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Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama (AP) Last update - 18:24 28/06/2008 Barack Obama to travel to Europe, Mideast this summer By The Associated Press Tags: U.S., Barack Obama, Iraq  Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama plans to visit the Middle East and Europe this summer, taking time off from campaigning in the United States in an effort to boost his foreign policy credentials. Obama's campaign told The Associated Press the likely nominee will travel to Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The Illinois senator has also said he intends to visit Iraq and Afghanistan this summer; his campaign would not say whether those stops would be part of the trip to the Mideast and Europe. The campaign also would not disclose the dates of any of the plans in an attempt to protect Obama's security. Obama's campaign manager said this past week that Iraq and Afghanistan would be part of an official congressional trip. The other stops are part of a campaign-funded visit. Advertisement It is unusual for a presidential candidate to travel internationally so close to Election Day, especially in a closely fought campaign. Obama had considered such a trip last year, but the competitive primary with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton made it too risky to spend time away from early primary states. Obama foreign policy adviser Denis McDonough said the senator wants to consult with leaders of some important U.S. allies about common challenges, including terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran. "He obviously wants to consult with the leaders of those countries but also find an opportunity to speak to the people of those countries about our shared values and goals," McDonough said in an interview Saturday. The stop in Israel could help improve Obama's standing among Jewish voters. Some Jews are concerned about Obama's willingness to speak with Middle Eastern nations that oppose Israel, while others wonder whether he is a closet Muslim. Obama's father and stepfather were Muslim and he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia, a largely Muslim country. But he says he is a Christian, was a longtime member of Chicago's Trinity United Church and attended secular and Catholic schools. The trip also will help address Republican rival John McCain's criticism that the first-term Illinois senator lacks the international experience to be commander in chief. In particular, McCain and the Republican Party have sought to make the case that Obama has not observed conditions in Iraq closely enough to determine whether his plan to remove all combat troops within 16 months is the right course of action. Obama made his only trip to Iraq in January 2006 as part of a congressional delegation. McCain, a senator from Arizona and Vietnam war veteran, has been to Iraq eight times, most recently in March. An Associated Press-Yahoo News poll taken this month found that 61 percent of those surveyed see McCain as a good military leader, compared with 27 percent for Obama. But they see Obama as more likely to improve America's standing in the world, 43 percent to 33 percent who said the same about McCain. Related articles: Malik Obama: As president, my brother would be good for Jews Obama to AIPAC: I'll do everything to prevent Iran from obtaining nukes It's Obama's good intentions that pro-Israel activists fear Bookmark to del.icio.us   Haniyeh's plea Hamas leader in Gaza says rocket fire must stop for sake of Palestinians. Softening position Shin Bet agrees to free prisoners 'with blood on their hands' for Shalit.   1.   There goes the neighboehood (ideologically I mean) 16:54  |  contrarian 28/06/08   2.   Obama and foreign policy. 17:14  |  sandra chitayat 28/06/08   3.   Good. When He Gets To Israel... 19:10  |  Jeff Northridge 28/06/08   4.   Funny!!! McCain challenges Obama 19:29  |  Lynn 28/06/08   5.   Boost his foreign policy credentials? 19:30  |  Lynn 28/06/08   6.   "a very bad man and an enemy of good and fair people" 19:55  |  newageblues 28/06/08   7.   Lynn, I trust Obama to be a quick learning president 20:16  |  Mark B. 28/06/08   8.   Obama / Carter dog and pony show 20:37  |  Arie 28/06/08   9.   Mark B. 21:31  |  Connie 28/06/08   10.   Obama should talk only to Labor in Israel 22:14  |  MAN 28/06/08   11.   Lynn - when did McCain challenge? 22:16  |  Obama man 28/06/08   12.   Message to Hizbollah, TAKE OUT HIS PLANE! 22:35  |  Abe 28/06/08   13.   oBama is a gimmick! full or meaningless rhetoric. 22:37  |  Avram 28/06/08   14.   If so Connie, why does a piped piper have succes in nowadays US? 22:55  |  Mark B. 28/06/08   15.   #2 Jeff, it will be interesting to see how he handles the media 23:47  |  Aphemia 28/06/08   16.   @10 Abe 23:52  |  Mark B. 28/06/08   17.   travel 23:53  |  Shmuelshachor 28/06/08   18.   quick learner 00:00  |  Shmuelshachor 29/06/08   19.   # 7 Connie .....thank you so much 00:57  |  Lynn 29/06/08   20.   # 6 Mark B. not to be rude. 01:06  |  Lynn 29/06/08   21.   calm down, #10, Abe 01:48  |  newageblues 29/06/08   22.   I like Obama 02:57  |  Jane 29/06/08   23.   Abe - Are you new to the US? 03:04  |  Mark of Lewiston 29/06/08

Read & React Iran military chief says Israel can't stop nuclear program Responses: 230 Top Hamas official: We'll stop anyone who breaks Gaza truce Responses: 233 Shin Bet agrees to free prisoners 'with blood on their hands' for Shalit Responses: 132 'Dutch Jimmy Carter' accuses Israel of terrorism in new book Responses: 255 Amos Shocken: Citizenship law makes Israel an apartheid state Responses: 254 Rosner's Domain Can Israel legaly attack Iran with nuclear weapons? Is Time's Joe Klein being honest when he criticizes Joe Lieberman? "The war in Iraq was inevitable" (WTR) Poll: exchange deal with Hezbollah, good or bad? Do Jews have special responsibility over Darfur? (WTR) More Headlines 03:52 Cabinet to vote on prisoner swap with Hezbollah Sunday 02:33 ANALYSIS / Five myths about prisoner exchange deals 02:14 Bereaved father: Who will protect my sons once terrorists are released? 02:57 Peer shocks Safina to slide into Wimbledon fourth round 03:46 Mixing business with pleasure / Sarkozy's visit to Israel 22:51 German Prof.: Israeli athletes willfully sacrificed themselves in Munich massacre 05:07 Former MK Bishara may lose pension if new law approved by Knesset 05:48 Rambam doctors charged with negligence in child's dehydration death 05:36 Ex-POW Uri Shahak: Don't declare Regev and Goldwasser dead 01:40 MKs prepare bills making it harder to cede land 19:01 Jordan, Canada sign memorandum for civilian nuclear cooperation Previous Editions Select Day 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun

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