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PrintObama plans visits to Europe, Mideast this summer
Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:02 AM EDT
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WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama plans to visit the Middle East and Europe this summer, taking time off from campaigning in the United States in an effort to boost his foreign policy credentials.
Obama's campaign said the likely nominee will travel to Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The Illinois senator also has said he intends to visit Iraq and Afghanistan this summer; his campaign would not say whether those stops would be part of the trip to the Mideast and Europe.
"This trip will be an important opportunity for me to assess the situation in countries that are critical to American national security, and to consult with some of our closest friends and allies about the common challenges we face," Obama said in a statement. "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."
The campaign also would not disclose the dates of any of the plans in an attempt to protect Obama's security. Obama's campaign manager said this past week that Iraq and Afghanistan would be part of an official congressional trip. The other stops are part of a campaign-funded visit.
It is unusual for a presidential candidate to travel internationally so close to Election Day, especially in a closely fought campaign. Obama had considered such a trip last year, but the competitive primary with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton made it too risky to spend time away from early primary states.
Obama foreign policy adviser Denis McDonough said the senator wants to consult with leaders of the countries he plans to visit about issues like terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran. But he's planning other public events as well.
"He obviously wants to consult with the leaders of those countries but also find an opportunity to speak to the people of those countries about our shared values and goals," McDonough said in an interview Saturday.
The stop in Israel could help improve Obama's standing among Jewish voters. Some Jews are concerned about Obama's willingness to speak with Middle Eastern nations that oppose Israel, while others wonder whether he is a closet Muslim. Obama's father and stepfather were Muslim and he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia, a largely Muslim country. But he is a Christian.
"Israel is a strong and close friend of the United States, and is confronting grave threats from Gaza to Tehran," Obama said in his 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 trans-Atlantic 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."
The trip is an attempt to address Republican rival John McCain's criticism that the first-term Illinois senator lacks the international experience to be commander in chief. In particular, McCain and the Republican Party have sought to make the case that Obama has not observed conditions in Iraq closely enough to determine whether his plan to remove all combat troops within 16 months is the right course of action.
Obama made his only trip to Iraq in January 2006 as part of a congressional delegation. McCain, a senator from Arizona who was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, has been to Iraq eight times, most recently in March.
An Associated Press-Yahoo News poll taken this month found that 61 percent of those surveyed see McCain as a good military leader, compared with 27 percent for Obama. But they see Obama as more likely to improve America's standing in the world, 43 percent to 33 percent who said the same about McCain.
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- Nedra Pickler's Column, All of Newsvine
- Groups: Eurovine, ObamaVine
- Regions: Israel , Jordan , United Kingdom , Iraq , Germany , Afghanistan , France , Washington DC
- Public Discussion (10)
- Eurovine
- ObamaVine
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{"commentId":2072148,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}
Well, I hope I get the opportunity to meet the great chappie when he arrives here! :o)
{"commentId":2072148,"threadId":"301319","contentId":"1620467","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}
- 4 votes
#1 - Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:04 AM EDT{"commentId":2073347,"authorDomain":"arcanebliss"}
I look forward to following his trip and comments about the regions closely. :) I hope he stays safe. :(
{"commentId":2073347,"threadId":"301319","contentId":"1620467","authorDomain":"arcanebliss"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2072778,"authorDomain":"danish"}
Obama will be most welcome in Europe. When comes to the Transatlantic Alliance, Europeans are little different from Americans when comes to weariness of the current administration.
But they see Obama as more likely to improve America's standing in the world, 43 percent to 33 percent who said the same about McCain.
The numbers would probably favour Obama more, if more Americans were informed about the European preference for foreign policy pragmatism and a less confrontational approach towards democratization of the Levant. A Democratic victory at this point is likely to cause an instant image improvement for USA in the European public, most likely also reflected in government attitudes over short time (Barack Obama beats McCain in the European vote). The durability of this effect largely rests on Obama's ability to provide "change we can believe in" with regard to the Bush doctrine. Chances are good, since the harsh lessons from the era of Neoconservatism have become pretty much gospel among military advisors and foreign policy experts - and among Americans to the point, where McCain have to be careful not to further alienate war weary voters.
{"commentId":2072778,"threadId":"301319","contentId":"1620467","authorDomain":"danish"}
- 3 votes
#2 - Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:00 PM EDT{"commentId":2073169,"authorDomain":"helloitsclinton"}
More boring Obama news, from the propoganda USA media.
{"commentId":2073169,"threadId":"301319","contentId":"1620467","authorDomain":"helloitsclinton"}
#3 - Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:05 PM EDT{"commentId":2073237,"authorDomain":"dndmelcher"}
So now he is can travel to foreign countries so he can learn about what he claims qualifies him to become president. I think he should have learned before running and telling people he is qualified.
And people really think he should be president??
{"commentId":2073237,"threadId":"301319","contentId":"1620467","authorDomain":"dndmelcher"}
#4 - Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:14 PM EDT{"commentId":2073464,"authorDomain":"ianfwalter"}
David-269558,
You said:
So now he is can travel to foreign countries so he can learn about what he claims qualifies him to become president.
Obama said:
"This trip will be an important opportunity for me to assess the situation in countries that are critical to American national security, and to consult with some of our closest friends and allies about the common challenges we face," Obama said in a statement. "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."
The answer is yes. He will learn if his notion of using good judement and diplomacy is helpful to American national security and global security, rather than the neocon notion which shuns diplomacy and serves only to insure non-cooperation and contempt from overseas.
You went on to ask:
And people really think he should be president??
Bingo. In ever-increasing numbers.
{"commentId":2073464,"threadId":"301319","contentId":"1620467","authorDomain":"ianfwalter"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2073340,"authorDomain":"nsagona"}
Excuse me, are Europeans, as well as illegal immigrants, voting in this U.S. Presidential election? I guess I missed our wonderful Congress' passage of that piece of legislation!
I can't recall any one in Europe complaining when Americans bled and died standing with Europeans to help them maintain their freedom against aggressors and tyrants. Diplomacy is always good and should always be employed, but, when the other side resorts to aggression, a country that is not known as one that will defend itself will always find itself at risk. Perhaps it's better to be a bit disliked and able to preserve your freedom than to be loved and subject to take over by a ruthless adversary. In reality could it be that maybe those who are now criticizing the U.S. are just a little envious that we can and will defend ourselves and our allies without first asking permission of those who won't or can't.
{"commentId":2073340,"threadId":"301319","contentId":"1620467","authorDomain":"nsagona"}
#5 - Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:32 PM EDT{"commentId":2073422,"authorDomain":"danish"}
Excuse me, are Europeans, as well as illegal immigrants, voting in this U.S. Presidential election?
No. The European opinion only has bearing, if you consider improved relations with allies - and increased popularity, credibility and foreign policy mandate - a significant factor. My view is that people are slamming attention to image at their own peril, whether it has to do with individual image or national image. Your image is, in a sense, a part of yourself, the part you are willing or able to project to others, and having a vested interest in your image is actually a sign of mental health. It is usually considered a sign of depression, when an individual being to lose interest in maintaining their public appearance and, instead, nurturing the uncut, unshaved and underdressed look. You can argue the same about any nation, not only USA, but in most cases USA above all others, because USA is a superpower above all others. It is important to pay attention to your public image, because it largely determines what level of power you can wield over others. Defending yourself is not only a question of striking back, when you are assaulted, but also a question of getting support for your action, creating the case that counter-attack is justified.
maybe those who are now criticizing the U.S. are just a little envious that we can and will defend ourselves and our allies without first asking permission of those who won't or can't.
There is a lot that Europeans can envy USA, indeed, but this is not one of them. It's more a case of "when Washington sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold", so we are a lot that would like to offer some cough drops.
Anti-Americanism in Europe is not deeply rooted. It's mostly a matter of scepticism about the Bush doctrine, a trend that is also prevalent among Americans. With a more modest approach at least as a matter of public appearance, it will be far easier to gain the support of other Western allies for whatever policies Washington should decide to enforce, good or bad.
{"commentId":2073422,"threadId":"301319","contentId":"1620467","authorDomain":"danish"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2073606,"authorDomain":"ianfwalter"}
Nick Scpa,
You asked:
Excuse me, are Europeans, as well as illegal immigrants, voting in this U.S. Presidential election?
Uh, nope on both counts. Was your question rhetorical? Or were you merely espousing the neocon notion that anybody from overseas should only have opinions which we (and by we, I mean you) approve of?
Your comments seem to imply:
1) Other people around the globe should be silent about matters concerning the policies of the United States of America, the most powerful nation in the free world.
2) This silence should be mainained at all times, unless they are voicing their appreciation to us for pulling their fat out of the fire in the past.
Is it ever possible for other nations to be opposed to our polices based on their concern that we might be contradicting the ideals they admired about us in the first place? Or should we always presume they are merely weak and full of envy because we are so strong and brave?
How very majestic of us. And how silly for them to disagree...
{"commentId":2073606,"threadId":"301319","contentId":"1620467","authorDomain":"ianfwalter"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2073355,"authorDomain":"arcanebliss"}
What's most amusing is that the same people that argue he isn't paying enough attention to foreign countries - like not visiting them and seeing what's going on first-hand... Are the same people who are going to criticize him for wishing to travel abroad and get a feel for what is going on. lol
{"commentId":2073355,"threadId":"301319","contentId":"1620467","authorDomain":"arcanebliss"}
- 5 votes
#6 - Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:35 PM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"301319","isPrivate":false}
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