BUDAPEST, Hungary, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- It has been two weeks since Sen. Barack Obama's visit to Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The senator had nearly completely favorable media coverage. I wondered what those behind the scenes feel about his visit.

I interviewed some members of Parliament, a few folks from the security establishment and advisers to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. I consulted other ranking officials in and out of these three countries. A synopsis follows.

In Germany, with some exceptions, the officials felt the discussions were successful and open. In most cases, Obama showed knowledge beyond their expectations. He was well briefed and in listening mode. One official in Germany described his preparation as "impressive."

Some German media described his speech as "Kumbaya." The right-of-center media were more critical of his visit. The lead-up to his Berlin meetings and the discussions surrounding his proposed public speech at the Brandenburg gate caused serious consternation in these circles. "Why did his staff not send a brief note on the QT to Merkel to ensure that they would take a positive posture to the speech?" I was asked.

"Strangely," a reporter friend of mine noted, "the Siegessaule (Victory Column) was moved to its present location by (Adolf Hitler's chief architect) Albert Speer as part of the grand plans for Germania. That went virtually uncommented in the press. I find it bizarre!"