Will Obama Get a Bounce in the Polls After His Foreign Trip?

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We recently published an article on Obama, written by an Obama supporter, that points out the shift away from Obama's initial purpose and message, to what the author calls "the cult of Obama."
It's a very thoughtful article, and a great read amid all the Obama "hoopla." It's an interesting point to think about as Obama is traveling the world and being treated as much more than just "another candidate."
http://www.therebuttal.com/2008/07/30/the-cult-of-obama/

Christian of NJ 11:58PM July 30, 2008

Obama's trip was like getting too much sun. Once the short term tan fades you are left with long term skin damage. The trip was costly for Obama.

of MD 3:22PM July 30, 2008

After his "Meet the Press" interview with Tom Brokaw on Sunday he has shown himself to be clueless on foreign policy. He credits the Anbar Awakening with the reduction of violence in Iraq, he refuses to give the U.S. Military credit for the surge reducing violence. I will not vote for this man, he's clueless.

smc341 of NJ 8:30PM July 27, 2008

One thing no one is noticing or commenting on is that we are entering a post war Aemrica. Wars always change the issues and balances in politics. Old issues that were neglected suddenly come up and demand answers (illegal immigration) and the people ussually demand chage. Though old concepts of change usually go out the door. It is usually a new ball game. I would love to hear Barone's ideas on this one.

Bill of GA 6:51PM July 27, 2008

Obama's unwillingness to meet with wounded veterans in Germany (no cameras allowed) but shamelessly turning the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, into a campaign rally (cameras allowed!) is telling.
Americans are realizing that Obama is trying to overcompensate for his perceived lack of executive/national security experience and patriotism. The fact that Obama realizes these are weak spots and is trying so hard to compensate for them is coming off to many Americans as an outright admission that he is in fact weak on national security and lacking in patriotism.
Note how after Obama criticized and slandered the U.S. in his Berlin speech as a nation of torturers he then added, perfunctorily, that he was proud to be an American. Of course when Ronald Reagan went to Germany he did not mention that he was proud to be an American. He didn't need to.

Maddux314 of NY 2:49PM July 27, 2008

OK - so "we the people" paid for the Middle Eastern leg of the trip (Reed and Hagel looked like they were suffering from acid indigestion) - in truth "we the people" paid for lots of photos. And - then - Europe - very strange indeed.
Europe loves him because he plans to diminish our Military, American wealth and business climate - reducing our importance in the world. Strange and Sad!

Rosemary Altiere of RI 7:56AM July 27, 2008

Like it or Not, there is a segment of American society that will never vote for Obama not matter how well he does his job. People wonder where is the "bounce" because his trip is viewed as "success". I say listen to his Berlin speech again and ask Racism vs Reality? Maybe not politically correct but maybe reality.

mp of NY 9:46PM July 26, 2008

Middle America is still proud of what the US has accomplised in the world and it not likely to be won over by Obama's "non-compaigning/compaigning" speaches in Europe. Europe has nothing for the US to strive for and the US certainly has nothing to "apoligize" to Europe for.
Personally, I think Obama looks worse for going over there -- and I actually supported him in the NJ primary.
I think I've seen the light and it's not Obama.
I'm not keen on McCain, but Obama leaves me no other choice.

njguardian of NJ 1:37PM July 25, 2008

I think the old adage of people voting their pocketbook may be asserting itself. Right now the main thing hitting the pocketbook hard is the price of gas. People see McCain and the Republicans talking about drilling and that just makes sense to them. The Dems focus on alternatives is nice but not seen as realistic.

Heatshield of CA 3:51PM July 24, 2008

"Bounce" or no "bounce", I don't understand how one quick trip with rather brief stops at all the "right" places suddenly imparts great foreign policy/military wisdon, much less makes an expert of anyone. But this same idea applies to any other area of weakness also, and any individual.

James Hall of MS 3:48PM July 24, 2008