The Presidential Campaign Goes Global

Barack Obama's trip this week has been choreographed for the cameras: the meetings with kings and prime ministers; the helicopter over-flight with the commanding general; the prayer at the Western Wall; and, of course, yesterday's address to 200,000 people in the heart of Berlin. But could saturation coverage of Obama produce a backlash? Is it presumptuous for a rookie Senator to act like a head of state? John McCain says he'd like a big crowd in Germany, but not until he's President. But McCain has also campaigned in foreign countries, albeit with fewer cameras. Both candidates want to demonstrate they have what it takes to handle new global realities with strength and diplomacy. Has Obama gone overboard? Many voters care deeply about the rest of the world, but what the tradition of American exceptionalism?