The citizens of Berlin - and apparently a good gathering of expats - got a big dose of the Obama magic this afternoon. His speech in Berlin was classic Obama: intelligent, thoughtful, full of emotional touch points. And the huge crowd seemed to eat it up.

First impressions from viewing the speech (carried live on MSNBC):

• The event underscored the enormous difference we would see in an Obama foreign policy. Unlike George Bush, Obama believes in diplomacy, in the United Nations, in international collaboration.
• John McCain may have a tough time trying to make Obama look weak. On the subjects of both Afghanistan and Iran, Obama's words in the Berlin speech were forceful. And he simply looks strong. Listening recently to the replay of an address John Kennedy made during the Cuban Missile Crisis, I was struck by how strong his voice and delivery were - and how important that was at the time. Obama's delivery has that same convincing strength.
• Coupled with the strength is Obama's eloquence. His critics delight in pretending that there is no substance underneath. They're wrong about that. And they're also wrong to dismiss the importance of eloquence. The Bush administration has done enormous damage. The next president will have his work cut out for him, pulling Americans together to face enormous challenges at home, and convincing other countries - their leaders and their people - to join us in facing challenges around the world. If Barack Obama is that president, his intelligence will help. And so will his eloquence.

The Washington Post has the text of the Obama speech here.