Obama in France

The man of light has done everything but sign executive orders and pardon the Thanksgiving Turkey on this trip. Somebody better check on the nuclear football.

Here's a wild theory--he went to Afghanistan then Europe not only to look presidential by posing for pictures and proclaiming stuff nobody can argue with, but to pressure the Continentals into contributing more troops Afghanistan so he can take credit for it later. That makes him look effective while simultaneously highlighting the 'real' battle in Afghanistan.

That works because McCain has largely ignored Afghan while focusing on Iraq, other than saying he'd pursue UBL to the gates of hell. Obama can now say he's doing something about it, even though he's in no official position to do anything but campaign. But it's clear Obama would rather stress Afghanistan now that Iraq has settled down, and this trip helped.