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The Note: Barack Bids Adieu to Europe

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July 25, 2008 8:16 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein Reports in Friday's Note: While Sen. Barack Obama was busy winning the image battle during his foreign trip (and Sen. John McCain was barely in the same game) three things happened (and one thing just might be about to):

1. The Obama bump for this much-hyped week was, at best, slow to swell.

2. Obama seemed to whiff on a symbol.

3. Obama went to Berlin and called out to the world -- though not necessarily anyone who can vote for him.

(And once he’s back stateside, McCain can and very well might move quickly to find a way back into the discussion; who winds up landing the first veepstakes punch? )

As Obama, D-Ill., wraps up his foreign trip with stops in Paris Friday and London Saturday, the narrative is set to move on with him. For all the good he did his campaign this week -- the gold-plated visuals, the astounding crowd he drew in Berlin, the shift on the politics of the surge and the war -- no bounce will mean fresh doubts, in a race that remains closer than it should be.

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.

We may have here the tale of two elections: One that’s playing out among those who spend too much time analyzing this stuff, and one that’s playing out among those actual real-life voters who are enjoying their summers (or, depending on economic circumstances, not so much).

Of the first: "In one of the most telling and ironic weeks of the presidential campaign, Democrat Barack Obama accepted Republican John McCain's dare and went to Iraq -- and far beyond, a foreign expedition of carefully staged photo opportunities that left the Arizona senator both at home and on the defensive," per the AP wrap.

Of the second: "The presidential race is tightening in four key battleground states, with Republican John McCain holding an advantage among white male voters and Democrat Barack Obama keeping his lead among the youngest voters, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll," Sara Murray writes in The Wall Street Journal.

"Sen. Obama leads slightly in Michigan and by double-digits in Wisconsin, but by smaller margins than about one month ago. The two candidates are running statistically even in Colorado and Minnesota, compared to the respective five-point and seven-point lead Sen. Obama had in June."

Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.

ABC News' Rachel Humphries, John Santucci and Alexa Ainsworth contributed to this report.

July 25, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (41)

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I guess snubbing American troops while in Germany won't play out well with the military families (read voters) back home in the States. Gee. Voters. I guess he forgot about them what with all of the biased love from the media.

Posted by: beebop | Jul 25, 2008 8:28:43 AM

just think someone that other countries love and respect----the last 8 years have cost us worldwide----200 thousand to hear his speach---i think you are hearing the world speak----mccain bashes him for it along with dirtbag limbaugh----the repubs are becoming more and more obnoxious---
mcbush never in a million years.
rove,limbaugh mccain==the three stooges

Posted by: rodney | Jul 25, 2008 9:03:59 AM

linda
i am finding that more and more every day--thanks----we sure need a change--in a modern world the dinosaures just do not fit.

Posted by: rodney | Jul 25, 2008 9:06:54 AM

Nice try. Barack's trip was a ringing success. That is the reality, regardless of anyone's spin.

Posted by: jefferson | Jul 25, 2008 9:12:32 AM

Obama has reminded me once again why we are Americans. Even if he does not win, I will forever remember this speech and he now almost have replaced Bill Clinton at the top list of my heroes.

Posted by: jayjay | Jul 25, 2008 9:17:24 AM

Maybe on my next trip to Europe I wont have to pretend to be Canadian, eh?

Posted by: Jane Hussein | Jul 25, 2008 9:25:46 AM

Of course, BHO was as vague as ever and, as such, continues to impress those who don't like deep thoughts.

Posted by: Aston | Jul 25, 2008 9:26:16 AM

Obama's coming to Europe has given us a chance to be passionate in politics again. A feeling we have not had for a long time.
The man really inspires.

Posted by: Peace | Jul 25, 2008 9:30:11 AM

Obama is a showman - not a viable presidential candidate. Hot air should be restricted to balloons.

Posted by: Aston | Jul 25, 2008 9:35:08 AM

Aston: Those who appreciate "deep thoughts" go to his website and read the detailed policy .pdfs posted there. Where does McCain have his detailed policy positions posted? All I saw at his website (and in his speeches) are talking points that are at best half the story. Fund hundreds of billions in tax cuts by "cutting pork" that equals only a fraction of that in total? Please - Senator Obama is willing to not only publish the goodies he's offering to hand out, but how he'll fund them without doubling our national debt again.

Posted by: jhw539 | Jul 25, 2008 9:36:29 AM

It's unprecedented for a U.S. presidential nominee to give a speech addressed to "The People of the World" telling them it is "their moment". I think it's a bit creepy. Before you run for president, be an accomplished senator. Before you lead "the people of the world" be an accomplished president. The Berlin speech sounded some great idealistic notions but it struck me as more like Christ's "Sermon on the Mount". The mainstream media strike me as kind of like his disciples in spreading The Word.

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Jul 25, 2008 9:46:35 AM

I just got a letter from and officer over in Afg...he said Obama was there for show .It is quite an eye opener and now in my openion no one running is worthy of this office.The press was right used this to ask money, got an plz donate before his speech was over.I was from him but now I have to see how the rest of this election goes as to IF I even vote ....

Posted by: indp voter | Jul 25, 2008 10:13:31 AM

Obama has never snubbed any American Troop. Get your facts straight before you open your mouth. Obama has voted and protected our troops from day one 100%, while your man McCain has voted 95% percent against them.

You people make my blood boil, you should be ashamed of yourselves for posting lies, we get enough lies from Washington. You need to get your facts straight so you won't look so bad.

Posted by: becky | Jul 25, 2008 10:25:03 AM

Obama had a great week. He did a nice job overseas. The difference in media coverage between him and Mccain is unprecedented and astounding. Despite all of this, McCain in closing in on the polls nationally ( a virtual dead heat) and in the battleground states. This ladies and gentlemen is the Big Story,a story about which Mr. Obama should be deeply concerned.

Posted by: Grateful American | Jul 25, 2008 10:59:21 AM

For those of you bashing obama for his trip claiming hes not president well i have one question for you WAS JOHN MCCAIN PRESIDENT WHEN HE WAS IN CANADA,MEXICO,COLOMBIA DISCUSSING NAFTA AND OUR JOBS NO HE WAS NOT PRESIDENT so what is the difference?????????

Posted by: angie | Jul 25, 2008 11:12:16 AM

Well lets see 200 thousand people in germany waving the american flag, not burning it John mccain grocery shopping talking to 4 people standing in the cheese isle to go with that whine of his talking about milk no comparison!!!!!!

Posted by: angie | Jul 25, 2008 11:15:22 AM

"Well lets see 200 thousand people in germany waving the american flag, not burning it"

Maybe they should translate and replay some of Obama's mentor's hate speeches over there. Especially the "sermons" where he blames white europeans for the failings of his community. 20 years in a hate church does not equal presidential material.

Posted by: Mack | Jul 25, 2008 11:31:02 AM

I just watch part of Candy Crowley's interview with Obama and have read a few articles. He talks about going out and spreading a message from the US and also getting commitments from foreign countries. This guy has self-declared himself the winner and the President of the United States. He has no more authority to take on this pretend status than Ron Paul does. Would the press be following Ron Paul like good little Pavlovian dogs drooling whenever he spoke like they do with Obama. A mockery has been made out of the campaign process and for any journalist integrity the press used to possess. I am astounded at this HUGE pass that this man has just been gifted with.

Posted by: Unbelievable | Jul 25, 2008 11:33:28 AM

"He talks about going out and spreading a message from the US and also getting commitments from foreign countries"

He couldn't even convince his mentor to stop the hate sermons and he is going to get commitments from foreign countries? Commitments to help him change America?

Posted by: Mack | Jul 25, 2008 11:37:30 AM

Mack
Where is you prove of his hate sermons mr fox news??? I recall that was rev wright not obama and you know fox news and limbauigh are very confusing, first they spew obama is a muslim than they spew he sits in a christan church for 20 years spewing hate well which is it is he muslim or christan fox and limbaugh cant have it both ways!

Posted by: angie | Jul 25, 2008 11:46:51 AM

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