By GINGER ADAMS OTIS, Post Wire Services
Posted: 4:14 am
June 29, 2008
Barack Obama plans to make a summer visit to the Middle East and Europe, taking time away from his campaign to boost his foreign-policy credentials.
The Illinois senator will meet with heads of state in England, France and Germany, as well as Jordan and Israel.
Obama will also join a congressional delegation to Afghanistan and Iraq this summer, although his campaign declined to discuss details and dates for security reasons.
The presumptive Democratic nominee has faced sharp criticism from GOP rival John McCain for, among other things, his willingness to talk to leaders of hostile foreign nations without preconditions and his opposition to the Iraq war.
It's unusual for a presidential candidate, caught in a tightly fought campaign, to travel internationally so close to the general elections.
Obama had considered such a trip last year, but the competitive Democratic campaign with Hillary Rodham Clinton gave him almost no time to leave the country.
