To start, we'll probably have to wait a little longer to see whether it will pay off in the long run. But the short term effects are already starting to be seen, and if history in this election cycle has taught us anything about Obama, it's that he's consistently been able to hold on to the positive and expand upon it, and throw off the negative.

The latest Gallup Poll has Obama ahead by 9 points, the largest lead he's ever had for Gallup. This is definitely as a result of Obama's overseas trip, though Gallup credits it with the huge amount of media coverage he received on his trip.

Yes, it's true that Obama got a ton of media coverage, especially compared to McCain. The issue is not the amount of coverage, though, but what was being covered. Obama made not one mistake in his trip, whereas McCain spent the entire time screwing up, making gaffes and whining.

The media loves McCain. But there's only so much they can do when he screws up as badly as he has been and as consistently as he has been (CBS tried to cover it up, but just didn't do a good enough job).

Though this may be a temporary boost, I think Obama has gained in the long run. People saw the way he performed with foreign leaders, and the way in which they received him (overhwhelmingly positive). He met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, whereas McCain has not. He practically got an endorsement from French President Nicolas Sarkozy (whether you respect the guy or not, better relations between the US and France would be a very good thing). His Iraq timetable was applauded and praised by... The Iraqi Government.

People saw these things. They will continue to be talked about. McCain, though he may try, will have a very hard time recovering from this. What makes it all the sweeter, though, is that he brought it on himself when he goaded Obama into visiting Iraq, and derided him for his so-called "lack of experience" in foreign affairs.