Barack Obama, John McCain are planning foreign road trips
With John McCain heading south, Barack Obama announced this morning he's heading east -- to Europe and the Middle East "to assess the situation in countries that are critical to American nationa
l security, and to consult with close friends and allies," as the campaign put it.
The release didn't specify a date for the trip, but spokesman Bill Burton said it will be "later this summer." So the timing seems to have been designed to take a little thunder from McCain's planned trip this week to Colombia and Mexico.
Obama's agenda on his trip, the campaign said, will include "common challenges like terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change." And Obama sent a special nod to Israel. "Israel is a strong and close friend of the United States, and is confronting grave threats from Gaza to Tehran," Obama said in the statement. "Jordan has been a close partner in the peace process and a host of other issues of common concern. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are key anchors of the transatlantic alliance 
and have contributed to the mission in Afghanistan, and I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our partnership in the years to come. This will be an important opportunity to have an exchange of views with leaders in these countries about these and other issues that are critical to American national security -- and global security -- in the 21st century."
McCain has already gone international. Just days after sealing the Republican nomination in early March, he went to Europe and the Middle East as part of a congressional delegation, though as his party's presumptive nominee he was certainly more than just another legislator on that trip. He nipped up to Canada earlier this month and next week, as we noted, he's off to Colombia and Mexico.
Of course, with the exception of a few expats, there are no voters to woo on such trips. The idea is to show interest in, and command of, foreign relations. And maybe steal some of the spotlight from the other guy.
-- Scott Martelle
Photo credits: Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times; Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times
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Posted by Scott Martelle on June 28, 2008 in Campaigning , Current Affairs , Foreign Policy , Iraq War , Political History , Presidential Campaign , Terrorism | Permalink
Andrew Malcolm's immigrant parents repeatedly stressed the importance of active participation in a democracy. Early lessons included learning the alphabetical list of states by watching televised roll calls of national political conventions. That childhood exposure led to a lifelong fascination with politics, including 40-plus years of covering them and a brief stint practicing them as press secretary to Laura Bush in 1999-2000.
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Tell Obama to stay in the Middle East; don't come back.
Posted by: Clyde Nugget | June 28, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Let the debates begin...
Bok, bok, Baaaarrrraaacccckkkk!!!
Chicken Barack is afraid to leave the teli-prompter and talk about whats real...
Posted by: D4N13L | June 28, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Barack Obama doesn't debate John McCain for the same reason I don't debate 3rd Graders--what's the point??
John McCain is a true American War Hero, but that doesn't make him very intelligent. In fact, it's just the opposite. He was let into the Naval Academy because at the time his grandfather was a 4-star Admiral and his father was on the way to putting on 4-Stars, himself.
Consequently, he was an spoiled, angry, and less-than-intelligent midshipman who the faculty couldn't kick out (because of his strong Navy ties), and ended up graduating 5th from the bottom of his class.
On the other hand, Barack Obama is a well-educated (in Constitution Law) American who clawed his way through school and into Harvard without "daddy" earning him his stripes. He would crush McCain in any debate.
In fact, the debate would be so bad that John McCain would end up getting the "sympathy vote." And that's on top of the old man and handicap sympathy that he's getting already.
Posted by: RealityCheck | June 28, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Will McBush even member that he went to these places in two months? With McBush's memory Senator Obama will easily dispatch him during a debate, that is unless Lieberman sitss right next to him and passes cliff notes.
Posted by: Ericka | June 28, 2008 at 02:50 PM
I think Obama should stay in the Mideast as an ambassador of the US.Let him talk to Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Syria , North Korea, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine. He says he knows all the answers, let him show us the right way of his changet!! Let his Godliness show us the right way and what he can do. If he can do this I will be an undying supporter!!
Posted by: Cheryll | June 28, 2008 at 03:09 PM
I think his trips are a wise decision.
He has given so many town hall meetings and question and answer forums that I doubt he is afraid of talking.
Posted by: Love2Read&Write | June 28, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Cheryll, sorry but you aren't making since. He has never said he knew all the answers. I can't understand where you are getting that impression from unless you are making up. I have heard him mention making mistakes a few times.
Posted by: Huh? | June 28, 2008 at 06:12 PM
I wonder when they go on those road trips do they have to take their shoes off like the rest of us. ??
VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
Posted by: VJ Machiavelli | June 28, 2008 at 09:31 PM
it did not go completely unnoticed internationally that both obama and mccain do not legally, let alone in any other way, qualify to run for president - unless it is exactly this lack of qualification that is their qualification: it makes them pliable presidential puppet material in the hands of those who would pull the strings back stage. that this is not a coincidence is clear also by the continued concerted propaganda and censorship war waged against the campaigns of the few qualified and serious contenders with the 'help' of the media - the most striking example here being RON PAUL's sober, constitutional message and movement that has gained wide recognition and support despite this. even the almost complete international media blackout on his campaign - an alarming sign that the indicated political course of the united states is not a singularly american phenomenon but can be seen as part of a world wide scenario - could not keep him off the political radar of millions of freedom loving, concerned and questioning people everywhere; and they're monitoring closely wherever the u.s. might be headed, as they know and see that, and how, it will affect them as well.
Posted by: dave | June 29, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Many Bloggersthis daysdo not care to write whatever, It makes me to look so bored to read fictions and unethical, uninteresting views and thought. Few of them arewordt than lunatics on the street talking to himself uncontrollably.
As such, i found it un interesting for some writing things like a lunatic getting bossed up in the sun and thinking he is well ahead of others. For you peolpe behaving and writing like a lunatic, i will say let enough be enough. If you are not gifted in wring facts go back and learn from better schools or colleges.
Give me better things to read you amazing Looners.
Posted by: Roy | July 06, 2008 at 11:44 AM