Barack Obama is halfway around the world trying to convince American voters that he has what it takes to be the next commander in chief. U.S. presidential candidates typically use overseas travel to showcase their presidential qualities – ease with foreign leaders, knowledge of world affairs and general “gravitas” (or seriousness of bearing and purpose). Political observers theorize that Obama, because of his short tenure in public office, has more to prove – and maybe more to lose – on these trips than Republican Senator John McCain. (See “Presidential Candidates’ Foreign Trips Matter.”)

So, when Obama met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan on July 20 at the beginning of a multicountry trip, the press followed with rapt attention. Not much information about the leaders’ two hour meeting was released, but that didn’t discourage the intense media scrutiny. The same thing happened on July 21, when Obama visited Iraq and met with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Obama and his traveling companions, Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel and Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, released a statement saying they are seeking a strong U.S.-Afghan relationship “based on ‘more for more’ — more resources from the United States and NATO, and more action from the Afghan government to improve the lives of the Afghan people.”

This is Obama’s first travel outside the United States in 2008. McCain has made a number of trips overseas since securing the Republican nomination, which, although dutifully reported by journalists, failed to draw the same level of attention as Obama’s trip.

And it’s probably no coincidence that Obama’s trip includes stop in Afghanistan and Iraq. Both presidential candidates have been promoting their plans for Afghanistan and Iraq in recent days. (See “John McCain, Barack Obama Debate War Policies.”)