Obama may need more than his trip

LONDON — By almost every measure, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's overseas tour that concluded here Saturday was a clear success, with meticulously planned and deftly executed events designed to beam back images to the United States of a politician comfortable on the world stage. What isn't measurable is whether it worked. Will a week of one-on-one meetings with foreign officials, cheering crowds, favorable and voluminous press coverage on both sides of the Atlantic and plain good fortune on the debate over getting out of Iraq overcome the doubts he faces at home about his readiness to be president? On Saturday in London, hours before flying home, Obama suggested his poll numbers might dip in the coming days, adding: "We have been out of the country for a week. People are worried about gas prices and home... [read full story]