Obama "Gravitas" On Display Abroad (WATCH)

The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza writes a glowing review of Barack Obama's press availability with reporters in Jordan today, saying the event, like his trip in general, has demonstrated the Senator's "gravitas" at a key moment.

Barack Obama's press conference this morning in Amman, Jordan, was a major moment -- perhaps the major moment -- of the Illinois senator's much-ballyhooed trip abroad this week.

All eyes were on Obama to see how he would perform on a world stage with every political reporter of any consequence either on the trip with him or watching closely on television.

And, as he has done before in the course of the campaign, Obama seemed to be up to the moment -- sensing the need to convey gravitas and bipartisanship while also strongly defending his own beliefs about America's role in Iraq and the broader Middle East.

Gone were the jokes and "rah rah" language that won over many Obama partisans but left many undecided voters wondering whether there was any there when it came to the Illinois senator. Instead, we saw a serious explication of his position on removing combat troops in Iraq, a position bolstered in recent days by repeated calls by the Iraqi government to remove U.S. military forces from the country by 2010.

Watch some of Obama's speech (we'll post the full video when it's up):

And here's raw video of Obama meeting with with Gen. David Petraeus:

Comments

[garrylee]

12:53 PM on 07/23/2008

Where O where is Bin Laden? Iraq?--If not, why don't we go where he is and complete the job? Also, JM and MSM keep hammering on BO nt giving credit for the surge-why? JM is a big man. Does he need to be constantly reassure?

I want to hear JM opinion on the base in Afghan that was overrun by the Taliban and is now close. Why? Is it because most of our troops are in Iraq?

[Truthfighter1]

12:34 PM on 07/23/2008

Riley your facts are wrong like all you Obama haters, you simply spread lies, you dont research. If you are online blogging you should never misquote or misunderst­and your candidate or your candidates opponent, your on the Internet for God's sake, you can get the truth if you search a little.

Sunni's decided to fight back against Al Queda at least 3 months (Sept.'06) before the surge was even thought of, as u know the actual troops didnt start going in till about March '07, so it was not only the surge, some might argue the surge didn't do much at all.

Please ask your candidate what else is he going to offer besides Obama bashing, he already has you guys for that, time for him to start making sense to the American people and tell us what his plans are abroad besides " depending on positons on the ground" such hogwash. That is not a strategy that is Military tactical talk, he is not running for General.

[riley85]

10:27 AM on 07/23/2008

I don't understand why the troops support Obama. He has essentiall­y said that all of their hard work and extreme sacrifice has been a failure. According to Obama the surge didn't work and Iraq improved because they solved their own problems at the same time more troops were sent in.

And Obama is willing to fight a war in Afganistan and send more troops there(a surge?). So he's going to end one war and start another.

[Bados]

10:48 AM on 07/23/2008

This is too funny. Beware of the word "ESSENTIAL­LY". Usually the statements following are grade A shullbit. Did you really say sending troops to Afganistan would be starting another war? LMAO you cant be that dumb. You obviously would like to keep fighting in a place that is confirmed to have nothing to do with attacking us. Brilliant I tell ya!!!!!! "Come on troops lets go not get the guys that attacked us on 9/11. Are you with me?" Does that make any sense to you? What? It does?????

[ksyellowdog]

10:51 AM on 07/23/2008

As a retired Marine, I support Obama because he wants our troops home. Fully 95% of all combat troops seek to return home and away from a place where we are not wanted. This is not about "winning" or losing. There is no win or lose here, only more death. Do you want to defend this mess we call a clusterF*c­k? We don't.

[wdw101]

11:29 AM on 07/23/2008

the words you are searching for is "I surrender"

[wdw101]

11:35 AM on 07/23/2008

corrected:

the words you are searching for are "I surrender"

[ComnCents]

10:01 AM on 07/23/2008

While gravitas is important. Mostly we need a president that has a properly functionin­g brain.

Our current president is a poorly constructe­d marionette who says we should replace him with one that is old technology AND worn out.

For you 14 year old comment posters supporting Mac who probably don’t know what a marionette is:

A marionette is a puppet controlled by a puppeteer called a manipulato­r.

[wdw101]

10:15 AM on 07/23/2008

Great another Hussein Obama supporter with empty headed response for change. Hey let us ponder Hussein 's word "change", it sounds good until you give it more than 2 seconds of thought. if Hussein actually gets in what will be left in my pocket will be "change" from all the taxes he will institute. Someone burns my house down that is "change". The list could go on and on, but you should get the point by now, see not all change is good.

But the sad thing is that it is very true "change", why most people have a good view on "change" is by filling in their personal view. However that is not what the candidate said he just stated he wanted "change"..­.....I want to hear it from the candidate without all the normal platitudes­. what do you want to change, how, and how will the change be paid for.

[splendidbeast]

11:37 AM on 07/23/2008

How will we pay the bill for 8 years of Bush? Did you miss the report on how spending goes up when the GOP is in power. wdw101 let's see if you can actually answer a question with facts. I dare you to answer how we are going to pay the deficit. can you bring it above the 101 level?

[nycdave]

11:40 AM on 07/23/2008

What's your middle name, maybe I can call you by that, too...

[Voltage]

11:18 AM on 07/23/2008

I don't believe there's a 14 year old out there who would be stupid enough to support McBrainles­s

[wdw101]

11:46 AM on 07/23/2008

that's good because a 14 year old can't vote.....j­ust thought I'd help you out

[DaOne]

10:00 AM on 07/23/2008

McCain should adopt a new attack strategy against Obama. Here's one that would work. McCain should say that Obama is unamerican­. Why? He's obviously too smart to be a John McCain American.

[rose london]

09:57 AM on 07/23/2008

I HAVE A DREAM. ALL PAST AND PRESENT LEADERS WERE IN A ROOM PLEADING WITH GOD TO GIVE THEM ANOTHER OPPOURTUNI­TY TO MAKE RIGHT WHAT THEY HAVE DONE WHILE THEY WHERE LEADERS. I RECALL GOD SAYING NO......YO­U HAVE YOUR CHANCE AND YOU BLOW IT. YOU FAILED TO CREATE BETTER LIFE FOR OTHERS... YOU DID NOT CARRY OUT MY WISHES. THEN A YOUNG HANDSOME MAN CALLED KENNEDY PLEADDED WITH GOD AND ASK GOD TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE SO THAT THEY CAN COME AND ENJOY THE GLORY IN HEAVEN AS HE IS ENJOYING. GOD PAUSE A BIT AND REPLIED...­"KENNEDY I WILL DO AS YOU ASK BUT ONLY IF THEY GO BACK IN WHAT I REPRESENT BOTH IN HEAVENS AND ON EARTH". KENNEDY BECAME SO HAPPY AND HE GAVE THE LEADERS SOME HINTS..HE SAID." I BORROWED YOU MY HEART AND I GIVE YOU THE WISDOMS OF EMPATYHY, LOVE AND MOST OF ALL I GIVE YOU ALL THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW AND THE CHILD WILL BE BORN IN USA BECAUSE I WANT HIM TO BE CLOSE TO MY FAMILY, TO LET THEM KNOW IM FINE.". AND SO OBAMA WAS BORN. NEED I SAY MORE. THANK YOU GOD FOR OBAMA.

[BOISATOOL]

10:16 AM on 07/23/2008

Wow, you need help! LOL that was quite a post! I hope you never wake up, keep dreamin.

[wdw101]

10:23 AM on 07/23/2008

good point

[wdw101]

10:22 AM on 07/23/2008

you have got to be kidding...­.........l­et me get my boots cause the crap is getting deep in here......­.Even if this crap you are spewing was true......­.one more reason not to vote for him......o­bama is very much like your post missing words and content...­.

[mairs]

01:01 PM on 07/23/2008

That's because you've got your fingers in your ears while saying "Nyah nyah nyah.... I can't HEAR you!" And your boy McGoo is only whining about O, no content there.

[mergina]

09:39 AM on 07/23/2008

And WHY is this race still SO CLOSE and getting closer as november nears?

[freebeer]

09:55 AM on 07/23/2008

Because as ALWAYS the Democrats are moving to the right at election time, alienating their "loyal" progressiv­e base.

The support of Bush's faith based funding by Obama and his support of the new FISA law with immunity hurts his numbers.
But not to worry, as this will ensure another minority in the election giving Democrats the cover they have used since Pelosi got the speaker's gavel. Razor thin minority, we just can pass this legislatio­n, we need to compromise and on and on.

The only compromisi­ng being done here is by the American people. Politician­s in both parties serve their corporate masters and close elections make it much easier.

[wdw101]

10:25 AM on 07/23/2008

I say we vote none of the above.....­Scrap both candidates and start over

[altara]

09:40 AM on 07/23/2008

related fake news

SUB-ROSA NEWS
Some of the News
That May be True

MCCAIN TO ENDORSE OBAMA
Walk across Sea of Galilee was Clincher

Butte, Montana Senator John McCain interrupte­d his campaignin­g here in Butte to call a press conference­. He opened the conference with the startling announceme­nt that he was withdrawin­g from the race and endorsing his rival, Barack Obama. He released his delegates and urged them to support Senator Obama.

The Senator noted the clearly presidenti­al manner that Obama exhibited during his meetings with generals and foreign leaders. He added that he and his staff were impressed with Senator Obama's grasp of foreign policy issues and his firm and clear exposition of United States' interests and policies.

In responsse to a question from the reporter present, Senator McCain said that his decision was supported by his family, particular­ly his younger grandchild­ren.

In closing, Senator McCain stated that it was important to make this announceme­nt at this time, before Obama's ascension to the presidency was confirmed by his performanc­e and his reception in Europe.

homer www.altara

[scorpioleidy]

09:28 AM on 07/23/2008

People recognize a winner when they see one! GObama!

[awb]

09:14 AM on 07/23/2008

gee

a smart president who we can be proud of
what a novel concept

[Lemeritus]

10:19 AM on 07/23/2008

Just a sneaky Obama ploy to make McCain look bad. Waaaaaah! :)

[NotFooledByDistractions]

08:55 AM on 07/23/2008

This press conference confirms that Obama actually comprehend­s the informatio­n he's providing - based on his research into the region. IHe proved his intelligen­ce, logic and comprehens­ion of the situation in the middle east. He's not just rattling statements provided by an assistant - talking points. He is well versed in the region - has a true comprehens­ion of the big picture. His composure and ability to intelligen­tly answer all of the questions posed is impressive­. He should win big on this trip.

I think McCain lost big on his challenge to Obama - prodding him to travel to Iraq was a gift that will keep on giving. Meanwhile, the McCain campaign continues to run in shambles.

[Soulsurfer]

09:11 AM on 07/23/2008

It will become painfully apparent when they meet for a debate. That will seal McBush's fate.

[DarthDerisive]

09:22 AM on 07/23/2008

...your heart almost goes out to McPalpatin­e doesnt it...

And keep in mind the debates are YET ANOTHER thing Mycane is trying to push!! OKAY!!!

[Lemeritus]

10:24 AM on 07/23/2008

Debate, yes! Townhall meeting, not so much... which is why Obama has wisely chosen not to engage in them. McCain has the advantage talking off-the-cu­ff, even if he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about half the time. Obama seems to struggle extemporan­eously.

How 'bout a heads-up game of basketball­???

[DarthDerisive]

09:15 AM on 07/23/2008

Yeah thus far Mycane has been a great campaign manager for O! HA!

[charon]

07:30 AM on 07/23/2008

Did you see how the troops cheered Obama? I think they want him elected even more than us. They know Obama would liberate them from Bush's ridiculous Iraq mess, and McCain won't. McCain's support is probably mainly among the ideologica­lly promoted upper brass.

[BOISATOOL]

09:33 AM on 07/23/2008

Yea right, like our troops are a bunch of cowards who want to surrender. This field trip Obama is on, is like American Idle, he's cute doesn't know anything, can make a 3 pointer. Reminds me of a USO tour, or course the troops are happy, the got nothing to do, the surge worked, they are bored. There is so much press, they probably thought they were their to replace them. With so much press fawning over Him, they could of thought it was theThe Dark Knight Premier in Baghdad, the only one missing was KO JO and he would have been the smartest one.

[helonias]

09:42 AM on 07/23/2008

What are you on you 4th or 5th tour?

[wesinohio]

09:46 AM on 07/23/2008

You're spouting complete and malicios fabricatio­ns. I hope you'll show Obama some respect when he's our president.

[wyntka]

07:16 AM on 07/23/2008

In January, we are going to go from one of the darkest periods in this country's history to one of its finest. Hearing our president talk in something more than three-word clusters punctuated by a self-satis­fied smirk will be so wonderful. It won't be the first time "in my adult life" that I've been proud of my government­, but it will be the first time in eight horrific years.

[charon]

07:36 AM on 07/23/2008

Yep, if ever there has been a "Dark Ages" in America, it was the last eight years. We can thank bushco, their wealthy backers, and the religious right for that. I will never forgive or forget.

[Midnightrain]

08:54 AM on 07/23/2008

We're not exactly out of the woods. There are many who like the darkness; it's familiar to them.

[wdw101]

11:54 AM on 07/23/2008

that is "Dark Age" unless you were defining multiple ages......­if there is a "dark age" it is the ignorance of people like you.......­our education system failed you didn't it.......

"we surrender"

[NTO08]

03:02 AM on 07/23/2008

Gravitas?

The man is LITERALLY a featherwei­ght...phys­ically and mentally.

[ChicagoPunk]

03:10 AM on 07/23/2008

And yet he's already dictating foreign policy to a sitting President, and has the other candidate racing to adopt his positions.

Featherwei­ght like a fox.

[BOISATOOL]

03:52 AM on 07/23/2008

LOL, I could not agree more, he looks like a Frenchman. I bet the cowardly French love his facination with retreat and smoking. Maybe he will stay and run for Emporer of all of Europe, I can only dream. They could both appease Iran until they start to take over one European country after another slautering Christians and Agnostics, and once again we would have to save the day.

[ChicagoPunk]

04:01 AM on 07/23/2008

You could have saved a lot of typing if you'd just written "I don't have anything to add to the discussion­."

Why don't you just excuse yourself while adults are talking?

[cindyw]

07:36 AM on 07/23/2008

What does a "Frenchman­" look like? And in case you haven't heard, our government is now "appeasing­" Iran. Try to keep up.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

02:32 AM on 07/23/2008

O'bama has gravitas to burn, as well as je ne sais quoi, grit, grace, style, coolness, star power, animal magnetism and a well-endow­ed brain pre-vetted by Harvard Law.

[MissDirection]

02:46 AM on 07/23/2008

Did that headline say, "Mobbed by crowd of GI's" or "GI's crowded by The Mob"???

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

03:25 AM on 07/23/2008

You'll figure it all out pretty soon, honey!

[BOISATOOL]

03:53 AM on 07/23/2008

It is ok to stop drinking so much kool aid, it is bad on the hips, plus your car will fet more milage.

[DarthDerisive]

09:35 AM on 07/23/2008

Well we all need you to put some miles on your spell checker...­.