Barack Obama waves to the audience after a speech at the victory column in Berlin Thursday, July 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Has there ever been a campaign swing like Barack Obama’s this week? Heads of state, red carpet, adoring masses and full press throng across half the world?

Or more humble — maybe bumbling — than John McCain’s? Alone in the dairy aisle, cans tumbling off the shelf. Hurricane Dolly and an oil spill bearing down on his travel plans.

And yet, the polls say, McCain hangs in.

We’ll size up Obama in the world, McCain at home, the huge new housing legislation, and more this hour.

Up next On Point: Our weekly new roundtable goes behind the headlines with top reporters, Jack Beatty, and you.

-Tom Ashbrook

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Guests:

Joining us from Washington is Gerald Seib, assistant managing editor at The Wall Street Journal. He writes the paper’s weekly “Capital Journal” column. His latest book, with John Harwood, is “Pennsylvania Avenue: Profiles in Backroom Power.”

Also joining us from Washington is Michael Kranish, Washington correspondent for The Boston Globe. He’s been out with John McCain this week.

And with us from Hanover, New Hampshire, is Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst and senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly.

Tags: 2008 election, politics, week in the news