Views of voters on Obama's overseas trip

Thursday, July 24, 2008

By The Associated Press

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Quotes from people in the United States on Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama's trip to Europe and the Middle East:

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"This trip overseas has an opportunity to backfire on him, because it looks like they're giving him so much attention, they're ignoring John McCain, the war hero." _ Terry Alexander, 60, a teacher from Columbia, Mo., speaking about the media attention Obama has drawn.

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"They should vote on who he is and what he does rather than where he goes or what he sees." _ Rena Anabtawi, 20, a pharmacy technician from Tampa Bay, Fla.

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"I think it's a political stunt." _ Nathaniel Breznau, 25, a sales representative from Manchester, N.H.

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"It's showing his inexperience, which is a concern for a lot of people, especially Democrats like myself who liked Hillary Clinton." _ George Londono, 42, now an Obama supporter from Merrimack, N.H.

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"I think dialogue at this point is a good thing." _ Michael Holdowski, who was pleased Obama met with Palestinian leaders. Holdowski is president of the Upper Valley Jewish Community, a Hanover, N.H., congregation.

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"Seeing the picture ... that's pretty inspiring. That says a lot." _ Evan Fontana, 22, a Jewish voter and college student from Atlantic City, N.J., on images of Obama laying a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.

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"He's not going to be able to gain the experience he needs between now and November." _ Tiffany Jackson, 31, a commercial insurance agent from suburban Cincinnati, who had supported Obama's primary rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton, but is leaning toward Obama.

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"I've seen finally that after six, seven years, almost eight, that the U.S. is trying to reach out to the world and get them to go back on track and like us instead of hating us." _ Amer Almadani, 41, an owner of a towing company who is originally from Jordan, but is a U.S. citizen living in Bristow, Va.