An old sad tale of many an election. Politician A said to his neighbor after losing

[CK_John]

to Politician B, I know issues A,B, and C are very important to you and I worked very hard to get those issues approved and yet you voted against me, Why?

The neighbor replied, Politician B stopped over and asked for my vote.

Acting presidential is for the Nov to Jan time slot. Asking for votes is the July to Nov task at hand. "Wait until the next election" is not an option.

[karynnj]

1. An alternative version

By November, Obama and his surrogates and volunteers will have asked every single voter - or at least a high percentage of them for their vote. But, asking is not getting, some will say that national security and foreign policy are important in today's world and McCain has done that for decades. This trip may well reduce that number and they will see that Obama passes the threshold there. Then they might be more comfortable looking beyond the pundits - and seeing that McCain really doesn't.

Therefore, part of the purpose of that trip was political. Not to mention, he likely was seen by a huge number of ex-pats, either in person or on their TV. They also vote. This took one week in the middle of the summer - and it was a week of solid good Obama coverage and grouchy McCain coverage.

I think even Tip O'Neil, who is often quoted telling a story like your Politician A and B one, would likely approve. I also think had it been presumptive nominee, Edwards, you would have been among the first printing praise.

[CK_John]

2. You presume too much and I was never an Edwards supporter. n/t