Obama Doubts “A Million Screaming Germans” at Berlin Speech

The Senator chats with the press en route to Germany, says he doesn't expect as wild a crowd as suggested for speech on U.S.-European relations at Berlin's Victory Column.

"Let's tamp down expectations."

Then adds: "I did not realize - my staff just told me the space is bigger... It is a potentially bad thing. We are sort of on the high wire. I was like, 'I'm sorry, how many does this accommodate?'"

Also says his much-anticipated public address will not be "a wonkish policy speech" and promises he won't try to speak German.

Meanwhile: Berliners steel themselves for Obamamania.

Doors open at 10 am ET. Speech expected around 1:15 pm ET.