Obama Obroad

[Deckard]

"This trip is not at all a political trip or a rally of any sort," said Obama aide Robert Gibbs. "It is a series of substantive meetings with our friends and our allies to talk about the challenges we face and the national security demands for the 21st century."


Substantive meetings.... not at all a political trip.....

Does anyone really believe that?



When you cut through the crap, isn't this really - first and foremost - about being seen to be abroad?

About photo ops, about stockpiling anecdotes that can be used in upcoming debates ("Well, y'know.... I have seen for myself first hand....")

And of course resetting to zero that pesky "days since" counter on the GOP homepage.

I don't mean to be overly cynical or single out Obama as such. I just can't help feeling it's all dishonest pretending that, for instance, the substantive meetings or information-gathering represent the bulk of what this is about, or indeed couldn't happen without the trip.

This is so undeniably political, and has been so heavily trailed, I'll be surprised if it retains much of its intended political power.

Perhaps the outcome will swing it though.

I notice there's a big concern that the rapturous enthusiasm that's very likely to greet him around the world could actually put people off back home, in the sense that it may reinforce the Republican message that he's "not one of us".

Amazing.

His aides are apparently busy ensuring that as many photo ops as possible include signs emphasizing his "Americanness" to balance any such fears - flags, large statue of bald eagle, etc.