Can the US Learn from Germany's Economic Success?

At the Obama White House tonight, Chancellor Angela Merkel will be receiving the Medal of Freedom. Today, the President and Chancellor held a joint press conference, at which they pledged their mutual support. While much of Europe is struggling to emerge from the recession, Germany is thriving. Why is the German economy doing so much better than that of the US? Scott Wilson covers the White House for the Washington Post. Ralph Atkins is Frankfurt Bureau Chief for the Financial Times.