Standing Ovations for Bill Clinton

Although having visited Munich before while governor of Arkansas (and completing several circuits around the Karolinenplatz in a Porsche), it was on October 4, 2002 that Bill Clinton gave his first lecture in Munich. He spoke to an overcrowded auditorium at the Amerika Haus. President Clinton came by invitation of the union of middle-sized businesses in Munich in order to be presented with the middle-sized business award of 2002.

On the way from the airport to the hotel, he dropped by our place in order to present a report on the „Challenges for the New Generation“. Bill Clinton had agreed to take part in a discussion with representatives of Munich´s young generation, but arranged with former classmate Rüdiger Löwe, a board member at the Amerika Haus Association, for the club members of the Amerika Haus to be included in this particular event.

Naturally, there were not enough seats in the house to offer all interested parties the chance to experience the 42nd President of the United States in person. Clinton impressed his listeners with his thoughts on the political, economic and social challenges of the future and with his willingness to expertly and charmingly answer the young people´s numerous questions.

At the concluding communal drink, all participants agreed on having experienced an impressive event with a charismatic, full-blooded politician. President Clinton himself praised the vibrant meeting with Munich´s enthusiastic young generation, who awarded his speech with a long standing ovation.

Photograph: Dirk Hund