The reviews are coming in about Obama's performance on the Euro stage and they are mixed. Some saw the "world citizen"'s speech before an encouraging sea of American flags held aloft by Berliners on Thursday as overly cautious, even banal and vague in its content. Others saw the intended historic parallels too grandiose for a one term senator to convincingly carry off. Citizen Obama's handlers were counting on at least a week of inundating press coverage that was uniformly positive. That goal was largely achieved, aided by the elderly McBush's repeated gaffes and confusion while on the domestic campaign trail. Even CBS anchor Katie Couric had to cover for him. Contrastingly, a Der Speigel commentator raved that a "young, decisive and focused" Senator Obama will be the 44th president of the United States. The trip was a half clever idea--a sort of good news rebound off the transatlantic backboard--that the candidate can use in his defense when the GOP resumes pounding him for lack of experience. Americans apparently, are less impressed than their European allies. The emphasis on foreign affairs created by the extensive trip may have reminded voters that the junior senator from Illinois is a relative newcomer to foreign policy. Polls show McBush breaking out in several jurisdictions that actually have Electorial College votes. According to Time, McBush is ahead in Florida where he was trailing by five points. Obama's lead in New Hampshire has shrunk from twelve to two. In Colorado, a western state Democratic strategists want to win, McBush is leading by three to four points. If the trip helped clarify Obama's thinking about our country's difficult role in world affairs, then some negative PR was probably worth it, but the tour was definitely not a three point basket at the buzzer.[cartoon credit: Rex Babin]