‘Barack Obama has found a great new way to help voters imagine him as an occupant of the office he doesn’t have yet. He’s dropped the widely mocked faux presidential seal, but when he heads overseas Sunday, he’ll take an accessory with real power: three television network anchors,’ John Dickerson writes for Slate.

The anchors are a big coup for Obama as he heads to Europe, the Middle East, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They confer instant legitimacy. McCain, like Hillary Clinton before him, is arguing that Obama isn’t qualified to be commander in chief, but the networks are treating him like he’s already got the job. Each one will get an interview on a different night, which means Obama stands to control at least three days of news coverage in a campaign in which candidates are lucky if they can shape a few hours. The rest of the press hoard following Obama and the expected adoring crowds of cheering Europeans will only enhance the presidential tableau.

If it comes off as the campaign hopes, with a steady flow of images of Obama looking thoughtful, diplomatic, and commanding on the world stage, the trip helps Obama address his key weakness, perhaps permanently. The polls show Obama with a slew of advantages over John McCain—his supporters are more numerous, more enthusiastic, and people trust him on a wide range of issues. But on issues of national security and foreign affairs, Obama trails badly. In the recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, when voters are asked which candidate would be a good commander in chief, McCain clobbers Obama by 24 points (72 to 48), and when voters are asked which candidate knows enough about world affairs to serve effectively as president, McCain beats him by 16 points (72 to 56).

What’s most interesting about this road trip, in my opinion, is that so many European politicians seem to be more than willing to grand the legitimacy Obama is looking for to him. They are, it seems, willing to welcome him and to be used by him for his own domestic purposes. It is impossible for European politicians who meet with this man and who allow him to take the center stage here in Europe to say that they are not interfering in American politics. They are. And they know they are.

But… in the end, countries have to do what is in their own best interest. Obama is progressive, and as such mostly reasonably acceptable to many Europeans (at least, he was that is; he’s becoming increasingly less popular among experts, politicians and critics; although I think he’s still quite supported by the masses). A photo-up with him, may also / as a result help a European politician’s own career. Then there is of course the following: Obama is not experienced. It may, some European leaders undoubtedly think, be reasonably easy to influence him (not true I am sure, as they will find out if this man does indeed win). So, they think, they are acting in their own interest.

Obama’s timing is nearly perfect; he goes to Europe just at the moment that Europeans are starting to reconsider their support for him. Increasingly more Europeans get the impression that Obama may not be as good as they hoped, and are looking towards John McCain instead (who seems to offer pragmatism and experience, unlike Obama). At the very moment the mood seems to be changing, however, Obama goes to Europe. That will, undoubtedly, counter at least some of the criticism and developments, especially because Obama is often willing and able to tell people what they want to hear, only to take it all back one week later.