News Analysis: Obama's visit to Europe aims to boost campaign

by Zhang Bihong BRUSSELS, July 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama wrapped up his three-day European tour Saturday after meeting leaders of major U.S. allies and harvesting enormous popularity among the public of the three countries he has traveled to. His high-profile visit to Germany, France and Britain was viewed by observers here as an attempt to sharpen his diplomatic edge and boost election campaign against rival Republican presidential candidate John McCain. It was imperative for Obama to travel abroad to convince swing voters at home that he has the ability to lead his country and its European allies. As some U.S. voters have doubted the ability of Obama, who is much younger than McCain and lacks experiences in diplomacy and many other fields, to lead the United States if he is elected... [read full story]