Obama's debut visit abroad lays groundwork for bigger prizes later on

Washington, Apr.8 (ANI): US President Barack Obama's glowing reception overseas suggests that he and his strategists have laid the groundwork for bigger prizes later on.

"One of the things that will make it easier for the leaders of these nations to work cooperatively with us ... is the fact that we have a more positive image among their constituents," the New York Daily News quoted top White House adviser David Axelrod, as telling reporters Tuesday.

Obama didn't just attend an economic summit and meet with nearly 20 world leaders. He held six news conferences and two very campaign-like town hall meetings, taking his messages directly to the people.

That message being: It's okay to love us again.

"You will find a partner and a supporter and a friend in the United States of America," Obama told students at a town hall talk in Istanbul, where he insisted he was different from his predecessor, even if it might take some time to see just how different, as he shifts America's path.

Observers felt the agreements Obama won on his trip were relatively modest, including a commitment of 5,000 NATO troops for Afghanistan, a promise to pump billions into the International Monetary Fund, and Russia's pledge to work on cutting nuclear weapons.

But the goodwill should boost the return down the road, they said.

"It was a campaign - a successful campaign - to sell Obama overseas before the real negotiations have to take place," said Princeton University's Julian Zelizer, a politics professor.

The White House was privately thrilled with the results of the tour. "I don't think anyone imagined going into this trip that it was going to be this successful," a senior aide said. (ANI)