Why does Obama have to "defend" his overseas trip at all?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

Just saw this on the Comcast news page this morning:

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20080104/NEWS-USA-POLITICS-OBAMA-DC/

Has Bush ever had to "defend" any of his overseas trips/vacations or, more importantly, his spactacular inattention to domestic problems? When (or if) John McCain goes overseas, will HE have to "defend" his trip (don't bet on it)?

I thought that McCain WANTED Obama to go out of the country and, more importantly, to Iraq so that he could see the "conditions on the ground"? I thought that we would want to have leaders (or people seeking leadership) to know a little more about and have some exposure to the rest of the world?

Can the media get any worse? (rhetorical question-I know the answer unfortunately)

:mad:

[anonymous171]

1. If only Obama were anti-NAFTA

He could have eviscerated McCain on his trips to Canada and Colombia.

[Saturday]

2. It's totally stupid to have to defend it.

It seems everything he does gets spun to question him or his motives. The press has nothing else to do but make conflict where there is none.

[DarthDem]

3. They Need a Horserace

And therefore they have to make it seem closer than it is. I think you nailed it - - manufacturing conflict. I don't recall this from 1996, but that's probably because Clinton was a popular incumbent.

[AllentownJake]

6. They still tried to manufacture a horse race than too

It just didn't work

[DarthDem]

8. Did They?

I honestly have no recollection of that. I was looking for jobs that summer and generally not paying too too much attention - - the Internet wasn't nearly as much of a force as it is now and I had no fears whatsoever that Viagra would (ahem) pull out a win.

[Johonny]

4. he's liberal

so he has to defend everything. It's dangerous to give a liberal a free day, not forcing them to talk stupid stuff. He might talk about important issues.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. The answer (unfortunately) is pretty much as simple as that

x(

[elehhhhna]

7. Executive job interviews normally require meeting with your (future) peers.

Biz 101