Der Commissar's In Town

I heard someone on XM's POTUS '08 say that Barack in Berlin was even bigger than The Scorpions reunion tour. That's big. Germans love their most famous 80's hair band.

Yes, the 'Be Careful What You Ask for, John McCain' tour kept rolling on. With more spectacular 'optics' (the new '08 campaign hot word), another almost flawless performance by Obama, and a growing sense that America's newest face is a great ambassador for our country.

You can complain about the coverage or complain about the attention but understand this basic fact: the political professionalism on display this week says something about the candidate and his ability to lead. First of all, a production like this requires a lot of money, which was raised by the most prolific fund raising machine ever. It requires advance people for logistics; policy experts to interpret information; speechwriters to craft message; big picture and small picture strategists; and all those who execute those strategies. Let's be honest: you sense that the McCain campaign couldn't pull off this type of trip if they had all year.

Now, let's review: O-Force sinks a trey in front of cheering troops in Afghanistan; parties in Kuwait; meets more troops, some Generals and diplomats without a slip-up in Iraq; parties in Jordan; assumes appropriate gravitas in Israel and Palestine; then kills 'em in front of 200,000 Berliners by the Victory column. 'Don't turn around, uh oh, oh; Der Commissar's in town , uh, oh, oh, oh.'

In fact, the only mistake Obama has made is to create such a spectacular trip... that John McCain is now exactly where he feels most comfortable: as the underdog. McCain's answer to Obama' s speech? I'll pick my teeth on camera in front of a German restaurant. Yeah, those are some good optics.

But don't be fooled. We love to watch fabulous, but we're more comfortable with ordinary. That's why numerous polls show a tight race in spite of Obama's non stop coverage and pristine event production. On top of that, McCain knows how to fight inside. He's landing some unspectacular but consistent body shots. He's Joe Frazier to Obama's Ali. And even though his surrogates whine about media coverage, the man gets more gaffe relief than anyone since Ronald Reagan. That's right, I said Ronald Reagan (Mr. please-wake-up-you're-in-a-negotiation-in-Helsinki).

So, as the GOP tries gamely to parry Obama's tour de force with all manner of shots, petty and legitimate, I simply ask you to read the speech. Parse the words. Then ask yourself: do these sentiments uttered by a fellow citizen...make you proud of your country?

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