As Barack Obama tours the Middle East and Europe, he intends to assure voters, by meeting with heads-of-states and US military commanders, that he can keep America safe. Yet, 63 percent of Americans do not think Barack Obama's "fact-finding" trip to the Middle East and Europe makes him more qualified to be president.
The fact that a majority of Americans doubt that Obama will come back with relevant experience may be crucial, since another survey this week shows that 45 percent of respondents think Obama is too inexperienced to be president, up from 41 percent over the past week. (Could his trip actually be backfiring?) Forty-five percent think he has the experience needed.
While Obama's out shoring up facts and relationships with foreign leaders, his campaign is working to maximize the political advantage seemingly available from the well-coordinated trip. But in light of this poll, which shows most Americans don't think it helps his credentials, do you think it's worth it?
Tommy Hilfiger
Judith Leiber
Adidas
I don't think trips abroad make anyone more qualified to become president. It might help your image, but you either have the experience or you don't.
1Obama was qualified the moment he became a senator!
2Fo show you crack me up!
Well, I don't know if it makes him more qualified per se, but its a step in the right direction and can't hurt!
3Ok..let me refraize that(before it starts commotion)
I feel that, this trip doesnt qualify Obama anymore, because he already had outstanding presidential potential to begin with.
4meh...taking a few trips doesn't mean much to me. he looks very photogenic though. did he ever get Tom Ford to "style" him? because I see a very notable improvement from the beginning of his campaign. Back then he was Nerdy 'Bama. Now he's Smooth 'Bama.
5This whole trip has been too much of a circus to actually be informative.
Besides, a "fact-finding mission" seems pointless when you've already announced your views.
6Yeah.. I noticed the fresh haircut improvement myself. You can tell all this is taking its toll because he's going grey. So he may get that experienced look aswell.
7oh no! he's going to start looking pretty haggard then.
did anyone see the tabloid
news about pretty John Edwards cheating on his wife? granted, it was the Enquirer... but I notice everything that pertains to J.E. 
8Pictures dont prove anything, nor does a well traveled politician.
9I did see that kris! I wonder if its true! i hope not, JE always seemed like a nice enough guy.
Fo show - I see what your saying, and I enjoy your use of the word potential. Much clearer!
10Well..we can all see that McCain is losing his bearings...
11I think Obama has done a great job of proving himself thus far...
Oh...thats cool Cabaker27. Cuz ya know..Lilkimbo and Miss Hunterme will jump down my throat if I dont use clear statements.
12If travels make you more presidential, then most actors are qualified. Can you say President Angelina Jolie?
13Dave you wish!
14
15At least the state of the union addresses would be interesting.
I'm personally pushing for Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho as President. He's got a three point plan:
"President Camacho: Now I understand everyone's sh*t's emotional right now. But I've got a 3 point plan that's going to fix EVERYTHING.
Congressman #1: Break it down, Camacho!
President Camacho: Number 1: We've got this guy Not Sure. Number 2: He's got a higher IQ than ANY MAN ALIVE. and Number 3: He's going to fix EVERYTHING."
16Fo show, no one jumped down your throat, we asked you to clarify. In the future, if you feel someone is being that rude to you, you should report it to Citizen or Liberty.
17I mean, you were saying that the swastika caused WWII. I think any reasonable person would ask you for more information to back up that statement.
18I don't think more qualified is the proper phrase, but I do think creating relationships with leaders of other countries is a positive thing to do, and it shows voters that he is accepted by these leaders, and looks good doing it.
19No, his trip just puts illustration to what he's already been discussing over the past two years. The illustration may give some people more peace of mind about Sen. Obama but the level of qualification IMO is still the same.
20I don't think it necessarily qualifies him any more than before, but I also don't think it can be denied that there will be benefits to this kind of in-person perspective, as well as the chance to sit down and speak directly with other nations' leaders and our military commanders. I think it's less about experience here and more about perspective--and it's definitely not a minus.
It's also quite reassuring to see a potential president who can handle himself gracefully on the world stage without making ridiculous gaffes or a fool of himself, you know?
21I agree with Jude.
22If I go on a business trip for a week, it doesn't really make me more qualified to be the CEO of my company.
23That's a great way to put it tiff.
24
M3.... its sad how that movie fits so perfectly in many issues today...
25
Hi everyone! I figured if my name was mentioned before I even commented I should check
this thread out.
26
Hi, hunter!
27Hi Jude! I love seeing your beautiful avatar! I am glad it is not in such a crazy thread like before
On a related note, I was working out this morning and on MSNBC they had a story with "Can't McCain Catch a Break?". Since I was working out, I couldn't really pay attention, but it was about how the media was loving Obama overseas. I thought it was interesting that they brought it up in relation to this thread. Did anyone have a chance to catch it?
28I caught a little bit of that story. It was saying that McCain has already taken numerous trips overseas without any notice or publicity, but as soon as Obama takes his first trip, he has reporters and photographers from every major news station and magazine capturing and broadcasting his every move.
29Thanks May! I was curious as to what it said. I have a feeling this is going to be a very, very, long election season.
30The biggest reason Obama has so many reporters is because he/his campaign is paying for the publicity. It's all very tacky, IMO.
31Dave, if Obama walked on water, you'd complain that he can't swim.
32The trip doesn't make Obama more qualified to be president, but it certainly shows he is more than capable of being the president who can lead us forward to a peaceful and productive future with the world community, and that many countries are anxious for an American leader who is willing to work with them.
I almost said that I knew Undave's comment was going to make Stephley be the next person to comment... I should have! My genius would have been prove to everyone
33stephley - If Obama walked on water, I'd complaign that he was trying to be like Jesus.
34These visits show that he can meet with foriegn dignitaries. It doesn't show that he will lead us forward. Many countries may be anxious to work with someone other than President Bush, but that doesn't mean McCain can't do the same thing.
"Many countries may be anxious to work with someone other than President Bush, but that doesn't mean McCain can't do the same thing."
I know that foreign policy is supposed to be one of McCain's strengths, but in my book he'd have a lot more credibility in that area if he:
a) Knew which came first, the surge or the Anbar Awakening
35b) Remembered that Czechoslovakia doesn't exist anymore
c) Knew which countries border Iraq and which don't
d) Didn't mix up Germany and Russia when talking about Vladimir Putin
e) And didn't improvise songs about bombing Iran, or make jokes about killing Iranian civilians with cigarette exports.
I'll be honest. Neither of these candidates excite me in the ways previous candidates have. Even though I am not 35, I have decided Jude and I should run together for president!
I mean, we're THAT awesome, we can get the Constitution changed 
36Who were you been most excited for, hunter?
37No worries, we can make cab our official cupcaker of the world. Okay, haha don't laugh. But in 1999 I was excited by the idea of John F. Kennedy Jr. running for New York Senator since he was most likely going to. I know that's not presidential, but he just impressed me with his thoughts (especially his editorials in George). I would have loved to have seen him in that arena and I know he was really considering it.
Presidential campaigns wise I really liked the campaign of Robert Kennedy. Clearly this was before my time but all of my readings on it made me respect about the whole campaign.
... I suppose I should go make our bumper stickers now
38Sorry, I have to say that cine and syako have my vote. They have been campaigning long and hard. And they have promised me a cabinet position.
39Oh, I see where you're coming from. I like those choices. And I used to read every issue of George as soon as it came out!
Can we have JRM on our bumper stickers?
40That's okay, lilkimbo--when we're elected, you're still invited to stay in the Lincoln Bedroom whenever you want
And for free!
41I think we campaign by promising hot, shirtless men every day. I would like to start off with JRM and Christian Bale. Every day we reveal a new hot man.
42Mmm. Now those are some endorsements I would totally pursue.
43There would be no bi-partisan fights when you are looking at such good looking men. Just think of all the accomplishments we could achieve!
44
lilkim! She's a trooper!
45I would work to make James McAvoy Appreciation Day a federal holiday!
46We should reach out to our fellow citizens and see what their needs are Jude. So ladies... who else would you want to see?
47Sy, I would not leave you now. I am no flip-flopper.
But thanks for the offer of the Lincoln bedroom, Jude!
48I'm not a lady, but I can think of a few ladies I'd like to see
49Do share Dave!
50Post New Comment
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