How McCain should have handled Obama's visit

So Barack Obama is on his way. We Europeans are rolling out the red carpet. And the McCain camp don't like it very much. Understandably. But pointlessly.

Here's what Jill Hazelbaker, John McCain's spokesman had to say:

Let's drop the pretence that this is a fact-finding trip and call it what it is: the first-of-its-kind campaign rally overseas. It's a giant photo opportunity.

What is the point of that comment? In what sense does it undermine Obama's visit? And, forget its political force, what is its intellectual argument?

The reason why Mr Obama's visit will make a diplomatic impact is precisely because it makes a political impact. In other words, being a photo op and being a diplomatic success are not at variance, they work in the same direction.

The McCain comment is the perfect illustration of a point I have made about their campaign from the beginning.

They will get nowhere making sour comments about Obama. They make themselves look sour, without damaging him. When they make remarks about Obama their only concern should be how it makes McCain look.

A much better approach would have been to welcome the greeting that Obama is going to get as a symbol of the excitement all over the world about the US election.

Perhaps a little paternal advice could be offered to Obama about how to handle his meetings, thus emphasising that for McCain a European visit is not exotic.

And then, if an enthusiastic European reception actually matters, and isn't a negative, McCain could try to tap into it by ensuring that more people over here know his incredible story, which few do.

The only other alternative is to say nothing at all. But saying it is a photo op is pointless.

Comments

[JOHN CHUCKMAN, TORONTO]

"Let's drop the pretence that this is a fact-finding trip and call it what it is: the first-of-its-kind campaign rally overseas. It's a giant photo opportunity."

Many of your readers likely do not John McCain has already done this very thing, albeit on a much less grand scale.

McCain recently came to Canada to give a speech on his support for free trade. He did the same thing in Columbia and in Mexico.

So it does appear Mccain's staff does not know what it is talking about, but then that would be nothing new for Republicans.

As far as giant photo-ops, that might well describe the entire presidential election.

Everyone moves to the center, avoids saying anything incisive, and spends a fortune on advertising and marketing.

If McCain's staff can't do better than this limp comment, they might as well roll up the carpet and save the advertising costs of the campaign.

[Dave for Georgia, USA]

Well said. The standard Republican playbook in an election is to "swift-boat" or slander your opponent as often as possible. Why? Because the "repeat a lie often enough and people will believe it" adage continuously proves correct.

In 2008, after years of lies from Bush, the American electorate (the majority of them at least) are finally examining the facts. Our recent primaries, which produced Republican losses in three key Congressional races, suggest that the public is not buying what McCain and the Republicans are selling.

This time, the old saying "once bitten, twice shy" certainly applies.

[Marbury]

I agree with your basic point. It's interesting that McCain backed away from his spokesperson's characterisation of Obama's trip yesterday, saying that he regrets her description of it, and that he's 'glad' Obama is going to Europe. He might be taking your advice yet. Also, note surrogate Mitt Romney's angle in a recent interview: Obama is a 'charming' guy with great intentions but 'this is no time for an amateur'. I think some in the McCain camp probably want this to be the line and tenor of attack but are having trouble establishing its consistency.

[Simon]

Pre-election foreign trips to meet political leaders aren't unprecedented. What is unusual is holding campaign rallies overseas. I don't know how this will play out. Among liberals in the US there is a deep hunger to be liked overseas. On the other hand, many Americans will ask themselves whether Obama cares more about European interests and concerns than those of Americans.

This is not a new divergence. Remember Kerry's "world test" line in the debate in 2004? For liberals that was an applause line, but I think Bush artfully turned it around with his comment that an American president should concern himself with American interests first. In 2004 that worked more to Bush's advantage than Kerry. Will the same hold true in 2008? Maybe. McCain polls 24 points ahead of Obama on fitness to be commander in chief. That's a question of standing up for America. I think it is unlikely that many picking McCain over Obama on that question do so over who can hold the largest rallies in Berlin.

[haralambos]

"Ich bien ein Berliner." ring a bell? B.O's charm offensive in Europe - could Mc Cain pull it off? this election has a reality television slant to it - the most likeable and the most entertaining contestent wins - makes one question democracy as a reliable system for choosing leaders.

[Terra]

Marbury said:

"Bush artfully turned it around with his comment that an American president should concern himself with American interests first. In 2004 that worked more to Bush's advantage than Kerry. Will the same hold true in 2008?"

I think that in 2008, much more than in 2004, Americans realize that world opinion of the US has sunk so low during the Bush administration that restoring our position of respect, admiration, and leadership in the world community has indeed become one of the most vital "American interests."

[Rawlings]

McCain's campaign amuse me alot. Why do they whine each time Obama sneezes? They cant change what God has made. The guy is so sweet in many ways; intellect, eloquence, charm, etc. no wonder television stations are running after him on his foreign trip. Wait until he comes to Europe. Why should I go after a man who makes people to sleep while delivering a speech?

[BMW60]

I THINK A MORE INTERESTING TOPIC WOULD BE HOW IS THE PRESS HANDLING THE PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEES VISIT?

Will the press be as "shy" and "unjournalistic" as the American press, who treat the candidate like an American Idol star?

I could suggest a great many more, but then ... ah, I am not there and it would be wonderful to see him answer those question to the foreign press. He certainly hasn't to the American Press or any of the news channels her in the States!!!

Will they ask him the tough questions?

How about asking why he keeps his birth certificate from being shown to see if he's even eligible to be the next President of the USA?

How about asking him what his accomplishments in the US Senate are and actually getting an answer that can be verified?

How about asking him why he thinks that 20 years in a church that preaches Black Theology has not affected his thinking or his families thinking? And, after calling Rev. Wright his "mentor" claims he never heard the preacher say anything like Rev. Wright has preached after 20 years there?

[BMW60]

This is not the standard Republican play book here... these are the words of a man who actually said them!!!

[Typy]

Hello from Poland and thanks for great article,
Best regards,
Typy!

[JM]

McCain clinched the "presumptive nomination" then did the same, why evil or naive for Obama to do the same?

Americans, remember how many people you have in the army and navy, let alone the most experienced and commanding Army Generals! Making "POW" a credential for foreign policy that qualifies a person for Presidency sets a dangerous precept likely to cost you internationally.

For instance, McCain brags about many visits to Iraq yet cannot even distinguish between Sunni and Shiite factions, many trips and overseas' international exposures yet still talks of a country called Czechoslovakia. Last and funny enough, McCain suggests that Obama erred when he gave foreign policy speech ahead of his overseas' visit. That, a Presidential candidate should not make foreign policy speech until he first make overseas' visits. Should not say his stand on Iraq or Afghanistan, may be on Israel, Palestine, Jordan, UK, Germany and France. That is being naive, even casts serious doubt upon his advisers.

No! America, this McCain lacks credibility to becoming your President, he confuses between bilateral agreements or selected unilateral decisions made consequent to fact-finding-missions and Country's foreign Policy. Should McCain wait until he visits Japan, China, India, Brazil, Tanzania, Kenya, Norway, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, etc., before making any foreign policy about such countries! No! Foreign Policy should precede Overseas' visits, it tells your hosts what they should expect from your presidency, a litmus test of Overseas' acceptability. You do not go empty handed, fed by your hosts then announce foreign policy, that is naive McCain, never repeat such humiliating error, it exposes your limitation on understanding such simple things.

[libertybelle]

amazing...

the man decides to go introduce himself, extend his hand in greeting to our allies and is scrutized & maligned like crazy!

hellooo..it's called introducing yourself. getting to know you, geting to know all about you...

[Carol]

McCain's campaign is totally incompetent. He complains that Barack Obama hasn't been to Iraq in 2 years -- and then whines that he's getting press coverage.

How dumb is that? Too dumb to elect that old man.

[chuckychocolate]

I don't count on the American elector's intellect to understand that Barack Obama is better. Their average IQ hasn't drastically improved since the last 2 times they elected a president (Bush); and it was proved that lower average IQ states chose the least worthy candidate.
I count on the "American Idol" factor to get Barack through... he is telegenic, photogenic, nice, fit, young, healthy, handsome, plays basket ball well, listen to music on his Ipod... Basically he is trendy.

[Dmitry]

It`s funny show..McCain, your game by words in what good will not result!! For example about my country..
good luck, mr Obama!

[George]

They don't need to worry now that 'Gunner' Brown is on the job:

http://afghancentral.blogspot.com/

[Debra Comer]

To BMW60: What are you talking about? Obama HAS released his birth certificate and it's online. I've seen it. Why haven't you? Maybe because you're spending all your time at right-wing blogs reading nonsense?

As far as asking tough questions, when has the American press asked McCain tough questions, like about his constant flip-flopping and his involvement with the Keating Five? Or about how he cheated on and then callously abandoned his first wife to marry a beer heiress a few weeks after his divorce was final? The American press scrutinizes every word out of Barack and Michelle Obama's mouths, but collectively back away from delving into the McCains' lives. McCain himself has called the media "his base."

I think you need to read something besides Free Republic, World Net Daily and Newsmax.

[John]

Obama is just another silly American fad...slinkies, hoola hoops, ipods, etc.

He has poor judgement in reality. He voted against the troop surgein Iraq, and he voted for immunity for US telecommunications companies when they spy on American citizens.
He started his campaign in Iowa with very vocal support for ethanol, but now we know that ethanol production has been bad for overall food prices. The man has almost no experience that matters, and poor judgement.

[Mac Qurashi]

McCain reminds us that he is experienced. Experienced in what? If the experience means to keep catering to the special interests, then the country could do without it. The world is changing around us and we must move with it. Since the WWII, no battle has produced a clear victory. Mr. McCain keeps talking about victory and no contact with the perceived enemies. Such foreign policy is ineffective in the present world view. In Obama we have a candidate that for a change possesses intelect and is not afraid to have better qualified persons on his team. The old policies will not play in the 21st century. Our gobalization policies have laid down foundation for the rise of other economic forces in the world and now we need to learn to live with them as equals. Mr. McCain and the Republicans have failed to understand that.
After voting as Republican for decades, I will be choosing a man with foresight and guts to implement a change.

[Tim]

The reason US troops can be withdrawn with Iraq a stabilising democracy are twofold: One, the US removed Saddam (Obama opposed this; McCain did not) and two, the surge policy (Obama opposed this too, McCain advocated it first). McCain has a record of being right and Obama a record of being wrong. Obama would have left Saddam in place or arbitrarily withdrawn US troops pre-surge had he been Commander-in-Chief.