Overseas Tour Recap

On July 27, 2008, Barack Obama wound up his Middle East and European tour by making an appearance on Meet the Press in London with Tom Brokaw. Brokaw started the show by running down the itinerary of Obama's nine-day overseas trip:

"A week ago on Saturday you were in Kuwait visiting troops. On Sunday you moved to Afghanistan, where you visited troops and met with President Karzai. Monday, the epicenter of the trip, Baghdad, meeting with Prime Minister Maliki and American commanders. Tuesday you were in Amman, Jordan, with the king of that country, King Abdullah. And Wednesday meeting a variety of Israeli leaders and a prominent Palestinian. Thursday you were in Berlin meeting with the German Chancellor Merkel, and you gave a speech to a huge throng at Brandenburg Gate. Friday, in Paris, meeting with President Sarkozy of France. Saturday, in London, meeting with Tony Blair, the former prime minister, then with Gordon Brown, the current prime minister, and with David Cameron as well, who is the opposition leader in this country where there's a fair amount of political turmoil here as well."

The transcript of the program continues with a compelling discussion of war, terrorism, Middle East peace, the housing crisis, race, and the short list for Obama's vice-presidential pick.