5 Things We Learned From Obama's Trip

Here are five things we learned in the wake of Barack Obama’s overseas trip, via John Heilemann in New York:

• Obama's got guts: The trip was “risky business, fraught with peril”—but we know now that he's willing to gamble if the potential payout is right.
• His team is great, but imperfect: The trip once again proved the organizational brilliance of his aides, but the non-visit of troops in Germany gave McCain ammo.

• Obama is near Bush on foreign policy: Sorry lefties, he’s closer to W. than to the anti-war movement. That could, however, defuse criticism from McCain.
• He's vulnerable on the surge: Barack’s maneuvering on the subject “veered into…falsehood.” He needs a better response.
• He must fight back: He’s clearly got McCain rattled, but he can't get complacent. He has to hit back harder at McCain’s newly negative attacks.

(More Barack Obama stories.)