Obama Visits Europe 2nd Time in Decade: 1st Time for 24 Hours

"Barack Obama heads to London for European Tour" from the Times of London reports that Barack Obama is belatedly going to Europe - where he has spent 24 hours in the last decade - and will touch down in Iraq where he has been once and Afghanistan where he has never been - and puts him on par with President Bush's foreign experience prior to his election - making Obama the third Bush term, as the Wall Street Journal says, in the experience sense.

It will be a very quick visit with PM Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron.  He will also score visits with France's Nicholas Sarkozy and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel. 

As always, Obama wants a photo-op event to feature him with a "tough love" speech - to cover up his lack of interest and experience in Europe - and to build himself up.  This is causing some turmoil between Merkel - who would like to not interfere in US politics - and the Berlin hierarchy who would like a PR event. 

"Chancellor, Berlin Mayor Bicker over Obama Visit" from Der Spiegel

"'Tough Love' Expected in Obama's Berlin Speech" from Der Spiegel