Barack Obama is on his way to Europe, where an adoring public awaits. But I wonder if the reception would be quite so enthusiastic if Obama’s fans across the Atlantic knew a dirty little secret of his remarkable presidential campaign: Although Obama portrays himself as the best candidate to engage the rest of the world and restore America’s image abroad, and many Americans support him for that reason, so far he has almost completely refused to answer questions from foreign journalists. When the press plane leaves tonight for his trip, there will be, as far as I know, no foreign media aboard. The Obama campaign has refused multiple requests from international reporters to travel with the candidate

As a German correspondent in Washington, I am accustomed to the fact that American politicians spare little of their limited time for reporters from abroad. This is understandable: Our readers, viewers and listeners cannot vote in U.S. elections. Even so, Obama’s opponents have managed to make at least a small amount of time for international journalists. John McCain has given many interviews. Hillary Clinton gave a few. President Bush regularly holds round-table interviews with media from the countries to which he travels. Only Obama dismisses us so consistently.

You have to ask yourself why Obama won’t have interviews with the foreign media. My guess is Obama is babied by the U.S. media, he is their golden child and they protect him.  How could someone who has so little substance take a chance on the rest of the world knowing what he really is through unbiased media? 

John McCain has interviews with foreign and domestic reporters, open forum town hall meetings, and will field just about any question anyone wants to throw at him.  How is it that McCain can do this while Obama runs and hides?  That’s simple, McCain knows who he is and what he believes through decades of experience.  Obama has no experience and is rapidly finding out how little he truly knows.  His biggest fear now is that someone else may find out.  Well surprise Mr. Obama we already know, know it is just a game, wondering if and when that wonderful thing will happen that lets even those with the rose colored glasses see you for who you really are….a frightened fake.