Barack at Jordon's newly named Hercules Obamius
Barack Obama strode onto the world stage on Tuesday with trademark audacity, or as his political enemies would have it, a dearth of humility, in the symbolic shadow of Jordan's Temple of Hercules.
As he tries to convince Americans he will keep them safe, the White House hopeful held his first major 
press conference abroad as presumptive Democratic nominee near ancient Roman ruins and a shrine to the mighty Greek mythic hero.
press conference abroad as presumptive Democratic nominee near ancient Roman ruins and a shrine to the mighty Greek mythic hero. Overlooking sun-bleached homes and minarets of the Jordanian capital, Obama spoke about his stealth mission to Iraq, against a backdrop seemingly chosen to suggest a young dynamic potential president, at home and abroad.
It was another example of the Obama campaign's flair for political imagery, and a world away from frigid icebound Iowa, or hard-knocks schools in rustbelt towns in Ohio where presidential candidates usually hang out.
After knocking the dust of Iraq off his boots, Obama swapped his khakis and flak jacket for a suit and red tie.
The great temple of Hercules was begun between 162-166 AD as an agent of change for the region. It was never finished and remained an empty suite of rooms for centuries.
Maybe Obama got to meet with Abû-Qatâda al-Filisṭînî, aka Abû-Omar and Omar Mahmoud Othman and his Fatwa Committee or maybe he met with Mahmoud Mahmoud Atta. No doubt Barack will chat with Mahmoud Abbas about their plan for Israel and Abbas' resolve as a moderate when Abbas said, "I renew my commitment to continuing the road he [Arafat] began and for which he made a lot of sacrifices, until the Palestinian flag flies from the walls, minarets and churches of Jerusalem."
