Barack Obama’s performance during his five-country tour of Europe and the Middle East last week was judged so successful that it has left some wondering whether the Democratic presidential nominee might be overqualified for the position of commander in chief. "There is a legitimate question of whether this job would provide enough of a challenge for someone of his talents," said a scholar of presidents and their resumes. "He looked so comfortable, so composed, so ready for the moment, and he made it look so easy while under the constant watch of the media, that you have to wonder if he is really ready to settle for the job of the president of the United States." After watching his easy rapport with numerous world leaders, political consultants — both Democratic and Republican — openly speculated that Obama, even if he accepted the electorate’s will to have him elected president, might simply use the office for a year or two as a stepping stone to a more prestigious leadership position. "The U.S. presidency still carries some symbolic value, but it isn’t what it once was, and I’m not sure it is ready to handle a young, ambitious man like Senator Obama," said one veteran consultant. Campaign analysts said they watched anxiously last week during the presumptive nominee’s overseas trip, waiting for Obama to commit some gaffe — an unceremonious breach of etiquette during a meeting with a world leader, an unflattering pose during a pho ...
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