The final campaign rally of the Social Democratic party (SPD) was impressive. More than a thousand people gathered at Pariser Platz, waving red banners and posters that said things like "We Are for Frank" (referring to the party's candidate for chancellor, Frank-Walter Steinmeier) and "Bankers Would Vote for Merkel" (as in Christian Democratic chancellor Angela Merkel). A stage had been erected directly beneath the Brandenburg Gate and the sun was setting behind it. The weather could not have been any better--mild and sunny. (Such weather has a name: Kaiserwetter.)
There were musical acts. One band called Jazz Cantina specializes in transforming popular rock songs into jazz numbers. Their rendition of Van Halen's "Jump" defies description. There was a video montage showcasing German actors and other personalities praising Steinmeier. This was seemingly meant to convey that, as people like the American sociologist Norm Birnbaum and the actor who played Josef Goebbels in Downfall like Steinmeier, you should like him too.
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