein Berliner!

Definite plans and itineraries have not been completed at this point, however Obama's camp is in meetings with German officials.

Even though the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is speaking publicly about the government's feelings on this issue, the person in charge of making the final decision, will be the Berlin Mayor, Klaus Wowereit.

Which brings us to the punchline. The Mayor is a flamboyant and openly gay Social Democrat who gets all excited at the idea of irritating the conservative Chancellor.

This is going to be interesting to watch.