The jet-setter: Taking his secret Afghanistan plans with him. (reuters)
President Obama cleared out of Washington today for a nine-day, four-nation tour of Asia, with stops in Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea. Does it seem like he travels a lot? According to the estimable Mark Knoller of CBS News, it seems that way because it's true.
Since taking office, he has made 7 foreign trips and visited 16 countries, 3 of them twice.
The Asia trip – which takes him to Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea – will bring his total to 8 foreign trips and 20 countries.
The only other president to come close to Mr. Obama's first-year-in-office globe-trotting numbers is President George H. W. Bush, who took 7 foreign trips to 14 countries.
In addition, Obama is stopping in Alaska to see the troops at Elmendorf Air Force Base on his way to Japan — meaning he will have been to every state in the U.S. since declaring for president. Michelle Obama is not making the trip this time.
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