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The Note: Obama Seeks New Image in Foreign Travel
June 30, 2008 8:29 AM
ABC News' Rick Klein Reports in Monday's Note: What -- 50 states aren’t enough for these guys?
The latest odd turn in the race that’s seen everything has Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain seeing places that presidential candidates just don’t visit very often.
McCain is next up with a three-day trip to Colombia and Mexico that starts Tuesday, after two previous foreign trips this year brought him to Europe and the Middle East.
Obama is planning an extensive itinerary for next month: Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Jordan, England, France, and Germany -- just as foreign policy is set to resonate on the trail again, as Obama talks patriotism, and as Democrats seek to grab the national-security mantle from McCain (under the cover of downed fighter planes).
This latest Obama introduction starts at home, with a “major speech” on patriotism scheduled for Independence, Mo., Monday morning. (Fun game: Count the American flags -- including the pin on Obama’s lapel -- at the event site.)
Read the rest of The Note -- and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day -- from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.
Independence Day means patriot’s week for Obama: “The message will be that love of country is not defined only by such traditional measures as serving in the military or tracing one's ancestors to the Mayflower,” John McCormick writes in the Chicago Tribune. “Patriotism, he and his supporters will say, can be reflected in living the national dream, which in Obama's case means rising as the Hawaiian-born son of a Kenyan father and Kansan mother to professional and political prominence.”
“In the coming days, Obama is expected to visit some traditionally red states as he seeks to broaden the electoral battleground,” McCormick writes. “Over the weekend, his campaign also announced a trip this summer to Europe and the Middle East, where Obama's popularity could be on display and his standing as a diplomatic figure boosted.”
We’ve done the math for you: The candidates’ foreign destinations award a grand total of zero electoral votes.
But the coming trips provide opportunities for both men in the tentative definitional dance of the early stage of the general election. And risks: Gaffes carry a multiplier of approximately three when committed abroad, and the visuals are not always under the control of a campaign operating in foreign territory.
Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.
ABC News' John Santucci and Alexa Ainsworth contributed to this report.
June 30, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Bush, George W., Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Romney, Mitt, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (56)
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This is a diversion. Obama is doing this to get away from political heat in the US. I wish he would take McCain up on his invitations to town hall meetings.
Posted by: Samantha | Jun 30, 2008 10:57:20 AM
Obama thinks he's above TownHall Meetings.....
To take questions from the Audience is suicide for Obama....it's like asking a Robot---> How they feel ...no answer.
Obama is going International to get away from questions regarding his voting record and his broken promises to the Left.
Obama will create another Label for himself when he goes abroad.....
INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY.
who what when where how ?
He'll brush off his shoulders and
DO the Hustle !!
Posted by: carpenter.nyc | Jun 30, 2008 11:19:30 AM
When is the scared little school boy going to debate McCain?
Posted by: Chicken | Jun 30, 2008 11:35:46 AM
Joyce Foundation Obama. He does not support individual gun rights.
Posted by: geevill | Jun 30, 2008 11:43:02 AM
OBAMA needs a NEW IMAGE and he will continually need a NEW IMAGE even if he is elected....continually!
Posted by: Anne | Jun 30, 2008 11:43:09 AM
FYI to all you Obama supporters who think Obama will "bring the Troops Back Home"
This is the next big issue that Obama will Dance Around.
Obama will make up another excuse to cover himself and break his promise.
Just watch as the Middle East Explodes in controversies on Oil, Extremists and the State of Israel.
Suddenly--Obama will be the tough guy....and will say--- the troops must stay......will the Obamabots give him another pass to this lie as well?
Posted by: carpenter.nyc | Jun 30, 2008 11:46:30 AM
Geeville:
Obama also diverted 2.7 MILLION DOLLARS in FUND to the Joyce Foundation, plus Obama took home 70000.00 from them.
Oh the records of his pass.....
What's he gonna do--- Put his whole Past Record under the bus too?
Posted by: carpenter.nyc | Jun 30, 2008 11:50:15 AM
Obama saids " Oh, that's not the me I know....that's my twin...yeah--didn't you know I am 1/2 of a twin....but the twin died when I went into the Primary......BTW FOLKS----> that's the same twin that went to Rev.Wright Church also...."
Posted by: carpenter.nyc | Jun 30, 2008 11:53:36 AM
Still Hoping that Michelle Whitedove's predicitons would one day come true and shed light one of these days... I preconditioned my mind to think about Obama's good side... but his negatives far outweigh his positives... I still couldn't get myself to vote for Obama despite the call from Hillary to vote for him.... Sorry, Obama supporters... I really tried my best to like him but my intuition and conscience are telling me that Obama is really not the right person in the White House... perhaps, with the growing millions of people who are empathizing with Hillary, people power may bring her back ....
Hillary Clinton, US President - Written March 22nd 2008
A Democratic Update 2008 Election
By Michelle Whitedove
I really try NOT to watch the TV news; I feel that it may influence my psychic information. My predictions don’t come from intelligent deductions, ego, or opinions. Right before Super Tuesday I was swamped with emails, it was not looking good for Hillary. Everyone wanted me to give an update. Some wanted me to concede to the popular opinion that Obama had a solid lead and Hillary should just drop out. I turned on the TV; the newscasters were predicting doom and gloom for Clinton. My mind was spinning; I started to second guess my prediction given by “Spirit”. I turned off the television, and went into prayer, “Has the Presidential outcome changed?” I asked.
Soon I was given a vision of Hillary being sworn in as the next president elect. Proud and regal she stood with her hand on the bible wearing a royal blue suit. Behind her, the Vice President was a white man; his face was not in clear focus. So my predictions remain unchanged, my faith unwavering. The Democratic ticket will be Hillary Clinton for President and John Edwards as the vice president. (See my May 07 BLOG) You see this is the reason that Hillary was born, the US Presidency is written in her destiny. She has been preparing for this her entire life. Hillary knows that she can make a difference in world politics. “Spirit” says that she is the right person for the job at this time.
What will happen to Obama?
As of today, Obama is over-confidant and the power is going to his head. He is buying into his own PR hype. His people are playing up the Christian family man, but we are in the beginning stages of scandal, after scandal. His colorful past will crop up as his opposition is digging for the dirt. In Obama’s younger years he never thought that he would be running for US President. So now the ugly truth will be spoon fed to the American public: marital indiscretions, prejudice, drug use, associations with the wrong people and even money laundering associated with his church. The country’s opinion will turn on him. Unfortunately this will cause Oprah great embarrassment, and will lead to a drop in her ratings.
In the end, Obama’s reputation will be too tarnished for the vice president, Hillary will not want him. I believe that she has already spoken to John Edwards about him jumping back on the ticket as VP. John is the man with ethics, morals, and he’s standing by his wife during her time of crisis. He looks good on paper and he’s not a threat.
Posted by: neil1785 | Jun 30, 2008 12:01:46 PM
Streaming live from Independence, Missouri. He will be speaking from President Harry Truman's library.
Posted by: Lindy | Jun 30, 2008 12:06:57 PM
I see the Billllary people are at it again.
Posted by: GetaLife | Jun 30, 2008 12:15:50 PM
-angie---LIE, CHEAT AND STEAL. That is exactly what Senator Obama and the DNC did to make him the nominee. He did not gain the most popular votes, remember.
Posted by: Mai | Jun 30, 2008 12:16:31 PM
Hillary doesn't want Obama, I think it's the other way around. He needs to distance himself from the sham that is the Clintons.
Posted by: GetaLife | Jun 30, 2008 12:18:51 PM
Do we really need a president that has to make a speech to convince Americans(and himself) that he is patriotic? How did we get to this point?
Posted by: Mack | Jun 30, 2008 12:52:55 PM
Hillary doesn't want Obama, I think it's the other way around. He needs to distance himself from the sham that is the Clintons.
Posted by: GetaLife | Jun 30, 2008 12:18:51 PM
**********
So true! Obama needs to keep Bill Clinton locked in the basement. Bill didn't want HRC to over-shadow his legacy, so he hand grenaded her campaign.
He will do even worse to Obama.
Bill Clinton has morphed into an angry and dangerous man after his heart attack.
Posted by: jmc663 | Jun 30, 2008 12:59:09 PM
Obama needs some foreign experience on his resume, for sure. If he gets his passport stamped in all of the countries of the Middle East, he can say he is experienced. What about his chairmanship of the committee working on NATO troops for Afghanistan? Nothing, yet? He loves those soundbites and photo-ops. Reminds me of George Bush on the aircraft carrier. Speeches, images, and flags from historical and worldly places. Lincoln debates, Independence and freedom and Harry Truman, military venues in Iraq and Afghanistan, flashes of heroic and historical osmosis. The biggest soundbite President never served, never wore the uniform, never flew an aircraft, never suffered wounds, torture, and captivity, but he can belittle someone who did. McCain has all of the relevant experience and knowledge to be the President. Obama is so green.
Posted by: georgia | Jun 30, 2008 1:11:21 PM
Obama is a patriotic citizen. He will spend July 4 in the country while Mccain is away. It is a message to every American.
Posted by: I.A.T smith | Jun 30, 2008 1:19:41 PM
Most Americans don't realize how much we are looked down upon in other countries.
Posted by: GetaLife | Jun 30, 2008 1:27:57 PM
Betty,
"I think that Americans will be surprised to learn that Obama is EXTREMELY loved throughout the world"
... except 50% of Democrats!
LOL
Posted by: Tess | Jun 30, 2008 1:43:42 PM
Please dress like a real Taliban when you are traveling to a foreign country Obama! Osama loves you!
Posted by: Tess | Jun 30, 2008 1:47:40 PM
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