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J O H N S C H I U M OH O S T
Will a trip to Germany, Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan and Israel connect with voters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Florida? Senator Obama is meeting with world leaders to strengthen his foreign policy creds. 200,000 people turned out to hear him speak in Berlin. But how many of those are undecided Americans planning to cast absentee ballots? For this trip to matter in November, the undecided voter here at home must be paying attention. Are you?
T H E C A L LS T A F F
Senator Barack Obama spoke in front of an estimated 200,000 people in Berlin today. It's the latest stop on an overseas trip that's included visits with leaders in Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Israel and the Palestinian territories.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is hoping the trip strengthens his foreign policy credentials. His rival, Senator John McCain, said he'd prefer to give a speech in Germany "as president of the United States, rather than as a candidate."
What are your impressions on Senator Obama's trip? Is there one moment that stands out to you? Will his various appearances with world leaders make a difference to voters here at home?
Send us your thoughts right now using the link above.
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
Senator Obama's trip appears to be a fact finding or listening tour. This will help him in any future Presidential debates. Most presidential elections are based on internal issues such as the economy, jobs, gas prices, so foreign policy is important but not that important.
Irene
Brooklyn
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
TOO BAD THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC DOES NOT KNOW THAT GERMANY IS IN EUROPE OR MATTER OF FACT WHERE EUROPE IS LOCATED ON ANY WORLD MAP. PLUS, AMERICANS HAVE A MEMORY OF A FRUIT FLY.
HOWARD FROM FLUSHING
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
words have power and meaning (especially after eight years of the village idiot) I was particularly impressed by his use of the word miracle in describing Israel. This man will do well because he speaks well, demonstrating a clarity of thought unlike the texas chain saw massacre. Under an Obama presidency, we will once again be a city on a shining hill.
John
Kissena Park
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
John,
We need better relations with the other countries and even if he isn't our next President it will show that we want a united front all over the world. Plus. Obama is a person of color and other nations particular in the Middle East can relate to him paying a visit.
Jeanne
Flushing, NY
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
BARACK OBAMA COLORED OUTSIDE THE LINES AND TOOK AN INVENTIVE STEP IN HIS PRESIDENTIAL HOPES. HE MAY BE CRITIQUED FOR THAT. HOWEVER, I LIKE THE FACT THAT HE DID THAT. I JUST HOPE HE CAN DODGE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
JOE
BAY TERRACE, STATEN ISLAND
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
Obama's appearances will help ease the apprehension of voters who fear he is too inexperienced. His speech today was good in easing tensions wityh Europe built over the last six years of war, especially when he acknowledged "America has made mistakes," but he still loves America for its principles in spite of our lapses.
The BIG problem is with the economy in the tank and weariness of war, the Democrat should be up by 18 points at least. Instead he is at a steady margin of error - a dead heat. That's not good for the Democrat, especially one who has to combat preceptions of inexperience, and an economic agenda many will liken to that of Carter's Presidency.
The only thing Obama can do ro seal the deal is not a trip to Europe, not his economic agenda which includes reluctance to drill for oil which is favored by 69% of Americans, its his choice for VP, and it's got to be Hillary, becasue he can't afford even a 10% hemorraghing of her supporters to McCain, and Barack must put Pennsylvania and Ohio in his column. No other candidate can assure that, or stop the vindicativeness of Hillary's voters.
David
Lakewood NJ
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
I think Obama's trip is a good idea. I think he will accrue some votes from it. But so much can occur by November. And i have an inkling that Gasoline if it starts taking a drop for some republican rhetorical reason towards the election , it will cost Obama many many votes. And what would happen if The Republicans start withdrawing troops before the election.? There's just too much that can happen.
Brian ------ Bedford Park
P.S. Thank you for the wonderful subjects and the recent transit discussions, i learned quite a bit and have gained a quite a respect for Mr. Russianoff. He really is an advocate !
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
all show and no blow- typical OBAMA
tom
richmondtown
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
The numbers speak for themselves. For the hardcore Obama supporter, this is just more of what we like to see. For the undecided voter, this is something that can't be ignored. McCain can downplay it all he wants, but this is a big deal.
Mark
Rego Park
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
With all due respect to John McCain; I don't think he sincerely care's about the U.S. as much as Barack Obama. I am very proud of Presidential Candidate Barack Obama for taking a proactive stance to better Foreign Policy and showing respect to ALL Countries in the interest of Peace. As a Civil Rights Activist, I'm more appreciative of people that take as much as an active role as possible to PREVENT WAR and potential issues leading to War. Presidential Candidate Barack Obama to me is the ONLY Candidate that has the full potential to create a United States that's accepted and respected by all people of the United States. Presidential Candidate Barack Obama has all it takes to be an excellent President that will bring not only the citizens and residents of the U.S. together but all the other Countries too as much as is possible under the present circumstances. Barack Obama to me is the definition of progress and hope.
Respectfully & Sincerely, Ms. Victoria M. S.
Humanitarian & Activist
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
I have followed some of Obama’s overseas tour and it appears his charisma has won over a lot of the heads of state. I hope this is not just media hype and there is a chance that some of the damage that the current administration has done can be repaired. We cannot go it alone and it is time for someone to step up and admit it. Other nations have become as sophisticated both militarily and in everyday concerns as we are and now is the time for peaceful talks rather than threats. I just hope Obama is sincere and not just stomping for the presidency.
Donald – Upper West Side
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
The substance and style of senator Obama's foreign trip showed him as presidential. He seemed to have won the hearts and minds of even some of his critics. The moment that stand out is where he was sitting side by side with Gen. David Petraeus flying over Iraq and also the synergy he had with the world leaders he met and bonded with during his trip.
Voters in America are not entirely divorced from the goings-on in the rest of the world. Therefore, it seems to me that many are in tune with Obama's so far very positive trip abroad and interaction with the various world leaders. All point to very good news for Obama moving forward.
GEORGE
Corona
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
I think that it helps the US image to send our most popular politician of color abroad often... so that we can show totalitarian and secular regimes why the US is strong... diversity.
Rob
Gramercy
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
For me Obama's opinion didn't make a difference them and it still will not change now. He is full of sweet talk and is not ready to step up to the plate as a president of the united states.
Eric, Bronx, NY
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
Why should John McCain--or anyone, for that matter--complain about Barack Obama making a trip to Berlin that generates a lot of positive
feelings for the United States abroad? If John McCain wants to make the same trip to Berlin, let him! I'll bet he couldn't fill the streets with a crowd that large over there. I'll bet he couldn't even fill a phone booth.
Chris
Lower East Side
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
this trip looks more like an 11th hour chance foreign policy photo op chance to show voters ' look voters, i know how to politic abroad'
anthony, sunnyside
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
Barack Obama is said not to have any foriegn policy, now he goes and show that he does. He went to these countries and as you can see was welcomed, he spoke to them and he is a people person, now i am hearing people saying he should not have gone to show that he has foreign policy experience. as i was listening to the show I heard callers saying that he should be here uniting the democratic party, it is united and stronger than ever. He is traveling the world for the people of the united states of America. New yorkers wake up and stop being so negative.
Jeffrey, Staten Island
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
As a liberal, albeit a pragmatic one who is willing to cross party lines, I am so so torn about Mr. Obama. I agree with his view of the world on the whole, and I am not surprised, nor turned off by the fact that he is another narcissistic politician. I want a narcissist in the White House. I am turned off by the amount of fluffy rhetoric. Who cares about his Germany speech. These things are meaningless, and I think that all the media attention focused on him, the unbalanced attention is going to wind up hurting his candidacy in the long run. I really am so confused. I always wondered who those "undecided" voters were that you hear about in polls. Now it looks like I am going to be one of them. I hope I don't have to pull the lever for Bob Barr
Best,
Peter, Brooklyn
T H E C A L LV I E W E R E - M A I L
What Americans need to realize is we have a bad image in the world. Globalization is forcing us to communicate and compete with other countries and economies. I think it's not only good for Obama to visit other countries but it's important to understand that Germany is leading the world in terms of solar and renewable energy. Him being there shows that he's concerned about America. We can learn from the Germans. I spent 2 years there and they are more efficient and self sustaining than Americans. Obama visiting other countries shows that he is open to communicating and listening to other countries. This is what we need as Americans. A president who is willing to have dialogue with these countries and their leaders. Everyone complaining about him not focusing on issues need to understand that they are not in these meetings with Obama so any talk about him not being concerned about the US is preposterous.
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